Damak, November 27:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) began interviewing the Bhutanese refugees opting for third country resettlement in the US in Damak today.

Three high-ranking officials of the Department of US Homeland Security — William Lowe, Keirn Van and David Radel — began interviewing the refugees on their intention and opinion on resettlement, said Laxmankumar Hamal, assistant Chief District Officer and joint director of the Refugee Coordination Unit under the Home Ministry. He said the team will be in Damak till December 13.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has already submitted the applications of refugees having security concerns to the IOM.

It is said that interview in Morang’s Shanischare and Damak’s Beldangi camp has been completed in the first phase. However, the number of interviewees has not been revealed.

Jas Bahadur Subba, a refugee living in the Shanischare camp, said all the members of his family have been interviewed. Another refugee Homnath Baral said that he has been called for a health check up along with all family members by December.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has been continuing to inquiry about the refugees who have opted for third country resettlement. It is said said that 50,000 refugees of 10,000 families have applied for third country resettlement, the IOM has not disclosed the number of applications it has received.