The Australian Government's Overseas Aid Program (AusAID) has donated USD 460,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Nepal to feed more than 90,000 refugees from Bhutan who have been living in camps in Eastern Nepal over the last 18 years.
AusAID's donation will cover the food needs for the entire refugee population for 20 days, a joint press statement issued by the Australian Embassy in Nepal and WFP said.
"Australia is also contributing to a long-term solution by resettling 5,000 Bhutanese refugees over the next five years," said Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Susan Grace.
"We are very grateful to the Australian Government for their timely contribution and their continued support to the refugees," said Richard Ragan, WFP Country Representative in Nepal, adding that WFP has been able to resume full ration distributions two weeks after funding shortfalls had forced a 50 percent reduction in rice rations.
Under their current status, the refugees from Bhutan are restricted from engaging in economic activities outside the camps and from owning land. This makes humanitarian assistance, such as the food assistance supported by the international donor community, essential to fulfilling their basic needs.
