KATHMANDU, Mar 23, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Bhutanese refugees living in seven camps in eastern Nepal appealed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to reconsider its proposed cut in the supply of essential commodities.
A letter addressed here Wednesday to the UNHCR said the refugees were disheartened by the UNHCR announcement in early March regarding "considerable amount of reduction" in the supply of essential items, including fuel for cooking and medicines, and also the repair and maintenance of huts in the camps.
The UN body has been providing assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal for the past 14 years. The UNHCR announced last year it would gradually phase out its direct involvement in the camps by the end of 2005.
"The reduction of the assistance provided to the refugees, just sufficient enough for sustenance even now, will put their very survival at stake," said the letter signed by representatives of all the seven refugee camps.
About 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in eastern Nepal for more than 10 years after they were evicted from Bhutan in early 1990s.