Nepal government, UNHCR set to begin census

Kathmandu, November 07: The Government of Nepal and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) are jointly conducting a census of the exiled Bhutanese.
 
A press release issued by the UNHCR said, the census would begin on November 15 from Beldangi I camp.
 
"It is intended that the exercise will be carried out on a camp by camp basis over the next few months," the statement added.

The census team will be made up of UNHCR-trained persons who will conduct the interviews in close co-operation and collaboration with the officials of the Government of Nepal to both count and update basic bio-data and profile of the Bhutanese.

"The refugee agency's newly developed proGres software will be used to log an accurate record of the number of exiled Bhutanese and to collect other related information. A digital photograph will be taken of each individual with the view to issuing photo identity cards after the completion of the census process," the agency said.
 
"A reliable census data will help the Government of Nepal and UNHCR to provide better protection, security and support to the refugees on the basis of improved documentation on "who is who" and "who is where" to be able to respond to individual needs," UNHCR Representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham said.

This census is supported by Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands and the United States among others. Bhutan News Service