UNHCR sends emergency supplies

Kathmandu, November 13: The UNHCR has said it has provided emergency supplies and to some 400 exiled Bhutanese in Beldangi-I affected by the fire on Friday.

The refugee agency on Monday said investigation is underway into the fire incident in the camp, but no foul play is suspected for now.

“Fire destroyed some 68 huts, including 31 huts that were dismantled to stop the fire from spreading further but no casualties have been reported, though about 10 exiled Bhutanese sustained minor injuries, reportedly minor bruises and cuts while dismantling the huts,” UNHCR said.

The injured Bhutanese were treated in the local health posts and no external medical referral was necessary.

The Fire Department units from Damak and Birtamod, together with exiled Bhutanese and police personnel, had managed to get the fire under control.

"It is most unfortunate that such a large number of houses were gutted by the fire and families affected during the Tihar festival," UNHCR Nepal chief Abraham ABRAHAM said.

UNHCR, in coordination with UN World Food Programme and its NGO partners, has rehabilitated the affected families at a school complex inside the camp.

UNHCR in its statement said materials for new shelters are being supplied to help the affected families to reconstruct their huts. Bhutan News Service