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Mizzima: UNHCR to cut monthly allow
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UNHCR to cut monthly allowance to Burmese refugees in India
New Delhi, January 16, 2000
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in
India has informed the Burmese refugees in New Delhi that it would not
be possible to continue to provide monthly subsistence allowances (SA)
to all refugees due to the level of UNHCR voluntary funds available for
the year 2001. Although UNHCR officials have not announced when exactly
the SA will be cut, it is now talking with the representatives of
Burmese refugees to evolve alternatives such as loan schemes and
skill-related training for the refugees.
In recent two meetings held on 14 December and 15 January, 2001 with
representatives of Burmese refugees, UNHCR officials cited the reason of
SA cut as low availability of financial contributions from donor
countries for this year. As a result, while UNHCR (India) had received
the budget allocation of US $ 1.6 millions last year, only US $ 1.2
millions is allocated for the New Delhi Office for the year 2001.
Moreover, 20% of the allocated budget for this year is again to be
frozen as some donor countries might not fully contribute their promised
amount.
?With this in mind, the further extension of monthly subsistence
allowances to all refugees would not be possible beyond UNHCR present
financial commitment?, said UNHCR in a latter sent out to refugees?
representatives. Marie-Jose Canelli, Officer Incharge, signed the
letter. It claimed that UNHCR (India) spent 40% of last year?s budget
amounting to US dollar six hundred thousands only for the SA of
Afghanistan and Burmese refugees in India.
UNHCR provides monthly Subsistence Allowance of Indian Rupees 1,400 (US
$ 30) per person to most of the Burmese refugees in Delhi. There are
around 800 Burmese refugees living under the mandate of UNHCR in India.
The Government of India has, since late 1999, issued Residential Permit
(RP) for the UNHCR-recognized Burmese refugees and the permit is to be
renewed every six month.
UNHCR is now seeking the active involvement of the Burmese refugee
community in activities geared towards improving their self-reliance,
from planning to execution. It has advised the Burmese refugees to set
up various Committees, which would work on the projected activities
towards welfare and self-reliance of the refugees.
It is, however, to continue to provide SA, through its one of NGO
partners in Delhi, to the extremely vulnerable individuals and would
continue to subsidize refugee children?s access to education.
Burmese refugee community in New Delhi responded the news with dismay
and urged the UNHCR either to continue the monthly Subsistence Allowance
or resettle them in the third countries such as USA, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand.
?We are shocked to hear the news of SA cut. Going back to our own
country means imprisonment for life and death for us?, said Elvis Ceu,
an ethnic Chin national from Burma. Except some, many of the Burmese
refugees are not interested in self-reliance activities as they said it
would be very difficult for them to work in India. However, for UNHCR,
?resettlement? is the least preferred solution as it entirely depends on
those countries to accept the refugees.
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<b><font size=+2>UNHCR to cut monthly allowance to Burmese refugees in
India</font></b>
<p>New Delhi, January 16, 2000
<br>Mizzima News Group (<a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>www.mizzima.com</a>)
<p>The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in
India has informed the Burmese refugees in New Delhi that it would not
be possible to continue to provide monthly subsistence allowances (SA)
to all refugees due to the level of UNHCR voluntary funds available for
the year 2001. Although UNHCR officials have not announced when exactly
the SA will be cut, it is now talking with the representatives of Burmese
refugees to evolve alternatives such as loan schemes and skill-related
training for the refugees.
<p>In recent two meetings held on 14 December and 15 January, 2001 with
representatives of Burmese refugees, UNHCR officials cited the reason of
SA cut as low availability of financial contributions from donor countries
for this year. As a result, while UNHCR (India) had received the budget
allocation of US $ 1.6 millions last year, only US $ 1.2 millions is allocated
for the New Delhi Office for the year 2001. Moreover, 20% of the allocated
budget for this year is again to be frozen as some donor countries might
not fully contribute their promised amount.
<p>?With this in mind, the further extension of monthly subsistence allowances
to all refugees would not be possible beyond UNHCR present financial commitment?,
said UNHCR in a latter sent out to refugees? representatives. Marie-Jose
Canelli, Officer Incharge, signed the letter. It claimed that UNHCR (India)
spent 40% of last year?s budget amounting to US dollar six hundred thousands
only for the SA of Afghanistan and Burmese refugees in India.
<p>UNHCR provides monthly Subsistence Allowance of Indian Rupees 1,400
(US $ 30) per person to most of the Burmese refugees in Delhi. There are
around 800 Burmese refugees living under the mandate of UNHCR in India.
The Government of India has, since late 1999, issued Residential Permit
(RP) for the UNHCR-recognized Burmese refugees and the permit is to be
renewed every six month.
<p>UNHCR is now seeking the active involvement of the Burmese refugee community
in activities geared towards improving their self-reliance, from planning
to execution. It has advised the Burmese refugees to set up various Committees,
which would work on the projected activities towards welfare and self-reliance
of the refugees.
<p>It is, however, to continue to provide SA, through its one of NGO partners
in Delhi, to the extremely vulnerable individuals and would continue to
subsidize refugee children?s access to education.
<p>Burmese refugee community in New Delhi responded the news with dismay
and urged the UNHCR either to continue the monthly Subsistence Allowance
or resettle them in the third countries such as USA, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand.
<p>?We are shocked to hear the news of SA cut. Going back to our own country
means imprisonment for life and death for us?, said Elvis Ceu, an ethnic
Chin national from Burma. Except some, many of the Burmese refugees are
not interested in self-reliance activities as they said it would be very
difficult for them to work in India. However, for UNHCR, ?resettlement?
is the least preferred solution as it entirely depends on those countries
to accept the refugees.
<p> </html>
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