Crocodile tears
Until end 1990s, Bhutanese refugees have been burden for locals in Jhapa and Morang, Nepal. There had been several complaints regarding deforestation, collection of firewood, local workers not getting job due to refugees and countless more. In several cases, they staged to stop refugees coming out from the camp to work. Most refugees worked in construction industry and in schools. It was impossible for locals to understand how the refugees can survive with 5 kg of rice per fortnight.
Several clashes occurred between refugees and locals and in all cases refugees were finally blamed. In a few cases, refugees’ huts were burnt in revenge. At least half a dozen refugees died in clashes. The negativity had reached its height by early last decade – that refugees were in Nepal just because they don’t like to work.
The prices of commodities increased over the decades but the budget for supplying essential food did not increased for UNHCR. On the other hand, UNHCR and partner agencies invest half of the budget for employment generation, road work, farming, irrigation, and other services for local residents. This had substantially decreased the facilities refugees get – 5 kg rice, 280gm lentils, 600gm vegetables, 240gm sugar, 20gm salt and land for building hut – per person per fortnight.
The resettlement has increased greed among locals. The relations between the camp and locals boost suddenly. Few of them even announced friendship organisations. As resettlement continues and camp population decrease, locals have begun to realise that refugee camps were their golden goose. I don’t mean everyone was negative with refugees in the past but even those having positive thoughts did not come up to lessen the increasing tussle. Now, those who had regarded refugees as the burden are leaders of friendship organisations.
I have experiences while working in The Rising Nepal, how badly one of the co-workers treated me. I was forced to leave the job because I was a refugee.
Back in Jhapa, the locals have started demanding that camps must not be merged. It’s just my wonder the camp, that had been burden for them, should not be removed? I think removal of the camp will heal sours of bitter relations.
To my understanding, those who supported us during our stay in camps, had not campaigned to remove the camps earlier nor are they telling UNHCR now not to remove the camps. Good always remain good. Others tend to show crocodile tears.