WFP BOARD PPROVES NEPAL PROTRACTED RELIEF AND

UNCLAS ROME 000879 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME KATHMANDU FOR AMBASSADOR MALINOWSKI AND USAID DIRECTOR CLARK STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, SA/INS AND IO/EDA BEHREND AND KOTOK USAID FOR DAA/DCHA GRIGSBY, DCHA/FFP LANDIS, ANE/ESA USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR GENEVA FOR AMBASSADOR MOLEY, RMA LYNCH AND NKYLOH/USAID USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ BRUSSELS FOR USAID/LERNER NSC OR JDWORKEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UNHCR SUBJECT: WFP BOARD PPROVES NEPAL PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPEATION (PRRO) VALUED AT U.S. DOLLARS (USD) 7.59 MILION - 19,226 METRIC TONS REF: (A) 03 ROME 1295 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The WFP Execuive Board, at its first regular session (Februar 23-26),approved a Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation for Nepal. The project 10058.3, entitle Food Assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal,is for twelve months (July 2004-June 2005),and overs 99,600 beneficiaries. Total cost to WFP isUSD 7.59 million. Over the life-of-project, WFP ill supply (subject to the availability of funds)a total of 19,226 metric tons of food aid. End smmary. -------------- Background -------------- . Refugees from Bhutan - mostly ethnic Nepalis - bgan fleeing to Nepal in late 1990, with the inflx peaking in ¶1992. The population is now stabilizd in seven camps in Eastern Nepal, and it appear that most Bhutanese refugees prefer to return t Bhutan. In 2003, Nepalese and Bhutanese Joint Vrification Teams completed the verification and ategorization of refugees in Khudunabari Camp. Thoe refugees in Categories (I) Bhutanese citizens ompelled to leave Bhutan; (II) Bhutanese who volntarily left Bhutan; and (IV) alleged criminals were scheduled to be offered repatriation to Bhtan in February 2004. However, an incident on December 22, 2003, in which refugees attacked Bhutaese officials in Khudunabari Camp, resulted in the postponement of the repatriation. Displeased wih the stated terms and conditions for return, Bhutanese refugee leaders demand that returnees regain Bhutanese citizenship as well as access to their original land and employment opportunities. UNHCR announced plans in October 2003 to gradually phase out its assistance in the camps over a two- year period while focusing on fostering self-reliance activities, referring vulnerable cases for resettlement, and ensuring any returns to Bhutan are voluntary. UNHCR has already begun cutting assistance in 2004. -------------- -------------- U.S. intervention in support of approval of the Nepal PRRO -------------- -------------- ¶3. Herewith the essence of the supportive U.S. intervention: -The USG continues to urge both Nepal and Bhutan to provide durable solutions for the more than 100,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Both Governments need to promptly reengage the bilateral process to prepare for their repatriation and local integration. Specific concerns raised by the refugees about the terms and conditions for return should be addressed. -USDEL encourages WFP to monitor how its operations in the Bhutanese refugee camps will be affected by UNHCR's reduced assistance. We urge the UN to ensure that the basic needs of the Bhutanese refugees are met as Bhutan and Nepal revisit next steps on repatriation and local integration. -USDEL remains concerned with the fragile security situation that impacts not only UN staff but also the camp population in general. ¶4. Other delegations were supportive of WFP's efforts. -------------- WFP's Country Director responds -------------- ¶5. WFP's Country Director for Nepal (Ms. Erika Joergensen) reported that UNHCR has effectively ceased its support for the Joint Verification process. Nepal-Bhutan "talks," in her view, are at a "standstill." She confirmed that the Government of Nepal has removed permanent police points in the camps, which in turn has heightened camp insecurity. Moreover, in October 2003, both districts hosting the camps were declared Phase 3 by the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD),restricting United Nations staff to essential monitoring. -------------- -------------- Donor support to WFP Nepal's ongoing PRRO 10058.2 covering the period July 2003-June 2004 -------------- -------------- ¶6. U.S. contributions against the present WFP Nepal PRRO total USD 902,321 (2,021 metric tons). The PRRO's major donor is the European Community (ECHO),which has contributed USD 2.37 million (6,682 metric tons). Note. Overall contributions to the ongoing program through January 9, 2004 are USD 6.9 million (19,574 metric tons),against an operations target of USD 8.57 million (20,044 metric tons). End note. -------------- Executive Board approval -------------- ¶7. The WFP Board approved the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation for Nepal. The project 10058.3, entitled Food Assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, is for twelve months (July 2004-June 2005),and covers 99,600 beneficiaries. Total cost to WFP is USD 7.59 million. Over the life-of-project, WFP will supply (subject to the availability of funds) a total of 19,226 metric tons of food aid. Hall NNNN 2004ROME00879 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED