A group of Nepalese/Bhutanese refugees will start new lives and form
a new immigrant community in Halifax, after spending nearly 20 years in
refugee camps.
Twelve government-sponsored refugees arrived last week, joining the
20 who arrived in May.
“We’re assuming that we will get more,” says Sarah Cooper,
settlement worker at the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association.
Canada has promised to resettle 5,000 of roughly 108,000 stateless
Nepalese/Bhutanese refugees.
Amnesty International has called the plight of Nepalese/Bhutanese
“one of the most protracted and neglected refugee crises in the world.”
In the late ’80s, the Bhutanese government attempted to eradicate the
culture of the Nepalese minority, branding many as illegal immigrants.
Thousands fled to camps in Nepal in the ’90s.
Government will give the refugees an Income Assistance-level
allowance for their first year, but Cooper says that, contrary to
popular belief, “it’s not a free ride.”
“I think one thing that the general public and a lot of service
providers are not aware of is that our clients have to pay back the
money that they are loaned from the government for their (airline)
transportation.” Refugee families also pay medical examination bills.
Families can wind up with a debt of up to $10,000.
Cooper says finding affordable housing for refugees, who aren’t
immediately eligible for public housing, is challenging too. Ten of the
Nepalese and Bhutanese refugees are living in hotels, waiting to find
housing.
Finding employment isn’t easy either, especially after spending a
huge portion of one’s life in a refugee camp. Education past grade 10
was unavailable in many Nepalese camps, older adults often lacked the
means to practice their trades and others must deal with traumatic
experiences, such as being separated from family.
Cooper hopes Haligonians will “be embracing,” she says, “and just get
excited that they’re here and realize that they have a lot to offer a
community.”
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2009.
Great story Lizzy! It reminds me of how much wonder I was filled with on my first trip to Pier 21. I think it’s important and interesting to learn about and understand refugee journeys. I hope they make a happy home in Halifax.
I wish all the Nepalese refugees the best in Halifax. From what I have read & heard, Halifax does not treat immigrants kindly. Many immigrants are shunned and treated with much disrespect. Perhaps your government should teach Scotians that they don’t own the Province.
A reader from Montreal, Qc. Canada
Welcome Nepalese/Bhutanese refugees, I hope you find peace and happiness here!
rosieshouse:
From what I have read & heard, and personally experienced, Montreal does not treat English Canadians kindly. Many visiters are shunned and treated with much disrespect. Perhaps your government should teach Quebecois that they don’t own the Province.
I can’t speak for all 850,000 ‘Scotians’ as you called us, but I welcome all peace loving peoples from anywhere to come, enjoy, and stay if you wish; even folks from Quebec!…………….Even you rosiehouse, a personal visit might give you a real opinion rather than borrowed propaganda.