With the resettlement program of the Bhutanese refugees coming towards the end, around eight thousand registered and non- registered people are still languishing in Beldangi and Sanischare camps. Children forum and camp management committee report there are around 900 school going children and 60 among them are identified as extremely vulnerable – orphan or with physically or mentally disabled single parents. These vulnerable children were reported not having warm clothes to fight tough winter.
Punya Foundation, Nepal submitted a proposal to Punya Foundation, USA and Canada for winter cloths distribution support. Mr Sudip Adhikari, President Punya Foundation USA and Mr Shyam Ghimire, President Punya Foundation Canada led the fundraise and collected USD 1550 and CAD 550 respectively.
Punya Foundation, Nepal played implementation role. Mr Mohan Niraula, President Punya Foundation, Nepal was accompanied by Mr Roshan Niraula to Jhapa and Morang districts from Kathmandu. While Mr Tika Khatiwada coordinated the process in Kathmandu, Mr LN Pokhrel facilitated the implementation at the ground level.
Winter clothes consisting of tracksuit, a pair of shocks, cap, shoes and a jacket was distributed to 66 children – 54 from Bhutanese refugee camps, 12 from the host community consisting of 36 boys and 30 girls. The distribution was on the 15th December 2020.
The distribution session that took place in different locations was attended by the camp secretaries of Beldangi and Sanischare, camp management, community members, member of children forum, and the board members Punya Foundation, Nepal. Camp secretaries of both the camps expressed their gratitude and wished for continued collaboration in future. They thanked the donors on behalf of the winter clothes package recipients, their parents and the community. Punya Foundation board appreciated team Nepal for travelling from Kathmandu to implement the project.
