Refugee problem

A majority of Southern Bhutanese (Lhotshampa) became the refugee and lives in exile in Jhapa, Nepal, initially due to the Royal Government's citizenship policy. But eventually, even those without citizenship problems were forced to leave Bhutan and landed in Jhapa as refugees. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been extending support for their shelter, food, health and the education of their children Currently, about 100,000 Bhutanese citizens are living in seven United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) monitored camps in Jhapa, Nepal.

Many rounds of ministerial talks between Nepal and Bhutan government have taken place to discuss the issue. In the 14th round of ministerial talks, a consensus was reached when both governments formed a Joint Verification Team, and also conducted a verification of 1500 families at the Khudunabari Camp. But a solution is yet to emerge and so far not a single refugee is repatriated.