the story of a forgotten people

The Bhutanese refugees number over 100,000 and have lived in bamboo tents in seven refugee camps along the southeast border of Nepal for over 17 years.  Their ancestors immigrated from Nepal to Bhutan over two hundred years ago, but were forced to leave what had become their home due to government pressure.

Without the possibility of local integration into Nepal or re-entering their homes in Bhutan, resettlement to a third country, such as the United States, has emerged as the only option.

The United States generously agreed to accept over 60,000 Bhutanese refugees and began resettling them in cities across the United States a little over a year ago. Currently approximately 150 Bhutanese refugees have been relocated to Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) with about 100 more expected to resettle each year for the new 4 years.