"It takes about three months, starting from filling up application forms, sitting for interviews and getting to know the results. Some even do not get results even after such a long period and they have to wait for more than a year", said Mr. Jeremia, secretary of CRC.

"Subsistence Allowance or privileges related to health for refugees provided by UNHCR is insufficient. After paying room rent, nothing is left for medical care when they (refugees) are sick. They take loans from others to avail treatment from nearby clinics. There is also no reimbursement from UNHCR for medical treatment. Therefore, we would like to call on the UNHCR today to reimburse treatments costs to refugees," he added.

Since 2006, the YMCA, working partner of UNHCR in New Delhi cut off assistance for medical care for refugees except for Tuberculosis (TB) patients. As a result, refugees from Myanmar are facing a lot of problems on a daily basis, the CRC said.

YMCA provides refugee students from Myanmar studying at the primary level from nursery to class V about Rs. 2500 a year and Rs. 3,100 to students between Class VI to Class XII in three installments a year. 

There are several children who are unable to continue studies as the UNHCR has phased out Subsistence Allowance (SA) of some refugees from Myanmar. Their parents are also struggling for survival, CRC added.

There are around 1,500 refugees from Myanmar recognized by the UNHCR office in New Delhi and about 600 refugees who are still unrecognized. – KNG.