ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 1 I, Narad Pokhrel give permission for Administrative Studies at Marywood University publish my Professional Contribution on its website. ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 2 ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S by NaradPokhrel A Professional Contribution Submitted to the Faculty of Marywood University In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Health Services Administration in Public Administration Approved: --------------------------------- Mentor ----------------------------------- Review Committee Member ------------------------- -------------------------------------- Date Department Chairperson ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This enlightening journey would not have been possible without the support of many people. First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my mentor and advisor over the past two years, Prof. Dr. Alice McDonnell who was abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support and guidance. Her willingness to motivate me contributed tremendously to my project so without whose knowledge and assistance, this study would not have been successful. Thank you for guidance and understanding you have given me throughout my academic career at Marywood University. Furthermore I would also like to express my gratitude to my Prof. Dr. Alexander Dawoody for providing me with support and guidance in some of the more tedious aspects of research, data collection and data analysis. Special thanks goes to Marywood University, Bhutanese Community of Scranton and many more who provided me the support to complete this project. At last but not least my gratitude goes to my Parents, Tika and Saraswati, wife Hema and my lovely daughters; Nahisha and Nancy, and my best friend Tek Panday for endless love and support by keeping me harmonious and calm throughout entire process of my project. Finally, this Professional Contribution could not have been realized without the cooperation, hospitality, generosity, openness, and friendship of my Bhutanese family and friends. ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 4 PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE: ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………………………………... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………….…….…….…... iii LISTS OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………..………….iv ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………..…….. v CHAPTERS I.INTRODUCTION OF THE U.S REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM A. OVERVIEW OF U.S. REFUGEE POLICY………………………………………………....1 B. MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND US PARTNERS……….……….……..…5 C. PRE-INTERVIEW AND POST ACCEPTANCE PROCESSING………….……………….8 D. POST ARRIVAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS …………………………………….....12 II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE BHUTANESE REFUGEES…………………...15 A.HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE BHUTANESE REFUGEES……………………15 B.THE SAGA OF FORCED EXPULSION AND THE REFUGEE PROBLEM………………17 C. CULTURAL PROFILE OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES IN NEPAL…………………........20 III. LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACH………….………………..28 IV. SOME COMMON ISSUES OF RESETTLEMENT IN BHUTANESE REFUGEES…..…37 V. METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………………………46 ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 5 VI. DATA ANALYSIS, DISCUSSION AND FINDINGS………………………….…………52 VII. ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLECATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS……………………………………………………………………………………....82 VIII. IMPLICATION AND CONCLUSION ………………………………………………......85 ACRONYMS ………………………………………………………………………………......87 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………...94 APPENDIX A TABLES………………………………………………………………………………………...95 APPENDIX B RESEARCH QUESTION AND SAMPLE INTERVIEW………………………..…………………………………….…….……………101 APPENDIX C MAPS…………………………………………………………………….……………………105 APPENDIX D PICTURES…………………………………………………………………………...…………109 ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 6 LIST OF TABLES 1. THE CRUX OF SWOT ANALYSIS…………………………………………….…………..79 2. PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS IN BHUTANESE REFUGEES BHUTANESE REFUGEE CAMPS AND THEIR POPULATIONS…………..…………….…96 3. SELF-REPORTED CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS……………..…………….…97 4. TOP 10 COUNTRIES IN 2009, 2010, 2011, AND 2012……………………………..…98 5. REFUGEE ADMISSIONS IN FY2010, FY2011, FY2012 AND 2013…………………99 6. VACCINATIONS OFFERED TO US-BOUND BHUTANESE REFUGEES…….….100 7. MORTALITY RATES IN BHUTANESE REFUGEES FROM 2008–2011…………..100 LIST OF FRAMEWORK MODAL 1. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK DEFINING CORE DOMAINS OF INTEGRATION….....34 2. DIVERSITY INCLUSIVE PROGRAM MODEL ……………………………………...……71 ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 7 ABSTRACT After years in Bhutanese refugee camps, over 90,000 Bhutanese refugees are being resettled around the world by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This study examines the relationship between religious coping and acculturation stress among newly- resettled Hindu Bhutanese refugees in the United States (US), the projected home of most Bhutanese refugees. The aims of this study were to: find out why the resettled Bhutanese especially the elderly Bhutanese refugees are not happy with resettlement process, investigates tons of challenges for the integration and assimilation because of cultural differences, find out about the pre-settlement hopes and expectations of the Bhutanese refugees, look at their short- term settlement outcomes, and to suggest implications of these findings to enable better support for the resettlement of Bhutanese refugees. The patterns of adjustment and resettlement behavior described below are applicable to the new refugees but in many cases the stresses and problems are greatly magnified. Resettlement, adjustment and assimilation is a complex and multifaceted process. There is a large volume of material on different aspects of the process so that, in contrast to the other stages of the refugee experience. One of the most notable goals for strengthening employment and financial self‐sufficiency, and finding and recommendations for assisting refugees are very crucial parts of the paper Nonetheless, there are some significant gaps in our knowledge about resettlement and those who work with the refugees are aware that resettlement poses an increased risk of complexity and vagueness. Some researchers believe that adequate preparation for resettlement decreases those risks. Themes identified as possible risk factors included cultural duality, language and acculturative barriers, low socioeconomic status, and low educational level. Thus this paper will be a useful tool for Public Welfares, Resettlement Agencies, Case Workers, Service Providers, Employers, Hospitals, Schools, Universities, Business Owners, Donors, and many more that are related to the Bhutanese communities. The findings of the Research Project as a whole will help to inform future pre-arrival and on-arrival settlement information and orientation identify areas of priority when resettling new ethnic communities. This paper will enable better support for the resettlement not only to the communities, but also to the refugees as well. ASSIMILATION ISSUES OF BHUTANESE REFUGEES AFTERMATH OF RESETTLEMENT IN U.S 8 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION OF THE U.S. REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM A. OVERVIEW OF U.S. REFUGEE POLICY At the end of 2012, the estimated refugee population worldwide stood at 15.4 million, with 10.5 million receiving protection or assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, 2013). The United States actively supports efforts to provide protection, assistance, and durable solutions to these refugees, as these measures fulfill our humanitarian interests and further our foreign policy and national security interests. Under the authority of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as amended, the United States contributes to the programs of UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and other international and non-governmental organizations that provide protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of conflict, stateless persons, and other vulnerable migrants. These contributions are used to address the legal and physical protection needs of refugees and to furnish basic assistance such as water, sanitation, food, health care, shelter, education, and other services. The United States monitors these programs to ensure the most effective use of resources, maximizing humanitarian impact for the beneficiaries. The United States and UNHCR recognize that most refugees desire safe, voluntary return to their homeland as their preferred solution. During FY 2013, the United States continued to support voluntary repatriation programs around the world. Refugee repatriation operations brought refugees home to Afghanistan, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Sri Lanka. These operations were carried out to protect returning refugees as well as to help them contribute to the stabilization, reconstruction, and development of their home countries. Where opportunities for return remain elusive, the United States and partners pursue self- sufficiency and temporary, indefinite, or permanent