IOM Thailand Pledges Funds for Pakistani Returnees
BPCA Chairman Wilson Chowdhry recently had the opportunity to meet Josh Hart in the Bangkok offices of the International Organization for Migration, a
leading intergovernmental organization that has facilated “humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all” among 166 member states since 1951.
The deteriorating conditions of Pakistani Christians in Bangkok have garnered growing concern to other member states in addition to those evident by
Thailand’s continued treatment. There are an estimated 3000-4000 Pakistani Christian asylum seekers remaining in Bangkok as of the publication of this
article.
leading intergovernmental organization that has facilated “humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all” among 166 member states since 1951.
The deteriorating conditions of Pakistani Christians in Bangkok have garnered growing concern to other member states in addition to those evident by
Thailand’s continued treatment. There are an estimated 3000-4000 Pakistani Christian asylum seekers remaining in Bangkok as of the publication of this
article.
According to IOM there has been a total of 2700 failed asylum applicants and BPCA has been asked to assess the number of Pakistanis that want to be voluntarily
repatriated to Pakistan. Funding limitations mean that financial help returning to Pakistani soil is being assigned with a lot of discretion, though
the hope is that funding prospects will improve early next year.
repatriated to Pakistan. Funding limitations mean that financial help returning to Pakistani soil is being assigned with a lot of discretion, though
the hope is that funding prospects will improve early next year.
“As discussed, IOM Thailand’s AVRR programme currently has very limited funding available until the end of the year unfortunately. As such, we need to
be extremely selective when it comes to approving applications to the AVRR programme.”
be extremely selective when it comes to approving applications to the AVRR programme.”
The IOM continues to look for ways to assist Pak-asylum seekers in Thailand and has solicited our expertise with this population “on the ground”. The IOM
had requested that we communicate any direct feedback from Pakistani Asylum Seekers regarding their conditions and desires.
had requested that we communicate any direct feedback from Pakistani Asylum Seekers regarding their conditions and desires.
BPCA is thankful for the cooperation between agencies like that allows us to better serve those in need of relief from what has become a long nightmarish
waiting game. Pak-Asylum seekers need to communicate with these organizations so effective advocacy can be properly achieved and we want to make sure
there is proper funding found to meet the need for return, should that be what individual asylum seekers decide.
waiting game. Pak-Asylum seekers need to communicate with these organizations so effective advocacy can be properly achieved and we want to make sure
there is proper funding found to meet the need for return, should that be what individual asylum seekers decide.