Seven Burmese refugee families brought all their belongings and started camping in front of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Vikaspuri, to voice their protest. The YMCA is a Christian non-government organization, which functions in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHRC).

“After our subsistent allowance has been cut down, we are not able to pay our house rents and we have been kicked out from there. That’s why we are here”, said Tin Cung, one of the demonstrators, to Mizzima News.

“We have no money and we can’t now seek shelter anywhere. We are demanding YMCA to provide us a durable job which can sustain our family’s survival”, Tin Cung said.

YMCA Vikaspuri office has been entrusted with the task of providing monthly subsistent allowance to the UNHCR recognized refugees in New Delhi, including the Burmese refugees.

UNHCR had introduced the subsidence allowance last year for the Burmese refugees under a phase-out programme. Since then the size of the amount shrinked gradually every month eventually leaving most of the refugees without any allowance.

The YMCA office in-charge told the demonstrators that they were allowed to camp in front of the office but the office would not be responsible if they were arrested by police.

The protestors are likely to be joined by other fellow refugees, who are also facing similar difficulties.