06.25.16 update on green boat men

Returned to Yap to visit the refugees. Seven Nepalese returned to Nepal on tonight's flight (if there were no clitches). IOM helped them with papers and documents so  they could return. Three other Nepalese men have been provide asylum/refugee status, however they are still on the dock. No man from India has been offered refugee status and to date, none are returning to India.

The men receive food and basic supplies, some from the national office, IOM, local generosity and donations from a group in Guam. There have been no more nursing visits, although the men said they were all well. I suspect they need counseling and emotional support which they had once from Behavioral Health and Wellness, but they are not visiting there anymore. I visited almost every day, save for days with very heavy and frequent rains. The men spend most of the time doing idle things, they are not allowed off the dock and visitors are still banned. Father John is off island but they are hopeful that when he returns he will resume visits. They were brought some supplies and food to supplement their diet with some fresh vegetables.

Here is a picture of the men.

This is Hope. Son of their other dog Ali. The first Hope died.

As soon as I get a chance I will post more about the trip. It was Homecoming in Yap, a celebration of 50 years of the Peace Corps in Micronesia. It was a great trip visiting friends and colleagues. Lots of pictures, there were men's and women's dances and lots of time with Shorty and Buddy, too!

 

We walked along the stone pathway  a few times. Always a beautiful walk.

 

Shorty is resting - it is hot, hot, hot.

Picture - refugees

As promised, and uploaded with permission from the men. They are healthy and receive food and other items needed as well as medical care.

Over the course of the week I was granted the opportunity to meet with the men. While they are understandably disappointed in the length of time that they have been stranded in Yap, they are in as good of spirits as one might or could expect. They are managing with what little supplies they have, including making a flash light for emergencies and sewing bags for sale during the Canoe Festival. The money they made was used to buy supplies.

There is still no official word as to the disposition of the men. There are boundless rumors, of course. Some rumors include relocating the men off-island as they are illegally in FSM. It is a very complicated situation, and the UN refugee representatives are back on island to interview again for consideration of refugee status. A long process, indeed.

On my last visit yesterday, they made me roti and samosa. It was good to spend even a little time with them to let them know they are  not forgotten and many people on Yap are trying to make things as humanly comfortable for them as possible while they await their fate.

Please remember them  in your prayers.

 

07.26.15 Update on Green Boat Men

They now have food for one week. IOM has exceeded its budget (by third hand report) and now the Migration Office is feeding the men, in addition to private donations. Their spirits are much better today than they were last week. Samuel sang songs for us today - he has an excellent voice and we all said a prayer. At  Mass yesterday evening Fathre John spoke of the men and being hungry so I hope that the local people also contribute. It is a difficult situation all around. The National government is responsible for calling the shots on this and many of us have the impression that they are far removed from the day to day activities here. Regardless of our faith or beliefs, let us all say a prayer that the outcome for the men with be one of safety and security. And that it will be soon.
We still need some action from some Human Rights organizations here. We cannot keep men on the island and not have food or health care provided to them. Was told this morning that a man cannot be taken to the outpatient department because IOM has not payed the bill. While I personally do believe the part about the bild not being pais, I do not believe that the hospital would refuse care. So I will discuss this with the Director tomorrow. She is a kind and generous woman and I don't believe she would refuse care to anyone. So we need to be patient while I check on that one tomorrow morning.
We also  have had no word from the UN HRC - refugee agency.
There must be someone out there in the human rights field that can help the men. Father John has called the US Embassy - this is out of their jurisdiction. But we need someone with some clout who can help make a difference on the bigger picture. My friends and I will continue to do what we can on the local level. Doctors without Borders help refugees, maybe they can help here? Can ask. Worse outcome is that they tell me no.

07.21.15 Update green boat men

Very little to report. IOM did deliver some food. (Operative word on "some".) More food delivered by a couple of good Samaritans. Also dropped off some food today, too.  Was told third hand that IOM "Overspent" their budget, hence the food shortage. This situation is not improving as it should.
No word from UNHRC.
Nothing else to add except the men are OK. Don't really like how this is all handled. Public needs to be more vocal. One woman with a social conscience has, after all of this time, finally become engaged and contacted the Lt. Governor. The local population needs to become more involved but many are afraid if the men are heped more refugees will come to Yap. Am not convinced that is a realistic argument not to help these men. On the other hand, the outer islands are sparsely populated.

07.18.15 Back to square one? Green boat men

Went to visit them today. No word from UNHRC. No visit from IOM as promised for Friday and they are down to some rice and a little flour.
Have contacted a representative from IOM to get them food and delivered a box of food to them today.
If you can send books for them as requested last week.
 

07.17.15 A good week

We have had a good week. Made another visit to the Green Boat Men. Every one doing well. We are still awaiting a decision by the UNHRC if they will give the men refugee status.

It has been a very busy week and I am feeling the pinch of having to wrap up projects. Have about 500 more charts to review before I leave. And I am seriously considering bringing back Shorty. Ever since he was chased by the man with the knife, I really don't want to leave him alone. So I ordered a kennel and brush him every night so he gets used to grooming. He is petrified of the brush, so this is a process. I tried a few months ago and he was so frightened of the brush (and broom and shower) that I let it go. He is getting a little better with the brush but it looks as if it will take a lot  of time. And he does not leash walk. A challenge I know. I am going to use a harness for him I think so at least I won't strangle him while he in training.

After work on Friday we all (Shorty, Buddy, and me. Scarback was with us until Buddy chased him away.) went to the park for a run.We were joined by White and Black. Late afternoon light, a nice breeze from the ocean and all is well with the world.

The walk home was typical. Shorty and I were joined by Buddy and Blondie and one of her grown up pups. Chocolate was not here this afternoon. Someone stopped me to ask if they all were my dogs. No, I said, they all think they are my dogs.

For dinner we had our usual Friday barbeque. There is a new place in town run by two really nice women that has a grill open on Friday afternoons, so we stop there and pick something up. Then after dinner a nice walk along the lagoon, met with friends Marie and Glenn, couldn't find Sheryl, then we went to  O'Keefe's on the waterfront for a late snack (I brought crackers) and beverage and watch the waves and stars. Later other friends Tiffany and Darrell joined us. Tiffany is the volunteer Assistant Attorney General, Darrell is a school teacher. Both are former Peace Corps volunteers who met then married. Nice story. They are going back to DC very soon. It was a very nice evening.

 This is a lovely Inn and I enjoy sitting in the waterside "garden" at night listening to the ocean. It is just five minutes from my  apartment, so a very safe walk. And they let Shorty join me, so he just curls up under my chair, or pokes his nose through the railing to watch the water, and then sleeps. He also  gets ie cubes and a treat. It is playing lovely classical music.

Here is the gramophone in O'Keefe's. Reminds me of a scene from Out of Africa - sadly without the handsome Robert Redford or Denis Finch.