The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed growing concern for nearly 1,000 Sudanese refugees who fled a camp in Ethiopia due to safety concerns.
Since May 1st, these refugees have been living in unsanitary conditions on the roadside, with some resorting to a hunger strike.
The refugees left the Awlala camp in Ethiopia’s Amhara region fearing for their safety after reports of armed robberies, shootings, and alleged abductions.
While the UNHCR understands their desire for better security and services, the agency is worried that the roadside protest and hunger strike could further endanger them.
The ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan, which began in April 2023, has created a volatile security situation in the region.
The UNHCR tragically confirmed the recent killing of an aid worker in Amhara, highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian personnel.
The Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency in August 2023 due to the fighting between federal forces and an armed militia in Amhara. This ongoing conflict adds another layer of complexity to the refugee crisis.
Despite the precarious situation, the UNHCR maintains that water, healthcare, and other services are still available at the Awlala camp.
They are actively encouraging the refugees to return to the camp for their safety and access to essential services.
Ethiopia currently hosts over 1 million refugees, making it the second-largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa, behind Uganda.
This crisis adds to the already dire situation in Sudan, where an estimated 1.8 million people have fled the ongoing conflict, contributing to a total of 8.8 million displaced within the country.
