Relocation of Refugees from Gambella to Assosa: One hundred and fifty South Sudanese refugees, composed of 43 families, were successfully relocated from the Pamdong Reception Centre in Gambella Region to Gure-Shembolla Refugee Camp in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region. They are part of a total of 1,512 new arrivals currently in Pamdong who are all willing to relocate to Gure-Shembola.
Most of them recently arrived from Jonglei and Upper Nile states of South Sudan, citing flooding, drought, and political tensions as the main reasons for leaving. Up on arrival in the camp, the refugees were provided with shelter and essential relief items.
Eritrean refugees helped harvest host community crops: Seven hundred and seventy Eritrean refugees residing in Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps in the Tigray Region participated in harvesting host community crops, reinforcing peaceful co-existence between the two communities. Unseasonal rains in Ethiopia have the potential to destroy standing crops and the refugees’ support goes a long way in minimizing the damage. The refugees’ response is self-initiated and has earned them respect and appreciation from the benefitting host communities as well as the authorities.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: All refugee camps across Ethiopia have officially started marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign which runs annually from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November until Human Rights Day on 10th December. This year’s theme, ‘End Gender-Based Violence in the world of work’, highlighted the need to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in all situations, whether it impacts refugees, the internally displaced, stateless people or any other category of persons. Dramatic performances meant to create awareness on issues such as SGBV, domestic violence, and early marriage were presented in some camps, while other camps used songs, cultural dances and other activities to convey the message. The campaign will culminate on 10th December with the commemoration of Human Rights Day.
Support to displacement-affected populations: UNHCR is undertaking a number of infrastructure development projects in the Gedeo, West Guji, West Wollega and Kamashi areas which have experienced mass displacement of people in recent years as a result of communal violence. The government later implemented large-scale returns followed by resilience and reintegration programmes of which UNHCR is a part. Some of the projects include the construction of Health Posts and the rehabilitation and expansion of schools in the Gedeo and West Guji areas which are 90 percent completed. The reconstruction of a primary school in Daro Dimtu Kebele/West Wollega and the rehabilitation of a health post in in Digdiga Kebele/Kamashi zone are, respectively 60% and 65% completed. Similarly, UNHCR has embarked on the construction of 300 of a planned 850 shelters in the Gedeo and West Guji areas for distribution among the most vulnerable displacement-affected populations. So far 197 of the shelters have been completed and are ready for distribution.
Cholera response and prevention measures in the Afar Region: Cholera response and prevention efforts have been intensified in the Afar Region following the detection of a number of cases in the Region including one refugee in Aysaita Refugee Camp. All patients are being treated at the Cholera Treatment Centre at Aysaita Hospital. While no additional cases have been identified, UNHCR is working closely with the Regional Health Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent the spread of the disease and possibly identify new cases both in the refugee camps and host community areas. An isolation centre has been set up in the camps while awareness raising campaigns are ongoing along with disinfection of homes and the nearby environment.
