Attachments
OVERVIEW
Thousands of people have crossed from Sudan into Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia, since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in mid-April 2023. According to local authorities, thousands of people have arrived via unofficial border crossings in Guba woreda, Metekel zone (OCHA accessed 16/06/2023). While some of them lived in Sudan as migrants, many fled conflict in Metekel zone over recent years and were registered in refugee camps in Sudan (KII 14/06/2023; KII 15/06/2023; KII 21/06/2023). Most of them are from the Gumuz ethnic group indigenous to the area (KII 15/06/2023; KII 21/06/2023). Some had already crossed into Guba before the outbreak of conflict in Sudan as the security situation in Metekel had improved (KII 21/06/2023).
According to local authorities, there are also thousands of IDP returnees in Guba woreda whom previous conflict in the area had displaced (KII 14/06/2023; KII 21/06/2023). The exact time frame of their return is unclear.
The arrivals in Guba are concentrated in Almahal, Aswar, and Mankush (OCHA accessed 16/06/2023; KII 15/06/2023). Most have been sheltering under trees with limited protection from the elements, and they have high humanitarian needs, including food and shelter (OCHA accessed 16/06/2023).
The conflict in Metekel zone, which has affected Guba, started in 2019 and has led to violence against civilians and large-scale displacement within the zone and into Sudan. Since the second half of 2022, the intensity of conflict has significantly decreased, and security has improved in the zone.
KEY MESSAGES
• Humanitarian presence and response capacity in Guba are currently limited and insufficient to meet the needs of the returnee population given the impact of two years of restrictions in the woreda.
• Around Almahal, poor road conditions and the rainy season restrict access to some kebeles (KII 28/06/2023). Insecurity also affects some kebeles (KII 21/06/2023; KII 27/06/2023).
• The verification and collection of disaggregated data are necessary to plan an adequately targeted response.