Attachments
Context and Highlights
Following the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, Ethiopia is receiving thousands of forcibly displaced people at two main points of entry (Metema and Kurmuk) along the land border between Sudan and Ethiopia. The Government’s Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and UNHCR are coordinating the response to the new refugee inflows, including daily border monitoring, screening for asylum-seekers and refugees, and coordinating the provision of basic services, such as food, water as well as emergency healthcare, together with partners. In Kurmuk, border points remain volatile with the potential for abduction, and other protection risks. The proximity to the conflict at the border perpetuates trauma and anxiety among refugees, hindering their ability to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. Relocation to the new Ura Settlement started on 17 June, and so far more than 2,300 individuals have been relocated. In Metema, physical security is of concern, and access to services, in particular life saving services such as health care is also challenging as there is a lack of an ambulance and pass permits take a long time to issue. Construction of the new Aftit site is ongoing to relocate refugees from Awulala and Kumer.