Attachments
Situation Update
- At least 35,000 people have crossed into Gambella, in Ethiopia, since 5 March fleeing the armed conflict and violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state. The ongoing conflict in South Sudan between South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA-in Opposition)/ White Army militias in Nasir and Ulang counties, Upper Nile has displaced over 130,000 people1 mostly women and children – both internally and across borders. As of March 31, 2025, Gambella already hosts 395,212 South Sudanese refugees (60% children) in seven camps: Kule, Tierkidi, Nguenyyiel, Jewi, Okugo, Pinyudo and Pinyudo. The situation remains very fluid and as fighting continues in South Sudan, the number of new arrivals into Gambella is expected to increase putting further pressure on the already overstretched resources of the local community.
- According to community leaders at the Ethiopia border entry point, most of the new arrivals are currently residing in Burbiey kebele in Wanthoa woreda near the South Sudan border with many having crossed the Baro river to get there. Conditions facing new arrivals in Wanthoa woreda are dire and there are no basic services.
- A multi-sectoral needs assessment carried out on 16 April 2025, found food, shelter, core relief items and clean drinking water are the most urgent needs of the asylum seekers. With the rainy season approaching, and flood risk high in these locations, the situation could worsen significantly compounded by the ongoing cholera outbreak.
- Tensions between the SSPDF and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO)/ White Army remain high, and fighting continues close to the border area, putting the civilian population on both sides of the border at risk. As a priority the new arrivals need to be relocated to reception sites away from the border, and where basic services are provided. The Government has indicated that two sites have been identified for relocation.
- Given the level of violence in South Sudan – including aerial bombardment in areas where civilians are residing -protection concerns are expected to be significant. A preliminary rapid multisectoral assessment conducted by UNICEF and partners found over 170 children identified as separated and over 50 unaccompanied.
Some children exhibit psychosocial distress and trauma, and there have been several allegations of sexual violence, there are no safe spaces for children and no social workers have been deployed to identify and refer children victims of violations. - The cholera outbreak in Gambella, since 11 February 2025, has exacerbated the dire conditions faced by the asylum seekers. As of 4 May 2025, 229 of the reported 2,115 cholera cases were from the asylum seekers with 79.5 per cent of total cholera cases were reported in Wanthoa district, where the asylum seekers are hosted. South Sudan is also facing a significant cholera outbreak with a total of 54,616 suspected cholera cases, as of the end of April 2025, with the risk of cross-border transmission high
- Flooding in the Gambella region is a recurring humanitarian concern during the rainy season, primarily from July to September. These recurrent flood hazards also pose challenges in refugee-hosting areas such as Buribiey, Muon, and Matar towns. UNICEF, in collaboration with implementing partners, will support flood emergency preparedness and response plans to address the needs of both host communities and South Sudanese refugees in Gambella. The response will include interventions across Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education and Child protection programmes.