Humanitarian support being provided to asylum seekers fleeing conflict in Sudan: RRS

Addis Ababa, May 17, 2023 (FBC) – Humanitarian support is being provided to asylum seekers fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, said Refugees and Returnees Service of Ethiopia (RRS).

Due to the conflict in Sudan, thousands of people are making the difficult journey across the border into Ethiopia in search of refuge.

In response, the Refugees and Returnees Service has partnered with the Ethiopian federal and regional governments and local and international organizations to provide support to the asylum seekers, it is noted.

FBC understands that pre-registration centers have been established in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other partner organizations in the Amhara region’s Metema area, where large numbers of asylum seekers are arriving and the Kurmuk and Pagak areas of Benishangul and Gambella regions, respectively.

“As persons arriving through the entry points include not only Sudanese who have been directly displaced by the conflict, but also citizens of other countries, their status will be determined either on an individual basis or on prima facie depending on the relevance of their cases. To that effect, transitional centers have been established in collaboration with the UNHCR and other partner organizations, and asylum seekers are being transferred to these centers”, RRS said.

“To further ensure that support is provided in a humane and organized manner, survey was conducted to identify a site for refugee settlement, and 57 hectares of land has been handed over to the RRS by the Amhara regional State paying attention to the situation.”

As the number of asylum seekers continues to rise, RRS called on the international community to provide the necessary support.

RRS also stressed that relevant partners need to be present to provide aid and assistance.