IOM opens its Migration Response Centre in Ethio-Djibouti border

Addis Ababa February 8, 2023 (FBC) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has opened its Migration Response Centre (MRC) in Dewele of Somali Region at the Ethiopia-Djibouti border, WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU).

According to IOM Ethiopia the Migration Response Centre (MRC) provides life-saving assistance to stranded migrants along the main migratory routes in Ethio-Djibouti border.

IOM Ethiopia stated that the MRC also provides assistances including accommodation, food, water, non-food items, medical screening and referral to relevant partners.

It also provides lifesaving assistance and protection services to returning migrants along the eastern route, IOM Ethiopia added.

“Our MRCs are located close to the borders with Kenya, Somaliland and Sudan, and this is the 6th Migration Response Centre in Ethiopia” IOM Ethiopia stated in its social media post.

The center according to IOM Ethiopia is FUNDED UNDER THE EU-IOM Joint Initiative PROGRAMME AND THE U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, WHILE SOME RUNNING COSTS ARE SUPPORTED BY the Government of Norway.

In 2022, IOM assisted over 8,300 migrants at MRCs across the country, IOM disclosed.

According to UNHCR, Ethiopia hosts over 823,000 refugees and asylum seekers predominantly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.

The majority lives in 24 refugee camps established across five regional states.

Over 70,000 others also reside in the capital Addis Ababa as urban refugees, 47% of the refugees are women and girls, while 59% are children.

By: Yonathan Yoseph