https://youtu.be/INhLoNIIzO8?si=tUkF6YKcu1fdgCws

Figure1: The image depicts the Sudanese refugees in the Ethiopian forest. (the Sudanese Democratic Front, 8th August 2024)

 Protection now for the Sudanese Refugees in Amhara Region of Ethiopia

We, as the Sudanese community, activists, and everyone concerned about the horrific conditions facing the Sudanese refugees who have fled from the conflict in Sudan to Ethiopia's border with Sudan, demand immediate protection for these refugees. We strongly urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ethiopia and its partners to 

·      Firstly immediately provide protection for Sudanese refugees this includes;

·      Secondly stopping Ethiopian security from returning them forcibly to Sudan. 

·      Thirdly relocating them to a safe place away from the conflict zone between the Fano Armed group and the Ethiopian military in Amhara, the Region of Ethiopia, and 

·      Fourthly, increasing humanitarian aid such as shelters, medicines, food, water, and sanitation. 

Sudan is the world's largest displacement crisis. The conflict in Sudan killed more than 150 thousand Sudanese and displaced more than 10 million people who have fled to the border countries since the conflict began in April 2023. The Fano armed group in Amhara regularly attacks the camps, stealing supplies, raping women, and kidnapping children. The violence is forcing thousands of Sudanese refugees to flee from the Awlala and Kumer camps in the West Gonder zone, seeking refuge in the forest and along the roads. UNHCR office in Ethiopia has relocated the refugees to the Aftit area, but this location remains in the same battle zone. 

Human Rights Watch (17th October 2024) reports that clashes between the Fano Armed group and Ethiopian military increased near the Metemma transit centre and Aftit camp in September, placing refugees at risk due to a lack of protection. Also, Ethiopian security forced several hundred of Sudanese refugees to send them back to Sudan. However, this against the core principle of the 1951 Convention, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. As refugee protection is the basis of the UNHCR’s work, we urge the UNHCR office in Ethiopia to take humanitarian measures to protect the Sudanese refugees by transferring them to secure regions away from the fighting and increasing humanitarian assistance supplies.

References:

www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/17/ethiopia-fighting-abuses-putting-sudanese-refugees-ris​

https://www.unhcr.org/africa/news/press-releases/government-ethiopia-unhcr-relocate-sudanese-refugees-new-site-amhara-region