A delegation of diplomats in Ethiopia visited the major South Sudanese asylum seekers entry point in Gambella, Pagak, on Tuesday 18 March. Visiting the asylum seekers, the delegates witnessed the IOM registration and transportation assistance to the refugee camps in Gambella. The delegates also visited the Kule Refugee Camp and talked to the asylum seekers.

Composed of Ambassadors and diplomats based in Addis Ababa, the delegates were escorted by the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affair (ARRA) Deputy Head Ayalew Aweke representing the Government of Ethiopia and the UNHCR Representative Mr. Moses Okello.  

During the visit, the delegates were briefed by Mr. Ayalew on how the region is known for hosting 400,000 asylum seekers and will continue to host the new influx. He also stated that despite the sudden influx, the international community has responded timely and the presence of the delegates was a testament to that. According to him, one of the factors which might increase the number of asylum seekers might be the assistance provided in Ethiopia as opposed to in South Sudan. As the prior may have a pull factor, he urged UN agencies to consider providing assistance with in South Sudan before entering the rainy season in mid-April, making accessibility difficult. Mr. Ayalew also said that as the camps are filling up quickly, setting up additional refugee camps in the region would be essential at the moment. 

Mr. Moses Okello on his part stated that UNHCR is making the necessary adjustment to ease the difficult situation at the major entry point (Pagak). The accelerated relocation of malnourished children to Kule Refugee Camp is among the steps taken to alleviate the problem. 

IOM has moved 1,600 children identified with sever acute malnutrition and their families through accelerated relocation mission from entry point Pagak to Kule Refugee Camp to ease the problem since March 1^st 2014. 

The IOM Chief of Mission, Mr. Josiah Ogina, highlighted the challenges faced while transporting asylum seekers from the Akobo- Tergol area to Burbiey docking station by boat. Among the challenges, he explained to the delegates that the fishnets and the water hyacinth in the river and the lack of available reliable boats have further complicated the already challenging operation and impacted reaching the intended target of relocating 1,000 asylum seekers per day from Akobo. Currently, there are over 10,000 asylum seekers awaiting relocation at Akobo. IOM is currently moving 500 asylum seekers everyday from Akobo- Tergol entry point via Burbiey to Leitchor Camp.  

The two major entry points in Gambella Region are Pagak and Akobo. In Pagak, 43,153 asylum seekers have been registered, comprising of 57 percent of total entries whereas in Akobo, 25,951 entries have been registered, comprising of 34 percent of the total. Akobo is only accessible by boat (nearly 10 hours) and is 175 km away from the nearest road access. IOM is handling the transportation from the two entry points to the camps in Gambella Region, mainly to Leitchor, Kule and Pugnido refugee camps. 

On the month of March 2014 alone, over 25,000 South Sudanese asylum seekers have been relocated from the reception centres to the refugee camps in Gambella,Ethiopia by IOM busses and boats. This makes the total number of asylum seekers transported by IOM to more than 41,649 since January 2014.  

The cumulative number of new arrivals since December 2013 is more than 75,000, with indications of more new arrivals to come.  

It is estimated that over 150,000 asylum seekers might be coming from South Sudan to Ethiopia by the end of 2014.

Alemayehu Seife-Selassie 

IOM Addis Ababa
Email  salemayehu@iom.int
Tel: +251930098527