The International Organization for Migration (IOM) evacuated a total of 15,225 South Sudanese refugees who were staying in three different locations (Pagak, Burbiey, and Matar) in Gambella Region of Ethiopia.

The recently evacuated refugees were those who crossed into Ethiopia earlier and were waiting for evacuation. However, this was delayed due to the overcapacity of other existing camps in the Gambella region. “Fugnido II”, the product of an expansion of the Fugnido camp I was identified as the new campsite to accommodate the new arrivals. After completion of the new camp, IOM, UNHCR and the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) coordinated their efforts for a continued transportation service which enabled the three partners to evacuate more than 15,000 refugees within 15 days starting from 25 August, 2015.

The refugees who were evacuated from the three border areas included minors and other vulnerable people who required urgent evacuation to Fugnido II.

IOM has been providing transportation assistance to South Sudanese refugees who have been fleeing the conflict since December 2013. The organization’s assistance includes pre-medical screening, medical escorting, construction of shelter and distribution of non-food items to the most vulnerable refugees in the Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regions of Ethiopia.

Including camp-to-camp relocation (46,473 refugees were relocated from Nip Nip and Leitchour to Jewii camp in Gambella and 1,278 refugees were relocated from Sherkole to Tsore camp in Benishangul-Gumuz), 264,582 South Sudanese refugees have so far received assistance from IOM since the conflict erupted in December 2013.

As Ethiopia has been keeping its doors open to refugees, IOM will carry on the evacuation of vulnerable refugees from border areas to safe camps within Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regions.

For more information, please contact Alemayehu Seifeselassie at IOM Ethiopia, Tel: +251.91.163.9082, Email: salemayehu@iom.int