Ethiopian Crisis: Influx of refugees into eastern Sudan continues
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The influx of Ethiopian refugees from the troubled Tigray region into the Eastern border with Sudan has continued with at least 60,000 having fled, the International Rescue Committee said on Wednesday.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said it was working with the Sudanese authorities to roll out emergency services to meet additional needs in both Um Rakuba Camp and the newly established Tenetba camp where 265 tents have been erected.
Carolyne Kanaiza, IRC East Sudan Emergency Response Director, said the humanitarian needs were extremely high.
She said the logistics of transferring refugees to the camps because of the distance from the border slowed delivery of aid to those in need.
"We are working in Um Rakuba Camp as well as in Tenetba camp where 20,000 refugees will be relocated due to overcrowding in Um Rakuba," Kanaiza said in a statement.
IRC said it was more worried about the extremely high numbers of unaccompanied children compared to most crises. Almost half the number of refugees are children.
The crisis in the northern Ethiopia region of Tigray continues to displace populations.
The Ethiopian military has been engaging forces of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), the former dominant party in Ethiopia.
IRC said due to the high risk of exploitation and abuse of children, especially those that have been separated from their families whilst fleeing the conflict, it was implementing a protection programme which will include psychological support for children that are often found to be severely traumatised.
The relief organisation said women, girls and children were more adversely affected by conflict and disaster.
The aid workers have been engaging with female refugees to identify needs and will be providing women with protection services that include psychological support and gender-based violence services whilst consultatively working with the community to protect the most vulnerable from exploitation and abuse, according to the IRC officials.
“Our assessment shows a dire need for proper sanitation to avert diseases but also a mitigation measure for COVID-19. Our water and sanitation response will include the construction of 105 emergency latrines and 92 shared bathing spaces with proper waste management systems. We will also be distributing emergency cash so people can decide for themselves what they need most," the IRC said.
Ethiopia’s Tigray region has been experiencing an intense bout of conflict since early November which has forced over 60,000 refugees to seek refuge in Eastern Sudan.
The IRC calls on all parties to the conflict in Ethiopia to agree to an immediate ceasefire and ensure civilians, including refugees and aid workers, are protected and able to access and deliver life saving services.
-0- PANA AO/MA 6Jan2021
