HIGHLIGHTS
The total number of South Sudanese refugees who have entered Ethiopia since the outbreak of the conflict in mid-December 2013 is now over 196,144 individuals, including 193,425 individuals who entered through the Gambella Region and 2,719 who entered through the Assosa Region.
Over the last week, South Sudanese refugees continued to arrive in the Gambella Region through Pagak, Akobo and Raad entry points. Over the last week, 419 refugees were registered and relocated to Pugnido camp from Pagak, Burbiey, and Akobo with support from IOM for transport. 87% of the refugees were from Akobo. 63 vulnerable refugees were airlifted from Akobo, and 15 were airlifted from Burbiey. Thus far in February 2015, IOM has transported 692 refugees from border entry points to the camps. In January, 845 refugees were relocated by IOM.
Level 2 registration and issuance of proof of registration documents have been completed for the 9,164 refugees who have been relocated to Pugnido from various transit and entry points.
Registration in Akula village, 17 kilometres from Tierkidi Camp, was completed this week, and a total of 1,549 individuals were registered. The average household size in Akula is 3.4 persons, and women and children constitute 91% of the population. All of the registered refugees are of Oppo ethnicity who speak the Burun language.
There has been an increase in criminality observed in Gambella town during the past month. UN and NGO partners are monitoring developments through the Area Security Management Team (ASMT) structure, and have recommended that staff take appropriate precautions.
The United States announced $273 million in new humanitarian assistance for the regional South Sudan refugee response. The additional funding was announced by Ms Anne Richard, the U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration at the “High-Level Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan and its Impact in the Region.” With support from WFP, the February food distribution cycle was completed this week in Kule and Tierkidi camps. First quarter post-food distribution monitoring is currently ongoing in Kule and Tierkidi camps and will begin in Pugnido shortly. Delays in the January food distribution cycle resulted in some anxiety amongst the refugee population.
UNHCR consulted with WFP to prevent similar problems from occurring in future months. ARRA, WFP and UNHCR also conducted pre-distribution meetings with refugee leaders prior to the commencement of the distribution cycle. UNHCR is preparing for the annual Participatory Assessment and AGDM exercise, which will be conducted in Okugo, Pugnido, Kule and Tierkidi camps. The participatory assessments will involve UNHCR, ARRA, and partner organizations in the camps, and will cover all zones, six age categories and both genders. The purpose of the assessment is to obtain the views of the refugees which will help inform the 2016-17 planning cycle.
