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This is a summary of what UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch, to whom the quoted text can be attributed, said at today’s press conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with local authorities, has registered nearly 50,000 Ethiopian refugees who have crossed into eastern Sudan, with some reporting that they had to evade armed groups to get to safety.
Since December 6, the number of refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in the northern Tigray region has been trending down to less than 500 per day.
Recent groups coming from deeper areas within Tigray are arriving weak and exhausted, some reporting they spent two weeks fleeing inside Ethiopia as they made their way to the border.
We have been told heartbreaking stories that armed groups arrested them and stole their possessions. Many have spent time hiding in fields and bushes to avoid being seen. Without access in Ethiopia we cannot verify these disturbing reports.
UNHCR remains deeply concerned for the safety and condition of Eritrean refugees in Tigray who have been trapped in the conflict and have not had access to services and supplies for over a month. We echo the UN Secretary General’s call for unfettered access to Tigray to reach people in need.
We reiterate the joint UN call for all parties to allow freedom of movement to affected civilians seeking assistance, security and protection within the Tigray region or outside affected areas. This includes respecting and defending the right to cross international borders to seek asylum.
Within Sudan, UNHCR is working with local authorities and partners, and continues to expand its humanitarian response to assist Ethiopian refugees.
We have seen an increase in requests to search for relatives, as many separated at the beginning of the conflict or during the flight and have not been able to contact each other since. More drugs are needed, especially for those who were taking chronic drugs for diabetes, HIV, and other diseases.
UNHCR and its partners also need support to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks, including more hand-washing stations, PPE kits and information campaigns, as refugees remain in overcrowded conditions.
Starting Wednesday (December 9), the first of five additional chartered flights began bringing more urgently needed humanitarian supplies to Sudan. In total, the Dubai and Nairobi air bridges will bring some 3,225 tents, 75,000 blankets, 45,000 mats, 20,000 solar lamps, 17,000 mosquito nets and 8,250 plastic sheets. With these flights, we have transported 440 metric tons of humanitarian aid since November 27.
UNHCR also continues to push refugees away from the border, and some 14,000 have so far been relocated to the Um Rakuba refugee settlement.
UNHCR and its partners have requested $ 147 million to meet needs and support the government of Sudan, which continues to host and host refugees.
For more information on this topic, contact:
- In Sudan, Dana Hughes, [email protected], +249 96 701 9105
- In Ethiopia, Chris Melzer, [email protected], +251 97 819 9207
- In Ethiopia, Juliette Stevenson, [email protected], +251944109031
- In Geneva, Babar Baloch, [email protected], +41 79 513 9549
- In New York, Kathryn Mahoney, [email protected], +1 347 443 7646
