Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Conditions for Sudanese Refugees in Ethiopia Are Dire

Moatinoun Report
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) have warned that the conditions for Sudanese refugees and returning Ethiopians who fled the ongoing war in Sudan and arrived in Ethiopia are deteriorating due to insecurity and lack of humanitarian aid.

In a statement on Wednesday, the IFRC called for urgent, safe, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for thousands of Sudanese refugees near Metema on the Ethiopia-Sudan border.

Mohammed Mukhier, the IFRC Regional Director for Africa, said, "Despite our concerted efforts, there are still significant challenges, including safety and security threats, access to transportation issues, and insufficient supplies of food, water, and sanitation materials."

He added, "These challenges hinder our ability to provide the necessary support to the affected communities... We need safe and unhindered humanitarian access to effectively carry out our life-saving work."

Paula Fitzgerald, the Head of the IFRC Country Delegation for Ethiopia and Djibouti, emphasized the severity of the situation, saying, "Without immediate and sustained support, their situation will worsen. We urgently need resources to improve the living conditions of the displaced until a lasting solution is found. We call on all parties to work together for humanity and urge global support for our emergency appeals to help the affected communities cope with this crisis."

The IFRC reiterated its call for financial support, stating that humanitarian aid operations are among the most underfunded globally.

The IFRC explained that the response to the emergency appeal to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Society has only reached 18% of the required funds. Additionally, national societies in Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Libya have only been funded at 12% to support the displaced from Sudan.