Completion of Sudanese Refugee Relocation in Ethiopia to Aftit and Complete Absence of Services
Moatinoon
The Ethiopian authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) completed yesterday the relocation of all Sudanese refugees from the Komer camp to the new camp "Aftit." Around 2,500 Sudanese refugees who had been residing in the Komer camp have arrived at the new site, while Sudanese refugees in the Ulala camp are still staying in the forests on the way to the city of Gondar after objecting to the relocation to the new camp.
A source told "Citizens" that the relevant authorities completed the transfer of refugees to the new site after announcing the closure of the Komer camp, in the absence of any security and food assistance services. The source added that emergency health cases currently resort to the regional health center outside the camp.
The process of relocating refugees from Komer camp to Aftit camp, both located in the Amhara region, began last week following arrangements by the Ethiopian Governments Refugees and Returnees Agency and the UNHCR.
The Ethiopian government and UNHCR issued a joint statement on July 20 confirming that the new site has good specifications to enhance the security and protection of refugees.
The new site in Aftit can host 12,500 refugees, most of whom are from Sudan, including those previously hosted at the Ulala and Komer refugee camps and those at transit centers.
The Amhara region in Ethiopia has witnessed military operations between federal forces and Fano groups, leading to unrest and security instability affecting the Komer and Ulala camps near the city of Gondar in the Amhara region. The camps have experienced violent incidents at various times, resulting in the deaths and injuries of many Sudanese refugees due to armed forces, along with deteriorating health and food conditions in the camps.
A statement from the Sudanese Refugees Coordination Committee on July 21 stated that refugees trapped in the Ulala forests were attacked with firearms after refusing to move to Aftit camp, "as it is within the troubled Amhara region and violates UNHCR regulations due to its proximity to the Sudanese border," according to the statement. The attack resulted in the deaths of two refugees and injuries to 16 others.
The Ethiopian government announced that the Komer and Ulala camps would gradually be closed to ensure adequate security and protection and to improve services and assistance for those forced to flee the camps.
