Over 70,000 Sudanese Seek Refuge in Ethiopia Amid Ongoing Conflict – UN Reports

 

SUNDAN CONFLICT

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that approximately 70,000 people have sought refuge in Ethiopia from Sudan due to the ongoing armed conflict in the region. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to neighboring countries for safety.

According to the UN migration agency's latest situation update as of July 23, more than 69,000 individuals have crossed into Ethiopia through various border points in the Amhara, Benishangul Gumz, and Gambella regions.

The IOM has highlighted that onward transportation is a critical need, but this has been challenging due to heavy rains, making it difficult for aid workers to provide timely support in the region.

The situation in Ethiopia remains challenging, with inadequate access to life-saving services, including food, non-food items, water, sanitation, and health services. The influx of people has put a strain on resources and infrastructure in the host communities.

Of the total arrivals, about 49% are Ethiopian returnees, while 30% are Sudanese nationals, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The conflict in Sudan started in Khartoum on April 15 and has quickly escalated in various parts of the country. It involves the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and a paramilitary group, with both sides accusing each other of initiating the violence.

The unrest is rooted in deep differences between the SAF and the RSF, particularly concerning the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis in the region, with many seeking safety in neighboring countries like Ethiopia.