
Attacks Leave Sudan Refugees Stranded in Ethiopian Forest
In a tragic turn of events, thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled into neighboring Ethiopia to escape the civil war in their homeland are now stranded in forests and along roadsides after repeated attacks by gunmen left their camps unsafe, according to a recent Reuters report.
Around 8,000 refugees have vacated the Kumer and Awlala camps, which were established by the United Nations in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region. These refugees have been forced to relocate after a series of assaults last month, mostly by bandits, according to camp representatives who spoke to Reuters this week.
These refugees originally fled Sudan due to fierce fighting that erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. The conflict has led to severe hunger in parts of Sudan and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region.
One young man, speaking anonymously to Reuters by phone, recounted their harrowing journey: “We left our country because we were scared of the stray bullets from the army and RSF. We sought refuge in Ethiopia to save our lives, and now we are facing the same danger.” He detailed how he initially escaped from Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and after leaving the camps, is now seeking shelter in a forest in the Amhara region, an area currently embroiled in its own conflict between militias and Ethiopian federal government troops.
Images shared via WhatsApp and Telegram show makeshift shelters constructed from branches and tarp, with numerous people, including children, sitting beside a roadside. Reuters verified the date and location of these photographs. The refugees, fearing reprisals, spoke on condition of anonymity, highlighting the dire lack of safe options as they seek refuge in countries already facing their own conflicts and resource shortages.
The Ethiopian government’s Refugee and Returnee Service did not respond to requests for comment. However, in early May, the service indicated that it was working to address safety and service concerns despite limited resources. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, acknowledged the security incidents and described the situation as a “deeply challenging” security environment in a statement last week. The UNHCR noted increased patrols by Ethiopian police and ongoing service provision within the camps while encouraging approximately 1,000 people outside the Awlala camp to return.
Sudan’s ongoing war has precipitated the world’s largest displacement crisis, displacing over 8.9 million people from their homes. Of the 2.1 million who have fled the country, more than 122,000 have sought refuge in Ethiopia, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Tragically, Medical Teams International, an aid group operating near the camps, reported that one of its staff members was killed when armed men fired on a convoy last week.
Refugees now sheltering outside the camps report facing continuous violence. One member of a camp leadership committee described the perilous situation: “People have to go to the valley to bathe and wash clothes. But they are either robbed, beaten up or kidnapped daily. We are facing catastrophe after catastrophe.”
Cholera has also spread within the Kumer camp, where medical resources are severely limited, with at most one doctor available to see patients. Refugees have reported that monthly food deliveries from the UN World Food Programme last less than two weeks.
In a desperate bid for better conditions, about 6,000 refugees set off on May 1 to walk 170 km to the UNHCR headquarters in Gondar, Amhara’s main city, to protest their living conditions. They were stopped by police and sought shelter in a forest near the Awlala camp. Many began a 10-day hunger strike as supplies dwindled, which they only ended after receiving donations from Sudanese individuals abroad.
Around 2,000 refugees who remained at the Kumer camp fled onto a main road after armed men attacked the camp on May 1. Upon returning, they found their tents riddled with bullet holes, convincing them that the attackers aimed to drive them out. Aid efforts have been severely hampered by insecurity and a lack of funds, with the UN reporting only $400,000 in funding delivered for Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, a stark contrast to the more than $175 million appeal.
The plight of these refugees underscores the urgent need for increased security, resources, and international support to address this escalating humanitarian crisis.
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