HIGHLIGHTS
South Sudanese refugees continued to arrive in Ethiopia at a daily average rate of 205 people. They crossed through Pagak, Akobo, Burbiey and Raad entry points and told UNHCR staff that they were fleeing generalized violence and food insecurity in Upper Nile and Jonglei states in particular.
The total number of new arrivals from South Sudan since 15 December 2013 is now 215,045 individuals, including 211,367 in Gambella and 3,678 in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, near Assosa. This brings the cumulative number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia to 278,464, including 63,419 that were in the country before December 2013.
The much awaited registration of new arrivals commenced in Akobo on 9 July 2015, with UNHCR and ARRA registering 1,546 individuals consisting of 331 families. 214 Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) have also been identified and registered. Similarly, registration has commenced in Burbiey entry point on 12 July targeting 3,368 refugees. The registration of new arrivals in Pagak remains on hold pending nationality screening to be conducted jointly by ARRA and UNHCR. In the meantime, the more than 7,500 asylum seekers in Pagak, including 3,939 refugees who have undergone level 1 registration, continue to receive humanitarian assistance.
A Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) technical mission visited the refugee operation during the reporting week. The mission sought to test a methodology to assess current supply/demand of woody biomass for heating and cooking within the camps; collect information on the current uses of bioenergy and examine innovative and appropriate energy conversion technologies for heating and cooking purposes. The objective of the mission also included a ‘techno-economic’ analysis of appropriate technologies for the conversion of woody biomass and for improving access to energy.
UNHCR donated 16 bicycles to the Refugee Central Committee (RCC) members in Jewi refugee camp. The donation is meant to enable refugee leaders to move easily within the expansive linear camp and help UNHCR and Partners solve some local issues in the camp.