HIGHLIGHTS
The general security situation in Gambella Region has been calm. In Jewi camp, the relevant authorities made significant progress in maintaining law and order; 10 suspected thieves were arrested.
South Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in Ethiopia at a daily average rate of 255 individuals. They entered Ethiopia through the Pagak, Akobo, Burbiey and Raad entry points. Level 1 registration at Raad and level 2 registration at Akobo was completed for 137 new arrivals that came through the Raad entry point.
The total number of new arrivals from South Sudan since 15 December 2013 is 218,675, (214,825 in Gambella and 3,678 individuals in the Benishangul-Gumuz, near Assosa). This brings the cumulative number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia to 282,142 includng 63,639 that were in the country before December 2013.
Verification of refugees relocated from Leitchuor and Nip Nip camps to Jewi camp in April continues with a total of 44,991 refugees so far processed by the end of the reporting week. This includes 2,197 refugees from Nip Nip who underwent Level 2 registration and 42,749 refugees from Leitchuor who are being verified against the proGres database. The verification process will be completed in the coming days. Verified refugees were issued with new ration cards and proof of registration documentation. Information on their current camp addresses was entered into the database.
In Benishangul-Gumuz region, 971 refugees were relocated from Sherkole reception center to the new Tsore camp (724 on July 22 and 247 on July 25). The next relocation movement is scheduled for 29 July.
7,820 refugees are awaiting relocation at Pagak entry point. Of these, 3,939 completed Level 1 registration in May 2015. An additional 3,881 individuals are awaiting Level 1. Service provision has been scaled up at Pagak.
UNHCR UNHCR and ARRA registered a total of 4,259 individuals 1,033 households) during the ongoing level 1 registration exercise at Burbiey entry point. Of these, 448 unaccompanied minors and separated children were identified. Out of 4,259 refugees, a total of 4,163 were relocated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from Burbiey to Matar way station bringing the total number of refugees awaiting relocation at Matar to 6,515. This includes 2,353 who had already been relocated to Matar from Akobo entry point.
In Pugnido, the mid-year programme review that commenced in the second week of July was concluded. Five Implementing partners in Pugnido and the Field Office held bilateral discussions on the achievements, best practices and existing the gaps in service delivery.