HIGHLIGHTS
The general security situation in Gambella Region has been calm. However, two Ethiopian National Defense Force soldiers have been fatally wounded and several others have been wounded following the exchange of gunfire with one of their members who had allegedly robbed money from a convoy escorted by his fellow soldiers. No UN casualties or damages were reported. Normality has returned to the town. Following this incident, a joint UNHCR/WFP Field Safety and Security team from Gambella visited the area and re-oriented staff on caution to be taken when such incidents occur.
South Sudanese continue to arrive at a daily average of 211 individuals. They entered Ethiopia through the Pagak, Akobo, Burbiey and Raad entry points. This brings the total number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia from 15 December 2013 to 219,009, (including 215,331 in Gambella and 3,678 individuals in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, near Assosa). This brings the total number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia to 282,429 including 63,420 who were in the country before December 2013.
A Contingency Planning Workshop for South Sudanese refugees was held in Gambella from 28-31 July with the participation of all humanitarian actors, including the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) Addis Ababa and Gambella, UN Agencies and partners. The facilitators were drawn from Budapest, Juba and Geneva while the participants were from Addis Ababa, Gambella and South Sudan. In her opening remarks, the Head of Sub-Office, Ms. Angele Djohossou, stressed that while hoping for the best case scenario for South Sudan, it is prudent to plan in view of the continued insecurity in some parts of that country, as well as continuing new arrivals.
The first meeting of the Biometrics Technical Working Group (BTWG) was held on Friday, 31 July in Gambella office with the participation of both WFP and ARRA. The BTWG is undertaking preparations for the rollout of the Biometrics verification. The project will first be targeting Pugnido camp in Gambella commencing September this year following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR, WFP and ARRA in May 2015.The rest of the camps should follow next year after the test launch in Pugnido. The project will support the use of fingerprints during food collection to ensure only bona-fide refugee family members or designated refugees collect food.
Verification of refugees relocated from Leitchuor and Nip Nip refugee camps to Jewi camp was successfully completed. A total of 46,133 refugees consisting of 11,472 families were processed. Verified refugees were issued with new ration cards and a documentation giving Proof of Registration.
About 47,100 refugees were relocated to Jewi camp. The remaining population of about 1,000 individuals will be processed on a case-by-case basis.
3,939 refugees are awaiting relocation at Pagak entry point following completion of Level 1 registration in late May while a total of 3,946 refugees are awaiting Level 1 registration bringing the total number of refugees at the Pagak transit centre to 7,885. Service provision has been scaled up. A total of 6,492 refugees who underwent Level 1 registration in Akobo and Burbeiy are awaiting camp transfer from Matar way station. Distribution of food and core relief items is ongoing at the centre.