Relocation exercise underway for S Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said that about 16,000 South Sudanese have been relocated to the Jewe Refugee Camp since 8 May.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said that about 16,000 South Sudanese have been relocated to the Jewe Refugee Camp since 8 May.

The relocation exercise brings people from flood-prone areas before the onset of seasonal rains. The relocation is being carried out by the International Organization for Migration. By the weekend, more than 4200 refugees had been relocated from flood-prone Leitchuor and Nip Nip camps.

UNHCR said Jewe Camp has a capacity of about 50,000 refugees. The agency noted that they have observed an increase in the number of new arrivals from South Sudan over the past few weeks.

There are more than 200,000 South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, including 199,000 of the refugees are in the Gambella region and about 3,000 in neighbouring Benishangul-Gumuz region.

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S Sudan refugees in Ethiopia stuck in transit camp with no humanitarian assistance (14 May)