The Government has announced it is to provide €250,000 in emergency funding for Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in the region.
Minister of State for Trade and Development Jan O’Sullivan said Ireland would provide funding to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) to support its efforts to provide emergency care to those arriving in refugee camps in western Ethiopia.
Conflict has broken out between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) forces based in the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan. Following the declaration of independence by the Republic of South Sudan in July, tension has increased amongst rebel groups in these states, leaving many displaced by the fighting and facing severe food insecurity.
“There is a growing concern regarding the number of refugees arriving into western Ethiopia from the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The Sudanese refugees who have arrived are in urgent need of life-saving assistance,” said Ms O'Sullivan.
“Many of those fleeing Sudan into Ethiopia are women, children and the elderly, who have travelled long distances in dangerous circumstances to reach the safety provided by the UNHCR with the support of the international community," she added.
The UNHCR estimates that some 60,000 refugees have already arrived in Ethiopia from Sudan, with this number expected to rise significantly over the coming months. Ethiopia is also currently hosting more than 140,000 Somali refugees from the Horn of Africa crisis.