Reception conditions

2014

There are 17 entry points along the Ethio-Eritrean border and five reception centers in close to proximity to the entry points. In 2012, 8,723 asylum seekers crossed the border and were registered by UNHCR and the government of Ethiopia. In the first two weeks of March, the number of asylum seekers reached an alarming figure, 803 people.. Tthe facilities at the reception center and screening center were not enough to accommodate new arrivals to an acceptable standard especially for UASC who stay for long period due to shorateg of shelter, staffing. The capacity of the reception facilities at Endabaguna screening center could only accommodate 450 asylum seekers at a time. The maximum period to complete the registration and screening process ranges from 3 to 7 days. However, asylum seekers especially unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) are obliged to stay at least 2-3 months in the screening centre due to shortage of space in the camps. There has been an unpredictable and unprecedented number of USACs. This is an issue as the facilities cannot accommodate this influx and the implementing partners are stretched to their limit which has led to both congestion in screening centres and to delays in the transfer of UASCs to camps. This has caused UASCs to state that they are adults which exposes them to protection risks and incidents. Border monitoring and missions are supposed to be conducted four times in the fiscal year. In 2012 ARRA and UNHCR could only conduct one joint border monitoring mission to the entry points and 5 reception centers in the Tigray region. This is due to shortage of protection staff in both agencies and overwhelming work of the existing staff. To this end, ARRA will remain the only agency to manage and run the entry pointsand reception centers. There are major challenges in providing access to food, water, health facilities and shelter at these reception centers. Asylum seekers are living in a congested environment. Furthermore, the accommodation facilities in the 5 main reception areas are not in conformity with the international standards. Asylum seekers with specific needs are not taken into consideration. For asylum seekers who stay multiple days at Endabaguna Screening Center while waiting for confirmation of nationality, there is limited services and accommodation available. This results in asylums seekers facing increased protection risks at screening centre.There was a shortage of a change of clothes for the asylum seekers from the military which in turn caused psychological and emotional distress for other refugees. The lack of basic hygiene programs for adult and minor asylum seekers also another challenge. Another major concern is the limited distribution of clothes and shoes for new arrivals during their staying at reception centre. Furthermore, the resident compounds are poorly fumigated and there is a lack of recreational activities and child friendly spaces which has enhanced the protection risks being faced by refugees. The continuing absence of hot meals and adequate core relief items for the new arrivals in the border areas and entry points need to be addressed In order to mitigate the problems in the reception centre (1) there should be frequent border monitoring visits, (2) the facilities both in the reception and screening centres should be improved and (3) there should be an increased number of protection and registration staff to accommodate the ever increasing influx of refugees. As a result of such efforts, the current protection risks could be reduced. The fact that UNHCR has both a regular presence at Endabaguna and is monitoring on a consistent basis has had a positive impact on verification process. It has also led to the improvement of conditions at the screening site. The identification and response tools that have been established will be strengthened. The integrity of family unity especially for UASC is respected and implemented without any delay.