UNHCR’s strategy for Eritrean refugees in Shire and Afar was developed in close consultation with the refugees, national authorities, and humanitarian actors and is aligned with the overall UNHCR Ethiopia country strategy. Key elements of the strategy have been guided by innovative, cost-effective and sustainable approaches to deliver basic needs and essential services, including life-saving activities.
The influx of Eritrean refugees into Ethiopia continues at a steady pace with a monthly average of approximately 2,500 new arrivals recorded in the first six months of 2016. With a population profile which is composed predominantly of young single people with a large numbers of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), security from violence and exploitation and interventions to control the risks associated with onward movement remain high on the list of strategic priorities for UNHCR Ethiopia. In general, the operation maintains an active system of continuous registration to ensure data integrity. Proactive identification and planning toward the mitigation of risks related to SGBV and child protection will be at the forefront of UNHCR activities in the Afar and Tigray regions of northern Ethiopia. UNHCR will actively seek to maintain the civilian character of all refugee camps in Ethiopia and to strengthen the safety of refugees.
UNHCR will seek innovative, more cost-effective and sustainable ways to deliver basic needs and essential services such as water, sanitation, hygiene and the domestic energy supply as well as life-saving interventions in health, reproductive health and nutrition. Efforts will continue to improve conditions in the camps, while also transitioning to more sustainable activities and encouraging self-reliance. Cash Based Intervention initiatives already commenced and will be continued and expanded. Emphasis will be placed on primary health care and improving the food security and nutrition situation. While the operation will maintain a general focus on the provision basic and essential services to refugees, a deliberate effort will be made to ensure that refugee children and youth are fully engaged through the provision of basic, vocational and secondary education.
In line with efforts identifying opportunities for solutions across the operation, UNHCR will strengthen the use resettlement as a protection tool and as solution for the growing protracted refugee populations in Ethiopia. More refugees will be submitted for resettlement, as the most tangible solution for most refugees in Ethiopia. With regard to Eritrean refugees in particular, UNHCR will focus on the establishment of legal pathways as a way of mitigating the irregular migration of refugees towards Europe. The operation in Ethiopia will increase its support for family reunification of refugees with family linkages in third countries and will actively seek opportunities for legal migration such as scholarships, skilled worker visas, and humanitarian visas in addition to resettlement.
Innovative and diversified partnerships will be pursued in line with the strategy to maximise scarce resources. In this regard, UNHCR will look for opportunities to expand partnerships with government, UN Agencies, the private sector, civil society and the refugees. With limited long term solutions available to the refugees, creative methods will be sought to support alternative legal pathways including assistance with family reunification, work permits, and further studies.