At end of October 2016, the South Sudanese refugee population in Gambella stood at 309,136, of which 259,724 refugees arrived after 15 December 2013 and there has been a population growth of 14.6 per cent since the end of 2015.
In July 2016, new fighting broke out in South Sudan and massive human rights violations continue to characterise the conflict to this day. The effects of violence, instability and food insecurity continues to cause people to flee to neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia. Since the beginning of September 2016, almost 40,000 refugees arrived in Ethiopia from South Sudan as of mid-November. Because a political solution is currently not in sight, repatriation is not envisaged to be feasible in the foreseeable future; hence, resettlement remains the only available durable solution for South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia.
A new wave of large influx that commenced in early September arrived in Ethiopia through six (6) entry points: Pagak (97.4 per cent), Akobo (1.1 per cent), Burbiey, Ponchalla, Wanke, Matar, Raad, and Addis Ababa (1.5 per cent combined). The number of arrivals has increased drastically in early September, due to fear over the renewed fighting in areas in the Upper Nile State, as well as food insecurity coupled with fright over the spread of the conflict to the Jonglei State. The trends were different from those observed in the previous years (2014 and 2015) when the main influx occurred between January and August. At the rate of current influx, the refugee population in Gambella is expected to grow upto 330,000 or more, before the end of the year 2016.
88 per cent of the refugees received in 2016 are women and children while 67 per cent are children. 94.2 per cent of the refugees were from Upper Nile state while 5.6 per cent are from Jonglei State. Among those new arrivals, more than 8,000 UASC have been identified as of end October 2016. All refugees who were received at the reception centers on the border went through registration process and were issued with proof of registration. Specific protection needs of refugees are identified and recorded in the registration database for subsequent follow up. No case of refoulement has been reported since the crisis in South Sudan started in December 2013, owing to the open-door policy of the Ethiopian Government. UNHCR and partners operate in all 7 camps with a specific specialisation with Child Protection and SGBV. The general protection situation and individual protection cases are monitored by UNHCR in collaboration with partners. Education and livelihood support is also provided for refugees in camps.
During 2016, UNHCR Sub-Office in Gambella will focus on stabilization of emergency situation. One new camp, Nguenyyiel, was opened within October 2016 to accommodate the majority of the new arrivals. For 2017, another 75,000 new arrivals are expected under the likely scenario. If this projection materialises, an additional new camp would be needed to accommodate those influx in 2017, whereas more than one camp would be needed, in case the worst case scenario comes true, with the arrival of more than 125,000 new refugees.
UNHCR Gambella finalised an age, gender, diversity (AGD) exercise in January 2016 targeting Kule, Jewi and Tierkidi camps. The main concerns of the refugees were related to food ration cuts, and water and sanitation gaps. During the participatory assessment, refugee groups were consulted separately. A number of gaps and needs were highlighted from each sub group to be addressed by the different service providers in a multi sectoral approach. Also needs for further enhancement of the livelihood programme was highlighted. The outcome of the AGD is reflected in the revision of the sectoral strategies as well as the COP.
The child protection assessment conducted in all six camps as well as in host communities involved 822 key informants and focus group discussion participants. The assessment findings highlighted critical child protection issues and concerns to be addressed.
The GBVIMS was rolled out in May 2016 and is expected to be operational by the end of the year. Having this system in place will increase access to data and support planning for targeted SGBV programmes.