New Refugee Site Established in Amhara Region Following Closure of Previous Camps
Following the closure of the Kumer and Awlala camps due to security concerns, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), has developed a new refugee site in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Nearly 3,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived at this new site, named Aftit. The UNHCR reports that Aftit is located in the Amhara region and has the capacity to accommodate up to 12,500 people.
The organization has implemented improved security measures at the new location in collaboration with the local government and host community. UNHCR Representative in Ethiopia, Andrew Mbogori, stated, “After the closure of the Kumer and Awlala sites, the efficient coordination with Ethiopian authorities and partners allowed us to quickly identify the new site and begin establishing essential services. With the support of the host community, this will help refugees find stability and rebuild their lives in a safer environment.”
Despite the severe rains making regional movements more challenging, work at the Aftit site is ongoing. The UNHCR, in partnership with Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and other collaborators, is working to ensure that refugee families have access to essential services.
This development follows a series of challenges faced by Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. According to a UNHCR assessment, nearly 1,000 migrants left the Kumer and Awlala sites in May 2024 due to inadequate services and security concerns. Currently, Ethiopia is home to approximately 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers, the majority of whom come from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea.
