It becomes apparent that numerous situations impel people to leave their respective countries and pass through a diverse range of twists and turns as consequence of a number of reasons. As a general rule, people migrate on account of absence of peace, political unrest, in search of better living conditions and other things of a similar kind.
In point of fact, people leave their respective nations as a result of multiple known and unknown reasons. It appears clear that when they leave their respective nations they suffer from psychological disorders, social isolation and more of the same.
It is a well-known fact that whenever refugees come to Ethiopia from assorted aspects of the world seeking shelter, the country treats them with hospitality. On the heels of the welcoming atmosphere, they feel at home and get along with others without any worries at the drop of a hat.
In actual fact, as Ethiopia is a safe haven, refugees have been leading life worthwhile in view of the fact that authorities concerned have been attaching due importance to refugees’ wellbeing over and over again.
As appropriate authorities every once in a while focus on making the condition suitable for refugees, the wider international community has been patting the federal government on the back and taking pleasure in the positive achievements. There is no doubt that the fate of refugees is determined by the existing situation of the country in which they seek asylum.
It is crystal clear that Ethiopia with a long history of accommodating refugees from multiple parts of the world has continued welcoming them with open arms.
The existing circumstance on the ground has been witnessed by the international community. In the present circumstances, the government has sustained carrying out countless undertakings to make Ethiopia an ideal place for refugees.
On the heels of the positive strides of the federal government, refugees in Ethiopia have been leading a meaningful life in defiance of encounters that need lasting solutions. For the sake of truth, as the government alone cannot fully meet all the needs required for refugees, the international community should go to the ends of the earth to support and make their life easier and less stressful.
Similarly, it is obvious that the government has been working around the clock to create jobs for refugees residing under the umbrella of Ethiopia. Following its commitment and hard work, thousands of jobs have been created for them. On the basis thereof, the deliberate objective has set in motion moving in the right direction and bearing fruits.
The Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) has announced the creation of over 33,000 jobs for refugees across various sectors during the last fiscal year.
The Refugees Protection and Return Department Deputy Director General and Leader Biruhtesfa Mulugeta in the recent past highlighted that these jobs include both self-employment opportunities, such as running shops and engaging in trade, and positions with employers.
The Ethiopian government has been actively providing legal protection and employment opportunities for refugees in collaboration with various stakeholders.
In comparison with other nations, it can be said that the way Ethiopia treats refugees band together with the international law. This is to guard the physical, psychological and human rights of refugees in the course of their stay.
As long as Ethiopia works around the clock with the intention of making the lives of refugees easier, the international community should stand by the side of the federal government. In the present circumstances, Ethiopia has been moving heaven and earth to make refugees seeking shelter in the country more interesting than ever before.
In the same way, as Ethiopia works on a day to day basis with a focus on fashioning a suitable environment for refugees, stakeholders should support the federal government without even blinking their eyes. Additionally, taking the number of immigrants residing under Ethiopia’s skies into consideration, every Tom, Dick, and Harry should attach due importance to the matter with a focus on improving the lives of the refugees.
In point of fact, following the positive achievement of the government on the subject of taking care of refugees, the country has been gaining significant recognition and enjoying great respect.
Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have established a new site for people who have fled the devastating war in Sudan, according to information obtained from local media.
The new site, Aftit, is located in the Amhara region of Ethiopia following the closure of two other sites, Awlala and Kumer. The new site has enhanced security through engagement with local authorities and hosting communities for the better protection of refugees.
RRS, UNHCR and partners continue to improve the services provided, including food assistance, clean water supply, sanitation facilities, medical aid and protection.
“Ethiopia is committed to protecting refugees that seek safety in the country, and together with UNHCR and partners, ensuring they are supported with lifesaving assistance,” RRS Director General Teyiba Hassen said.
Nearly 3,000 men, women and children were transported to Aftit, while several hundred more who were staying in different locations within the Amhara region have so far moved on their own to this new site, which has a capacity to host up to 12,500 people.
UNHCR Representative in Ethiopia Andrew Mbogori said, “Following the closure of Kumer and Awlala sites, the efficient coordination with Ethiopian authorities and partners allowed us to swiftly identify the new site and begin the work of setting up essential services.”
This will allow refugees to find stability and rebuild their lives in a safer environment, with the generous support from the host community, he added.
Despite the heavy rains that are complicating the overall movements in the region, site development in Aftit continue, and Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), UNHCR, and partners are working tirelessly to ensure basic services are available for refugee families.
Local authorities have also committed to ensuring the inclusion of refugees in education and health systems. This reality on the ground demonstrates in black and white the fact that Ethiopia has been attaching great importance to the wellbeing of refugees with the intention of making their future rosy.
As nothing makes the federal government of Ethiopia and partners involved happier than standing by the side of refugees coming from myriads of the world, they pull out all the stops to meet their needs in the face of challenges no matter what the cost may be.
Apart from welcoming refugees from miscellaneous parts of the world, Ethiopia at various points in time has been ratifying a considerable amount of rules and regulations with the purpose of making their stay free from challenges. Reasoning from this fact, the international community should follow in the footsteps of Ethiopia without batting an eyelid.
It is recalled that speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency, Refugees Affair Senior Communication Officer Englize Ketema (PhD) in the recent past stated that refugees are attending education in preschools, primary schools and secondary schools.
Totally, 168,269 refugees are attending formal education in 65 preschools, 53 primary and 11 secondary schools. In addition, some public schools nearby in refugees’ camps are also delivering services. Public universities are also receiving and providing scholarships to refugees without any special requirement and any refugee who has a pass mark in university entrance exam are also being treated equally.
According to him, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with aid organizations is providing the education service to refugees. Children nearby refugee camps are also learning with the refugees.
Ethiopia is the third African country for hosting refugee students following Uganda and Sudan. South Sudanese, Somalis, and Eritrean students take the largest number of refugee students in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa. Gambella, Somali, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, Amhara, and Tigray are hosting a large number of refugee students, the officer elaborated.
Ethiopia is operating durable solutions for refugees and adopted a comprehensive plan of action to grant refugees the right to work, movement, access to formal and non-formal education and other privileges. The government has also made quite a lot of commitments in legal frameworks to support refugees and they are included in the sixth series of educational sector development plan and management information system.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024
