Needless to state, Ethiopia has shown keen interest in hosting thousands of millions of refugees and asylum seekers predominantly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya, among others. To this end, it has exerted generous efforts with a view to meeting the needs of these people amid various challenges.
Being one of the leading refugee-hosting countries in Africa, Ethiopia has all the time been willing to accept refugees and asylum seekers originate from different nations of the neighboring Horn and even beyond.
To this end, the country has thus been implementing refugee projects on education, health, food security and nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, access to energy, among other areas that would satisfactorily ensure the benefit of refugees.
Indisputably, Ethiopia has been very generous towards refugees who are in need of protection and solidarity. Following Ethiopia’s sympathetic gesture, a number of refugees have crossed into neighboring borders whenever they face trying scenarios. Drawing very important lessons from Ethiopia, Chad, Egypt, Central African Republic, among others, have opened their borders to sisters and brothers who are in need of protection and solidarity.
The support of the international community is worth mentioning here, since refuges need access to food, access to health, and access to other related necessities. Hence, urgent measures have to be taken and the combined effort of all needs to be solicited regionally, continentally and even globally. Unequivocally, Ethiopia’s support for refugees has been very generous.Yes, not only the country but also its citizens have been willing and compassionate enough towards nurturing and welcoming refugees. As the dire need for peace rises, all refugees have be granted with this precious human asset so that they can return back home.
To this end, Ethiopia stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and other countries’ refuges during trying times. Ethiopia would continue supporting refuges and is also working hard for the protection of tens of thousands of refugees of many countries for unfettered access for human rights. As expanding efforts with a view to providing refugees with social services in refugee-hosting areas in Ethiopia has risen, the humanitarian assistance from various bodies is badly required so as to meet the needs of the refugees.
Even international organizations have attested that Ethiopia’s effort in this regard is intercontinentally acknowledged and valued. According to United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Ethiopia Fact Sheet, for instance, Ethiopia has become the third largest refugee-hosting country in Africa since the beginning of this month with sheltering 844,589 registered refugees and asylum-seekers. This is the bold me that needs to be well strengthened.
The continued exemplary handling of refugees in Ethiopia needs to expand in the region.The country is capable of hosting and protecting refugees. Yes, countries out of the universe region should learn from Ethiopia in opening up the doors and having good asylum space for refugees, for people running away from their countries. It has to be well noted that this is a good example from which many countries in the region can learn.
Regarding future cooperation, Ethiopia’s effort to support refugees needs to be supported by Returnees Service to protect and give assistance to refugees across the country.The government is very much involved in terms of giving the refugees asylum and protection, and this bold move that needs to be well reinvigorated.
Generally, the very important thing that needs to be taken into account in this regards is development partners and other concerned bodies have to continue supporting Ethiopia’s coordinated endeavors to make the support much more fruitful. True, as the country has been properly fulfilling basic needs of refugees, its effort has to be well supported and expanded so as to ensure that refuges’ basic needs are met well and well expanded.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025
