Ethiopia has a deep rooted culture of welcoming and accommodating refugees fleeing their homelands and coming into the country in search of a place of protection.
Especially, due to its geographical location in the region, and for the reason that the Horn of Africa is one of the most volatile regions, the country is a safe haven for peoples fleeing their homeland for various manmade and natural adversities including conflicts, political crisis, civil wars, persecution as well as drought and other similar problems.
Of course, Ethiopia is not a safe haven only for people living in the closest neighboring countries and on the African continent; but it is also the best asylum for those coming from far away areas.
As documents stated, the history of refugees in Ethiopia dated back to 615AD when Prophet Mohammed’s earliest followers sought refuge in Ethiopia and were welcomed warmly by the then government of Ethiopia and Ethiopians.
Even today, Ethiopia is one of the host countries to most of the refugees in the continent.
According to the report from the UNHCR, 2015, Ethiopia maintains an open-door-policy and has continuously allowed humanitarian access and protection to those seeking refuge on its territory. In response, its open door policy has benefitted many of the refugees to enjoy the full rights of asylum.
In similar fashion, these days the government of Ethiopia is also receiving and providing the necessary protection to the large numbers of refugees flocking into its territory seeking safety.
Currently, following the conflict breakout in Sudan three months ago; thousands of Sudanese people who fear for their lives are flooding into Ethiopia crossing various entry points through Amhara, Benishangul Gumz, and Gambella, seeking its protection.
Among the many Sudanese refugees who crossed the Ethiopian border sheltering in Metema Yohannes Refugee Center in Metema Woreda of the West Gondar Zone, Amhara State, Abdulkerim Mohamed is the one.
Abdulkerim, as he told ENA, Ethiopia has rescued his own and the lives of many Sudanese people. Thus, he expressed his gratitude for the government of Ethiopia for opening its border, and its people for welcoming them with good hospitality and rescuing their lives from adversity and death.
The hospitality and support given to them in Ethiopia has helped them to rescue their lives from the troubles and sufferings they might face in their effort to flee the conflict.
He said that several Sudanese refugees, including him, have been warmly welcomed and provided with the necessary support by the government and people of Ethiopia upon their arrival in Metema; and expressed his gratitude for that.
Expressing that since the day of their arrival in Ethiopia they have been receiving their needs- food, potable water and shelter, he stressed the need to address the food and medicine shortages which is sometimes observed.
The other Sudanese refugee, Amira Mohamed, for her part said: “I have great respect and appreciation to the government and the people of Ethiopia.”
According to Amira, Ethiopia’s support to receive refugees from Sudan by opening its border has particularly prevented the death and huge suffering of women and children that might happen during the migration.
Amira, who has entered Ethiopia fleeing the conflict in Sudan with 13 members of her family, said that the government and people of Ethiopia have shown them their great love, fraternity, and hospitality ever since their arrival in the country.
She said that they have been receiving food and drinking water in the refugee shelter even though there are some limitations in providing special care for children.
Amira requested the provision of nutritional food items vital for children and; conducive environment to enable them to move freely in the area.
“The hospitality being rendered by the people and the government of Ethiopia has helped us to be familiar with and feel at home,” said the other refugee Abdulaziz Hassen.
Noting that the refugees have been receiving food, clean water, shelter and healthcare services at Metema Refugee Center, Abdulaziz said “The fraternal hospitality given to us has made me feel that I am in my own country. For this, my gratitude to the people and government of Ethiopia is very great.”
Metema and its Environs Refugee Camp Coordinator at the Refugees and Returnees Service, Tamirat Demisse said that citizens of more than eight countries have entered Ethiopia through Metema fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
According to the coordinator, the refugees have been receiving food, potable water, healthcare and other related services.
He also mentioned that efforts will be exerted in collaboration with the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations to meet the basic needs of the refugees.
Tamirat indicated that currently refugees of various countries are sheltered in Ethiopia in various camps.
The refugees located in Metema and its environs have now reached more than 15,000, he added.
Noting that Ethiopia is known for hosting refugees of several countries, that could be exemplary for others, Tamirat said even if the country is facing challenges, it is still receiving refugees.
Ethiopia is one of the big refugees hosting nations in the world and the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa accommodating over 650,000 refugees mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.
The study conducted by the Concern worldwide US with regard to countries that are taking in the most refugees in 2023, keeps Ethiopia among the top refugee-hosting countries on the continent, ranking the ninth in the world and third from the continent.
According to the forecast, Ethiopia is host to over 867,000 refugees. Most have escaped conflict in nearby South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea. In recent years, COVID-19 has complicated the support of these refugee and internally-displaced communities, closing access to education for much of 2020 and creating shortages in medical supplies such as medications and diagnostic equipment.
The country is also at the center of the current Horn of Africa crisis, a multi-year drought that is impacting both refugees and host communities, the study indicated.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 13 JULY 2023
