UNHCR working to protect assists 10,000 Somali asylum seekers

Addis Ababa, February 10 (WIC) – UNHCR and its humanitarian partners have been dispatching staff and essential relief supplies to the border area of Dolo-Ado, in the Somali Region of south-east Ethiopia where there are now an estimated 10,000 new asylum seekers who have fled insecurity in neighboring Somalia since the beginning of the year.

According to a press release UNHCR sent to WIC, about 150 people are now crossing the border each day and it is likely that the number of the new arrivals will increase further over the next few weeks.

Last week, UNHCR dispatched six trucks carrying an assortment of relief items from Addis Ababa which include 3,000 mosquito nets, 5,000 blankets, 5,000 jerry cans, 3,000 kitchen sets, 3,000 plastic sheets, and registration materials for 10,000 refugees, two generators, 10 water tanks, a water pump and 3,000 mats.

The World Food Program (WFP) has sent food rations for two weeks, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is pre-positioning vaccines, medicines, and other medical supplies. UNICEF is also looking at supporting the water sector and eventually the primary education sector.

“We had prepared a contingency plan well in advance and have now entered into the implementation phase by enlisting support from the Ethiopian government, UN agencies, NGOs and donors,” says Cosmas Chanda, Deputy Representative (OIC), UNHCR office in Ethiopia.

He said a preliminary registration conducted late last month has shown that the number of asylum seekers is slightly in favor of women and children, and that there a good number of cases that need special attention including pregnant women, elderly people and those with physical disabilities.

“We need the support of all concerned bodies to act quickly and effectively in order to mitigate further suffering of the asylum seekers, Chanda appealed.

According to information gathered during informal discussion with many of the asylum seekers revealed they fled general insecurity and fear of mistreatment by Al Shabab.

The majority of the asylum seekers have come from Gedo, Bakool, Bay and Banadir regions.

The influx has increased after Ethiopian forces ended their two-year presence in Somali last month, the release noted.