Ethiopia and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have jointly appealed on Tuesday to the international community to assist the over 30,000 Eritrean refugees currently sheltered in Ethiopia.

The appeal was made at a forum held at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa to discuss the refugees’ condition with donors’ representatives and resident ambassadors.

It was reported that over 30,000 Eritrean refugees are currently living in three refugee camps in northern Ethiopia where they need additional assistance from the international community.

According to the joint appeal by Ethiopia and UNHCR, the assistances provided by the World Food Program (WHO) and UNHCR are now becoming insufficient in meeting the demands of the refugees, mostly young and single and originating from the urban areas of Eritrea.

“The number of new arrivals from that state is increasing from time to time, reaching an average of more than 900 persons a month,” said the statement.

“In addition to the basic assistance like food and shelter, most of the refugees are desirous to continue their education as many of them, young, single, educated and urbanites, used to lead sedentary life in Eritrean towns,” says the appeal.

The appeal requested for additional assistances of food and non-food items such as clothing and kitchen utensils.

Over 4,000 Eritrean refugees have so far been resettled in the United States of America and Europe. Some 6,500 refugees who have already got the opportunity to be resettled in USA are also waiting for their departure, according to the appeal.

One Response