Addis Ababa, June 23, 2022(Walta) – The Ethiopian government has received more than 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers mainly from South Sudan and Somalia over the past two years, the Refugees and Returnees Service (RSS) announced.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), RRS Director-General, Tesfahun Gobezay said the country has received about 30,000 newly displaced people from South Sudan and Somalia over the last two years.
Noting major refugee camps are found in Gambela, BenshangulGumuz, Somali, Afar, Tigray, and Amhara states, Tesfahun indicated more than 80,000 immigrants are also residing in Addis Ababa. “Though we have been challenged by the COVD-19 pandemic and the unrest in some parts of the country, we are striving to avail decent service to refugees even in this difficult time.”
“As a founding member of the first international refugee agency, Ethiopia is now making a significant contribution to the effort to host the world’s third-highest number of refugees. We have also a long history of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers even before the internationally recognized law ratification.”
As to him, refugees and asylum seekers were allowed to live in Ethiopia before the 1951 and 1967 international convention adoption. Currently, Ethiopia hosted more than 870, 000 refugees that come from more than 26 countries. Most of the refugees are from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Every individual has the right to seek protection here in Ethiopia if they feel insecure because of their identity or political affiliation. We are also responsible for recognizing refugees and asylum seekers, Tesfahun said.