Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has been very generous towards Sudanese refugees who are in need of protection and solidarity, UNHCR East, Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Regional Director Mamadou Dian Balde said.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, UNHCR Regional Director Balde stated that more than 3.4 million refugees have crossed into neighboring borders since the conflict in Sudan started. He highlighted that countries including Ethiopia, Chad, Egypt, and the Central African Republic have opened their borders to those in need of protection and solidarity.
Balde emphasized the urgent need for international support to extend solidarity to the refugees, underscoring the necessity for basic necessities such as food, health services, documentation, and water. He stressed that these needs require immediate attention and that peace remains a critical solution for the refugees’ plight.
The director noted Ethiopia’s significant role in supporting Sudanese refugees, expressing gratitude towards the Ethiopian communities and authorities for their generosity and hospitality. He remarked on the importance of peace for the refugees to eventually return home.
During a recent High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated Ethiopia’s solidarity with Sudan during challenging times. He mentioned Ethiopia’s ongoing support for Sudan’s peace and sovereignty over the past six years, including economic contributions through the provision of electricity via a dedicated transmission line.