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| Posted to the web on April 24, 2008 |
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April 24, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — EThe United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it would open four new refugee camps in Ethiopia.
Public Information Unit Head of UNHCR Regional Liaison Office for Africa, Kisut Gebregziabher, told WIC that the three camps, one in Tigray and two in Afar states, are meant to host Eritrean refugees, while the fourth camp in Somali State would accommodate refugees from Somalia.
According to him, an average of 500 Eritrean and 800 Somali refugees have been entering the country in a month.
UNHCR, in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia, is currently providing assistance for close to 22,000 Eritreans and 26,000 Somali refugees, he said.
The head who pointed out the presence of 26,000 Sudanese and 2,600 Kenyan refugees in the country added that voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from camps in western Ethiopia has been progressing well.
UNHCR has reportedly helped repatriate more than 30,000 Sudanese refugees over the years.
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