4000 Ethiopian Refugees Repatriate Home; 700 More Flee

IOM is working closely with the Ministry of Interior and the local authorities of Obok to help manage the situation.

Ethiopian Refugees UN Photo

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Stranded in the Middle East, Libya, Somaliland, Puntland, Tanzania and Europe; Immigration Office of Migration (IOM) has helped 3,781 Ethiopian refugees voluntarily return home over the last 12 months.

August alone, saw the repatriation of more than 600 refugees with an additional 1,000 returning home in the coming three months. IOM’s consistent priority and mission is safety and dignity while promoting informed decisions.

The voluntary return services offered by IOM are partnered with ongoing in-country campaigns that target these vulnerable groups. Many are migrating from place to place without services, this programs will provide arrival orientation, counseling, medical support and startup capital for an efficient return.

While working diligently to offer voluntary repatriation of Ethiopian refugees, many are still fleeing. IOM is working on both sides to help this exposed community.

Seven hundred Ethiopian refugees are stranded in Obok, Djibouti en route to Yemen, in need of immediate medical assistance. One death has been confirmed and over 170 individuals have severe diarrhea; 60 are currently receiving emergency care while 119 have been moved to the City of Djibouti by boat for additional care.

IOM is working closely with the Ministry of Interior and the local authorities of Obok to help manage the situation. They have already donated cartons of antiseptic, cartons of latex gloves and bleach, ventilators, boots, basins, picks, shovels, tents and beds to accommodate the refugees.

IOM told Salem-News.com “We are consistently monitoring the situation and will adapt appropriate responses as the situation develops”. Their mission and sustained work is to continue improving the protection of those most vulnerable.

*Sources: Immigration Office of Migration