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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
September 30, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) - Some 25,000 people have arrived in Ethiopia over the last three weeks to escape fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels in Blue Nile state, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.
"Since 3 September, when the influx into Ethiopia started, an estimated 25,000 refugees have found refuge in Ethiopia," said Adrian Edwards, UNHCR spokesperson.
Fighting between government forces and rebels from the northern wing of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement broke out earlier this month, after the SPLM-N refused to disarm.
After South Sudan seceded in July the SPLM-N were supposed to disarm of move south of the new international border. A peace deal recognising the SPLM-N as a legal political party was later rejected by Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.
Some 3,000 refugees have been moved into existing Sherkole camp, where tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled Sudan’s North-South civil war were sheltered.
Sudan’s second North-South civil war (1983-2005) ended with a peace deal that allowed South Sudan to secede through a referendum.
As the influx of refugees continues the Ethiopian government is constructing two transit centers near the key border entry points where newcomers are temporarily hosted.
"With hostilities still ongoing in Sudan’s Blue Nile State, we expect the numbers to continue rising," Edwards said noting fresh reports of more aerial bombardment.
UNHCR said many of the Sudanese refugees are coming with their families and livestock.
Following the clashes, a number of international aid groups along with UNHCR have dispatched emergency relief to western Ethiopia and to other villages along the entry border to assist arriving refugees.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been providing water and medical supplies while World Food Programme is providing food items.
The UNHCR has appealed for $18.3 million to assist refugees from the troubled Blue Nile state.
According to UNHCR the number refugees fleeing to Ethiopia are expected to reach 35,000.
When while, a Sudanese bishop, Daniel Adwok joined to the growing calls for end to fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile State.
“People are having to walk a long way to find safety. The only things they have are what they can carry. We need to pray for peace. We need to appeal for peace.” Bishop Adwok, who is also coordinating an emergency aid to people fleeing the violence, said.
(ST)
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