Following the road accident in Jewi camp and the violent incidents, UNHCR and other humanitarian workers were forced to withdraw from Jewi, Kule and Tierkidi refugee camps while contact with refugees was done through remote monitoring. Area Security Management Team (ASMT) meetings were held to discuss the insecurity during which appropriate measures were taken including restrictions on movement of UN and other humanitarian agencies.

UNHCR and other humanitarian workers, vehicles, and offices in Gambella were targeted for attacks on Saturday, 23 April following a road accident in Jewi refugee camp on 21 April which claimed lives of two refugee children. The accident, involving a hired bus of a private contractor and which was driven by an Ethiopian national, subsequently sparked off reprisal killings in the camp leading to loss of 10 lives. The violence spilled over to Gambella town where some people were also killed. An angry mob targeted UN and other humanitarian agencies in Gambella town and also attempted to attack Jewi refugee camp but was prevented from doing so by the Ethiopian Defence Force. The violent security incidents affected service delivery in the camps.

From interviews conducted by UNHCR on 27 April, refugees in Jewi camp expressed deep regret over the violence in their camp on 21 April and assured that it will never happen again. The camp leadership noted that no road accident had occurred in the camp before since it was established about a year ago and blamed the recent violence in the camp as the work of “criminals in their midst”.

The main decisions taken by the task force in relation to the incidents in Jewi refugee camp included: the Protection Working Group to develop a communication and awareness raising strategy and action plan targeting refugees in all camps, as well as host community; and sensitization campaign in refugee camps to be launched on 2 May. The Protection Working Group drafted a communication strategy for refugees and host communities in Gambella for raising awareness on the Rule of Law and Peaceful co-existence.

At an ad hoc inter-agency task force meeting held on 27 April and which was co-chaired by UNHCR and ARRA, ARRA assured all humanitarian actors of security as the government has reinforced the presence of Ethiopian Defence Force and Federal Police who are currently controlling the situation in Gambella region.

In late April, in Kule camp, refugees celebrated the return of Dr. Riek Machar to South Sudanese capital Juba and his reinstatement as first Vice president of the Republic of South Sudan. Refugees including men, women and children celebrated by singing, cheering and expressing the hope that lasting peace will be restored in their country.

ECHO - The South and South-East of Ethiopia are affected by serious drought due to the fourth consecutive failed rainy season.