The first pilot biometric food distribution system was successfully completed within 8.5 days in Jewi Refugee Camp. From the total targeted population of 48,639 persons, 37,403 persons were able to collect food ration using the Biometrics system showing a 23% no show rate. Additional tests will be undertaken in the coming two months to draw a clear trend within which the construction of the two biometrics food centres in Jewi camp would have been completed.

The Ethiopia refugee agency and UNHCR are registering over 400 new South Sudanese refugee arrivals at Okugo Refugee Camp in Gambella region. The new arrivals entered Ethiopia through Raad entry point following intra-ethnic conflict in Pochalla, South Sudan. New arrivals continue. The intra-ethnic fighting reportedly broke out on 21 March in Pochalla town between Pochalla North and Pochalla South Anuak community and the fighting spread to nearby towns.

A Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) mission was in Gambella from 16 - 18 October. During the visit, the team witnessed ongoing assistance to refugees at Jewi camp and held meetings with refugees, ARRA, UNHCR and partners.

Ms. Sandra Bedoya-Hanson, Assistant Refugee Coordinator, Bureau of Population, Refugee, and Migration (PRM) in Addis Ababa was in Gambella from 19 to 21 October during which she witnessed humanitarian assistance being provided to South Sudanese refugees in camps and held meetings with refugees, Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), UNHCR and partners.

The Italian President, His Excellency Sergio Mattarella on 16 March visited the South Sudanese refugee operation in Gambella Region, western Ethiopia. He was accompanied by Italian government officials, media personnel and other officials from the Embassy including the Italian Ambassador for Ethiopia. The mission was received and welcomed at Gambella Airport by the President of Gambella Region, His Excellency Gatluak Tut Khot, Vice President of the region, His Excellency Engineer Olero Opiew, Ato Ayelew Awoke ARRA Deputy Director from Addis Ababa, ARRA Zonal Coordinator, Ato Teferi Bekele, the UNHCR Head of Sub–Office Ms. Angele Djohossou and UNICEF colleagues from Addis Ababa and Gambella.

From 14-15 March, the UNHCR Representative, Ms. Clementine Nkweta Salami visited the UNHCR operation in Gambella to get first-hand information on the prevailing security situation and the way forward to ensure staff safety and to keep humanitarian activities running smoothly. Interethnic clashes broke out in the region on 28 January and lasted for a few weeks.

On 8 March the International Women’s Day was colourfully celebrated in refugee camps in Gambella region. The occasion was marked with traditional dancers, songs by school children, drama and speeches that focused on gender equality promotion. The Refugee Central Committee (RCC) chairpersons spoke of the need for the refugee community to change some of the cultural habits that deny women opportunities to participate in leadership. Among few things mentioned were early marriage which prevent girls from completing higher education.

In early April, the Gambella region in western Ethiopia experienced a relatively high number of new South Sudanese arrivals into the region, crossing to Okugo refugee camp through the Raad corridor. Since 5 April 2016, more than 300 new arrivals have been registered by the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) with support from UNHCR. Dozens of Unaccompanied and Separated children were among the new arrivals. Most of them said they trekked in the jungle for about two weeks before arriving in Okugo. UNHCR and partners have provided the refugees with basic assistance including corn soya blend (CSB) to children, plastic sheets, mosquito nets, blankets, sleeping mats and water jerry cans at the camp. The new arrivals fled intra-ethnic clashes in Ponchalla area which broke out on 21 March in Pochalla town between Pochalla North and Pochalla South Anuak communities and soon spread to nearby towns.

On 7 October, a three-week Back to School campaign climaxed in Kule camp marking the reopening of schools for the 2015/2016 academic year. Simultaneous grand marches took place in other refugee camps. UNHCR, ARRA and partners made remarks encouraging refugees to focus on their studies and stay in school.

The Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Phillip Baker, on 7 December 2015 visited UNHCR Gambella Sub-Office to familiarize himself with the South Sudanese refugee operation in Gambella Region. He was accompanied by a representative from Canada is Dedicated to International Development (DFTAD), Mr. Dave Weber.