The Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) on 10 January 2015 started scooped food distribution in Kule and Tierkidi refugee camps in Gambella

The Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Miss Khung-wha KANG, paid a one-day visit to Gambella.

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.

The Crown Princess of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Mary Donaldson, visited Tierkidi refugee camp in western Ethiopia, home to nearly 50,000 refugees who fled the conflict in South Sudan.

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Mr. Peter H. Vrooman, visited UNHCR Sub-Office Gambella on 9 December. Mr. Vrooman’s last visit to Gambella was in March 2015 when he inaugurated Jewi camp along with the President of Gambella Regional State, His Excellency Ato Gatluak Tuk Khot; Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA); Deputy Director Ato Ayalew Aweke; then outgoing UNHCR Representative (Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa), Mr. Valentin Tapsoba; and the Deputy Assistant Secretary Catherine Wiesner of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) in Washington.

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.

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.

The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, visited Gambella to have first-hand impressions of the South Sudan refugee crisis where he visited Tierkidi camp.

The campaign for the expression of interest by refugees to relocate to Pugnido refugee camp commenced at Pagak entry point.

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.