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.

UNHCR Representative, Mr Valentin Tapsoba, was in Gambella from 16-22 November to witness the launching of the relocation exercise from Matar to Pugnido camp

UNHCR Gambella welcomes new Head of Sub Office, Ms. Angele Djohossou.

UNHCR Gambella took part in inter-agency assessment mission to areas affected by the cross-border raid of 15 April by gunmen which left over 200 people killed and over 21,000 displaced. The mission visited Lare Woreda on 21 April.

UN Messenger for Peace, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint al Hussein, visited Kule 2 Refugee Camp and met with South Sudanese refugee women.

To intensify the current malaria prevention and control measures in refugee camps, 4,140 transitional shelters were sprayed with Propoxur chemical in Kule camp from 29 September to 7 October. The other five camps are following.

The “Master Plan Mission” from UNHCR Geneva was in Gambella from 20-29 October to test the new master plan tool kit and to assist in identifying new camp site.

The relocation of refugees from Matar way station to Pugnido refugee camp commenced on 17 November.

The new UNHCR Representative, Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, paid a two-day familiarization tour of the Gambella refugee operations from 12-14 August 2015.

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.