© UNHCR

Ethiopia maintains an open-door asylum policy and allows humanitarian access and protection to those seeking refuge on its territory.

 

With close to 780,000 refugees as of November 2016, Ethiopia is currently one of the largest refugee hosting country in Africa.

 

The overwhelming majority are accommodated in 25 camps established across the country.

 


UNHCR Ethiopia responds to emergencies

UNHCR’s Operation in Shire

News and stories about Ethiopia

UN refugee chief warns of "forgotten population" in Egypt

Filippo Grandi met African refugees in Egypt, many of whom are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

20 Oct 2016

Attack on care home brings new dangers for refugees in Yemen

More than a quarter of a million benefit from the poor Gulf state's generosity but deteriorating security is having a traumatic effect on the refugee population

7 Apr 2016

Aiming for the skies, refugee girl must first finish school

Determined South Sudanese refugee Nyahok, 13, dreams of becoming a pilot, but a lack of funding for education means her dreams may never take flight.

11 Feb 2016

Do not risk your lives, Grandi tells Eritrean refugees

Need to improve schooling and chances for worthwhile life in the region so that young Eritreans fleeing their country can avoid risky sea crossings, High Commissioner says during first Africa visit.

2 Feb 2016

Refugee self-reliance in Africa boosted by IKEA Foundation support

UNHCR's largest private sector partner supports refugee families and host communities in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

9 Jul 2015

South Sudanese refugees moved from flood-prone camp in Ethiopia

UNHCR and its partners move some 12,660 South Sudanese refugees from the flood-prone Nip Nip refugee camp to Jewi in western Ethiopia's Gambella region.

15 May 2015

Former IOC chief Rogge pledges more sport opportunities for refugees in Ethiopia

Rogge met young refugees and their families in Kule and Tierkidi camps, talked to UNHCR staff and other aid workers and attended various sporting activities.

8 May 2015

Number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia passes 200,000 mark

UNHCR staff note sharp increase in new arrivals from some 1,000 people a month in the first quarter of this year to more than 4,000 refugees registered in April.

1 May 2015

UNHCR begins relocation of 50,000 South Sudan refugees in Ethiopia before the rains come

The refugees are being moved from the Leitchuor and Nip Nip refugee camps in the Gambella region. Last year both camps were severely hit by floodwaters.

17 Mar 2015

International Women's Day 2015: Former Kinshasa cabbie earns a crust feeding refugees and aid workers

Every day, Masika bakes 1,500 small loaves of bread for sale, while aid workers and refugees eating at her restaurant can choose tasty beef or fish dishes.

6 Mar 2015

World Disability Day: South Sudanese woman overcomes blindness to reach safety

Nyantay survived gunfire and wild animals while fleeing an attack on her village. But the blind mother of four feels lost in the Ethiopian refugee camp that is now home.

3 Dec 2014

UNHCR starts relocation of 15,000 stranded South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia

A first group of 125 refugees left Matar Way Station and headed along the Baro River to the Itang Transit Centre, before heading by road to Pugnido Refugee Camp.

18 Nov 2014

UNHCR and partners distribute urgently needed aid to flooded camps in Ethiopia

UNHCR and the government have started to look at possible new sites where they can relocate the most vulnerable.

3 Sep 2014

UN envoy Princess Haya meets South Sudan refugees in Ethiopia

She was unprepared for the suffering among refugees from South Sudan who are streaming across the border into Ethiopia at nearly 1,000 a day.

16 Jul 2014

More than 11,000 South Sudanese flee to Ethiopia after fall of rebel-held town

The refugees arriving in Ethiopia say more people are on their way, with many amassed on the South Sudanese side waiting to cross the Baro River.

6 May 2014

More than 62,000 people, mostly Ethiopians, risk lives to cross Gulf of Aden this year

In total, since 2006 when UNHCR began collecting data, more than half-a-million asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants have travelled by sea to Yemen.

8 Nov 2013

UNHCR chief praises Ethiopia for open borders, refugee protection

High Commissioner António Guterres met Ethiopian leaders during the final leg of a tour of the region to promote solutions for Somali refugees.

12 Jul 2013

Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia get new camp in north of country

To relieve pressure on three existing camps, UNHCR opens Hitsats Camp that can eventually house up to 20,000 refugees.

13 Jun 2013