Trapped and left behind - Update on Sudanese Refugees Trapped in Oulala Forest, Northern Ethiopia
Hassan Hussain (RN, MSc)
Empowerment and Inclusion Coordinator @ Boaz Trust | Humanitarian Studies | Community and Public Health Nurse
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Approximately 5,000 Sudanese refugees are currently trapped in the Oulala Forest in northern Ethiopia, where they have been on a hunger strike for five days (Tamazuj, (2024)-a). These refugees, initially encamped in the Amhara region, fled their original site due to severe neglect and a lack of essential services, including food, water, and medicine (Tamazuj, (2024)-b).
The current crisis stems from the Ethiopian authorities' encampment policies, which have left the refugees detained in the forest after fleeing the Oulala Camp. Their initial flight was driven by escalating insecurity, repeated kidnappings for ransom, and deprivation of access to clean water, forcing them to rely on contaminated sources (Tamazuj, (2024)-b).
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News agencies such as Ayine Network have reported dire conditions at the encampment site, located 70 kilometres outside Sudan. The challenging terrain and rainy climate exacerbate the situation, with claims of rape, shootings, and kidnappings by local villagers and armed men responsible for camp security (NETWORK, (2024)).
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The hunger strike, a desperate measure to communicate their plight, has significantly heightened the refugees' vulnerability. The UNHCR has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating conditions: "We fully understand their legitimate request for better security and services. We are concerned that their protest along the road, their stay in unsanitary conditions, and the hunger strike initiated by some risk further increasing their vulnerability" (UNHCR, (2024))
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Photos and videos from the site have circulated on social media, aiming to draw attention from authorities and humanitarian organizations. Mutual aid initiatives have been launched to provide food, medicines, and water, yet these efforts are limited and insufficient to meet the refugees' needs comprehensively.
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Feeling abandoned by the global community since the conflict eruption in 2015, the Sudanese refugees have turned to mutual voluntary aid. However, this model is unreliable and unsustainable in such a hostile displaced environment. It fails to adequately address the critical gaps in food, health, and other essential services. (Kuka, (2024))
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As I write, I urge activists and humanitarian organizations to raise awareness about this dire situation. It is crucial to mobilize resources, share information, and call upon NGOs and UN agencies to enhance engagement with mutual aid initiatives and community-based support systems. The plight of these refugees must not be overlooked in the face of broader global challenges.
Sources:
Kuka, H. ((2024)) 'A mutual aid volunteer reflects on a year of war in Sudan ‘This coming famine is a political decision by the warring party.’', The New Humanitarian. Available at: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/opinion/first-person/2024/04/22/mutual-aid-volunteer-reflects-year-war-sudan#:~:text=Discussions%20and%20collaboration%20with%20the,seems%20to%20be%20moving%20forward.
NETWORK, A. ((2024)) '‘In Ethiopia, Sudanese refugees are ready to return to bombs’', AYIN NETWORK. Available at: https://3ayin.com/en/ethiopia-3/
Tamazuj, R. ((2024)-a) '‘Sudanese refugees decry appalling conditions in Ethiopia’s Amhara region’', Radio Tamazuj. Available at: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudanese-refugees-decry-appalling-conditions-in-ethiopias-amhara-region
Tamazuj, R. ((2024)-b) '‘Sudanese refugees face dire hardship in Ethiopia’', Radio Tamazuj. Available at: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudanese-refugees-face-dire-hardship-in-ethiopia
UNHCR ((2024)) '‘UNHCR concerned about the situation of a group of Sudanese refugees in Amhara region; looking for a solution to avoid further worsening’'. Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/africa/news/press-releases/unhcr-concerned-about-situation-group-sudanese-refugees-amhara-region-looking
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