Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have organized a conference for partners with the intent to reach common understanding on the rising fund cut for the refugee operation in Ethiopia and to stand together to respond to the crises thereon.
In her address to the high profile gathering, RRS Director General Teyiba Hassen thanked the refugee supporting group and stressed that it is high time to act as the decline in funding for the refugee operation poses a big concern for Ethiopia, which hosts 1 million refugees and asylum seekers and partners working with my organization.
Teyiba added that it is disheartening to witness the suffering of persons of concern because of the lack of burden and responsibility sharing from relevant actors, including funders, donors, partners, and stakeholders.
UNHCR Representative to Ethiopia Andrew Mbogori also thanked the donor groups and highlighted that partners and donors need to mobilize much fund for the Ethiopia refugee operation and avert the situation of refugees that are experiencing miserable life due to budget cut.
Andrew said that it is highly important to note the graveness of the current circumstance in the refugee response and disclosed the need to immediate intervention to protect those in need of support.
Meanwhile, the sector working groups have sharply pinpointed the grave concerns resulted from the substantial funding cuts in the Ethiopia refugee operation urging partners and donors to contribute the much-needed fund to respond to the burning needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
The conference was attended by government representatives, RRS, the UN family in Ethiopia, including UNHCR, partners, donors, the diplomatic corps and the international community at large, among others.
