IOM is strengthening its transport infrastructure in anticipation
of a new wave of displaced Sudanese fleeing the fighting in and
around Blue Nile and Jonglei States in South Sudan.

The Organization has opened a sub-office in Assosa, the capital
of Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia on the border with Sudan,
and has contracted local service providers to shuttle the refugees
crossing the border to camps in Ethiopia.

Ten buses and four trucks are being used from different entry
points to the camps, covering distances that range from 60 km to
over 200km.  To date IOM has provided transport to 16,805
displaced from various entry points into Ethiopia to the camps.

The new arrivals, many of them carrying belongings or travelling
with animals, are expected to cross the common border into Ethiopia
any time soon, following increased fighting between the Sudanese
People's Liberation Army, North Sector, SPLA-N and Sudanese armed
forces in various locations inside Blue Nile State.

IOM and partners including UNHCR are revising contingency plans
and infrastructure as it is generally anticipated that the new
influx will begin in Gambella region, south of the current location
of Benishangul region.

Many of the displaced have been hiding in the bush for weeks
surviving on the few provisions they had managed to take with them
and which have now run out. A great number of women and children
are known to be among the displaced.

Although exact numbers on the refugees are not known, UNHCR has
increased its planning figure to 50,000 new arrivals from Sudan,
almost double the original estimate when the conflict began.

Since the beginning of the fighting in Blue Nile in September
2011 between Sudanese armed forces and the SPLA-N, displaced
Sudanese have been crossing into Ethiopia at an average rate of 200
to 300 a day. In the early days, most of the displaced chose to
stay close to the border hoping to return to their homes
quickly.

However, with increased fighting between the groups dispelling
hopes for a quick resolution to their situation, the displaced are
increasingly choosing to take refuge in the camps located far from
the border. The number of those who have crossed into Ethiopia
currently stands at 35,000.  The majority are being
accommodated in three camps inside Ethiopia: Tongo, Sherkole and
Adamazine.

With the newly displaced continuing to arrive, the three camps
are reaching capacity and two new camps are being planned near
Bambasi, south of Assosa.

IOM, which coordinates closely with UNHCR and Ethiopia's
Administration for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA), has been
providing transport to those who are fleeing the war since the
beginning of the conflict last year.

The Organization is also carrying out pre-departure medical
checks and escort for all refugees being taken to the camps.

IOM's transport assistance to the displaced Sudanese has
received USD 300,000 funding from UNHCR in response to an IOM
appeal for USD 1.1 million. More funding is needed to enable the
Organization to continue with its work.

For more information, please contact:

Josiah Oginah

IOM Ethiopia

Tel: +251.11. 6611133

E-mail: "mailto:jogina@iom.int">jogina@iom.int 

or

Demissew Bizuwork

Tel: +251 116 611 117 (Ext. 455)

E-mail: "mailto:bdemissew@iom.int">bdemissew@iom.int