ICERAS

As of December 2023, Ethiopia hosts 958,016 refugees and asylum seekers and remains one of the largest refugee hosting countries in Africa. The refugee population has grown significantly in 2023, as Ethiopia welcomed more than 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers, following the outbreak of armed conflict in Somalia and Sudan. The largest group of refugees residing in Ethiopia is from South Sudan (44 per cent), followed by Somalia (32 per cent), Eritrea (18 per cent) and Sudan (5 per cent). Around 85 per cent of refugees reside in 21 camps and 4 sites and settlements across the country, with the largest population hosted in the Gambella Region and in the Liban Zone (Melkadida) of the Somali Region. Close to 79,000 refugees, mainly of Eritrean nationality, reside in urban areas, including the capital of Addis Ababa. The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) continues to demonstrate generosity towards individuals in need of international protection and maintains an open-door policy for those seeking safety and protection on their territory. readmore