In 2008, UNHCR Ethiopia aims to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of some 25,000 Sudanese refugees to Southern Sudan and close Bonga and Dimma camps. Some 15,000 Sudanese are expected to return in 2009.

UNHCR plans to relocate the remaining refugee population to Fugnido and Sherkole camps. The Office aims to help rehabilitate refugee-impacted areas by mobilizing communities for community reforestation, road repairs and the refurbishment of old structures used for refugee services. The Office aims to identify and process refugees who meet the requirements for resettlement.

The Office aims to identify durable solutions for Somali and Eritrean refugees, including resettlement. In addition, UNHCR plans to help young people, women, older refugees and those with specific needs to develop skills and receive vocational training, and make them more aware on the issues of HIV and AIDS and sexual and gender-based violence. All new asylum-seekers are registered and receive humanitarian and community-based assistance.

Urban refugees are to be registered, profiled and receive identity documents. Furthermore, they will be helped to gain access to community services, particularly psychosocial assistance.

The office in Ethiopia has two important roles. On the one hand, it serves as UNHCR’s liaison on the issues of refugees and internally displaced populations to the African Union, UN Economic Commission for Africa, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the African Development Bank.

On the other hand, it protects and assists refugees and asylum-seekers, and plays a lead role in efforts to improve conditions for an estimated 200,000 IDPs. As an integral part of the UN Country Team, and especially under the new IDP Cluster framework, UNHCR Ethiopia collaborates closely with the Government of Ethiopia, non-governmental organizations and other humanitarian agencies.