The African country’s Refugee and Returnee Service, the camp zone and the United Nations Refugee Agency (IOM) signed the document that will benefit the facility that in the last 30 years hosted more than 16,000 refugees, including those born there, said a press release.

The memorandum, first of its kind in Ethiopia, defines a route for refugee inclusion and local integration in Kebribeyah and the surrounding refugee camps.

It also provides a framework for transforming the camp into a part of the town of the same name, which requires further strengthening of sustainable public services, water systems, housing, energy and environment, livelihoods and infrastructure development.

Refugee and Returnee Service Director General Tesfahun Gobezay stressed that the document lays the cornerstone of a bold move to ensure refugee self-reliance and inclusive services.

Similarly, it contributes to the implementation of the commitments made by the Government of Ethiopia during the Global Forum on Refugees 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.

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