Disclaimer: This is an English translation of DW Amharic news and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic
The cries of IDPs from Horo Guduru
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (Tikimit 20, 2016 EC)
Over two years ago, residents that were displaced from rural areas of Amuru Woreda of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia Region took refuge in Agamsa town but they are now facing dire conditions without any humanitarian support. People that were displaced from Amuru Woreda taking refuge in Shambu town, the administrative center of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, returned to the woreda on December 3, 2022 (Nehase 24, 2015 EC) but they did not receive any support. The Woreda Emergency and Risk Coordinating Office said humanitarian aid was delivered to some people but may have not reached every person in need.
One resident who opted to remain anonymous said they were displaced from a rural area called Lumma Wali in Amuru Woreda in November 2021 (Hedar 2014 EC) to Agamsa town due to conflict in the area, and the resident said they were not receiving any humanitarian support which has left them in a dire situation. The resident added around 3 months ago, they were able to get 15-kg of wheat and added there were IDPs taking shelter in more than 8 kebeles of the city.
"I am currently in Agamsa town, it has been over two years since we came here after escaping after our home was burned down and our property was looted and we came to this town. Over 18 goats and 27 cattle were taken from me. We have repeatedly asked for humanitarian assistance but it is not being provided for us."
Another resident who told us they were taking shelter in Agamsa town of Amuru Woreda said the security situation in the area had been impacting residents for a long time. The lack of peace in the area in addition to the lack of humanitarian support has continued to prevent farmers from farmers. The resident called on the government to provide a lasting solution to the security problem in the area and help resettle them.
"In 2021 (2014 EC) repeated attacks were carried out on farmers in Agamsa town and surrounding rural kebeles. In Kebele 01 of Agamsa town, our property was looted including our store, our house was burned down, and those displaced from the town and others displaced from rural areas did not receive any support which has exposed us to a dire situation. The children are suffering too. We have repeatedly shared our plight but we have not received any solution."
Another resident told us they were displaced from Amuru Woreda to the zone's capital of Shambu where they stayed for one year, and on August 30, 2023 (Nehase 24, 2015 EC) they returned to Amuru, specifically to a town called Obora where they have not received any support for the last 3 months.
The Amuru Woreda Emergency Risk Coordinating Office (Busa Gonofa Office) Director Ato Jiregna Regassa informed us there were 45,305 IDPs in the woreda. He said both government and private organizations were providing support but it may not have reached all the IDPs.
"We have been able to deliver assistance in the name of IDPs in 3 rounds. Humanitarian assistance has reached the woreda both from government and private organizations. Since more than 45,000 people are unable to farm, it may not be enough. However the humanitarian aid has been delivered to people displaced from rural areas, but not merchants."
Hundreds of people have been displaced as a result of sporadic conflict in woredas in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone and East Wollega Zone. According to information from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 700,000 people have been displaced from across the four Wollega Zones over various occasions.
Negassa Desalegn
Mantegafetot Sileshi
Hirut Melese
Comentarios