In a digital press briefing held by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Julieta Valls Noyes, discussed her recent travels to Ethiopia and Chad.
The focus of her trip was to address the growing humanitarian and migration challenges in both central and eastern Africa.
During her visit to Chad, Assistant Secretary Noyes announced over $47 million in humanitarian assistance for emergency response efforts in Sudan and neighbouring countries, including Chad and South Sudan. This funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Sudan emergency response to over $968 million since the previous fiscal year. Acknowledging Chad’s critical role in hosting refugees, she expressed appreciation for the country’s generosity amidst its own economic challenges.
In Ethiopia, Assistant Secretary Noyes met with senior government officials to discuss humanitarian responses to the crisis in Sudan. Ethiopia has welcomed nearly 50,000 refugees from Sudan since early 2023, emphasising the importance of international support in assisting displaced populations.
The situation in both countries differs significantly. While Ethiopia hosts refugees from various countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, Chad grapples with hosting over half a million refugees and over 100,000 returnees within a year, amid internal poverty challenges.
Assistant Secretary Noyes highlighted the profound needs of refugees arriving in Chad, many of whom are survivors of gender-based violence. She emphasised the urgency of international support to alleviate their suffering.
Additionally, the Assistant Secretary discussed efforts to address labour migration challenges in East Africa, emphasising the importance of safe, orderly, and humane migration practices. The U.S. government supports initiatives promoting dialogue between countries and facilitating migrants’ return from countries like Yemen and Djibouti.
Regarding Ethiopia’s internal displacement crisis, Assistant Secretary Noyes reiterated U.S. support for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons in regions like Amhara and Oromia.
In conclusion, Assistant Secretary Noyes expressed gratitude to the governments of Chad and Ethiopia for their leadership in welcoming refugees and called for sustained international efforts to address the humanitarian and migration challenges in the region.
