Ethiopia's troubled Western region
Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in Ethiopia's western Benishangul Gumuz region, aid agencies report. The reports also indicate a series of massacres in the past few months.
Ethnic tension spreads to refugee camp
This refugee camp in Chagni, a town in the northwest of Ethiopia, was set up for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing ethnic fighting in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. Most of the refugees are ethnic Amharas. Since Chagni is located in the Amhara region, Shinasha and Gumuz IDPs have shunned the camp to hide in the forests instead.
How ethnic Amharas ended up in Benishangul-Gumuz
Pawe district in Benishangul-Gumuz used to be a special zone within the region. Due to the fertile land, Amharas were resettled here during the famine of 1985, before the current Ethiopian regions were established.
'We can't get back to that place, or we will die'
Tigist Tadisu escaped with her children after seeing her neighbors slaughtered. The government plans to arm some militias to keep the area safe, but most refugees don’t think they will ever go back. "We can’t get back to that place, or we will die," the young woman said. "We watched what they are doing to us; we can't return to the place we left because a lot of bad things happened there."
Unknown assailants
To protect her children, Emebet Abebe decided to rent a small house instead of staying in the camp. She sells the traditional beer tella. Abebe said she and her children walked over dead bodies to escape the violence. "The attackers killed all those they encountered, Amharas, Gumuz, Shinashas, and Oromos. I don't know why they were there and why were attacked," she said.
Exposure to further attacks
The refugee camp is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away from the regional border, near the main road leading to the city of Chagni. Since the camp is not fenced, regional authorities worry about an escalation of the violence that could engulf the camp.
Military escorts for Benishangul-Gumuz residents
Crossing into Benishangul-Gumuz is still difficult because of the insecurity. The Ethiopian federal army is escorting public transport vehicles full of civilians and trucks out of the region.
Making a living in the camp
Most refugees had to leave everything behind, including clothes and money. Some are trying to sell basic items in the camp to secure a small income. "I am just trying to start a job," explained Sinke Mengistu, who sells biscuits, oil, and coffee. "But I left the village without anything. I couldn’t even get a ride here."
No school, no home
The fighting has halted schools and education programs. Children spend all day in their camps, hoping for an end to the violence.
Traumatized children
Some refugees settle outside of the camp, such as this family. According to their father, the twin boys are still traumatized by what they saw.