By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 12 May 2026 More than 100,000 people fleeing conflict in South Sudan have crossed into Ethiopia’s Gambella region amid worsening humanitarian conditions, the UN refugee agency said.
In a report released this week, UNHCR said the large-scale movement began after South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) captured Akobo town in Jonglei State on March 10, 2026, forcing thousands of civilians to cross into Ethiopia through Tiergol, Kankan, Thakyaak and other informal border points.
The agency said most of those who crossed into Ethiopia came from the counties of Nyirol, Uror and Akobo. Many initially settled in parts of Akobo Woreda before moving deeper into Ethiopia’s Nuer Zone, including Kankan, Muon, Matar and Tormorok.
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Rapid assessments conducted by humanitarian agencies estimated that around 85,000 people entered Gambella region to escape the fighting, while authorities in Wantawo Woreda reported that 12,218 newly arrived people had reached Tormorok. The report added that the new arrivals joined earlier displaced populations already living in the area, including more than 50,030 officially registered people in Luakdong and about 32,725 unregistered people in Tormorok who arrived during 2025.
UNHCR said 55% of the newly arrived population are children and warned that humanitarian needs in the affected areas are continuing to rise.