Ethiopia’s Hosting of Over One Million Refugees Wins International Recognition: RRS

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s long-standing humanitarian approach to refugees is receiving growing international recognition, according to the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS).

Director General of RRS, Teyba Hassen recently told ENA that Ethiopia’s open-door refugee policy is strengthening the country’s global reputation as a leading humanitarian host.

Ethiopia currently hosts more than one million refugees and asylum seekers, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in Africa.

The country ranks second in Africa after Uganda and seventh worldwide in total refugee population.

Teyba link this achievement to Ethiopia’s long-standing commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which guides its policy of welcoming people fleeing war and persecution.

Beyond protection, she added that Ethiopia’s refugee strategy increasingly focuses on inclusion.

Refugees are being integrated into local communities and gaining improved access to education, healthcare, food assistance, and livelihood opportunities, the director general pointed out.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between refugees and host communities, aiming to boost shared development and economic participation in refugee-hosting regions.

Teyba further noted that Ethiopia has created an environment where refugees can live, work, and contribute alongside local residents.

Some former refugees educated in Ethiopia have even returned home and now promote a positive image of the country abroad.

According to her, Ethiopia’s refugee approach is not only a humanitarian commitment but also a driver of regional stability and international goodwill.