Ethiopia and UNHCR open new support centre in Addis Ababa to help refugees access legal aid and services
Ethiopia and the United Nations refugee agency have jointly opened a new support centre in Addis Ababa designed to help refugees navigate the country’s administrative systems and access essential services. The facility, inaugurated in partnership with the Ethiopian authorities, will offer free legal advice and guidance on obtaining official documentation, with the broader goal of improving refugees’ ability to integrate into local communities and the labour market.
A practical gateway to services
Officials involved in the initiative say the centre is intended to serve as a one-stop hub where refugees can receive information about their rights, support in dealing with bureaucratic procedures, and referrals to other service providers. By centralising these functions, the partners hope to reduce the time and cost refugees often face when trying to secure identity papers, renew permits or engage with public institutions.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), access to legal assistance is one of the most pressing challenges for displaced people in many host countries. Without recognised documentation, refugees frequently struggle to open bank accounts, sign lease agreements, send children to school or take up formal employment, leaving them reliant on informal work and humanitarian assistance.
Ethiopia among Africa’s top refugee hosts
Ethiopia continues to be one of the continent’s most significant refugee-hosting nations, sheltering more than one million refugees from across the region. This places it third in Africa in terms of refugee population, reflecting its long-standing policy of keeping borders open to people fleeing conflict and persecution in neighbouring countries.
Despite this open-door approach, humanitarian organisations have repeatedly noted that capacity constraints, funding shortfalls and complex administrative requirements have made it difficult for many refugees to become self-reliant. The new centre is part of broader efforts by the Ethiopian government and its international partners to address those gaps and move towards more durable solutions for displaced populations.
Towards self-reliance
Supporters of the initiative argue that helping refugees secure legal status and access to services is not only a matter of humanitarian obligation but also an economic opportunity. Allowing refugees to participate more fully in the labour market can contribute to local economies and reduce long-term dependence on aid, they say.
As the centre begins operations in Addis Ababa, both UNHCR and Ethiopian officials are expected to monitor its impact and consider whether similar models could be replicated in other parts of the country where large refugee populations are based. The success of the facility will likely depend on sustained funding, staffing and cooperation between national agencies and international partners.
Source: FRANCE 24 — read the original report.
