31/05/2025
Last week, representatives from the VRC visited the China Camp IDP Center in Debre Berhan. At present, it is estimated that over 25,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are registered across three camps in the city. According to accounts from the IDP community, most organizations that had previously been involved in providing support, aside from a few offering medical assistance, have ceased their operations within the camps due to various challenges.
For a few years, members of VRC, in their capacity as faculty of the Debre Berhan University School of Law and as part of their community service engagement, have been offering free legal assistance to IDPs. This initiative was supported by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), an implementing partner of UNHCR, whose collaboration was instrumental in extending legal aid services to the internally displaced population. However, following the project's conclusion in 2024, a significant gap in legal aid provision has emerged.
In line with its mission to serve vulnerable and marginalized groups, VRC has undertaken a preliminary needs assessment, which confirmed the urgent and ongoing demand for legal aid among IDPs. In response, VRC will collaborate with the city administration, currently responsible for camp management, and other stakeholders to establish a dedicated free legal aid office within the IDP centers.
Furthermore, VRC will work towards durable solutions and advocate for effective remedies to the victims of the human rights violations that have led to the displacement. We remain committed to restoring dignity and legal protection to displaced individuals and will continue to provide consistent, rights-based legal support within the camps.