Addis Ababa, 6 November 2014 (WIC) - Irish President Michael D. Higgins urged Ethiopia to continue receiving and hosting South Sudanese refugees who fled the war in that country.

After visiting South Sudanese refugee camp in Ethiopia’s Gamblla region, the President said the country should continue to host the refugees and provision of humanitarian support.

Ireland yesterday pledged 2 million Euros to assist South Sudanese refugees; increasing the total assistance the nation extends to efforts to assist South Sudanese refugees to 8.5 million Euros.

He praised the integrated efforts of the government of Ethiopia and humanitarian agencies regarding provision of basic needs to the refugees.

He called on the international community to support Ethiopia and the agencies in their efforts to fulfill basic needs of the refugees.

Irish Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation Sean Sherlock said for his part that Ethiopia could be exemplary to other countries in terms of hosting refugees.

He reiterated the government’s readiness to support Ethiopia’s efforts in this regard.

Ethiopia’s Gambella region hosts over 240,000 refugees, of which 192,000 of them crossed the border since December 2013, said head of the region Gatluak Tut.

The nation hosts more than 600,000 refugees mainly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea, which makes Ethiopia the largest host country in the continent. (ENA)