In order to escape a forced draft on seventeenth birthdays, Eritrean people started fleeing to Ethiopia and eventually constructing the Shimelba refugee camp. Currently around 11,000 refugees inhabit the camp, which in itself is only 45 kilometers from the Eritrean border (COR, 2000). Out of the 11,000 refugees, only 10% are employed because Ethiopian law dictates that they cannot work outside the camp. The small number of refugees that work do so on a small strip within the camp called Little Asmara (COR, 2000).
          A half a century ago, the land that now houses the Shimelba refugee camp was lush forests filled with animals, now it is almost desert like due to environmental degradation (COR, 2010). The occupation of the area has left the land arid and almost completely useless. It cannot sustain any agriculture and the camp inhabitants are completely reliant on the United Nations World Food Program for monthly rations (COR, 2010). Refugees themselves constantly report that the food rations are not enough and that they sometimes have to sell some of what they are given for other daily necessities.
          Collecting water for the day is part of the daily ritual for young kids. There is no running water in any of the houses, resulting in the task of going to one of the few water taps that are scattered around the camp. The International Rescue Committe (IRC) is the main supplier of water in an otherwise arid environment with no natural resources for drinking (Rescue.org, 2010). While children have this opportunity, women and men occupy their day doing things like chatting, gathering wood, wash clothing, and drink (COR, 2010).

          Economic activities among refugees in the Shimelba camp are limited.  It is hard to find work when a majority of them are restricted to staying inside the camp.  The Ethiopian government does not allow camp refugees to work for wages (COR, 2010).  Some are employed by non-governmental organizations and help to provide services within the camp (COR, 2010).  
          According to the Women’s Refugee Commission, some women in the camp collect firewood for cooking and to sell (2008). This comes with consequences, though. Trees are being depleted with creates a competition for resources between refugees and the local population (Women’s Refugee Commission, 2008). Also, collecting wood is mostly a female job, and they are at high risk of being attacked and harassed by males (Women’s Refugee Commission, 2008).

          Ethiopia and Eritrea have had poor relations for quite a while therefore causing many security concerns for the host country Ethiopia. The two countries were in a war for 30 years that resulted in Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia, causing even thicker tensions between the two that eventually led to a 2-year border war between 1998-2000. During this time many people died causing Eritreans to cross the border to escape danger and seek asylum in Ethiopia, specifically in the Shimelba refugee camp. Because of the political tensions, it is now illegal in Eritrea for an individual to cross the border into an enemy state. So those that do cross are now risking being seen as collaborators of the state and putting themselves at great risk. (COR Center Refugee Backgrounder No. 5, 2010, 1). Eritreans also fled their country because of a forced term of national service with an unknown end time as well as a worsening economic situation (UNFPA, 2007, 22).
         Additionally, Shimelba’s location adds to the host security concerns because it is only 30 kilometers from the Eritrean border. This is a big worry since, especially recently, fears of another border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea is surfacing, therefore the refugees in Shimelba would be at risk being so close to the conflict. As of March 2012, Ethiopia raided 3 rebel led camps in Eritrea now resulting in a fear that Eritrea may strike back (BBC News, 2012). Additionally, Shimelba is located near artillery shells and land mines, which is another security concern for the refugees. Therefore the Ethiopian government has made movement in and out of the camp is greatly restricted where a refugee must attain a pass permit in order to leave in an attempt to maintain security (EHREA, 2007, 1).
          In Shimelba, interpersonal violence is a key contributing threat to the camps overall security. This concern has been made clear by an overwhelming amount of sources, therefore resulting to be a very valid and real claim and fundamental concern within Shimelba. This concern could be due to the drastic difference in the amount of men to women in the camp with a ratio of 6:1. Therefore, concerns revolving around women walking far distances to fetch firewood as well as poor lighting in the camp become security threats for women resulting in fear of abuse in both situations. (COR Center Refugee Backgrounder No. 5, 2010, 24; 28). Because of the statistics of female domestic abuse, a strong need for protection of women has resulted within Shimelba. In response to this concern, a report from 2007 stated that the IRC had created a “safe space” in the wellness center that is guarded constantly for women’s protection as well as two houses in the camp for women to stay in after staying in the safe space. Initiatives of a neighborhood watch system was also implemented so that everyone could look out for each other within specific zones. Gender based violence training as well as female police officers are also being implemented as a way to alleviate this concern (UNFPA, 2007, 25).
          Within the camp, the ARRA, IRC and ZOA are the main organizations in charge of security and protection of the refugees under the instruction of UNCHR making sure they are being protected (EHREA, 2007, 1). Unfortunately, the relationship between the police and the refugees could be better. It has been noted by the UNFPA that the refugees apparently would not come to the police to report problems because they thought it would be pointless. The UNFPA goes to explain that the police have a mentality that all the refugees are interested in is resettlement when they come with a problem and likewise the refugees think that the police only see them as spies for the Eritrean government as of 2007. Therefore, according to this particular source, relations could be better between police and refugees for the sake of security and protection (UNFPA, 2007, 25).