Some 50,000 people have crossed into northern Kenya following violent clashes in neighboring Ethiopia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported Thursday, warning that further arrivals could put additional pressure on local services and resources, which are already stretched thin. The arrivals follow ten days of intercommunal clashes between Ethiopia's Somali and Oromo communities in and around Moyale, a border town.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Kenyan government and aid agencies are preparing to respond to up to 80,000 people in anticipation of more arrivals and growing humanitarian needs.
“Thousands of people have crossed into Kenya seeking safety, and most are being sheltered by local communities,” said Nomagugu Ncube, IOM Kenya Chief of Mission.
“The situation remains fluid, and the numbers of arrivals could increase in the coming days. Meeting their immediate needs, while also supporting the communities who are now hosting thousands, is an urgent priority.”
As of Thursday, those arriving were staying with local communities along the border or in five temporary sites. Communities hosting new arrivals are already under pressure due to limited resources and services and need water, shelter, healthcare, protection, and basic supplies.
As part of the wider UN humanitarian response, IOM is collaborating with the Kenyan government, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and other humanitarian organizations to monitor cross-border movements, assess displacement, and address urgent needs.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed deep concern over the intercommunal violence that erupted ten days ago in Moyale, a town located along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
There have been reports of deaths and injuries, as well as disruptions to transportation, markets, and cross-border trade, which are limiting access to essential goods and services. Continued insecurity has forced several aid agencies to suspend their activities.
The UN and its partners are preparing a joint assessment mission to the affected areas as soon as security conditions permit. OCHA emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the population and of providing safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need.
On the Ethiopian side, the violence has reportedly displaced thousands of people in the Oromia and Somali regions, though verified figures are not yet available. Many of those fleeing are women and children.
Some are staying with relatives and host communities, while others have sought shelter in temporary locations, such as schools and churches. Food, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation, and healthcare remain the most urgent needs.
On Wednesday, UNHCR reported that it had deployed an emergency team to Moyale. The team is working closely with the Kenyan government, county authorities, IOM, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Kenya Red Cross Society, and other humanitarian partners to support the national and local response.
“UNHCR is mobilizing emergency relief supplies, including essential household items and temporary shelter materials, to support nearly 12,000 people, with efforts underway to scale up assistance as needs grow,” said Fatima Mohammed-Cole, UNHCR Representative in Kenya, on Wednesday.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is operating six health service points where they are screening for malnutrition and distributing relief items. Local communities have shared food and water, though their supplies are limited.
IOM is likewise planning an emergency response to provide shelter and essential household items, emergency shelter for the most vulnerable families, water tanks, water purification tablets, and assessments and monitoring.