The humanitarian situation along the Kenya–Ethiopia border in Moyale continues to raise concern following renewed clashes on the Ethiopian side, which have forced thousands of people to seek refuge in Kenya.
Since 22 October, a significant number of people have crossed the border in search of safety. Local authorities estimate that approximately 50,000 people have arrived in Kenya so far. However, the actual number remains uncertain as registration and verification exercises continue, with additional arrivals still being reported.
Women and children make up a large proportion of those fleeing the violence. Some families have found temporary accommodation with relatives and local host communities, while others are sheltering in public facilities, including schools and churches.
The growing influx has created urgent humanitarian needs. Food assistance remains the highest priority, alongside access to clean drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation facilities and essential health services.
In response, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has deployed an emergency response team to Moyale to support ongoing humanitarian operations.
UNHCR is coordinating with the Government of Kenya, particularly the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and county authorities, as well as humanitarian organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Kenya Red Cross Society and other partners.
Emergency relief supplies, including basic household necessities and temporary shelter materials, are being mobilized to assist approximately 12,000 people. Humanitarian agencies are also working to expand the response as the number of arrivals and the scale of needs increase.
At the same time, assessments are underway to establish the protection concerns and immediate humanitarian requirements of the newly arrived population. Authorities and humanitarian partners are also exploring safer accommodation arrangements away from the border to provide better protection for those escaping the violence.
Humanitarian Agencies Appeal for $8.9 Million
UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM and WFP have jointly launched an appeal for $8.9 million to provide emergency assistance to up to 50,000 people who have fled Ethiopia into Kenya over the next three months.
The proposed funding will support critical humanitarian interventions, including food distribution, emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation, refugee registration and protection services, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable groups and children.
As cross-border arrivals continue, humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent support to ensure that affected families receive the essential assistance and protection they need.
