Nearly 50,000 Ethiopians fleeing conflict have sought refuge in Kenya’s border town of Moyale, putting pressure on humanitarian agencies struggling to provide food, water and basic healthcare.
Footage filmed on Wednesday shows displaced families queuing for assistance as humanitarian workers distribute meals at a camp.
“We fled Ethiopia because of the conflict between the Somali and Oromia regional governments. Since arriving in Kenya, we have not received any assistance and have faced numerous challenges,” said displaced Ethiopian Mohammed Hassan.
“Some women have been forced to give birth on the floor because we have no access to health facilities. We also lack sufficient food,” he added.
The Kenya Red Cross said arrivals continued to rise and called for more support.
“We now have almost 50,000 people in at least seven camps, while others are staying with relatives and friends in local communities,” said Venant Ndighila, Kenya Red Cross Head of Disaster Operations.
“We need more support, especially for food and water, because we have to transport water by truck from a source at least five kilometres away from the camps, which is fairly expensive,” he added.
The displaced families fled clashes between communities in Ethiopia’s neighbouring Somali and Oromia regions.
The Kenya Red Cross said it was supporting between 42,000 and 45,000 people with food supplies, while shortages of water and healthcare continued to strain the camps.
Source: Viory
