Ethiopia: As Tens of Thousands Flee Ethiopia to Kenya, UN Agency Warns of Growing Humanitarian Needs
The UNHCR reports that up to 50,000 people have fled Ethiopia into Kenya due to escalating border conflicts. Humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide food, water, and shelter to the displaced population.
Why it matters
This mass migration event signals a significant humanitarian crisis that threatens regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
Geneva - The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says humanitarian needs are growing in an unfolding crisis on the Kenya - Ethiopia border as ongoing clashes on the Ethiopian side have forced tens of thousands of people to cross into Kenya in search of safety.
Significant cross-border movements at Moyale have been reported since Oct. 22.
"According to local authorities, up to an estimated 50,000 people have crossed into Kenya," said Fatima Mohammed-Cole, the UNHCR Representative in Kenya.
"The figure remains fluid as registration and verification efforts continue, amid reports of further crossings," she said in a statement.
Many of those fleeing are women and children.
The UN official said that while some affected people are staying with relatives and in host communities, others have sought shelter in temporary locations such as schools and churches.
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