Ethiopia Violence Displaces Thousands; UN Warns of Growing Needs

New York, October 29: UN humanitarian staff have voiced serious concern about violence between communities in Moyale, a town in Ethiopia that borders Kenya. The unrest has displaced thousands of people and left aid needs rising rapidly.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday, local time, that lives have been lost in the violence. Transport and cross-border trade have been disrupted, and access to vital goods and services has become more limited.

OCHA said violence that broke out on the Ethiopian side on October 18 has forced thousands of people to leave the Oromia and Somali regions. Thousands have also moved into Kenya.

Local officials in Kenya estimate that about 50,000 people have crossed since Thursday, and arrivals are still being reported.

Among those fleeing are many women and children. Some are living with relatives or local communities, while others have sought shelter in temporary sites such as schools and churches. OCHA identified food, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, hygiene and health services as the most urgent priorities.

Persistent insecurity has led several partner organisations to pause operations, according to OCHA. The UN and its partners are preparing a joint assessment mission that will reach the affected areas as soon as security improves.

The office underlined that ensuring people's safety and enabling safe, sustained and unimpeded delivery of aid is essential.

UNHCR has deployed an emergency team to Moyale, where it is working alongside the Kenyan government, other UN agencies, the Kenya Red Cross Society and other humanitarian partners to deliver help at national and local levels.

The Kenya Red Cross Society runs six health centres, where malnutrition screening is being carried out and relief supplies are being distributed. Local communities have shared food and water as well, although their own stocks are limited.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are working to broaden their response. UN agencies have deployed staff and are gathering extra relief supplies to prepare for more displacement in the future. UNHCR is mobilising emergency relief for about 12,000 people, including household necessities and materials for temporary shelter. Support will be expanded as needs increase.