Kenya Red Cross launches emergency aid for families in Moyale fleeing fighting in Ethiopia

Kenya Red Cross launches emergency aid for families in Moyale fleeing fighting in Ethiopia - Kenya Red Cross has launched emergency aid targeting 1,000 households fleeing clashes in thiopia, into Marsabit County. (Photo: Handout)

The Kenya Red Cross is providing shelter, food, safe water and healthcare to families fleeing clashes between security forces in Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regions.

The Kenya Red Cross Society has launched an emergency relief operation in Moyale, Marsabit County, to support families fleeing deadly clashes in neighbouring Ethiopia, with the initial response targeting 1,000 households in urgent need of assistance.

In a statement on Thursday, the humanitarian organisation said the families had arrived in Kenya with few belongings and urgently needed shelter, food, safe water and healthcare as fighting continued across parts of southern Ethiopia.

Red Cross teams are working with the Marsabit County Government, national authorities and partners to establish temporary shelters and distribute essential supplies, including tents, blankets, sleeping mats, jerrycans and kitchen sets.

The organisation is also providing Super Cereal, a fortified porridge flour for young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as well as first aid to those requiring medical attention.

In addition, the agency is helping family members who have been separated during the displacement reconnect through its family-links service.

“Our priority is to make sure every family arriving in Moyale is safe, sheltered and treated with dignity. Our volunteers and staff are on the ground and will continue to respond as needs evolve,” said Secretary General Ahmed Idris.

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The families have fled fighting in Moyale, Ethiopia, where security forces from the Oromia and Somali regions clashed on Thursday amid rising tensions over a regional flag dispute.

Media reports indicate that tensions escalated after the Somali Regional State flag was raised in Moyale, a town in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region. The killing of a 13-year-old girl on October 18 was also reported in the days leading up to the fighting.

Gunfire erupted in several parts of the town at around 5:30 am on Thursday, according to residents who spoke to Addis Standard.

Local security officials later said the clashes had spread to Gumi Eldallo, Wachile and Arero districts in South Oromia.

The fighting disrupted transport, forced residents to flee their homes and was accompanied by reports of houses being burned, raising concerns over the safety of civilians caught up in the violence.

The number of people displaced within Ethiopia and those who have crossed into Kenya remains unclear.