The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners on Monday called for urgent funding to help tens of thousands of people who fled violent clashes in Ethiopia for the Moyale region of northern Kenya. The announcement did not say how much money is needed or who would provide it.
According to a rapid assessment, roughly 50,000 people have crossed the border since late October. The assessment covered 758 households and was carried out by Kenyan authorities with support from IOM, other United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations.
“Families who fled are facing serious shortages of food, water and adequate shelter, while communities hosting them are already facing limited resources,” said Nomagugu Ncube, IOM Kenya Chief of Mission.
The assessment found that 71% of households do not have enough to eat. Eighty percent said food is their top need.
Water and sanitation also raise serious concern. About 44% of households reported not having enough drinking water, and more than three-quarters have no handwashing facility. More than half of households said they have trouble getting health care, mainly because of high costs and shortages of medicines.
Most of the displaced are staying with relatives or members of host communities in Moyale. Their presence increases the need for food, water and shelter. Others are taking shelter in schools and temporary sites, and some sleep outdoors.
Nearly all of the surveyed households, 96%, came mostly from Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regions. Nine in 10 people said everyone in their village had left.
IOM said more than half of the arrivals are children, including many under age five. The agency said this raises concerns about their health and wellbeing as living conditions worsen.
The source did not give details on the clashes that caused the displacement, and it did not say when the funding appeal would be met or how the money would be used.