United Nations agencies are appealing for KSh 1.16 billion ($8.9 million) to support about 50,000 people who have fled clashes in Ethiopia into Kenya, the Daily Nation reported. UNHCR Representative in Kenya Fatima Mohammed-Cole said the agency is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF to raise the money. The funds would cover the next three months. She said they would go to food, shelter, water and sanitation, registration and protection services.
According to Mohammed-Cole, UNHCR is bringing in household items and temporary shelter materials for nearly 12,000 people. It plans to scale up as needs grow. IOM said the Government of Kenya and its partners are planning a response for up to 80,000 people, as more arrivals are expected. The agency said the arrival figures are preliminary and could change. IOM Kenya Chief of Mission Nomagugu Ncube said most new arrivals are being sheltered by local communities. She said supporting those host communities is also an urgent priority.
Kenya Red Cross Upper Eastern Region head Malik Adan told the Nation that people were still arriving in Moyale town. He said the biggest camp, which was moved out of town, holds about 5,000 people, mostly women and children. Gunshots could still be heard from the Kenyan side of the border. The Red Cross also reported that the first baby born to a refugee mother was safely delivered at a local hospital on Friday.
The fighting has also reached Moyale directly. The Eastleigh Voice reported that security officers safely detonated three rocket-propelled grenades fired from Ethiopia. They landed on Sunday, November 1. Police said one landed at Sessi Primary School and two at the Meteorological Department offices. No injuries were reported in that incident. In a separate report, the Daily Nation said a stray bullet from Ethiopia had killed a Kenyan in Moyale.
Stray bullets also hit Sessi Mixed Secondary School and St Mary's Mixed Secondary School, Kenyans.co.ke reported. KCSE candidates from both schools were moved to nearby primary schools. Moyale Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki said Sessi Secondary is only about 60 to 100 metres from the border. Kenyans.co.ke separately reported that seven KCSE candidates were injured and that Education CS Ogamba had announced interventions.
According to the Eastleigh Voice, the clashes began about two weeks ago between forces and groups from Ethiopia's Oromia and Somali regional states. They reportedly followed the raising of a Somali Regional State flag. UNHCR said people have been crossing into Kenya since October 22. It said food is the most urgent need, followed by clean water, shelter, sanitation and healthcare.