Hundreds of Ethiopians cross into Moyale, Kenya; Red Cross aid to target 1,000 households

Hundreds of Ethiopians, mainly women, children and young people, have crossed into Kenya at Moyale in Marsabit County as gunfire was reported on the Ethiopian side of the border, Capital FM reported on 23 October. The Kenya Red Cross Society has launched an emergency response, with its initial intervention expected to reach 1,000 households.

The movement reportedly began on the night of 21 October, with people entering through several points around Moyale, including Sessi, Kore, Biashara, Foundation and Miti. Authorities have yet to establish the exact number of arrivals.

A Moyale Police Station security brief says gunshots were heard from the Ethiopian side of the border from about 5:50am on 22 October and were continuing when the brief was issued. According to the brief, the arrivals were fleeing escalating tensions between the leadership of Ethiopia's Oromia Region and Somali Region, which includes communities associated with the Garre.

Police said the Kenyan side of Moyale remained relatively peaceful, with officers on high alert. The Moyale Sub-County Security Team and the Moyale Cross-Border Peace Committee have been activated.

The Kenya Red Cross said in a statement dated 22 October that its initial response, in coordination with the Marsabit County Government, would target 1,000 households. It is providing temporary shelters, tents, blankets, sleeping mats, jerrycans and kitchen sets, along with first aid and help for people to restore contact with family members.

The society is also distributing Super Cereal, a fortified porridge flour, to young children and to pregnant and breastfeeding women. A rapid needs assessment is under way, and preliminary findings point to critical needs in food assistance, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary healthcare and protection.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris said: "Our priority is to make sure every family arriving in Moyale is safe, sheltered and treated with dignity."