UN allocates $387m to aid refugees fleeing Ethiopia conflict to Kenya

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has allocated over $387 million to assist thousands of people fleeing their homes due to conflict in Ethiopia. The funds will be used to provide food, water, shelter, and healthcare to those affected. According to UNOCHA, the allocation will reach over 50,000 people who have crossed the border into Kenya. This development comes as the UN humanitarian agencies issued an appeal for $1.16 billion to aid those affected by the conflict.

The conflict in Ethiopia has resulted in a significant influx of refugees into Kenya, with women and children making up the majority of those arriving. The refugees are facing significant challenges, including a lack of access to basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare. UNOCHA reports that many of the refugees had been living in public buildings, open areas, and along roadsides, increasing their vulnerability to health and safety risks. The organization also notes that people with chronic illnesses are at risk of not receiving essential medication.

The host communities surrounding the refugee camps have been providing assistance, but the increasing numbers are putting pressure on social services and may lead to tensions due to resource scarcity. UNOCHA has identified critical needs, including water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the seven refugee camps. The organization estimates that an additional 410 latrines are needed in four areas, including 342 in the camps. Other essential needs include water distribution, handwashing facilities, and water storage tanks.

In the Arosa area alone, 19,650 liters of water are required daily, while 9,768 families need food and nutrition assistance. UNOCHA has also reported that 313 people displaced by the conflict in Mandera County require humanitarian assistance. The crisis has also impacted education in Ethiopia, with 200 schools forced to close due to the conflict. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) has provided emergency shelter and non-food items worth approximately $24 million to 1,000 families affected by the recent conflict in Moyale and surrounding areas.

The ERCs efforts complement those of other humanitarian organizations, which have reached over 13,000 people with food and healthcare services in the past 18 days. Meanwhile, the UK Embassy has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising against non-essential travel to Moyale due to the conflict between forces in the Oromia and Somali regions. The conflict has resulted in over 200,000 people being displaced in Moyale and surrounding areas.

The United Nations humanitarian agencies continue to work towards addressing the crisis, with the allocation of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) being a critical step in this effort. The funds will help provide critical assistance to those affected by the conflict, including refugees and host communities. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing clashes and a significant need for humanitarian assistance.

As the situation continues to unfold, humanitarian organizations are working to scale up their response to meet the growing needs of those affected. The UN and its partners are working to provide critical assistance, including food, shelter, healthcare, and protection services. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many organizations calling for an end to the conflict and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Key points

• UN allocates $387m to aid refugees fleeing Ethiopia conflict
• Over 50,000 people to benefit from UN aid
• Conflict in Ethiopia displaces over 200,000 people