Kenya Red Cross Aids Hundreds of Ethiopian Refugees After Moyale Clashes

Hundreds of Ethiopians crossed into Kenya after armed fighting erupted in the border town of Moyale. Gunfire continued to be heard on the Ethiopian side of the divided settlement as the Kenya Red Cross began delivering humanitarian assistance and assessing the needs of those displaced.

Initial Response and Casualties

The Kenya Red Cross Society and local government officials stated that combat broke out on Wednesday in parts of Moyale, located in southern Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The cause of the clashes remains unclear, and attempts to reach Ethiopian officials for comment were unsuccessful. Stanley Kamandi, the Kenyan commissioner for Marsabit County, told Reuters that hundreds of people had arrived from Ethiopia, with most being children and women. He noted that many refugees are staying with relatives or sympathetic individuals in villages on the Kenyan side of the town.

On Thursday, the Kenya Red Cross announced an expansion of its humanitarian operations in Moyale following the arrival of families fleeing violence across the border. The organization reported growing demands for shelter, food, water, and healthcare. In a statement, the society said its field teams, working alongside Marsabit County authorities, government agencies, and humanitarian partners, had started establishing temporary shelters and distributing tents and essential supplies to incoming households.

The Associated Press reported that Kenyan police recorded injuries and property damage on their side of the border due to the unrest. One woman suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, while a police officer was injured by shrapnel from a ricocheting bullet. The agency noted that gunfire was audible from early Thursday morning on the Ethiopian side, with fugitives crossing through multiple entry points, indicating a widening displacement movement. The entity responsible for the shooting has not been identified.

Aid Targets and Regional Context

The Kenya Red Cross outlined that the initial phase of its response will target approximately 1,000 families. Support includes blankets, sleeping mats, water containers, and household items, along with first aid and nutritional assistance for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. The total number of families requiring help and the duration of the humanitarian operation remain undetermined.

The Associated Press linked the disturbances to rising tensions between leaders of Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regions but emphasized that the direct trigger for the fighting in Moyale is still unknown. Situated on the Ethiopia-Kenya border, the town spans both nations’ territories, meaning security disruptions can easily drive residents to cross borders seeking safety. These developments occur as Ethiopia faces conflict hotspots in various areas, including the northern Tigray region.

Separately, the Ethiopian government announced on Friday the formation of a temporary transitional administration for Tigray. This body is tasked with handling security and civil duties while preparing conditions for elections within six months.