UNHCR and Kenyan Government Address Dire Conditions for Ethiopian Refugees in Kenya
The UNHCR, in collaboration with the Kenyan government and other humanitarian partners, is responding to a dire situation faced by Ethiopian refugees in Kenya. Many individuals, including women and children, have fled conflict and are seeking shelter in temporary locations such as schools and churches. The most urgent needs identified are food, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation, and healthcare. Fatima Mohammed-Cole, UNHCR Kenya Representative, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the large number of displaced people across seven sites hosting Ethiopians. The UNHCR has deployed an emergency team to Moyale and is working closely with Kenya's Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and county authorities, along with organizations like IOM, UNICEF, WFP, and the Kenya Red Cross Society, to support the national and local response efforts. A key immediate step is to profile the displaced groups to understand family dynamics and enable targeted assistance.