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DevNews Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire
Thousands flee Ethiopia into northern Kenya as agencies seek US$8.9 million
Humanitarian agencies are scaling up assistance in Moyale, Marsabit County, after thousands of people crossed from Ethiopia into northern Kenya to escape clashes on the Ethiopian side of the border.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said significant cross border movements have been reported since 22 October 2026. In a statement issued on 28 October, UNHCR said local authorities estimate that up to 50,000 people have crossed into Kenya, and stressed that the figure remains fluid as registration and verification continue. On 29 October, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported an estimated 50,000 arrivals as a preliminary figure, and said the Kenyan government and partners are planning a response for up to 80,000 people in anticipation of further arrivals.
Many of those arriving are women and children. IOM said most arrivals are being sheltered by host communities, with others at temporary sites. UNHCR identified food as the most urgent need, alongside safe drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation and health care.
UNHCR has deployed an emergency team to Moyale and is working with Kenya's Department of Refugee Services and county authorities, alongside IOM, UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Kenya Red Cross Society. It is mobilising household items and temporary shelter materials for nearly 12,000 people and working with authorities to identify safer accommodation away from the border.
UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM and WFP are jointly seeking US$8.9 million to support up to 50,000 people for three months. The funds would cover food, shelter, water, sanitation, registration and protection services, including for children.
Editor's note: this is an ongoing situation. The initial UNHCR statement is dated 28 October, and all arrival figures are preliminary estimates attributed to local authorities and agencies.
DevNews Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire
Humanitarian | Moyale, Marsabit County, Kenya | 30 October 2026
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