More than 14,000 Ethiopians flee clashes into Kenya

More than 14,000 Ethiopians have fled deadly fighting in the country’s south and crossed into neighbouring Kenya, where humanitarian officials say more than a dozen people may have been killed. Anadolu Agency reported the figures on Saturday.

“We urgently need more well-wishers to support us with food and water. There is also a need for sanitary supplies and more toilets to avert diarrheal diseases,” Malik Adan, head of the Kenya Red Cross’s Upper Eastern region, told reporters.

The Kenya Red Cross said more than 10,900 displaced people were staying at six temporary camps in the Kenyan border town of Moyale, while another 4,000 were with relatives and host families.

The numbers represent a sharp increase from Friday, when Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande said more than 2,000 Ethiopians had crossed into Kenya after violence broke out on Wednesday.

Dispute over regional flag fuels tensions

Residents reported on social media that heavy gunfire and shelling continued on both sides of the conflict, leaving Kenya as the only refuge for many civilians fleeing the violence.

The fighting involves Oromo and Somali communities in Ethiopia’s southern border region. Tensions have been fuelled by a dispute over displaying the Somali Regional State flag in an area administered by Oromia. Both are federal regions of Ethiopia.

At least nine deaths were reported on Friday. Humanitarian officials fear the toll may exceed a dozen as heavy fighting continues.

Relief supplies face growing demand

The Kenya Red Cross has distributed tents, blankets, sleeping mats and other essential supplies, and is providing nutritional assistance to children and breastfeeding mothers.

Local authorities have pledged additional food, including rice and beans, but humanitarian officials warn that available resources may not meet the needs of the growing displaced population.

Moyale, a major crossing between the two East African countries, is about 780 kilometres (485 miles) north of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, and 775 kilometres (482 miles) south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, by road.

The continued fighting has disrupted cross-border trade and raised concerns about further displacement.