Moyale Hosts Up to 40,000 Ethiopian Refugees, KNCHR Calls for Urgent Aid

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) issued a statement on Tuesday, October 27, calling for an immediate humanitarian response after an estimated 40,000 people fled unrest in Ethiopia and arrived in Moyale on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Chairperson Claris Ogangah said that more than 15,000 individuals are currently staying in eight temporary sites while over 20,000 have been taken in by relatives or friends.

The temporary locations include St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Harhosha Secondary School, Manyatta Burji, Sessi, Lanzi Mosque Hospital and other identified shelters.

The commission warned that the influx is straining host-community resources, especially food supplies, clean water, shelter, sanitation facilities and health services, and that recent rainfall in the Moyale area heightens the risk of exposure and disease outbreaks.

Reports of two women giving birth at Manyatta and two others at Bitiye underscore the urgent need for maternal, newborn and reproductive health care, emergency treatment and post-natal support.

KNCHR cited constitutional provisions – Articles 21, 28, 43, 26, 27, 29 and Articles 2(5) and 2(6) – which guarantee dignity, health, adequate housing, food, water and protection from discrimination, and reiterated the principle of non-refoulement.

The commission urged the Kenyan government to cooperate with Ethiopian authorities to manage cross-border movements safely, orderly and humanely, and called on the National Government and the Department of Refugee Services to coordinate reception, registration, documentation and protection screening in a lawful and non-discriminatory manner.

It also appealed to the Ministry of Health and the Marsabit County Government to send medical teams, supplies and personnel to all sites, prioritising emergency and reproductive health services, safe deliveries, antenatal and post-natal care, immunisation, nutrition and treatment of acute illnesses, as well as strengthening disease surveillance.

Disaster management officials were asked to carry out rapid needs assessments and to coordinate the provision of food, water, weather-appropriate shelter, sanitation, health care and other essential services for both shelter residents and those staying with host families.

The commission called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Kenya Red Cross Society and other humanitarian partners to mobilise emergency resources, including food, clean water, shelter kits, hygiene supplies, health care, child protection and psychosocial support, and to establish confidential referral services for women, girls, unaccompanied children, persons with disabilities, older persons and others requiring specialised assistance.

Security agencies and border authorities were urged to maintain public safety while ensuring that any screening or other measures are lawful, necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory, and that security actions complement rather than replace humanitarian aid.

Local leaders, faith-based organisations, host communities and civil-society groups were asked to continue supporting displaced people, identify urgent needs, share verified information and prevent stigma, exploitation and discrimination, while also addressing the growing pressures on host-community resources.

KNCHR said it will keep engaging relevant authorities and stakeholders to monitor human-rights conditions, assess access to essential services and document any alleged violations, noting that the reported calm offers an opportunity to meet immediate needs and avoid further suffering.

Some reports put the number of arrivals at approximately 36,000, and UNHCR officials confirmed a presence on the ground working with other agencies to support the emergency response.

Kenyan Tribune writes for the Kenyan Tribune.