Up to 50,000 flee Ethiopia clashes into Kenya

An estimated 50,000 people have crossed from southern Ethiopia into Kenya as heavy clashes continue near the border, according to local-authority figures relayed by the U.N. refugee agency. The estimate is provisional, and crossings were still being recorded when it was reported on Wednesday, October 28. Fatima Mohammed-Cole, UNHCR’s representative in Kenya, said the local-authority estimate could change and remained subject to verification. UNHCR had reported 36,000 people crossing on Tuesday. The figures reflect different observation times: the earlier UNHCR count and the later estimate provided by local authorities. Many of those fleeing are women and children, Mohammed-Cole said. Some are staying with relatives or host communities, while others have taken shelter in schools and churches. UNHCR identified food as the most urgent need, followed by safe drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation and health care. The agency said it deployed an emergency team to Moyale and is coordinating assistance with Kenyan authorities and humanitarian organizations. It is mobilizing household essentials and temporary shelter materials for nearly 12,000 people and preparing to expand its...