APA-Mogadishu (Somalia) Tens of thousands of people mainly women and children have been arriving in Ethiopia’s Somali region fleeing clashes and insecurity in Laascaanood the Sool Region of Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland Republic.
Since last year there has been political unrest in Somaliland a breakaway part of Somalia not recognised by the international community.
UNHCR puts the number of Somaliland refugees arriving Ethiopia more than 60,000 as tensions between the government and the opposition reach the boiling point.
More than half of the refugees arrived earlier this week.
Exhausted and traumatised, they fled with very little, only taking what they could carry, the UN Refugee Agency said Wedesday in a statement.
Families have temporarily settled across more than 13 locations in the towns of Bookh, Galhamur and Danot Woredasiin in the Doolo zone in Ethiopia’s Somali region.
In an extremely remote area with a limited humanitarian presence, local communities in Doolo have generously welcomed the refugees, sharing whatever resources they have with them.
But these are quickly depleting as an average of 1,000 people continue to cross into Ethiopia each day, UNHCR warned.
The refugees are hosted in some parts of the country worst hit by the drought and the impact of climate change, following five consecutive failed rainy seasons, where resources are already overstretched.
With limited options, many newly-arrived refugee families have resorted to sheltering in schools and other public buildings while others have no choice but to sleep outside.
Many urgently need food and nutritional support, water and sanitation facilities, as well as specialised support for people with specific needs.
In response to this sudden influx, UNHCR is working with the Ethiopian government’s Refugees and Returnees Services (RRS) and regional authorities, together with UN and NGO partners, setting up temporary reception centers and providing immediate life-saving aid.
MG/as/APA