Somalia: Thousands flee from conflict-hit Las Anod to Ethiopia

LAS ANOD, Somalia - Thousands of people have fled from conflict-hit Las Anod town in Somalia to neighboring Ethiopia, significantly shaping the humanitarian crisis within the Horn of Africa region which is struggling with instability amid calls for more assistance from Western countries.

For the past two weeks, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees [UNHCR] has said More than 60,000 Somali refugees have fled to Ethiopia after an escalation in fighting in the town of Las Anod, in the Sool region, where tensions between local people and the governing Somaliland authorities have been building for weeks.

UNHCR has transferred about 1,036 people from border areas into Ethiopia, targeting those believed to be extremely vulnerable. Regional Somaliland forces are battling for control of the town against SSC-Khatumo forces.

According to the agency, thousands of people from neighboring Somalia arrived in the Somali region of Ethiopia following the clashes. So far, it adds, over 91,000 people have been registered since the conflict started rebuilding in January 2023.

"Most are women, children, and older people. Among them are more than 3,400 unaccompanied and separated children and adolescents," it said.

According to the UNHCR, upon arrival, refugee families are biometrically registered and provided with a tent and other essential relief items to set up a new home. Ethiopia has generously allocated 400 hectares where refugees can settle and access existing services, such as health care, water, and education.

Some refugees, the agency said, are being hosted by Ethiopian families while others are using dilapidated shelters as they wait for assistance. The conflict has left over 200 people dead and thousands displaced. Calls for a ceasefire are yet to be implemented by the warring parties in this conflict.

Currently, Ethiopia is hosting thousands of families from South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia who fled troubles in their countries. On Tuesday, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, said Somalia needs "unlimited support" during his maiden visit to the Horn of Africa nation where he discussed humanitarian assistance and security.

GAROWE ONLINE