Hundreds of people are now seeking refuge in Mandera town, after fighting between troops from the federal government of Somalia and the Jubaland forces resulted in their displacement.
The bone of contention is the control of Bula Hawa, pitting the Somali National Army— led by Abdikadir Janaan—against the Jubaland Security Forces.
Bula Hawa is a strategic town that sits on the Kenya-Somali border.
Mandera county Red Cross coordinator Adan Mustapha said a total of 327 households who were displaced by the conflict are being hosted in temporary camps set up at Barwaqo and Duse Primary Schools in Mandera town.
Coordinated support to the affected families, involving both the national and county governments, as well as humanitarian organisations and religious leaders, is ongoing.
On Saturday, the Kenya Red Cross supplied essential items while the Relief Link Aid donated food to 70 households.
“We have been supporting them for the past week, but still more support is required in terms of food, non-food items and water because the number keeps on increasing with each passing day,” Mustapha said during a food distribution at Barwaqo Primary School.
He appealed to well-wishers and humanitarian organisations to come on board and assist the displaced.
Mohamed Hassan, a community elder displaced from Bula Hawa and currently hosted at Barwaqo primary school, appealed for urgent support from humanitarian organisations and well-wishers.
“We are happy to receive the support extended to us by the Kenya Red Cross and Relief Link Aid and the residents of Mandera town. However, the donation we received is not enough to sustain us, we are appealing for humanitarian aid of food, medicine and shelter,” he said.
County commissioner Henry Ochako convened a crisis meeting with the security and disaster preparedness committees to address the increasing humanitarian crisis and security threats as fighting between the two Somali forces intensified.
Mandera town is experiencing a large number of displaced persons who need emergency humanitarian support.
“Apart from the refugees displaced from the Bula Hawa in Somalia, the Kenyan communities living along the border were also affected, forcing many to flee and integrate into their relatives in Mandera town,” he said.
Ochako reaffirmed that four Kenyans were injured by stray bullets as the fighting continued non-stop in the region that borders Mandera town.
“We have beefed up security along the border and put on alert the county disaster preparedness committee and security committee to respond to any emergencies,” he said.
He called on Kenyans along the Somali Gedo region border to be cautious about their safety.
The clashes broke out on Monday after two military helicopters carrying senior officials, including Abdirashid Abdinur, widely known as Abdirashid Janaan, landed in the town.
