LOC18:13
15:13 GMT
GENEVA, Oct 29 (KUNA) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
was alarmed on Friday by a fast deteriorating humanitarian situation at the
northern part of the Kenya-Somali border.
"This week had seen hundreds of Somalis continuing to flee clashes between
Al-Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa, a militia group allied to the
transitional Somali Government, in the Somali border town of Beled Hawo," said
the spokeman of The UNHCR Adrian Edwards in a press briefeing in Geneva.
As of yesterday, more than 7,100 refugees were squatting at Border Point
One, some 500 meters from the Kenya Somali border. These were mostly women,
children and the elderly. Their security and health conditions were
deteriorating by the hour. Some had been camping out in the open at Border
Point One since 17 October when the fighting broke out, he explained.
Thanks to the Islamic Relief Worldwide, a UNHCR partner agency, one of the
trucks had been shot at while delivering supplies to refugees at Border Point
One, resulting in humanitarian activities having to be suspended.
On Friday the UNHCR resumed distribution of relief supplies after the
Kenyan authorities had provided security at the site.
UNHCR was also carrying out rapid health screening so that the sick could
get some immediate treatment. Shelter remained a big concern as it had been
raining for days in the region.
The UNHCR deployed more staff to Mandera. Should clashes resume in Beled
Hawo, UNHCR's concern was that many lives would be at risk with so many
refugees in such proximity of fighting.
UNHCR urged the Kenyan authorities to allow relocation of these people as
soon as possible. (end)
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KUNA 291813 Oct 10NNNN