People fleeing conflicts in Ethiopia take refuge in Kenya
While relief efforts continue for thousands who have taken refuge in Kenya due to conflicts in Ethiopia, Luke J. Lindberg has taken the helm of the UN World Food Programme, and the UN political mission in Somalia has ended.
A new wave of migration has occurred as conflicts between Ethiopia's Somali and Oromia regions, driven by border disputes and resources for years, have escalated in recent weeks. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands fleeing the conflicts have sought refuge at the Kenyan border, while new eras and leadership changes have also taken place at the United Nations.
Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes due to the wave of conflict originating from the Somali and Oromia regions in southern Ethiopia. According to IOM data, approximately 11,000 of those fleeing have taken shelter at the compound in Kenya belonging to the Los Angeles-based Christian organization Oriental Mission Church, while 25,600 people are being hosted by local communities along the border. The IOM is working in cooperation with the Kenyan government and UNHCR to identify urgent humanitarian needs such as water, sanitation, shelter, and food.
Meanwhile, Luke J. Lindberg assumed his duties as the new Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday. Stating that conflicts and extreme weather conditions are driving people into hunger, Lindberg called for the continuation of global food aid. Recalling that 266 million people faced acute hunger worldwide last year, Lindberg began preparations to carry out the role he took over from Cindy McCain.
Finally, in line with the request of the Somali government and the decision of the UN Security Council, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has ended upon completing its two-year mandate. The mission's tasks, which have supported peace and state-building efforts for over thirty years, have been handed over to Somali institutions and UN agencies operating in the country. Secretary-General António Guterres thanked those who contributed to the process, while emphasizing that the country continues to need international support regarding security and humanitarian development.
Sources
- news.un.org · Link