ERCS distributes emergency assistance to IDPs in Moyale
December 14, 2018
Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), in partnership with Swiss Red Cross, has started distribution of 33,300kg of maize flours and 2,220 liters of cooking oil to thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Moyale Woreda of Oromia and Somali regions. According to the data from woredas of Somali and Oromia regions, the conflict in 21 kebeles of both woredas forced thousands of people to flee their homes for safety and most of their properties were destroyed during the conflict which started in November 09, 2018.
The distribution targets 4,202 children under five and 2,199 pregnant and breast feeding women who fled their homes due to recent conflict in Moyale. “ERCS together with the Swiss Red Cross are distributing 15 days ration of supplementary food items to children under five and, pregnant and breast feeding women in the three identified temporary residential areas”, said Kalkidan Belete, coordinator for the relief and Cash Transfer Programme.
Adei Jillo, who lost all her properties during the conflict, said it was very difficult to take care of her eleven children. She came to the center where items were being distributed, stating “I am here to get help for my children who are in need of emergency assistance after the outbreak of the conflict”.
Tsegaye Desta, ERCS Moyale Coordination Office Head, said the Red Cross has also distributed non-food items like blankets and sleeping mats for affected IDPs since the outbreak of the conflict. He added that volunteers of ERCS Moyale Coordination Office have collected money from Moyale town residents for the purchase of biscuits and milk to be distributed to the most affected IDPs.
In addition to the distribution, ERCS is working to provide emergency healthcare support through a mobile clinic to IDPs in temporary settlement areas.