Mandera – A new wave of displacement has struck the border region as nearly 200 families—mostly women, children, and the elderly—have arrived in Mandera town after fleeing heavy fighting in Beled-Hawo, Somalia.
Local media and eyewitnesses report that the families escaped ongoing armed clashes in Beled-Hawo, where intense gunfire and fear of violence forced residents to abandon their homes in search of safety. The displaced say many of their neighborhoods were hit by stray bullets, prompting a desperate flight across the border.
Upon arrival in Mandera, some families have been temporarily housed in local school buildings that have been converted into makeshift shelters. Others are being hosted by relatives already residing in the town.
Authorities in Mandera County have begun registering the new arrivals to coordinate the delivery of emergency assistance. Officials have described the situation as a “severe humanitarian crisis” requiring immediate attention.
“The needs are overwhelming,” said a local humanitarian official. “We are dealing with families that have left everything behind. Many are traumatized, hungry, and have nowhere to sleep.”
Displaced families face a host of urgent challenges, including:
• Inadequate shelter
• Lack of food
• Limited access to clean water and healthcare
• Deep psychological trauma from the violence
The sudden influx is placing additional strain on Mandera’s already stretched resources. Local aid agencies, along with community volunteers, are working around the clock to provide essential support, but more assistance is urgently needed.
As the conflict in Beled-Hawo continues, humanitarian actors warn that further displacements could occur, underscoring the need for both immediate relief and long-term solutions to the crisis.
