The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has scaled up humanitarian assistance for families arriving in Moyale, Marsabit County, following insecurity linked to cross-border conflict.
The humanitarian agency says many of the affected families have arrived with few belongings and are in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water and healthcare.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Kenya Red Cross said its teams were on the ground working alongside the Marsabit County Government, national authorities and humanitarian partners to provide emergency assistance to those affected.
The initial response is expected to reach 1,000 households, with relief efforts focusing on providing temporary shelter and essential household supplies to help families cope with the disruption caused by the insecurity.
The agency has begun distributing tents, blankets, sleeping mats, jerrycans and kitchen sets to households in need.
It is also providing fortified porridge flour, known as Super Cereal, to support the nutritional needs of young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. First aid services are being offered to people requiring immediate medical attention.
The Kenya Red Cross said it was conducting a rapid needs assessment to identify the most urgent humanitarian priorities and determine how best to expand assistance as the situation evolves.
Preliminary findings indicate significant needs in food security, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary healthcare and protection services.
Women, children, older persons and people living with disabilities have been identified among the groups requiring particular attention during the response.
The organisation is also working to restore family links, helping relatives who have been separated during the displacement to reconnect and establish contact with their loved ones.
Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris said the organisation's immediate priority was to ensure that families arriving in Moyale received assistance and were treated with dignity.
"Our priority is to make sure every family arriving in Moyale is safe, sheltered and treated with dignity. Our volunteers and staff are on the ground and will continue to respond as needs evolve," said Idris.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including humanity, impartiality and neutrality.
It said assistance would be provided to all affected people based on their needs, without discrimination.
The response is being coordinated with national and county governments, alongside other partners, as humanitarian teams work to establish the full extent of the needs among the arriving families.
Moyale, a border town between Kenya and Ethiopia, is an important crossing point for people and goods moving between the two countries. Insecurity in border areas can disrupt livelihoods, force families to leave their homes and place additional pressure on essential services in receiving communities.
The latest intervention underscores the importance of coordinated humanitarian action in ensuring that displaced and affected populations have access to basic necessities, protection and medical care.
The Kenya Red Cross said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide further updates as the response progresses.
