NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 27- Relative calm has returned to Mandera after days of fresh fighting between Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants and forces affiliated to the Somalia Transitional Federal Government at the Kenyan border town.
According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, no fighting has been reported since Sunday morning.
“We have started undertaking registration of refugees at the Moi Stadium in Mandera,” Communications Manager Titus Mung’ou said.
He said that a meeting was held between the area District Commissioner, medical teams and the Kenya Red Cross Society to deliberate on the way forward.
Mr Mung’ou added that the humanitarian organisation had enough food supply for about 3,000 families but would team up with other UN agencies to take care of the refugees most of whom fled to the villages for fear of attacks.
At least one death has been reported and 17 casualties.
Fighting in the border town is said to have resumed early Saturday morning with gunshots renting the air for at least three hours.
There were also reports of several bombs being hurled in the area.
Hundreds of Somalia refugees are said to be scattered on the Kenyan side because it is dangerous to gather in camps.
According to the Red Cross, there had also been an influx of refugees into the Kenyan side as they tried to escape the heavy fighting.
The fighting had delayed humanitarian response as refugees who require food and shelter cannot access any relief aid under the prevailing situation.
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