The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that more than 288,000 people have been displaced in the border areas of Oromia and Somali regions since July 2025 due to conflict between the two communities.

Somali and Oromia zone administrators confirmed the number of displaced people to assessment teams.

They also noted that this conflict was caused by unresolved territorial issues and frequent conflicts over small natural resources since the 2005 referendum.

Security forces have begun peace talks to resolve a border conflict that erupted in July between the East Borena Zone of the Oromia Regional State and the districts of the neighboring Somali Regional State, local officials said.

However, residents expressed their lack of involvement in the process.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are facing severe hardship due to a lack of shelter and inadequate protection services.

It added that security threats include retaliation, gender-based violence, psychological trauma, and ongoing insecurity.