Djibouti

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Djibouti

Working environment

The context

The Republic of Djibouti occupies a strategic position in the East and Horn of Africa region. It borders Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia and opens onto the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The country is politically stable and constitutes an island of peace and protection in a region marred by recurrent conflicts. Djibouti is also a hub for international naval forces combating piracy in one of the world's busiest shipping routes stretching from the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean.

The country is located at the confluence of Africa and the Gulf countries. This privileged position has made Djibouti the main route for mixed migratory movements toward Yemen and beyond. Armed conflict, insecurity and violence, compounded by drought and poor economic conditions in the subregion, have compelled people to seek asylum in Djibouti. There are regular arrivals of refugees, especially from south-central Somalia in the country. Ensuring refugee protection in the context of these migratory patterns remains a daunting task for UNHCR and the Government of Djibouti.

The needs

Due to the unabated arrivals of asylum-seekers from Somalia throughout 2012, the number of people of concern has increased in Djibouti, stretching UNHCR's budget and necessitating additional human and financial resources.

While there have been tangible improvements in the water, health, nutrition and education sectors to some degree, gaps have been identified in secondary and tertiary education and vocational training, hampering better future prospects for refugee children.

In Djibouti, the national unemployment rate is very high at around 30 per cent. The aridity of the land, coupled with dire climatic conditions and frequent drought, does not allow refugees to engage in agricultural activities. Hence, interventions in areas of self-reliance and livelihoods are needed in order to give refugees and asylum-seekers the possibility of earning a living.

All shelters in Djibouti are made of plastic sheets and tents. The arid climate in a semi-desert environment limits the lifespan of these shelters. The construction of durable and environment-friendly shelters will therefore be supported to help protect refugees from weather hazards in the camps. As there are no opportunities for local integration in Djibouti, resettlement remains the only available and viable durable solution to alleviate the protracted situation of refugees living in camps. The number of resettlement applicants will therefore be substantially increased.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Favourable protection environment

Access to the territory is improved and the risk of refoulement is reduced.

• Up to 400 people from southern Somalia are registered per month.

• The National Eligibility Commission is functional and RSD is conducted for 2,700 asylum seekers including Ethiopians and Eritreans.

• Regular training exercises are organized to build the capacity of law-enforcement officials and border guards.

• The registration task force is operational and birth certificates are issued to refugee children.

Basic needs and essential services

Sanitation and hygiene conditions are improved.

• Some 2,000 family latrines and 200 garbage pits are constructed in the Holl-Holl and Ali-Addeh camps.

• Hygiene-awareness campaigns for refugees and camp clean-ups are conducted at least once a month.

• The frequency of sanitation interventions is increased in order to protect the refugees from health hazards.

The health status of the population is improved.

• Primary health care and referrals to health services of camp-based and urban refugees are improved.

• The rate of anaemia drops from 42 to 35 per cent among women of reproductive age.

• The global malnutrition rate in the camps stands at 10 per cent and below the national rate of 20 percent.

• Drug management, preparedness and response to potential diseases outbreak continue to be developed.

• The obstetric care, the comprehensive reproductive and family planning units and laboratory services will be reinforced and improved.

• All people of concern are included in the various national strategic plans against HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and malnutrition.

Durable solutions

The potential for resettlement is realized.

• At least 700 out of 12,000 people assessed to be in need of resettlement depart to third countries.

Strategy and activities in 2013

The activities planned in Djibouti will be implemented in accordance with UNHCR's global strategic objectives. Access to asylum remains a priority for new arrivals as well as for unregistered Eritrean and Ethiopian asylum-seekers. The Office will work to assure unhindered access to the territory for people of concern to UNHCR. Necessary support will be given to the National Eligibility Commission to enable the holding of regular meetings so as to clear the backlog of asylum-seekers.

Projects for urban refugees will be initiated and consolidated, and resettlement will be promoted for several groups of refugees with specific needs. The Office will continue to improve the delivery of services in water, sanitation, health, nutrition, education and security sectors. It will also work on increasing its response mechanisms to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and child protection as well as promoting self-reliance and income-generating activities to increase livelihood opportunities for people of concern.

With the Ali Addeh refugee camp reaching its full capacity, the Government of Djibouti authorized UNHCR to reopen the former site of Holl-Holl in early 2011, where 1,200 refugees have been transferred so far. The new site offers more space and safe drinking water, thereby improving refugees' living conditions. UNHCR is planning to transfer more than 7,000 people to Holl-Holl camp.

The Office will continue to ensure that mixed migratory flows are managed effectively and that people of concern to UNHCR are fully identified. The mixed migration task force, which was established in 2010 in partnership with the Government of Djibouti and IOM, will continue to work on mitigating the effects of smuggling and human trafficking and advising people on the perils of putting their life in the hands of smugglers to attempt to cross the Red Sea. UNHCR will identify people of concern among the migrants and offer them the opportunity to benefit from its protection and assistance programme.

Constraints

Djibouti is a location which attracts few international NGOs. On the ground, national NGOs do not have the required experience and capacity to manage UNHCR's programmes. This problem has often caused delays in the implementation of activities.

Dire climatic conditions coupled with the effects of global climate change have adversely affected the availability of ground water and the supply of safe drinking water to the refugees.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR works closely with partners and coordinates their activities to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery of vital services to people of concern.

The Office national d'assistance aux réfugiés et sinistrés will remain UNHCR's main governmental partner on refugee affairs. UNHCR will also cooperate closely with other partners on issues such as food and nutrition, health, sanitation, income generation and livelihoods, education, shelter, resettlement, SGBV, family planning and mixed migration.

Financial information

The budget for the Djibouti operation has increased, to keep up with the growing number of people of concern. From 2007 to 2012, the budget provisions helped to increase the supply of safe drinking water, improve the delivery of health services and reduce malnutrition. For 2013, UNHCR's financial requirements amount to USD 26.2 million. Included in this budget are provisions for bridging the gap in education, in promoting secondary, tertiary and vocational training programmes. The budget will also cater for self-reliance, shelter and sanitation activities in the camps.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

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