James
Curtis
Executive Director East Africa & Great Lakes
East Africa & Great Lakes
Djibouti
DRC has been present in Djibouti since 2015, operating in Ali-Addeh, Holl-Holl, and Markazi refugee camps as well as Djibouti city. DRC remains a major actor in the current Djiboutian context, working closely with the Government of Djibouti, UN agencies and other stakeholders in the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance to the crisis-affected populations in the country.
Current situation
Djibouti sits at the crossroads of one of the most transited – and increasingly dangerous – migration routes in the world. 94,164 Ethiopian migrants transited through Djibouti between January and August 2022.
The situation in Yemen, however, prompts many spontaneous returns along the Eastern Route, with 3,989 returns recorded between January and August 2022.
Returnees report extreme violence at the hand of smugglers, armed groups and government authorities, but also other migrants.
Those returning through Djibouti are dropped off on the coast of Obock Region and, in addition to the dangers of traveling by boat, the 50-kilometer journey through the desert from here often results in the loss of lives.
Besides being a migration transit point, Djibouti hosts approximately 36,519 refugees and asylum seekers from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and to a lesser extent Yemen, who find this country a safe haven from the conflicts in those countries.
Core sectors Djibouti
Displacement trends
Source: | UNHCR
Why we are there
As a humanitarian and development partner, DRC’s presence remains relevant given the increasing needs on the ground.
Djibouti’s situation of crisis-affected populations comprising refugees, migrants and vulnerable host communities falls within the ambit of DRC’s mandate, mission and vision.
This is coupled with the fact the DRC’s core sectors, especially economic recovery, protection, shelter & settlement programmes, continue to be relevant in the current Djiboutian context.
With few INGOs currently on the ground, DRC's work to complement initiatives from government and other stakeholders cannot be overemphasized.
What we do
DRC Djibouti’s programme responses are in line with its core sectors. Due to limited funding opportunities in the country, DRC focuses on individual protection assistance, economic recovery and shelter and settlement programming.
Programme interventions have been developed to address and respond to the needs of targeted beneficiaries, including refugees, migrants and vulnerable host communities.
Contact
Boisy
Williams
Area Manager