Djibouti

2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Djibouti

Working environment

The context

Djibouti occupies a strategic position in the East and Horn of Africa region. The country is politically stable and hosts an international military presence. It is a hub for naval forces combating piracy in one of the world's busiest shipping routes, where the Red Sea joins the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Djibouti is also located at the crossroads linking Africa to the Middle East.

As a consequence of armed conflict, insecurity, violence, poverty and natural disasters in the East and Horn of Africa region, Djibouti has become an important country of passage for migratory movements. Thousands of asylum-seekers mixed with economic migrants enter or pass through Djibouti on a regular basis. Identifying people with protection needs in these flows remains a daunting task for UNHCR and the authorities.

Continued fighting between Islamist insurgents and the Transitional Federal Government in south and central Somalia and the drought and famine which are currently affecting parts of the Horn of Africa region, have brought the number of Somali arrivals in the country to some 800 a month, representing a considerable increase.

In the past, most newly-arriving refugees were accommodated in the Ali Addeh camp, which had reached maximum capacity. In 2011, the Government of Djibouti authorized the reopening of the former site of Holl-Holl. The aim has been to reduce congestion in Ali Addeh camp, and accommodate the constantly rising number of new arrivals. Indeed, the new site offers better living conditions and greater availability of water.

The needs

UNHCR and the Government of Djibouti are working to ensure that Somali refugees, most of whom are recognized on a prima facie basis, are duly registered. Non-Somali (mostly Eritrean and Ethiopian) asylum-seekers will be given access to refugee status determination (RSD) procedures with the reactivation of the National Commission for Eligibility. UNHCR will work closely with the authorities to revive the Commission. UNHCR will continue registering Somali refugees at the Loyada border, where there is a reception centre. A total of 400 people from Ethiopia and Eritrea will be considered for RSD. To keep an effective cooperation with national autorities, regular training and capacity-building workshops need to be carried out for law-enforcement officials and border guards.

The supply of potable water remains a challenge. Currently, refugees have only 13 litres of water per person per day. The aim is that during 2012 all refugees will receive more than 18 litres per person per day.

Due to the drought conditions in the East and Horn of Africa region, Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl camps are likely to face a reduction of groundwater which may result in a severe water shortage. To keep the supply of water available to the refugees, UNHCR will purchase two water tankers and three water desalination units.

UNHCR will also work closely with its partners to maintain adequate health, nutrition, and sanitation services in the camp at Ali Addeh while improving the same at the new site of Holl-Holl.

As high unemployment in Djibouti and conflict in south and central Somalia thwart possibilities for solutions, UNHCR will pursue resettlement as an alternative to voluntary repatriation and local integration. For 2012, the Office plans to submit 350 cases, or 1,200 people for resettlement. The increase in needs is due to the growth in the refugee population with new arrivals, mostly from south and central Somalia.

Main objectives and targets for 2012

Basic needs and services

The nutritional well-being of people of concern is improved

• The prevalence of global acute malnutrition among children aged between six months and five years is reduced from 16.3 to 10 per cent

The population of concern has optimal access to education.

• All children of concern aged six to 11 are enrolled in primary education

Shelters and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained

• One thousand all-weather shelters are constructed

The supply of potable water is increased or maintained

• Refugees have more that 18 of litres of potable water per person per day

Durable solutions

The potential for resettlement is realized

• All individuals allotted resettlement places depart for their new homes

Strategy and activities in 2012

Activities to improve the lives of refugees will be implemented based on needs and in the context of UNHCR's global strategic priorities. Access to asylum is a priority for new arrivals from Somalia, as well as for unregistered Eritrean and Ethiopian asylum-seekers. UNHCR will advocate for unhindered access to the territory for people of concern, while working with the authorities to revive the National Commission for Eligibility. Projects for urban refugees will be initiated and consolidated, and resettlement will be promoted for several groups of refugees with specific needs. Education, health and security services will be improved to benefit persons of concern.

With sufficient funding, UNHCR and its partners will build 2,800 family latrines and 200 garbage pits in Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl. Hygiene-awareness campaigns will be organized for refugees, followed by camp clean-ups at least once per month. UNHCR and its partners aim to maintain basic public health services at Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl camps in accordance with WHO and the Djibouti Ministry of Health's standards. They will provide primary health care and an adequate referral system with connections to secondary-level national hospitals for all camp-based refugees.

As part of the strategy to respond to mixed migration, UNHCR will ensure that the Field Office for Obock is fully operational in 2012. The Mixed Migration Task Force and Mixed Migration Response Centre in Obock, established in partnership with IOM and with the Government, will seek to manage migratory movements throughout the country and mitigate smuggling and human trafficking. UNHCR will scale up its presence and assistance in Obock and provide more training to border, immigration and security officers.

Constraints

In 2012, the drought is expected to persist and this will continue to affect the groundwater levels, posing a serious challenge to supply people of concern with clean water. The Office will need to find more innovative solutions to address this adverse situation.

Considering the complex social, political and security dynamics in the region, Djibouti is expected to remain reatively calm but will continue to receive asylum seekers and migrants from neighbouring countries. But due to security considerations and if the National Eligibility Commission will not be operational, many of them will be at risk of being arrested or move onwards.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR's main partner in Djibouti is the Office national d'assistance aux réfugiés et sinistrés. UNHCR also works with the Ministries of the Environment, the Interior, Health, and Social Affairs. UNHCR also takes part in the UN Development Assistance Framework in Djibouti, alongside the Government, UNDP and other UN Agencies.

Financial information

The budget for the Djibouti operation has risen in keeping with the growth in the number of people of concern and their needs. From 2007 to 2012, the budget increased considerably in order to boost the supply of water, improve health infrastructure, recruit staff and build the capacity of partners, including government officials. The budgetary requirements for 2012 amount to USD 26.7 million, while in 2013, financial requirements are estimated at some USD 25 million.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013

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