Key messages
One of the aims of European Commission's humanitarian aid actions in Djibouti is to reduce people's vulnerability to droughts and climate - caused disasters. This can be achieved by increasing communities' resilience to respond better to upcoming crises ;
The European Commission also works on improving the food situation in the country as well as on fighting malnutrition and malnutrition - related diseases. Access to clean water and sanitary facilities still needs further development in Djibouti;
The European Commission as well aims to bring durable solutions for refugees present in Djibouti.
Humanitarian situation and major needs
Since 2005, Djibouti is increasingly suffering from water scarcity due to poor rains. This has led to a reduction of water sources and pasture for livestock.
As a result the country has faced serious food deficits. Particularly affected are the rural communities and people dependent on pastoral activities.
As a result of the last drought in 2010 - 11, the worst in 60 years, the number of people at risk of hunger in Djibouti has dramatically increased especially in rural areas but has now stabilised . Having been displaced from their homes in rural areas, an estimated 200 000 people are living in the slums around Dji bouti town with poor access to water or minimum sanitation facilities.
In addition to the drought, the violence and instability in south central Somalia has resulted in an increasing number of asylum - seekers arriving in Djibouti.
Around 200,000 refugees have been registered, the majority of whom are from Somalia.
Djibouti remains one of the main migration roads to the Arabic Peninsula with 80% of those migrating (on average 107 000 per year) seeking better living conditions outside the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti continues to experience high food prices especially in urban and peri - urban areas, where levels of unemployment remain high. Poor urban households in Djibouti City rely on food assistance and kinship to meet their food needs.
