Djibouti: Operational Update (October 2023)

The Republic of Djibouti remains one of the most stable countries in the sub-region, and currently hosts 31,438 refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring countries. UNHCR works continuously in close coordination with the government, UN agencies and other actors to achieve its objectives, which include providing protection and humanitarian assistance to people under its mandate.

UNHCR and its implementing partners remain at the forefront of the response, ensuring that assistance reaches all beneficiaries and leaves no one behind. To ensure that refugees are included in the planning of UN development initiatives, UNHCR maintains its commitment and works closely with the UN country team in Djibouti.

The month of October 2023 was marked by:

• 10/29-02/11/2023: mission to Djibouti by EHAGL Deputy
  Regional Director Kristine Hambrouck. The mission aimed to gain
  a better understanding of the situation of refugees and asylum
  seekers living in the Republic of Djibouti, as well as social
  protection issues. Several meetings were held, including with
  government authorities (H.E. the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Said
  Nouh Hassan and H.E. the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Robleh
  Abdulle), donors (the EU and the WB) and UNHCR partners such
  as the WFP. A visit to the refugee site at Markazi also took place,
  enabling exchanges with community representatives, UNHCR
  staff and partners. The mission also took part in the CRRF's regular coordination meeting on Wednesday November 1, 2023, organized jointly with ONARS.

• 12/10/2023: joint visit to the Markazi refugee site by the European Union (H.E. the EU Ambassador to Djibouti, Mme. Sylvie Tabasse), the French Embassy and the UNHCR Representative (Mr. Yohondamkoul Sakor). The visit took place within the framework of the bilateral agreement with the UNHCR (Appui aux Réfugiés et aux Communautés d'Accueil), financed to the tune of $5,500,000 by the EU. This 3-year project, which ended in March 2023, had 3 main components in favor of refugees: raising awareness of the legal framework among key players, improving access to education and strengthening livelihoods. The project aimed to make the integration of refugees into national programs such as social protection and education a reality.

• 17/10/2023: the refugee site at Markazi was also honored by the visit of the Japanese Embassy delegation composed of H.E. the Japanese Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Mr. Umio Otsuka, other members of his team, and the UNHCR Representative, Mr. Yohondamkoul Sakor.