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Djibouti + 1 more

Fact sheet: DJIBOUTI: Empowering the poor and women in flood-prone communities, building resilience to natural disasters

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Context

Djibouti is vulnerable to a number of natural disasters. The country is occasionally affected by catastrophic floods resulting in massive damage to people and properties. The most recent flash floods in 2004 and in 2013 inflicted heavy casualties on the population and caused enormous destruction to roads, houses, and infrastructures, leaving people homeless and with no means of income. With reduced employment opportunities and limited access to resources, women and the poor are particularly vulnerable.

Strategy

UNIDO’s project aims to help the Government build resilience against natural disasters. Specifically, the project helped empower vulnerable communities, especially women, in flood-prone communities by diversifying their livelihood options while at the same time teaching them to cope with unforeseen floods. The fisheries sector is the main target as it has a strong potential for growth with some 372 km of coastline and an abundance of fish. Additionally, the growth of this sector is strongly encouraged by the government and its long-term development strategy called Vision Djibouti 2035.

The strategy for achieving the desired outcomes of the project was to introduce two main training components focusing on dry fish processing, specifically for women; and outboard motor maintenance and the use of fishing tools, which targeted vulnerable men and women.

This has led to improved food security and offered various employment opportunities for vulnerable groups.In addition, disaster risk management workshops were organized for flood-prone communities to provide them with coping strategies and raise their awareness of the risks of natural disasters.

Current results

  • Over 20 women received dry fish processing training.

  • Some 45 men and women were offered skills training on outboard motor maintenance and the use of fishing tools.

  • Over 100 beneficiaries attended disaster risk management workshops.

Impact

The beneficiaries of this project, the poor population, and especially women, received knowledge about and access to diversified livelihoods, intended to help them prepare for potential natural disasters. They now also have improved financial security and are better prepared for rebuilding in the aftermath of unforeseen floods. Additionally, the project contributed towards the government’s emergency efforts in building resilience of the vulnerable communities against natural disasters. The total number of beneficiaries at the end of the project was approximately 250 people.

**At a glance **

Goal: Empower vulnerable people, especially women, in floodprone communities by diversifying their livelihood options while at the same time teaching them to cope with potential natural disasters.

Thematic areas: Poverty reduction, Agri-business and rural entrepreneurship

Donor: Japan

Partners: Ministry of Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry; Yamaha Motor; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Union Nationale des Femmes de Djibouti (UNFD)

Budget: USD 330,000

Duration: April 2015- March 2016.

Contact:
Ayako Ogawa, UNIDO Project Manager A.OGAWA@unido.org