Djibouti and UNHCR Appeal for Increased International Support as Refugee Funding

ADDIS ABABA, July 1, 2026 - The Government of Djibouti and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have intensified efforts to secure international funding for refugee assistance, launching a high-level advocacy mission in Addis Ababa amid a worsening global humanitarian financing crisis. The mission sought to engage diplomatic missions and development partners accredited to Djibouti but based in Ethiopia's capital, highlighting the growing impact of declining humanitarian funding on refugee protection and assistance programs in Djibouti. Led by the Secretary General of Djibouti's Ministry of the Interior, Souleiman Moumin Robleh, the delegation included UNHCR Representative in Djibouti Sandrine Dominique Desamours and the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Office for Assistance to Refugees and Disaster Victims (ONARS), Houssein Mohamed Chardi. During the visit, the delegation held consultations with ambassadors representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, and Indonesia, presenting an overview of Djibouti's humanitarian situation, the consequences of shrinking international assistance, and the country's most urgent funding needs. Officials also met with the African Union Commission's Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs at the African Union headquarters to discuss regional displacement challenges and the need for stronger international cooperation. The advocacy mission builds on a funding appeal launched in August 2025 to mobilize additional resources for refugee protection, humanitarian assistance, social inclusion, and support for host communities. Djiboutian officials emphasized that the country remains one of the Horn of Africa's most stable states despite ongoing regional conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Djibouti currently hosts nearly 35,000 refugees, equivalent to approximately 3.5 percent of its population, while also providing humanitarian assistance to more than 500,000 vulnerable migrants transiting through the country each year. The delegation warned that funding shortages are already affecting critical refugee services. Essential protection activities-including the registration of new asylum seekers, renewal of refugee identity documents, and issuance of travel documents-have been significantly disrupted, increasing the vulnerability of displaced populations and limiting their access to essential services. Officials cautioned that continued financial constraints could undermine years of progress achieved in refugee protection and inclusion. Diplomatic representatives welcomed Djibouti's longstanding commitment to hosting refugees and acknowledged the country's efforts to integrate displaced populations into national education, healthcare, and labor market systems. They also recognized Djibouti's role as a key regional actor in responding to forced displacement across the Horn of Africa. Through the mission, Djibouti and UNHCR renewed their appeal for stronger international solidarity, calling for increased financial support to sustain life-saving services, protect refugee rights, and continue supporting both displaced populations and the communities hosting them. Conclusion The first half of July 2026 highlights Djibouti’s continued pursuit of a comprehensive national transformation strategy, combining ambitious domestic reforms with stronger international engagement. At the national level, the government has reinforced its development agenda through the implementation of the 2025-2030 National Development Plan (PND-ADEEG) and the strengthening of its institutional framework, including new measures to promote transparency and combat corruption. These reforms, alongside initiatives supporting digital inclusion, youth entrepreneurship, skills development, and environmental resilience, reflect a broader shift toward a results-oriented governance model focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. Internationally, Djibouti continues to leverage its strategic geographic position to expand economic partnerships and reinforce its role as a regional hub for trade, logistics, and connectivity. From securing major development cooperation frameworks with partners such as the Islamic Development Bank and China, to advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and promoting renewable energy solutions through projects such as the Hydroforce initiative, the country is converting its strategic assets into opportunities for economic diversification and long-term development. At the same time, Djibouti’s growing contribution to African peace mediation efforts and its progressive approach to refugee integration continue to strengthen its image as a reliable partner and a pillar of stability in the Horn of Africa. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. Funding constraints affecting refugee assistance programs, highlighted by both national authorities and international humanitarian actors, risk placing additional pressure on essential services and local capacities. The achievement of Djibouti’s ambitious development objectives, including the targeted 8.6 percent annual economic growth rate, will depend on the effective implementation of ministerial action plans, improved coordination across institutions, stronger private sector participation, and sustained support from international partners. As Djibouti enters the second half of 2026, the country’s ability to transform strategic ambitions into measurable outcomes will be the decisive factor in determining whether its current momentum translates into lasting economic resilience, social inclusion, and regional influence. By Jeff Buleli