Refugees profile

Since the independence of Djibouti in 1977, there have been major refugee influxes from Ethiopia in 1977/78 due to Ogaden war and  the down fall of Mengestu’s regime in  1991. Similarly the civil war in North West Somalia and the down fall of Siad Bare which provoked the tribal conflict in Somalia forced many  people to flee their country and found refugee in Djibouti. 

Today, the Republic of Djibouti is hosting 23,243 refugees composed of 21,124 Somalis and 2,503 Ethiopians and 34 other nationalities. Among them 20,706 refugees reside in Holl-Holl and Ali-Adde refugee camps. The rest of the refugees are residing in urban areas; mainly in Djibouti-ville.

There are some 10,000 asylum seekers in Djibouti-ville awaiting status determination. 

Protection and Security consideration

The Government of Djibouti has ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 Protocol. However so far there is no national refugee legislation. Most of the decisions relating to refugees are taken on an ad hoc basis. Even though Djibouti is not party to the 1969 OAU Convention, in practice its application is effective and well accepted. The BO is currently negotiating with the Government of Djibouti to access to the OAU Convention. Following consultation with relevant authorities, the BO has drafted an Aid-Memoire on the specific aspects of the OAU Convention. Discussion is underway within the government to ratify the Convention.

The refugee status determination is carried out in principle by a National Eligibility Committee (NEC) established in 1977. The Committee’s activity was suspended by the Government since 1986. The BO had to conduct eligibility determination interviews of asylum seekers providing those with meritorious cases protection letters, pending a final determination of their status. 

At the beginning of 1999 and following tedious negotiation with competent authorities, the Government of Djibouti agreed, with the BO assistance, to resume the work of the Committee. The resumption of the activities of the NEC in April 1999 was a major development and will have a positive impact on the situation of asylum seekers in Djibouti. The BO has made an important financial contribution to allow the set up of the Eligibility Office i.e. administrative support, provision of office equipment and logistical support as well as providing on-job training for the staff members of the Eligibility Office. 

In view of the resumption of the Eligibility Committee, the BO has referred to the Eligibility Office all applications of asylum seekers registered by the Office since 1995. The National Eligibility Committee, unfortunately has only met once at the end 2000. The proclamation for the Eligibility Committee has been promulgated by the President in 2001. 

A regular round-ups operations of illegal migrants in Djibouti-ville is frequent. Holders of UNHCR protection letters are generally immune from arrest according to the rules. However, if the arrest has taken place, they can be released following BO’s regular intervention. Through its daily visit to the detention place (Negad), the Protection Unit ensure that no refugee/asylum seekers are expelled among the large numbers of clandestine who pose a real problem to the Djibouti fragile economy. 

UNHCR is responsible for all the activities pertaining to refugee matters in Djibouti: Ensure protection of refugees and asylum seekers; co-ordinate all UNHCR activities, needs assessment, monitoring and supervision of Government and non-Governmental organisations involved in refugee activities. Ensure UNHCR interest is reflected in the local and international media and major donors.  Embassies are briefed on regular bases.

 As long as  the situation in  Somalia remains volatile any sustainable mass return of refugees will prove difficult and the fragile economic situation of Djibouti will not allow any local integration. Therefore, UNHCR presence will be necessary in Djibouti to protect and assist the refugees.

Therefore,  UNHCR is obliged to continue its protection and care and maintenance assistance through 2002 with emphasis to main stream gender and environment.  While dealing with refugee women, particular attention will continue to be given to children and adolescents. Health/ nutrition related problem of children/adolescent as well as their education have been duly examined and plan have been put forward to improve the situation. The environmental degradation resulting from refugee asylum in Djibouti is widely visible and raises a lot of concerns. A pilot project targeting  tree planting, home gardening, domestic energy saving methods, plastic recycling etc. has so far been successful in Holl Holl and Ali-Adde refugee camps. Local population of camps surrounding villages are involved as part of exit strategy in order to  deter and  improve the continued degradation of the environment in and around the refugee camps.

A s a result of the drought, many displaced people are within the vicinity of the camps  thus having a negative effect on the overall nutritional  status among the refugee population.

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