OFID approves emergency assistance grant to bolster humanitarian relief efforts in Djibouti

OFID has approved an emergency aid grant in response to an appeal launched by the Red Crescent Society of Djibouti to assist internally displaced individuals affected by prolonged drought in the country.

Djibouti is one of the Horn of Africa countries hit the hardest by drought, which is forcing pastoralists out of their traditional grazing lands to live in improvised settlements near the capital Djibouti City. The number of internally displaced persons is estimated at about 120,000 people living in extremely deprived conditions. One of the most critical issues is a lack of water and sanitation facilities and inadequate waste management, a situation that poses a major public health threat and places undue hardship on those affected. Those remaining in rural areas are without means of collecting and storing water, thereby worsening living conditions of communities already struggling to cope with drought.

The Red Crescent Society of Djibouti has launched an urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance to address these urgent needs, and plans on carrying our a project that will drill wells and construct dams to secure safe drinking water supplies for the most vulnerable segments of the population. In addition, sanitary facilities will be built with the aim to reduce the spread of diseases and environmental pollution. These interventions are expected to benefit over 12,000 families.

OFID’s US$250,000 grant, which will support these activities, will be channeled through the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization.