Djibouti minister calls for aid for Yemeni refugees

Djibouti’s Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, Ouloufa Ismail Abdo, issued a public appeal on Tuesday urging the international community to increase humanitarian assistance for Yemeni refugees currently residing in the Horn of Africa nation. The call comes as the country’s refugee camps, primarily located in the capital, Djibouti‑Ville, and in the peripheral districts of Ali Sabieh and Arta, face shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

According to the Ministry, the influx of Yemeni nationals—estimated at over 12,000 individuals since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen—has strained Djibouti’s limited resources. The refugees, many of whom are women and children, rely heavily on aid from United Nations agencies and non‑governmental organizations, which have reported gaps in funding and logistical support. Minister Abdo emphasized the need for coordinated contributions from donor nations, regional partners, and humanitarian actors to sustain essential services and prevent a deterioration of living conditions.

The minister concluded by reaffirming Djibouti’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations while highlighting that sustained external assistance is critical to ensuring the health and safety of the Yemeni refugee community. He urged stakeholders to prioritize rapid mobilization of resources to address the immediate humanitarian needs and to support longer‑term solutions for the displaced population.