---
title: "NRC in Djibouti"
description: "Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in Africa, but hosts tens of thousands of refugees from across the region. Many are Somalis, Ethiopians, Eritreans and Yemenis, fleeing conflict in their own countries. Others have been forced from their homes by years of drought or flash flooding."
url: "https://www.nrc.no/countries/africa/djibouti"
language: "en"
published: "2025-03-19T15:07:22Z"
modified: "2025-05-07T07:54:56Z"
---

# NRC in Djibouti

Halimo is a mother of four boys and lives in the Ali Adde Refugee Camp. She was born in Mogadishu, but escaped to save her life after deadly armed violence broke out in 1991. Photo: Nashon Tado/NRC

Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in Africa, but hosts tens of thousands of refugees from across the region. Many are Somalis, Ethiopians, Eritreans and Yemenis, fleeing conflict in their own countries. Others have been forced from their homes by years of drought or flash flooding.

Published 19. Mar 2025 Updated 07. May 2025

[Djibouti](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=46)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Djibouti is focusing on crisis support, as well as disaster and climate-related displacement issues. We’re also working hard to strengthen relationships between refugees and host communities in the south-east of the country by making sure both groups have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

## What’s happening in Djibouti?

In recent years, Djibouti has become a leading destination for thousands of families escaping violence, disasters or the effects of climate change elsewhere in the Horn of Africa. It’s also the main route for migration towards Yemen and beyond.

Yet Djibouti has many problems of its own, including recurrent droughts, flooding, locust swarms and epidemics of malaria and chikungunya. The Covid-19 pandemic put enormous strain on the country’s health system and worsened the situation of many families living in poverty.

Now, it’s struggling to cope with the issues caused by protracted displacement. Its refugee camps are under intense pressure and an increasing number of people have little access to basic services and water.

## Our response

We’re working with our partners in the following areas:

- **Shelter and settlements** – constructing a community centre, and rehabilitating and extending a vocational skills training hub to improve the local socio-economic infrastructure.
- **Water, sanitation and hygiene** – rehabilitating and repairing the existing water supply and distribution network.
- **Information, counselling and legal assistance** – providing people with vital information regarding employment law and the national legal framework.

[Download the factsheet for NRC in Djibouti](https://www.nrc.no/resources/fact-sheets/nrc-djibouti)

## Our operations

**NRC office established:** 2013

**Areas of operation:** Djibouti City (country office), Ali Sabieh, Obock

**Country Director:** Mohamed Abdi

**Contact:** [so.main@nrc.no](mailto:so.main@nrc.no)

## [Delivering on localisation: Why overheads for local partners must be additional, not split](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/delivering-on-localisation-why-overheads-for-local-partners-must-be-additional-not-split)

22. Oct 2026

## [Understanding protection risks and needs among refugee communities in Western Uganda and Greater Kampala](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/protection-risks-and-needs-in-uganda-and-kampala)

13. Oct 2026 | Uganda

## [Recovering through compensation](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/recovering-through-compensation)

08. Oct 2026 | Ukraine

[More publications](https://www.nrc.no/search?searchCategories=124,131,132,175,178,314,315&searchMethod=1)

**Region:** East Africa  
**Population:** 1.18 million  
**Total displaced:** 3,642  
**Refugees hosted:** 35,040