UNITED NATIONS ISSUES FLASH APPEAL FOR DJIBOUTI

 

NEW YORK, 27 April (OCHA) -- The United Nations has issued a Flash Appeal for Djibouti, asking $7.5 million to combat the severe food crisis threatening the country.  The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today that immediate needs include food aid for 28,650 people and water for 18,000.  The Government of Djibouti earlier requested international assistance.

The food crisis in three out of six rural zones is a consequence of three consecutive failed rainy seasons and worsening drought.  Delayed rains and erratic rainfall have been insufficient to allow the replenishment of water catchments or the regeneration of pastures.  Pastoralists from Djibouti and neighbouring areas in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea have been forced to continue seasonal grazing in coastal Djibouti areas, which has exhausted most rural grazing areas.  All water catchments in the north-west and south-east pastoral zones are practically dry.

Over-grazing of pasture and the depletion of water sources have contributed to widespread livestock deaths and declining milk production.  The remaining animals are in poor condition.  Irregular movements of livestock and people are occurring in most rural areas.  Many households have lost their entire herds, and thousands of people are moving from rural areas to urban centres in search of assistance.

Families in Djibouti generally purchase the food they need with income derived from their livestock.  Since livestock productivity has dwindled, household income and access to food has been severely constrained.

Water points and boreholes need rehabilitation and maintenance, and their running costs must be covered.  Because the drought is protracted, malnutrition is a major concern, and supplementary feeding for 5,730 children is needed.  Mobile health services for 5,000 persons are required, given the nomadic and vulnerable nature of the most affected populations.  Animal feed, water, and emergency veterinary care for 50,000 heads of livestock are also urgently needed.

In the short and medium term, a second and more comprehensive, joint multi-sectoral assessment needs to be carried out, involving United Nations and international non-governmental organization partners, as well as technical ministries of the Government.  An accurate survey to ascertain the numbers of livestock lost should also form a part of the assessment.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel: 917 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel: 41 22 917 2653, mobile: 41(0) 79 473 4570.

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