US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI472

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000472 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF 
STATE PASS USAID 
USAID FOR OFDA/ECARO 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, ECON, EINV, DJ 
SUBJECT: DECLARATION OF DROUGHT DISASTER IN DJIBOUTI 
 
 
1. (U)  Several years of continuous drought and the lack of 
social safety nets have eroded the livelihood and 
humanitarian conditions for pastoralists in rural Djibouti. 
On April 11, the Government of Djibouti declared that because 
of this drought, a humanitarian emergency existed in the 
southern and northwestern districts of the country.  It 
requested international support to assist the affected 
populations.  The United Nations (UN) subsequently launched a 
"Flash Appeal" for USD 7.4 million to support emergency food 
distributions, water provision, health interventions and 
relief for animals in the emergency areas for a six-month 
period.  The Chief of Mission concurs that an adequate 
response is beyond the capacity of the Djibouti government 
and through this disaster declaration, requests USG 
assistance to support a humanitarian response. 
 
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Background 
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2. (U) Djibouti is a low-income food deficit country (LIFDC) 
and ranks 154 of 177 on the Human Development Index report of 
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).  Approximately 
75 percent of the population lives in relative poverty and 
infant mortality is very high at 103 per 1,000 live births. 
Unemployment is widespread and the country normally fills 
consumption gaps with large-scale imports and food aid. 
Djiboutians in the rural areas earn a living through 
livestock husbandry and follow a primarily nomadic lifestyle. 
 USAID/Djibouti currently provides USD 38 million in 
Development Assistance and Economic Support Funds (DA and 
ESF) in developmental programming in the health, education 
and livestock sectors. 
 
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Current Situation 
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3. (U) The March/April seasonal rains in Djibouti were 
erratic, which affected pasture regeneration critical to 
support livestock, the main source of livelihood for 
pastoralists.  Drought has severely compromised the 
livelihood of pastoralists since 2000.  USAID-funded FEWSNET, 
which tracks local livelihood indicators, note that domestic 
animals have perished in significant numbers and milk 
production has declined by 30 percent.  The government 
estimates 100,000 are affected although FEWSNET reported in 
April that 28,650 people are affected after a quick 
assessment of some parts of the affected areas.  FEWSNET, 
with other donors and government counterparts, reported in 
May 2005 that over 47,000 people are affected.  FEWSNET, 
donors and the Government of Djibouti plan a more detailed 
and formal assessment in order to identify and register the 
affected population.  According to the Government of 
Djibouti, pastoralists (who comprise approximately 20 percent 
of the population) have already begun to migrate to the 
country's capital in increasing numbers in search of support 
after losing household assets, although no actual record of 
their numbers exists.  Rainfall is not expected to resume 
until September 2005. 
 
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Response 
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4. (U) The UN's "Flash Appeal" to international donors 
outlines a six-month intervention to support 28,650 
pastoralists through provision of general rations, water 
delivery/rehabilitation, emergency health assistance, and 
livestock support.  The districts of Tadjourah (Northwest), 
Dikhil and Ali Sabieh (South-Central) have all been declared 
as states of emergency by the Government. The USD 7.4 million 
request is to support World Food Program (WFP), UN Children's 
Fund (UNICEF), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and 
World Health Organization (WHO) projects that will be 
implemented directly with government counterparts.  There are 
no major international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 
with emergency response capability operating in Djibouti. 
The exit strategy for the response coincides with the arrival 
of the September/October rains that should regenerate pasture 
lands and improve animal conditions and thus the welfare of 
people in the affected areas. 
 
5. (U) The international response to the Flash appeal has 
been significant and pledges are still coming.  Within the 
appeal, USD 3.5 million is requested for support to 
populations and USD 3 million has been pledged.  The appeal 
for general distribution of food is completely funded with 
Japan (USD 1.5 million) as the major contributor. 
Complementary contributions have come from Norway, Saudi 
Arabia, and Egypt.  Water delivery and rehabilitation 
activities are 100 percent funded through a USD 300,000 
contribution from the German Government.  Emergency health 
has received contributions totaling USD 50,000, however a gap 
for legitimate activities of USD 150,000 still remains.  The 
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has appealed for 
USD 3.9 million to provide feed and veterinarian assistance 
to distressed animals (50,000 head) that has not received a 
response.  The remainder of the appeal still unfunded (USD 
250,000) is to support efforts by the Government of Djibouti 
to develop an internal disaster response capacity (training 
and capital equipment). 
 
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Disaster Declaration 
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6. (U) As Chief of Mission, I hereby declare that a disaster 
exists in the districts of Tadjourah, Dikhil and Ali Sabieh 
in Djibouti caused by the persistence of drought conditions, 
and request that USG international disaster assistance 
funding be made available to assist the affected population. 
The Government of Djibouti is not able to respond adequately 
to the emergency needs, has asked for, and is willing to 
accept, international assistance, and it is in the interest 
of the USG to help.  Based on emergency needs, Embassy 
requests USD 150,000 in DA funds to be given to 
USAID/Djibouti, which will provide funding to UNICEF (in 
partnership with WHO).  Funding would go towards 
supplementary feeding, emergency health and immunization 
programs for 5,800 children, as described in the Flash Appeal 
that has been e-mailed to OFDA Washington.  Both UNICEF and 
WHO have a successful track record in Djibouti, with respect 
to management of health activities, and will coordinate with 
the Djibouti Ministry of Health.  Embassy Djibouti will 
continue to monitor the effects of the drought and the local 
and donor response to it and provide additional information 
when available. 
RAGSDALE