CARE Canada

Published purpose

(December 2011) Djibouti is still suffering from the effects of the worst drought in sixty years, with an estimated 200,000 people, including more than 20,000 refugees, requiring humanitarian assistance. In the worst-affected rural areas, food insecurity and loss of livestock have led to high rates of acute malnutrition and the devastation of livelihoods, particularly amongst pastoralist communities. In addition, the influx of refugees fleeing conflict and famine in neighbouring Somalia has further strained the local capacity to weather the drought. With CIDA support, CARE Canada is addressing the immediate life-saving needs of an estimated 35,000 people amongst refugee host communities and other drought-affected populations in the Ali Sabieh Region of Djibouti by improving access to safe water and proper sanitation facilities. Through activities such as the rehabilitation of local water sources and the construction of culturally appropriate latrines, CARE is helping to improve the health of target communities and reduce the spread of disease amongst already weakened, drought-affected populations.