HIGHLIGHTS
According to the latest available statistics from IOM and the Djibouti government, 33,030 persons of mixed nationalities have arrived in Djibouti as of 16 February 2016 (since 26 March). Of those, 18,685 persons (56 per cent) are Yemeni nationals, 12,391 (38 per cent) are transiting migrants and 1,954 persons (6 per cent) are Djiboutian returnees.
As of 15 February 2016, UNHCR and ONARS registered 6,697 refugees of which 6,472 are Yemeni nationals; the majority was registered in Obock. There are a total of 3,225 refugees sheltered in Markazi refugee camp. The remaining refugees live in Obock and Djibouti city.
United States Deputy Secretary of State on official visit to Djibouti led a delegation composed of the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti and U.S. officials who visited Markazi camp on 09 February to meet with refugees.
KEY FIGURES
6,697 Refugees registered since the outbreak of the crisis
2,836 Registered females.
2,510 Registered children and adolescents.
PRIORITIES
Ensure protection of refugees and asylum seekers and provide assistance.
Provide documents to refugees.
Work with the government to ensure access to territory and freedom of movement.
Continue to develop the infrastructure at Markazi camp.
Continue border monitoring activities.
UPDATE ON ACHIEVEMENTS
Operational Context and Migration
Border monitoring trends at the ports of Djibouti, and along its northern coast, have revealed a decrease in new arrivals.
During the first two weeks of February, UNHCR noted that most arrivals to Obock were single males originating from Aden and Taiz governorates in Yemen.
United States Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, and United States Ambassador to Djibouti, Mr. Tom Kelly, visited Markazi camp on 09 February with their respective delegations. They met with UNHCR staff and ONARS representatives headed by its Executive Secretary and were given an overview of Markazi camp, its facilities and services, and the roles of UNHCR and ONARS in registration, responding to the needs of refugees and coordinating assistance. The delegation had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with the male and female community leaders of the four sectors of Markazi and a youth representative, to listen to their needs and challenges.
Deputy Secretary Blinken was especially interested in education, in addition to youth and livelihoods opportunities. The U.S. delegation also visited the IOM Migration Response Centre (MRC) to learn more about the activities and services provided for migrants and proposed intervention plans for 2016.
Since 26 March, IOM Djibouti has assisted 4,816 migrants with emergency shelter and food, non-food items, medical assistance and Onward Transportation Assistance (OTA). These include 2,257 individuals evacuated on IOM chartered boats from Al Hodeida and 95 individuals evacuated on IOM chartered flights from Sana’a to Mogadishu via Djibouti.
On 10 February, IOM transferred 52 migrants including 24 unaccompanied minors to Djibouti city to be documented at the Ethiopian embassy. The group will then be transferred to the Galafi border post. In Djibouti city, IOM received 13 Ethiopian migrants including 3 unaccompanied minors requesting assisted voluntary return. These too will be documented and transferred to the Galafi border within days. The total number of migrants assisted with OTA to date are 4093. IOM also supports 2 female migrants who were injured in an accident in Dalay. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Obock hospital and are receiving psychosocial support.
IOM Djibouti continues to raise awareness on the dangers related to irregular migration and on the current situation in Yemen. During the reporting period, a total of 125 migrants including 31 women and 37 unaccompanied children from the Oromo, Amara and Tigray ethnic communities were sensitized. A further 62 members of the host community were sensitized on the smuggling and human trafficking.