What to Know About Djibouti’s Refugee Crisis
The widening Houthi campaign along the Red Sea is further destabilizing the region.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in Yemeni refugees fleeing to Djibouti due to increasing Houthi attacks along the Red Sea. The United Nations warns that the crisis could escalate, with the number of refugees potentially reaching 10,000 within months. Djibouti's strategic location, situated across from Yemen in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, makes it a crucial shipping chokepoint and economic asset for numerous nations.
However, the country's strategic position has recently turned into a liability as the Houthi war spreads to the Horn of Africa. Djibouti already hosts around 36,000 registered refugees, mainly from Somalia and Ethiopia, putting strain on public infrastructure and clean water access. The country's finance minister has stated that it cannot sustain the regional burden.
Israel's recognition of Somaliland has raised concerns about increased insecurity in the region, potentially boosting ties between the Houthis and al-Shabab terrorist group. The TPLF's recent seizure of airports in northern Ethiopia has further fueled fears of war spreading across the Horn of Africa. The U.N. refugee agency's Djibouti operation is currently only 15 percent funded and needs immediate support to prepare for future arrivals from Yemen.
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