Pastoral food access and incomes continue to improve

Pastoral incomes improved further due to recent increases in livestock births and sales. Milk production also rose and supported household consumption, following the near-average Xays/Daada coastal rains (October to February), except in some southeastern areas of Ali Sabieh and Dikhil. The Diraac/Sugum rains (March to May) are forecast to be normal, likely improving livestock productivity across most areas. Though many households in the Southeast Pastoral-Border zone remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) as they recover from particularly severe droughts, most rural populations in Djibouti are expected to remain in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) until the start of the lean season in May. 

Staple food prices (rice, wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil) continue to remain stable due to favorable international market conditions. In addition, with increased sales of goats and milk, pastoralists’ purchasing power rose in most rural areas, except in southeastern coastal areas and north of Obock, as pastures remained poor. Some poor households in remote northern border areas of Obock region continue to face difficult access to markets for purchases and income-earning opportunities and are likely in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).

According to a February WFP report, about 6,000 Ethiopian asylum-seekers arrived in Djibouti over the past five months, bringing the total number of refugees to approximately 27,000. Due to continued funding shortfalls, WFP has been prioritizing refugee food distributions and nutrition interventions in Ali Addeh, Holl Holl, and Markazi camps. As a result, refugees and trans-migrants in Djibouti are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes.