Djibouti Prepares for 10,000 Yemen Refugees Amid Escalating Conflict

The renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced more than 142,000 people, with many fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti and Somalia. By the end of September 2026, 3,793 refugees—over 1,000 households—were registered in Djibouti’s Obock region, with children making up nearly half of the population and women and girls slightly over half. Djibouti’s 2017 Refugee Law and long‑standing hosting tradition allow refugees to access national services. UNHCR, working with the Office National d’Assistance aux Réfugiés et Sinistrés (ONARS) and other partners, leads the response. The government‑led Refugee Coordination Forum has developed contingency plans for a most‑likely scenario of 10,000 arrivals over six months, while remaining ready to scale up if larger movements occur. The plan outlines financial needs to strengthen national capacities and deliver emergency assistance, acknowledging that government and development costs are not fully captured in the appeal.