Japan and UNICEF commit to providing access to safe drinking water in northern Djibouti

DJIBOUTI, 27/11/2025 – UNICEF in Djibouti has received a generous contribution of US$5.83 million from the Government of Japan to implement a project to develop drinking water supply facilities in the Tadjourah and Obock regions. This initiative aims to improve access to safe drinking water for more than 20,000 people, while strengthening community resilience and institutional capacities for water resource management.

Djibouti faces chronic water shortages, exacerbated by climate change, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather conditions. The rainy season between March and May 2025 was exceptionally weak, and the challenge of access to water has intensified in recent years due to recurrent droughts, more severe heat waves, and increasingly extreme weather conditions.

On July 2, 2025, the President of the Republic declared a nutrition and water crisis, calling for intensified health and food interventions to address a situation that threatens public health, social stability, and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of vulnerable people, particularly in remote areas.

In this critical context, the support of the Government of Japan, in partnership with UNICEF, provides a concrete and structured response to the essential needs of rural communities. This project aims to improve sustainable access to drinking water, while strengthening local resilience and health risk prevention.

Thanks to the support of the Japanese people, the project will enable:

•    The construction of 15 new drinking water boreholes, equipped with solar pumping systems.

•    The rehabilitation and solarization of four existing water systems.

•    The construction of water supply networks with storage tanks in 18 communities, including schools and health centers.

•    The establishment and training of 18 water management committees to ensure sustainability and community ownership.

•    The installation of groundwater level sensors to monitor fluctuations in water table levels and thus strengthen the climate resilience of infrastructure and communities.

"This project aims to improve sustainable access to drinking water in the northern regions of Djibouti, which are among the most affected by drought, while strengthening the country's economic and social foundations. Its implementation comes at a crucial time for Djibouti, in response to the national action plan against drought announced in July by the President of the Republic. This initiative is fully in line with Japan's fundamental principle of international cooperation, which is human security. Japan, in close collaboration with the Government of Djibouti and UNICEF, will continue to support the improvement of the basic living conditions of the Djiboutian people," said H.E. Mr. Akihiro Okochi, Ambassador of Japan to Djibouti.

"This initiative will sustainably improve access to safe drinking water in northern Djibouti, which is essential for improving children's health and nutrition. It will also contribute to the empowerment of women and the resilience of rural communities facing the climate challenges affecting the country. Through this project, UNICEF expresses its deep gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Government of Djibouti for their continued commitment to children's rights and well-being," said Beate Dastel, UNICEF Representative in Djibouti.

The project contributes directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including access to health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), and climate action (SDG 13) by promoting sustainable and resilient water resource management.

UNICEF expresses its deep gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for their continued partnership and commitment to improving the lives of children and their families in Djibouti.