Sagalou: Acting together against epidemics

Abdallah Mohamed, the caretaker of Sagalou’s village water point, recalls the mixed emotions that swept through the community and nearby hamlets last year: “This outbreak came as a real shock. First came disbelief, then shame, and finally anger when unexpected cases of acute watery diarrhoea emerged in October 2024.” 

In Sagalou, this sanitary crisis marked a turning point: a collective awakening.   

Community leaders, volunteers, teachers, health workers, and residents all joined forces to confront the emergency. Everyone realized that their village - the most populous in the Lac Assal sub-prefecture, with around 5,200 inhabitants - had become vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Urgent action was needed. 

Aïcha, the community mobilizer from the Djibouti Red Crescen, explains: “My role is to educate people on good hygiene practices to prevent diseases. Using a picture box, I go directly to families in their homes. Sadly, I’ve met mothers who have lost children to water-related illnesses. When one of them tells me she has changed her habits to protect her children, I feel our work truly matters.” 

Abdallah expresses his deep gratitude to the regional authorities of Tadjourah, the regional hospital, and UNICEF. Their swift intervention helped contain the outbreak, ensure access to healthcare at local health posts, and maintain the continuity of education for children. However, he stresses that the crisis also revealed a major structural issue: a broken water supply system. The village relies on a few traditional wells that are unprotected from contamination, providing poor-quality water that is insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population. 

Halima, a local shopkeeper, highlights the fragility of the environment. Sagalou, surrounded by palm trees and located downstream from several wadis, is particularly exposed to climatic hazards. In 2018, the village was severely affected by Cyclone Sagar, a tropical storm that caused flash floods, heavy material damage, and deteriorating sanitary conditions. This event further increased the vulnerability of the population already living in challenging circumstances. 

Sagalou, a crossroads on an active migration route 

Young people from the village explain that Sagalou often serves as a temporary refuge for many people on the move, including those transiting toward Gulf countries. This dynamic contributes to the spread of communicable diseases, heightening health risks for both local communities and people on the move. 

Supported by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), UNICEF, in collaboration with the Djibouti Red Crescent and other partners, has strengthened the promotion of hygiene and sanitation best practices, disinfected contaminated water points, and launched the rehabilitation of the village’s water supply system. The work includes repairing the distribution network and the water reservoir, constructing two public water points, and connecting the local health center to the network. “We shared our concerns during community dialogues and sought the support of local and national authorities,” Abdallah explains. For him, as for the youth of the village, the establishment of Water Point Management Committees, disinfection campaigns, and hygiene promotion activities are essential to safeguard the health of both residents and people in transit. 

Halima, a resident of Sagalou, welcomes the upcoming installation of new public water points: “The long walks to fetch water will soon be a thing of the past!” she says with relief. Beyond the comfort and time saved, what reassures her most is knowing that women and girls will be better protected from gender-based violence (GBV). In many communities, the responsibility of fetching water falls almost entirely on women and girls. This daily chore not only causes physical exhaustion but also exposes them to increased risks of harassment and physical or sexual assault. Installing water points close to homes is therefore more than just a matter of convenience - it is a vital measure that enhances women’s and girls’ safety and improves the overall living conditions of the entire community. 

Thanks to the support of the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), UNICEF supports the Government of Djibouti in preventing and responding to health emergencies in the regions of Tadjourah and Obock. This support aims to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water, strengthen community capacity for service management and ownership, and promote the adoption of good hygiene practices - benefiting both host communities and people on the move. In total, more than 40,000 girls, boys, women, and men directly benefit from these actions, helping build more resilient communities better prepared for health emergencies.