Floods, drought, deforestation, the adverse effects of climate change are being felt around the world. Djibouti is no exception. The government in collaboration with UNDP has implemented a multitude of projects to improve the resilience of the population to environmental degradation. Innovative approaches have been put in place to strengthen the adaptation of the population to climatic hazards. The aim is to empower communities. On World Environment Day, which was celebrated on 5 June, the UNDP Resident Representative in Djibouti, Fatima Elsheikh, declared that the COVID 19 pandemic has been for humanity an awakening of consciousness and revealed the link between nature and mankind". Human interaction is shaping the future of the planet. It is also shaping the future of humanity. It is a wake-up call for all of us to interact with the environment in a different way. "She said. For his part, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Urbanism, Environment and Tourism, Mr. Dini Abdallah Omar, said that protected marine airs have been created through a well determined mapping and limitation, and within the framework of the fight against desertification, reforestation programs have been put in place. 

Djibouti has a very beautiful biodiversity that needs to be protected. It is in this sense that many climate change adaptation projects have been put in place by the Government with UNDP support. With a rather arid climate, alternating between drought and heavy rains, the country needs to redouble its efforts to curb the effects of these changes. According to Mr. Idriss Bexi, Environmental Policy Advisor on Climate Change at UNDP: "Djibouti needs to adapt to these new changes and build climate-resilient infrastructure and support rural communities throughout the country. UNDP is working as close as possible to the people, especially in the most remote areas. In some projects UNDP is a pioneer. This is the case of the Aidalou Assamo project, where other partners became involved long after the project was completed.

The project in rural areas often has three components. The first one is related to water security through the construction of hydraulic works allowing the collection of surface water and the mobilization of groundwater.  There is a combination of two things: a borehole for difficult and drought periods. While for rainy periods open pits are built to capture surface water. These are useful for livestock and for the population. Once the water issue has been secured by combining these two strategies, a community organisation is needed to take charge of it. It should be noted that these infrastructures are very expensive. UNDP offers perimeters to populations practicing agropastoralism. Gradually, nomads are becoming agropastors, which will enable them to produce market garden products with a value chain to sell them and generate income for women and children. During the lean season, UNDP helps them to stockpile boreholes so that livestock are not lost during the drought.

Then income generation activities are put in place to empower the families but also to make the whole community capable of food self-sufficiency.

In Ali Sabieh, at the crossroads of the locality of Omar Jaga, there is a model of agricultural perimeter that is green in a desert environment. This proves that, even in a hostile environment, agriculture is possible by alienating new technologies and climate information.

UNDP is working with several partners, including the Ministry of Urban Planning, Environment and Tourism (MUET), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Transport, to which the National Meteorological Agency is linked.   The partnership with the government extends to the strengthening of policies by helping the government to improve existing policies relating to nature, biodiversity, environmental protection and renewable energies.  The second major area of this partnership is national capacity building, both at the individual and institutional levels.  Finally, the third area of collaboration focuses on practical and innovative interventions on the field.

According to Mr. Dini Abdallah Omar, Secretary General of the Ministry MUET, there is very good collaboration between his ministry and UNDP for the implementation of several projects related to climate change and biodiversity. In this first area, the main problem is in the rural environment with poverty, thirst and rural exodus. Hence the establishment of boreholes and agricultural perimeters. Actions to fight against floods are also carried out.  "Coastal cities are threatened. In Tadjourah, for example, we have set up a protective dyke.  In addition, micro-dams are being built, such as in Aidallou, Ali Sabieh, notably in Petit Bara and other localities. "In Hanleh, the agricultural areas created by the Ministry of Agriculture have been rehabilitated and were abandoned due to lack of water, as well as in Kalaf in the Tadjourah region. "Protected marine areas have also been created thanks to a well-determined cartography and limitation. As part of the fight against desertification, reforestation programmes have been set up. All these projects are carried out within the framework of the Global Environment Fund.

In conclusion, UNDP provides financial and technical support to projects for the conservation and restoration of the environment while improving the well-being and livelihood of populations, community-based organizations and other non-governmental groups. It is at the forefront of environmental protection and preservation in Djibouti.

Message from Fatima Elsheikh , UNDP Resident Representative on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The COVID 19 pandemic was an awakening for humanity and revealed the link between nature and mankind. Human interaction is shaping the future of the planet. It is also shaping the future of humanity. It is an awakening for all of us who interact with the environment in a different way.

We need to preserve sustainability and biodiversity for future generations and for ourselves in order to enjoy this planet. Some countries are suffering from vulnerability and climate change, as in Djibouti we are facing signs of climate change such as floods, droughts and emergency incidents. I think it is high time that we all join forces and work together to shape the future of climate change and help preserve humanity and biodiversity on this planet. I would like to thank all the young people and other partners who have joined us in Mission 1.5 to define the priorities of the national response to environmental change and I would like to call on others who want to join us and the Government of Djibouti to protect and preserve the environment and address the challenges and stimulate action on climate change. UNDP is committed to playing an important role in protecting the environment and biodiversity for the future of the planet and humanity. Join us in this noble fight!