Djibouti City, Djibouti – The Ministry of Interior of Djibouti has informed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that more than 36,000 refugees are facing a severe financial situation, and it will be difficult for Djibouti to continue supporting them without the assistance of UNHCR.

The Minister of Interior of Djibouti, Mr. Said Nouh Hassan, stated yesterday that due to the difficult financial situation of the Djibouti Refugee Agency (ONARS), Djibouti will only be able to continue paying the agency’s staff salaries for a few more weeks if UNHCR support does not continue. Minister Hassan emphasized the urgent need to find sustainable financial solutions to strengthen support for refugees in Djibouti.

“It is essential to urgently seek long-term financial solutions,” the ministry’s statement read.

This situation has arisen following the United States’ cessation of its 45% funding to UNHCR, which is affecting the agency’s budget and its ability to provide essential services to refugees, such as education, healthcare, and security.

Djibouti raised this issue during the visit of Fatima Mohamed Cole, the Deputy Director of UNHCR’s East Africa operations, who arrived in Djibouti on April 24, 2025.

According to the Ministry of Interior of Djibouti, Cole first thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and explained that her visit aimed to strengthen the strategic importance of Djibouti in UNHCR’s humanitarian operations.

Cole also discussed the financial challenges, particularly the U.S. withdrawal of funding, which will significantly impact critical refugee services. She also outlined the agency’s plans to strengthen financial solutions and collaborate with other governments.

“She promised to work on facilitating additional support from partners, including the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and other donors, to assist refugees and host communities,” the ministry’s statement concluded.