Accompanying the development of a “Zero Hunger” strategy in Djibouti

Having been active in the Horn of Africa for many years, with numerous projects in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, Groupe URD has been commissioned to help the Djibouti Government, WFP and the UN system to develop its Zero Hunger strategy linked to Sustainable Development Goal No. 2, using an approach that is integrated with the other objectives. Via this project, Groupe URD will also be working on the humanitarian-development nexus, the so-called “New Way of Working” , and resilience issues.

The proposed approach will seek to avoid classic approaches in order to adapt to the context in the Republic of Djibouti: taking into account pastoralism and nomadism, the management of coastal ecosystems, and also the significant urban development (more than 70% of the population lives in cities) and the opportunities that this provides. It will also take into account the turbulent environment around Djibouti, which has borders with Somalia and Ethiopia, and is also a neighbor of crisis-hit Yemen.

The Groupe URD team will be working in partnership with researchers from the University of Djibouti and the Institut de recherché sur la Corne de l’Afrique (IRICA). The aim of the strategic review is to provide a complete analysis of food security, nutrition, the job market and the specific issues at stake connected to Djibouti’s position as a “regional hub” in order to establish a national action plan that brings together, coordinates and prioritises the different projects implemented to eliminate hunger from the country.