Accompanied by Interior Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed, UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi visited the Ali-Addé refugee camp last Friday. The Minister of Health, Djama Elmi Okieh, the Minister of Labor in charge of the Reform of the Administration, Hassan Idriss Samrieh, the Secretary of State for Social Affairs, Mouna Osman Aden, the Prefect of the Region of Al Sabieh, Mohamed Waberi Assoweh, World Bank Representative, Atou Seck, UNHCR Representative in Djibouti, Abdoulaye Barry, ONARS Executive Secretary, Houssein Hassan Darar, UNHCR Special Envoy for Somali Refugees ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey and ambassador for Djibouti in Switzerland, Kadra Ahmed Hassan, were among the officials who attended the visit of Ali-Addé camp.
The procession of the delegation headed to the place of the ceremony where was gathered an impressive human tide came from all the village of Ali-Addé and the surrounding area to cheer with great pomp the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi .

The different communities living in this camp welcomed the United Nations High Commissioner with folk songs and dances. Mr. Grandi and his delegation enjoyed a memorable crowd bath.

A champion and an ambassador of Djibouti in the world. In his words of welcome, the prefect of the region, Mohamed Waberi Assoweh, thanked the population of Ali Addé for this warm welcome and for this admirable mobilization in honor of the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees . For his part, the Minister of Health, Djama Elmi Okieh, focused on government measures in accordance with the directives of the President of the Republic in the health care of refugees who receive medical benefits in the same way as the host community.

The Minister of Health said that Ali Addé there is no concept of camp but only a village where refugees and residents live in fraternity and in perfect harmony. Namely that the ceremony coincided with the medical caravan of the Ministry of Health that was on site. The Minister of the Interior, Hassan Omar Mohamed, for his part, recalled the commitment of the Government of Djibouti in the reception of refugees from neighboring countries from the moment of independence. The Minister of the Interior has also welcomed the new resolutions of the government through Decree No. 159 / AN / 16 / 7th dated January 5, 2017 on the status of refugees in the Republic of Djibouti.

In her speech, the Secretary of State for Social Affairs, Mouna Osman Aden, reiterated the support of her department for the benefit of refugees through the government assistance programs implemented by the ADDS.

For his part, the representative of the World Bank recalled the various projects funded by his institution to promote the inclusion of refugees living in the Republic of Djibouti. He also said that the World Bank is willing to continue its efforts to ensure better conditions for refugees in Djibouti. Speaking at the cheering of the crowd, the High Commissioner said he was delighted by the singular exemplarity of the reception and fraternity of the Djiboutian refugees, especially Ali-Addé.

Mr. Grandi has welcomed this policy of openness and welcome practiced by the Djiboutian authorities since the independence of the country. He also stressed that the purpose of his visit is to see with his own eyes the situation of refugees and local communities in Djibouti.

« I am very satisfied and impressed by what I see, especially I would like to say how impressed I am with the level of inclusion of health policy, social education. I also thank the World Bank through its representative, the Bank has become a primary partner of UNHCR around the world.  » He finally said that the purpose of his stay is also to give visibility to the generosity of Djibouti. In this regard, he said: « Honorable Ministers, you represent a country that is the champion of the cause of refugees and I can assure you here that I will be a champion and ambassador of Djibouti in the world. « 

Then, Mr. Filippo Grandi participated alongside the ministerial delegation in the distribution of food for the poorest households of the village of Ali-Addé. Also, in accordance with the recommendations following its national consultation tour to Ali-Sabieh, the Minister of Health has handed over the keys to a brand new ambulance for the Ali-Addé health post. The keys were handed over to the director of Ali-Sabieh Regional Hospital, Mohamed Sougueh Ainan. Then, in the company of Mr. Grandi, the delegation