In a significant move to bolster regional public health and strengthen bilateral ties, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Support Base in Djibouti recently concluded a comprehensive mosquito control and epidemic prevention campaign. Carried out in coordination with the Djibouti Ministry of Health, the two-day operation targeted the Arta Region, specifically focusing on the jurisdiction of We’a Town.
The initiative, which took place from April 16 to 17, 2026 (corresponding to Miazia 8 to 9, 2018 in the Ethiopian calendar), represents a deepening of the humanitarian partnership between the Chinese military and the Djiboutian government. As seasonal shifts often lead to an uptick in mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever, the joint task force prioritized full-coverage disinfection. Using specialized equipment, personnel from the Chinese support base worked alongside Djiboutian health professionals to treat stagnant water sources and residential areas prone to insect breeding.
Beyond the physical act of disinfection, the campaign emphasized the importance of community education. Soldiers assigned to the base were seen distributing bilingual instructional booklets and health kits to local residents. These materials provided critical information on how to maintain sanitary conditions at home and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. A Chinese medical officer on-site noted that the effort was not merely about the technical application of chemicals, but about empowering the community with the knowledge to protect themselves long after the teams departed.
The governor of the Arta Region, Mr. Hassan Dablah, attended the campaign’s closing ceremony and expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chinese contingent. He highlighted that the base’s active involvement in local social welfare has become a cornerstone of the region’s development strategy.
This campaign is part of the broader outcomes established during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), reflecting a shift where the PLA base serves as a center for community engagement, including public welfare assistance for disaster-affected families, healthcare services for vulnerable groups like orphans and the elderly, and educational support for students.
By addressing the immediate threat of epidemic diseases, this partnership aims to reduce the burden on Djibouti’s healthcare infrastructure and enhance regional stability. For the PLA, these actions fulfill a commitment to social responsibility that transcends traditional military functions. As the campaign concluded in a spirit of camaraderie, the Djibouti Ministry of Health indicated that such joint operations would likely continue to address evolving climate and health challenges in the future.
