The Government of Djibouti officially assumed management of a premier strategic Humanitarian Logistics Base previously operated by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The handover ceremony, held in Djibouti City, marks a definitive shift from international humanitarian administration to nationally led oversight, underscoring the country’s long-term commitment to fortifying national food sovereignty, crisis preparedness, and regional supply chain resilience.
The transition concludes a decade of close institutional collaboration between the WFP and the Djiboutian government. Established in 2016, the facility has served as an indispensable logistical backbone for emergency and development operations across the Horn of Africa. Its strategic utility was most acutely demonstrated during the severe 2022–2024 regional droughts and concurrent conflicts, when the platform efficiently stored and dispatched life-saving food commodities to millions of vulnerable people across multiple borders.
Designed to handle extensive logistical demands, the 65,000-metric-ton facility features bulk-grain silos, specialized warehouses for both food and non-food commodities, dedicated container storage areas, and advanced cargo-handling infrastructure. Over the past ten years, the hub has functioned as a vital multi-agency asset, supporting at least twelve humanitarian organizations coordinating critical interventions in Djibouti, Yemen, and surrounding areas.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti, emphasized the profound significance of the asset transfer for domestic and regional stability.
“The takeover of the Humanitarian Logistics Base is a major step in consolidating food sovereignty and security in Djibouti and the region,” Minister Omar stated. “The Government of Djibouti thanks all the partners who have contributed to the development of this base and reaffirms its commitment, in close cooperation with international partners, to enhancing this strategic achievement for the benefit of Djibouti and the entire sub-region.”
Highlighting the compounding pressures facing East Africa, the minister noted that the nationally managed platform will play a pivotal role in mitigating climate shocks. “In an environment marked by increasing climate crises, phenomena such as El Niño, chronic droughts exacerbated by weather extremes, and population migration, this platform will strengthen our capacity to anticipate, coordinate, and respond. It will also help mitigate the consequences of disruptions that may affect supply chains and strategic shipping routes,” he added.
Under national leadership, the government plans to leverage the infrastructure to expand domestic storage capacities, ensure steady assistance flows during emergencies, and lay the groundwork for a robust national food reserve. This institutional buffer is expected to protect local populations against sudden market shocks and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Alejandro Lopez-Chicheri, WFP’s Country Director in Djibouti, praised the transition as a model of successful international partnership.
“This handover is what successful partnership can achieve: a strategic asset built and proven through humanitarian operations, now entrusted to national leadership for lasting impact,” Lopez-Chicheri remarked. “WFP is proud to have managed this logistics base since 2016 and remains committed to supporting Djibouti as it strengthens preparedness, resilience, and food security.”
To guarantee operational continuity and a seamless transfer of administrative duties, the WFP will provide six comprehensive months of technical assistance and targeted training in humanitarian facility management. This transitional support will equip Djiboutian national teams to independently manage the base’s sophisticated logistics systems and inventory tracking networks.
The establishment, expansion, and historical operation of the Djibouti Humanitarian Logistics Base were made possible through generous financial contributions from a coalition of international donors, including the governments of Canada, the United States, Norway, Finland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and Djibouti. As national authorities take the helm, the facility is poised to remain a cornerstone of regional humanitarian architecture and a testament to localized emergency response capacity in the Horn of Africa.
