The national disaster-management system covers risk reduction, preparedness, warnings, emergency response, evacuation, assistance and recovery. The Secrétariat Exécutif de la Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes, known as SEGRC, coordinates prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, updates the Plan ORSEC, maintains resource inventories, supports risk and damage assessments, and organizes public information, training and exercises. The Direction Nationale de la Protection Civile, or DNPC, manages rescue and disaster operations, checks equipment and buildings, and supports intervention plans. The Ministry of the Interior can activate Plan ORSEC, the national emergency organization plan, when an incident requires coordinated action. An emergency cell assesses the situation, and an ORSEC coordination staff can mobilize around the clock with DNPC and firefighters, the Gendarmerie, the armed forces, health services, public works, education services, RTD, ONARS and Croissant Rouge. The fire service can be reached at 18; DNPC provides a 24-hour contact at +253 21 35 25 18, while SEGRC can be reached at +253 21 35 71 62 from Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 to 17:00. DNPC centers operate in Djibouti-ville, Balbala and the Port, with regional centers in Ali Sabieh, Dikhil, Obock, Tadjourah and Arta, as well as additional smaller posts. The Agence Nationale de la Météorologie, or ANM, publishes daily, 48-hour, 72-hour, weekly and seasonal forecasts, hydrometeorological warnings and CAP alerts, meaning warnings using the Common Alerting Protocol. Current alerts are published through meteodjibouti.dj/alertes, while the CREWS programme is expanding multi-hazard early warning, hydrometeorological monitoring and local warning delivery for remote and seasonal communities. Public warning thresholds and delivery channels are still being developed in some areas. During flooding or another emergency, follow instructions from the ANM and the Ministry of the Interior, contact the relevant DNPC or local authority, and do not drive or walk through floodwater. Djibouti does not have a publicly documented nationwide list of standard evacuation paths, assembly points or shelters, so arrangements depend on the incident and local authorities. Emergency assistance can include rescue, water, food, shelter and restoration of roads, drainage, water points, schools, ports, railways and telecommunications through ORSEC, public authorities, United Nations agencies and non-governmental partners. SEGRC leads damage and needs assessments and supports recovery measures such as urban flood management, dams, water-source projects, desalination and stronger warning systems. The public sources reviewed do not establish a general compensation entitlement, standard assistance fee schedule or automatic payment after a disaster.
Disasters in Djibouti
Djibouti faces flash and urban floods, drought and water shortages, extreme heat, coastal flooding, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic hazards, fires and hazardous-material incidents. Floods and drought create the most frequent immediate pressures, while heat, water scarcity and sea-level rise create longer-term risks. National authorities coordinate warnings, rescue, emergency assistance and recovery through a formal disaster-management system.
Tip
Treat flooding, drought and water shortages as the first planning priorities because they create the most frequent immediate pressure in Djibouti. Adjust the plan to the local exposure, keep official warning and emergency contacts accessible, and do not rely on an unverified shelter or evacuation path. Emergency assistance is situation-dependent, so contact authorities and partners promptly instead of assuming automatic compensation.