"Our neighborhood was plagued by unsanitary conditions, making it an unhealthy place to live," said Fathia Riyaleh Igee. "The poor hygiene led to numerous health problems, especially for our children, who suffered from diseases that hindered their growth. The foul odors and environmental issues also made it difficult for us to invite friends over."
Fathia, 60, used to live in Balbala Ancien, part of Balbala, the largest suburb of Djibouti City. Home to about 280,000 people, Balbala represents more than 40% of the city¡¯s population. Residents of Balbala Ancien face significant challenges, including limited access to basic social services like clean water and electricity. Some neighborhoods are also prone to flash floods, exacerbated by a high-water table and poor drainage. Education is another major issue, with overcrowded classes necessitating double sessions.
In response to these challenges, the was launched in 2018. The project aims to improve living conditions for slum dwellers in deprived urban areas like Balbala Ancien, one of the most disadvantaged, oldest, and largest slums in Balbala, as well as two refugee villages in the Ali Sabieh governorate. It also seeks to strengthen the capacity of public institutions responsible for implementing the Zero Slum Program (Programme Z¨¦ro Bidonville).
The project beneficiaries are poor households in Djibouti Ville, including refugees, displaced populations, and host communities. As of January 2025, the project has created over 270,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, significantly boosting the local economy. These jobs provide daily opportunities for workers involved in interventions such as houses and roads construction, as well as the development of social infrastructure.
Many households have benefitted from improved living and housing conditions. As of today, 201 households have already seen these improvements, with a target of 400 households by the end of the project. Additionally, 600 houses have been made more climate-resilient through interventions that protect them from environmental risks. Families living in high-risk areas like wadis have been relocated to safer locations.
The project also aims to enhance urban mobility through the construction of 12.5 kilometers of roads, with 6.4 kilometers already completed. These infrastructure improvements are crucial for better connectivity and access to essential services. The project has also established new social centers that offer sports and cultural activities, fostering community engagement and well-being.
These impacts making a difference in the lives of residents like Fathia, who lost her home due to the creation of streets and other infrastructures in Balbala Ancien. Fathia and her family were relocated to another part of Balbala called Nasib in May 2024. She now lives there with her daughter and three of her grandchildren. When they first arrived, only 23 households were present. "At the beginning, it wasn¡¯t easy at all because the place looked empty, almost nothing was available. I had to call my children to bring things from town," she said.
Gradually, things have improved for Fathia and her loved ones. "I am grateful because my son lives next door with his family. It is a great support, and progressively the neighborhood is coming together, but we still have a long way to go," she said.
Among Fathia¡¯s neighbors is Moussa Abdillahi, 55, who has run a grocery store in Nasib since the end of 2023. He is one of the earliest residents in the neighborhood and enjoys his new environment. "I am happy here, and my son, who helps with my store, has his university 3 kilometers from here," he said.
Fathia is very hopeful for the future, especially since her grandson in high school is happy with their new place. "The house is better in terms of comfort. I am happy because my grandson likes it. I will be even happier if our other former neighbors join us and if we see more infrastructure like mosques, cultural centers, and other facilities," she said with a big smile.
