December 9, 2024 (ALI SABIEH, Djibouti): A high-level delegation led by H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), visited the Ali-Sabieh region to oversee ongoing infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation and extension of Lycée Technique (Technical High School of Ali-Sabieh) and the construction of a community development center in Ali-Addeh.
The IGAD delegation was accompanied by the Secretary General of MENFOP, Mr. Mohamed Abdallah Mahyoub; the Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Djibouti, H.E. Mr. Berhanu Tsegaye; Mr. Philippe Kuessan-San Creppy, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Djibouti; Ms. Fathia A. Alwan, Director of IGAD’s Health and Social Development Division; Mr. Josephate Onyari, Director of Finance and Administration; and Mr. Daher Elmi, Director for Agriculture and Environment. The delegation also included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MENFOP, and the Ministry of Youth and Culture, as well as members of the IGAD migration team.
Upon arrival in Ali-Sabieh, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the region’s prefect, Mr. Abdoul-Malik Mohamed Banoïta, and the president of the regional council, Mr. Charmake Hassan Allaleh, at the official lounge of the prefectural residence.
The primary aim of this supervision mission was to ensure that infrastructure projects are progressing according to the agreed schedule and meeting required national and international quality standards.
At the heart of the visit was the verification of progress on IGAD’s Regional Migration Fund infrastructure projects. These projects are designed to improve the living conditions of refugees, migrants, and host communities.
The delegation’s first stop was in Ali-Addeh, where the local sub-prefect, Mr. Chabcan Daher, welcomed the IGAD Executive Secretary. Ali-Addeh is one of the locations in the Republic of Djibouti that has hosted refugees from neighboring countries for over three decades. The delegation inspected the construction of the Community Development Center, which includes facilities such as training rooms and a playground for children from refugee and host communities.
The delegation then proceeded to Ali-Sabieh, where rehabilitation and extension work on the Lycée Technique is underway. The design and supervision firms provided the delegation with a briefing on the overall progress of the infrastructure projects at both sites (Ali-Sabieh and Ali-Addeh).
Funded by the German government through KfW, the program includes educational, health, and community facilities designed to support the integration of refugees and stimulate local development.
During a brief meeting at Ali-Sabieh High School, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu praised the progress of the construction activities at both sites and commended the strong collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Djibouti. “The construction of such infrastructure facilities in remote and disadvantaged locations demonstrates IGAD’s firm commitment to building a prosperous future for the region’s vulnerable communities and ensuring that no one is left behind,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of establishing a robust operations and maintenance system to ensure the sustainable use of these facilities. Finally, Dr. Workneh thanked the German government for its generous financial support via KfW to the IGAD Regional Migration Fund initiative.
Ms. Fathia A. Alwan, Director of the Health and Social Development Division, expressed gratitude to the local authorities and the people of Ali-Sabieh and Ali-Addeh for their exemplary collaboration throughout the planning and implementation stages of the initiative. She noted, “Targeting communities in such remote locations is a testament to IGAD’s commitment to reaching marginalized groups, including refugees. The IGAD Regional Migration Fund initiative is designed to address the critical socio-economic challenges of refugees, migrants, and communities along major migration corridors and refugee-hosting locations.”
The Secretary General of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Mohamed Abdallah Mahyoub, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the rehabilitation and extension works. “The partnership between the IGAD Secretariat and the Government of Djibouti is a concrete demonstration of solidarity for sustainable development,” he stated.
UNHCR Representative to Djibouti, Mr. Philippe Creppy, thanked the Djiboutian authorities for their hospitality and exemplary open-door refugee policy. “Djibouti is a global model of solidarity and openness toward refugees,” he highlighted.
At the final stage of the supervision visit, the delegation toured the Lycée Technique compound and observed the rehabilitation of classrooms, workshops, administrative blocks, sanitary rooms, the canteen, and the construction of new dormitories for students.
