By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
Obock, 21 September 2026 Young children whose families fled conflict and deteriorating conditions in Yemen have received emergency assistance in Obock, northern Djibouti, as more people continue to arrive after crossing the sea, the Djibouti News Agency reported.
SOS Children’s Villages delivered infant formula, feeding bottles, diapers and hygiene supplies to the area Sunday to meet children's immediate needs during the first hours and days after reaching Djibouti's shores, according to the agency.
A delegation led by the organization's national director in Djibouti, Omar Dileita, visited reception sites in Obock to assess the situation and identify the most urgent needs facing children and vulnerable families, the agency said.
The delegation held talks with the prefect of Obock and the president of the regional council on strengthening child protection, emergency assistance and the coordination of humanitarian efforts.
The organization also plans to establish a safe recreational space for children in Obock to support their psychological well-being, as some endured difficult conditions during their journeys.
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SOS Children's Villages provided local authorities with recommendations on identifying, referring and protecting vulnerable children. It said it was preparing short-, medium- and long-term assistance.
Dileita said the organization's priority was to ensure that no child arriving in Djibouti under such circumstances was left without protection or appropriate care. He described the assistance delivered in Obock as an initial step but said the scale of the needs required sustained and collective action, the agency reported.
He called on international donors and partners to provide the funding and resources needed to support children and families fleeing Yemen.
The assistance comes as children and families arriving from Yemen face urgent humanitarian needs in Obock, requiring sustained cooperation among the Djiboutian government, relief organizations and international donors, according to the agency.