French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Djibouti is a developing African country. Although exact statistics are unavailable, unemployment is estimated at greater than 50% of the working-age population.

Djibouti National Army (includes Navy & Air Force)

U.S. Embassy in Djibouti
Lot 350-B Haramouss
B.P. 185
Djibouti
Phone: (253) 21-45-30-00

A passport, visa, and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required.  Travelers may obtain the latest information on entry requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti, 1156 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, telephone (202) 331-0270, or at the Djibouti Mission to the United Nations, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 4011, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 753-3163.  Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Djiboutian embassy or consulate.  In countries where there is no Djiboutian diplomatic representation, travelers may sometimes obtain visas at the French Embassy.  
 
American journalists or any American connected with the media must contact the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs section prior to travel to facilitate entry into Djibouti.  If you are unclear whether this applies to you, please contact the U.S. Embassy for more information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports: 13,  Airports w/paved runways: 3

Djibouti – Ambouli Airport (JIB/HDAM)
Djibouti Airport, Djibouti, BP 204, Djibouti, REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI
Djibouti Airport, Djibouti, Djibouti Airport, Amboudi, REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI
Tel: +253 34.14.47, +253 34.01.01
Fax: +253 34.07.23
E-mail: aeroport@intnet.dj

Terrorism continues to pose a threat in East Africa.  U.S. citizens traveling in East Africa should be aware of the potential for indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places.

Demonstrations have become more frequent due to the recent increase in energy prices.  Americans are advised to avoid all demonstrations as they may become violent. Accurate crime statistics are not available, but crime appears to be on the rise.

Infant MR total:  100.77 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 43.25 years (male 41.88/female 44.65)

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A & B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid
Boosters: MMR, DPT, Polio

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria
Malaria and dengue fever are prevalent in Djibouti.
Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and Rift Valley fever are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. A number of rickettsial infections also occur in this region. Schistosomiasis is found in fresh water in the region. Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or immigrants from the region) include tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B.

Adequate medical facilities in the capital of Djibouti are limited and medicines are often unavailable. Medicines that are available are extremely expensive. Medical services in some outlying areas may be completely nonexistent. Motorists especially should be aware that in case of an accident outside the capital, emergency medical treatment would depend almost exclusively on passersby. In addition, cell phone coverage in outlying areas is often unavailable, making it impossible to summon help.

In 2005, polio was found in all of Djibouti’s neighbors (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen) and health professionals strongly suspect it is present in Djibouti.
Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified among birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2007).

Country Calling Code:  +253
Internet Country Code:  .dj