Faced with the worsening risks of marine pollution, African countries are strengthening their prevention and response mechanisms. In Djibouti, Heron Beach hosted a simulation exercise on August 9th, designed to test the responsiveness of emergency services to a coastal pollution incident. This operation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s environmental resilience.
Faced with the global threat of plastic pollution affecting marine areas, Heron Beach in Djibouti hosted a simulation exercise on August 9th. Initiated by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, this event aimed to test the responsiveness of emergency services to a coastal incident. The operation mobilized the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and the National Meteorological Agency.
“We now know that the marine environment, with its fisheries resources, corals, and seagrass beds, constitutes a precious national heritage. This is why its protection has become an absolute necessity. How can we prepare for it? How can we act in the face of potential pollution? This is the crux of today’s simulation exercise.”
IDRISS NOUR, Deputy Director of Pollution and Environmental Assessment – Djibouti
Every year, 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste end up in the world’s aquatic ecosystems, according to the UN Environment. Faced with this major environmental and economic challenge for Djibouti, the simulation exercise aimed to test the responsiveness of the teams and optimize the operational chain of information flow, protocols, and inter-agency cooperation to guarantee a rapid and coordinated response in the event of coastal pollution.
“This simulation exercise will allow us to optimize our preparation, evaluate our automatic responses, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of each member present. The objective is to improve our responsiveness and better coordinate our intervention strategy in the face of marine pollution.”
IDRISS NOUR, Deputy Director of Pollution and Environmental Assessment – Djibouti
To combat pollution and climate risks, Djibouti launched a $2.5 million adaptation project with UNDP in January 2026 to address this global crisis. This initiative and the simulation aim to strengthen national resilience and optimize the management of ecological crises in order to better protect the coastline and marine ecosystems.
