Objective\nTo estimate retrospective mortality and nutritional situation among the population of Balbala,\nDjibouti town, Djibouti.\nMethods\nA cluster sampling survey (30 clusters of 23 families) was conducted, using standardized\nquestionnaire. Questions were asked on family composition, retrospective mortality and\nrelated to food security. Standard anthropometric measures were taken for children aged 6 to\n59 months.\nResults\n781 families were included in the survey. The average household size was 6.3. Children\nunder 5 presented 15.6% of surveyed population.\nThe crude mortality rate was estimated at 0.34/10000/day (95% CI 0.22-0.46) and the under\n5 mortality rate at 0.46/10000/day (95% CI 0.10-0.81). Most deaths were disease related,\nwith cough being most common single cause of death in above 5 years old, while neonatal\ndeaths presented half of the deaths in under 5 years old.