Nairobi — DJIBOUTI, SITE of the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa, will soon receive an enormous increase in American aid.

The tiny East African country with a population of 650,000 is likely to get about $90 million both this year and next for health, education and border policing, the American Ambassador-designate to Djibouti told the US Senate last week. Djibouti, which previously got about $7 million in annual aid, would suddenly qualify as the largest recipient of US development aid in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sudan, which would be relegated to second place, will receive about $81 million this year for reconstruction efforts. Nigeria, the next-largest beneficiary, has a population almost 200 times larger than Djibouti's, but is getting only two-thirds as much aid. Djibouti's $90 million total would also exceed the amounts for Uganda ($62 million) and Kenya ($50 million).

Djibouti is a "staunch ally of the US and a key partner in the global struggle against terrorism," Marguerita Dianne Ragsdale said at a November 5 US Senate review of her nomination to become the next American ambassador to Djibouti.

"What we are trying to do is develop Djibouti as a nation. Because it is impoverished, it cannot deliver the kinds of services to its population that its population demands and deserves."

Some 1, 500 US troops are stationed at a base in Djibouti that serves as the East Africa operational hub for Washington's "war on terrorism." From its headquarters in Djibouti, the US Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, conducts sea and air surveillance in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and adjoining countries.

Djibouti is a dangerous destination for Americans, the State Department warned last month. Renewing its three-month-old terrorism alert, the department advised US citizens to reconsider any plans to visit Djibouti.