Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal - Eritrea War and Famine Relief - AFER01 Appeal Target: US$ 3,630,860 Geneva, 25 May, 2000
Since 13 May, due to the new offensive of the Ethiopian Army, the internally displaced, the expellees and those hosting them in the southwestern part of Eritrea, have hurriedly been evacuated from their residential areas. Fleeing in panic most of the people left without taking anything except a few personal belongings, which they could carry. This has created a new tragic situation as more than 500,000 people have been forced from their homes. The number of internally displaced persons, including those displaced by the drought is now estimated at around 800,000. The majority is scattered throughout the hot and arid areas without water, food, shelter and other basic necessities for life. The total affected population needing assistance is currently estimated at around 1 million. Since the conflict began in 1998, ACT members in Eritrea, the Lutheran World Federation, Department of World Service (LWF/DWS) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) have been providing assistance to the affected population. In light of the additional needs, LWF/DWS is proposing to assist the most vulnerable with: Food (high energy biscuits & milk powder) Shelter (family tents & blankets) Collapsible Water Tanks An experienced staff from the LWF/DWS Tanzania Program has traveled to Eritrea on an assessment mission to help determine needs and appropriate programs. Thus, this proposal is likely to be revised when more complete information is available. In the meantime however, ACT members Danchurchaid (DCA) and NCA, have already rushed aid to Eritrea in the form of high protein biscuits, plastic sheeting, tents and blankets as well as medicines. ACT member Christian Aid (CA) has offered to strengthen the monitoring component by employing and paying for a visiting consultant to periodically monitor the relief distribution. Project implementation is expected to be completed by 30 September, 2000. Ms. Genevieve Jacques Thor-Arne Prois Rev. Rudolf Hinz Director ACT Coordinator Director WCC/Cluster on Relations LWF/World Service REQUESTING ACT MEMBER Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Service (LWF/DWS) Eritrea IMPLEMENTING AGENCY LWF Eritrea is a field program of the Lutheran World Federation/Department for World Service. Its mandate is to work with the LWF member churches for the fulfillment of their individual and corporate responsibilities in the field of Christian Service (Diaconia). This includes both emergency and development activities. Emergency aid includes - refugee services, relief and rehabilitation assistance to internally displaced persons and other disaster affected population. LWF has over 50 years of experience worldwide in providing emergency relief and rehabilitation assistance in response to human suffering caused by both natural and human-made crises. LWF Eritrea was established in 1992 and has since implemented relief and rehabilitation programs, which include activities such as school construction, agricultural assistance, health services and sanitation, as well as soil and water conservation projects. LWF's local implementing partner is the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC). Two govrnment agencies, Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (ERRA) and Commission for Eritrean Refugee Affairs (CERA) were merged to form ERREC in January 1996. LWF has a healthy and collaborative relationship with ERREC, which has facilitated LWF's role as implementer/monitor in the various programs that are being undertaken. LWF is continuing to implement and monitor its own projects and submits necessary narrative, technical and financial reports to ERREC. DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION Background In 1998, border clashes occurred between Ethiopia and Eritrea, resulting in displacement of people on both sides of the border. The conflict over the 620 miles border has resulted in displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, on both sides and has also cost the lives of many civilians and soldiers alike. The international community had called on both parties to settle this border dispute through negotiations. Despite many rounds of discussions, no agreement has yet been reached. On 13 May Ethiopia launched a major offensive and moved into Eritrea. Outside Tokombia, four mobile rocket launchers were deployed to support advancing infantry forces in their drive northwards to Barentu, about 19 miles further inside Eritrea. This advance of Ethiopian forces deep into Eritrean territory has resulted in massive displacement of people, exacerbating the crisis even further. Current situation In addition to the 500,000 effected earlier by the conflict and drought, the new offensive has displaced another 550,000. The renewed fighting caused large numbers of people to hurriedly flee in great panic. Some have been forced to evacuate by the air raids that bombed their villages. Many other villages and settlement camps have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The town of Barentu has been evacuated in order to avoid loss of life. At a meeting on 18 May, ERREC briefed the United Nations Country Team, the Diplomatic Corps and the international NGOs, on the current situation. The attendees and through them, the international community was requested to quickly intervene to stop the conflict. The international community was also requested to provide aid in the form of food, water, tents and medicines to the war displaced people who have been evacuated from their villages and towns and who are now scattered throughout the western lowlands. A field mission was conducted on 18 May, comprising Government representatives and UN agencies. The mission met with the local authorities in Keren and visited Ziron, where the authorities have started preparations for the establishment of a settlement area for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Ziron is part of Hamelmallo sub-zone and is located 29 km north of Keren. The school complex and surrounding areas will be used to settle the IDPs. The school is not far from the Barentu river and the site could accommodate approximately 100,000 people. Currently there are about 30,000 people in the school complex. The displaced arrive in Keren from two directions, namely Agordet and Mansoura. It is reported that Mansoura region had about 40,000 IDPs who are now moving north towards Keren. Once the IDPs arrive in Keren, first aid is given to them and then they will be transported to the Ziron camp. The Government is trying to cope with the situation but have informed that there is an urgent need for food, tents, blankets and water supply. Impact on human lives Most people have left behind whatever they possessed and just fled the area. As stated before, more than 500,000 people are displaced and more people are leaving the border zones. What is lacking most is food and water. More than 500,000 people have been displaced Many families are split up Most people left their homes without being able to take even the basic necessities Current Security Situation Although efforts are underway to bring the two warring nations to the negotiating table fighting continues and the situation remains volatile. The UN Security Council has requested an arms embargo on both nations but unless there is a cease fire more people will be displaced. GOAL & OBJECTIVES The project aims to provide life-sustaining assistance to the people affected by the twin disasters of war and famine. The specific objectives are to provide: The most vulnerable and needy with potable water, food, shelter and blankets as well as medicines and. Assistance in transporting and distributing commodities to the IDP camps. LWF has already sent an experienced staff from its field program in Kibondo, Tanzania, to visit the sites together with local staff in Eritrea to assess and define more specifically the needs and the most appropriate assistance required. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION & TARGETED AREAS The beneficiaries include the most vulnerable and needy among the displaced and others affected. As the situation is very fluid, presently the project is not in a position to give exact target population figures. More detailed information will be available in due course. DESCRIPTION of TARGETED ASSISTANCE LWF has been asked by both the Government of Eritrea and the Evangelical Church of Eritrea to assist in alleviating human suffering through provision of basic necessities. The most affected area is near Keren , Ziron, Nacfa and Agordet. Most of the affected people are either "en route" or have reached the safer town of Keren. Initial assistance through provision of basic needs is urgently required and assistance requested under this appeal is for the provision of clean water, food, shelter, medicines and blankets. Description of assistance With no sign of a cease-fire in sight, more and more people will be on the move looking for safer places. It is these people LWF wishes to assist through provision of basic necessities and through assisting them to settle in Government assigned camps. As LWF has been requested by the Government to provide humanitarian assistance, a more detailed description of the exact locations and of the LWF role will be furnished as soon as possible. For the time being, LWF will assist with transport of any goods that arrive and when funds become available, the project will purchase and transport the commodities to the camps where it will also monitor distribution. It is of utmost importance that the needs of the displaced and drought affected people be met as soon as possible. The current drought conditions that prevail in several countries in the Horn of Africa region has also severely affected Eritrea. The area of Keren where most of the displaced are heading is a very hostile, dry and rocky environment, where even under normal circumstances, food and especially clean drinking water is scarce. LWF is thus urgently requesting the following items High energy biscuits for 100,000 beneficiaries @ 50 grms/day for 3 months Milk powder for 30,000 beneficiaries @ 50 grms/day for 3 months Family size tents (10,000), blankets (40,000) and kitchen utensils Water storage bladders (7,500 ltrs) LWF has trucks available in its program that can be used to transport the commodities to the sites for distribution. Besides ACT members, who have already rushed aid to Eritrea, till last week other members of the International Community had pledged the following: Food Donor Commodity Quantity Comments UNICEF DMK 470 MT In country reallocation WFP CSB 135 MT In country reallocation WFP CSB 300 MT ETA airlift soon ECHO/WFP Biscuits 2-3 plane Not specified Ital Cooperation Sugar 400 MT Local purchase Shelter and household Items Donor Commodity Quantity Comments ICRC Assorted For 100,000 people ETA not specified MSF-Holland Blankets 11,500 Mid-June MSF-Holland Blankets 9,500 In Country Health and Nutrition Donor Commodity Quantity Comments UNICEF Glucose, ORS, Syringes 5600 boxes ETA May 24, airlift MSF Holland Medicines One plane load ETA May 21 airlift While some water bladders and water storage units of varying capacities have already been deployed, it is still far from sufficient to cater to the needs of the beneficiaries with the minimum quantity of clean water required. ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING LWF will send its technical people and concerned staff to the proposed sites together with ERREC staff to inspect and review the activities and related paperwork. LWF will send inquiries to its potential suppliers abroad for the equipment and items required and will also consult and participate with ERREC in local purchases. Local procurement will be done by standard and official tender to be drawn up by both ERREC and LWF and issued in the name of ERREC. LWF will be present at the opening and awarding of the tender. ERREC will submit to LWF all relevant documents and requests when asking for an advance. Financial management will be the responsibility of LWF and ERREC must satisfy LWF requirements by submitting already agreed upon valid documents in order to get funds for local purchase, construction and/or related labour work. LWF also has free access for inspection of the purchased items, construction and related labour. Monitoring & Reporting LWF will participate in the implementation of the program through monitoring and site visits. Most of this will be done by its technical and finance staff on a routine basis (bi-weekly) together with ERREC technical and finance personnel, as well as through impromptu visits. The general monitoring includes checking and ascertaining that project activities are being implemented in line with the conditions specified in the contract, both regarding quantity and quality. Any deviation will be discussed with ERREC and the contractor for timely correction. ERREC will facilitate monitoring of ongoing activities for LWF and interested donors. ERREC will also submit implementation reports including targets reached, resources used and duration intended for the implementation of each site. These reports will be based on site implementation records. In addition, as stated earlier, ACT member Christian Aid will make available a consultant who will undertake periodic monitoring of the program report back to the ACT Coordinating Office. COORDINATION LWF is registered with the Eritrean authorities through ERREC as an international NGO. ACT members NCA Eritrea and LWF meet regularly to co-ordinate work, but as ERREC is responsible for overall coordination and implementation, all assistance will be channeled through ERREC. Efforts will be made to broaden the consultation and coordination base to include other ACT members present in Eritrea. Regular meetings will held among the ACT members to share information, discuss, strategize and coordinate where necessary. BUDGET ACT-LWF ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Unit Units US$ US$ DIRECT ASSISTANCE Food High Energy biscuits MT 45 1,410 63,450 Milk powder MT 13 2,000 26,000 Sub Total 89,450 Non-Food Items Family Tents pcs 10,000 268.45 2,684,563 Blankets pcs 40,000 8.72 348,994 Collapsible water tanks 7,500lt. pcs 50 8,250 412,500 Sub Total 3,446,057 TRANSPORT, WAREHOUSING & HANDLING Trucking to camps trips 12 250 3,000 Storage/loading/off loading MT 1,000 60.4 6,040 Port handling fees MT 1,000 14.5 14,500 Truck maintenance/spares/insurance Lump sum 3,500 Sub Total 27,040 PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS & SUPPORT Staff salaries and benefits Director's 10% Month 4 100 400 Monitoring staff x 2 Month 4 1,600 6,400 Drivers Trip 12 100 1,200 Other Office rent Month 4 150 600 Telephone and fax Month 4 100 400 Insurance 1,200 Sub Total 10,200 AUDIT & MONITORING 3,000 Audit of ACT Funds 20,000 Monitoring (ACT-CAid) 23,000 Sub Total COMMUNICATION (ACT C O) 5,000 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING (1% of expenditure) 35,113 TOTAL APPEAL TARGET & EXPENDITURE 3,630,860 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide network of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. 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