U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
ERITREA - Complex Emergency/Drought 
Information Bulletin #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2001    June 27, 2001


Background

In May 1998, Ethiopia and Eritrea began a military confrontation over
their shared border, which extends approximately 600 miles.  The border
dispute resulted in intermittent outbreaks of violence, destruction of
infrastructure, and significant displacement in both countries.  The
latest bout of intense fighting between Ethiopian and Eritrean troops
occurred in May and June 2000.  The Organization for African Unity (OAU)
brokered a cessation of hostilities agreement that was signed by both
countries on June 18, 2000.  As part of the agreement, the United Nations
(U.N.) established the U.N. Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to
oversee the peace process between the two countries.  UNMEE consists of
approximately 4,200 troops and military observers to monitor the two
countries' adherence to the terms of the cease-fire agreement and conduct
demining that will facilitate the resettlement of conflict-affected
populations.

The Eritrean population, especially in the Gash Barka and Debub zones,
experienced extremely adverse humanitarian conditions during the conflict.  
These zones, Eritrea's breadbasket, typically produce more than 70% of
national food requirements.  In 1999, grain production throughout the
country was more than 320,000 metric tons (MTs), however, during the
height of the conflict with Ethiopia, grain production slipped to 85,000
MTs.  Landmines and unexploded ordnance from both the Eritrean and
Ethiopian armies remain a problem in both zones.

In addition to the conflict, drought conditions over the last three years,
particularly in the Anseba, Debub, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea
zones, have had an adverse impact on the humanitarian situation in
Eritrea.  In FY 2000, failure of the winter harvest in the eastern regions
of the country created additional dependency on external food assistance.  
As in other parts of the Horn, pastoralists in Eritrea suffered extensive
losses to their livestock herds and other personal assets.


Numbers Affected

Conflict-Affected: According to the U.N. 2001 Consolidated Inter-Agency
Appeal for Eritrea, more than 1,048,000 people, living in organized camps
or in host communities, were affected by conflict between Ethiopia and
Eritrea.  Since May 12, 2001, UNHCR has repatriated more than 16,588
conflict-affected Eritreans from Sudan.  In addition, between March 30 and
April 20, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) repatriated
226 Eritrean civilians from Ethiopia.

Drought-Affected: According to the U.N. Appeal for Eritrea, more than
738,000 people, primarily in the Anseba, Northern Red Sea, Southern Red
Sea, and Debub zones, are affected by the drought conditions.  The
drought- affected populations in Eritrea, many of whom are
agro-pastoralists, have suffered from three years of failed crops and
declining herds.


Current Situation

Conflict-Affected Populations: Due to the June planting period, U.N.
Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the Government of the
State of Eritrea (GSE) have increased attempts to return both IDPs and
refugees to the Gash Barka and Debub zones, and recent reports indicate
that conflict-affected IDPs are returning to their homes in the Temporary
Security Zone (TSZ).  However, landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a
security threat to the returning population.

On May 1, 2001, in an attempt to get data on the humanitarian needs in the
TSZ, GSE and U.N. officials conducted a rapid assessment of 73 villages in
the Gash Barka, Debub, and Southern Red Sea zones.  Based on their
findings, the water/sanitation, health, food security, and education
sectors were determined to be key areas for moving the situation from
crisis to recovery.  In addition, a recent USAID/OFDA and USAID's Office
of Transition Initiatives (OTI) joint assessment revealed that the
water/sanitation sector is a humanitarian concern to the returning
population in the TSZ.

Drought-Affected Populations: Although the food security of the
drought-affected population remains a concern, the immediate overall
humanitarian condition is being addressed.  With limited food stocks and
decimated herds, the upcoming rainy season is critical to the recovery of
the affected areas.  In addition, improvement in the grain production of
the conflict-affected Gash Barka and Debub zones will have a significant
impact on the overall food security situation.

In March 2001, USAID/OFDA staff traveled with UNICEF to the
drought-affected areas in the Anseba zone.  Findings from Anseba, a mostly
agro-pastoralist area, indicate a high dependency on food aid provided by
the World Food Program (WFP), decreased herds due to compromised prices
and disease, and higher numbers of people vying for access to clean water
and pasture lands.


USG Assistance

USAID/OFDA: Due to the continued effects of the border conflict and
drought on Eritrea’s population, U.S.  Ambassador William Clarke
re-declared complex emergency and drought disasters for Eritrea on October
6, 2000.  In response, USAID/OFDA continued its assistance to Eritrea in
order to facilitate the recovery of vulnerable populations by supporting
agriculture, health and nutrition, and water programs.  In FY 2001,
USAID/OFDA programs focus on the returning population affected by
conflict, as well as drought-affected Eritreans.

In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA spent more than $5.3 million to fund emergency
programs in health, nutrition, potable water, agriculture, and logistics
programs, primarily in the conflict-affected areas.  USAID/OFDA has
focused on underserved populations affected by drought.  In FY 2001 to
date, USAID/OFDA has obligated approximately $1.1 million to the U.N.
Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Medical Corps (IMC), and CARE.

USAID/FFP: In FY 2001 to date, USAID’s Food for Peace Office (USAID/FFP)
has programmed 4,000 MTs, valued at more than $2.8 million, of P.L. 480
Title II emergency food assistance to populations affected by drought and
conflict in Eritrea.  Food commodities are being provided to WFP,
targeting supplementary feeding, food-for- work, and food-for-training
activities.

USDA: In FY 2001 to date, the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) intends to ship 105,000 MTs of Section 416(b) emergency food
commodities, valued at approximately $37.5 million.  All of the
commodities are being provided to WFP, targeting supplementary feeding,
food-for-work, and food-for-training activities.

State/PRM: In FY 2000, the Department of State's Bureau of Population
Refugees and Migration (PRM)  contributed $2 million to ICRC to assist
war-affected populations, Prisoners of War (POWs), and detainees in both
Ethiopia and Eritrea and $5.7 million to UNHCR to support Eritrean
refugees in Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti, as well as Eritrean IDPs located
along the Sudanese border.  FY 2001 funding has not been earmarked at this
time.


Summary of USG FY 2001 Funding (to date)
USAID/OFDA                       $ 1,082,000
USAID/FFP                        $ 2,829,700
USDA                             $37,500,000
Total USG Assistance in FY 2001  $41,411,700



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