U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
ERITREA - Complex Emergency/Drought
Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2002    November 14, 2001


Note: this Fact Sheet provides summary data for US Government humanitarian
activities in fiscal year 2001

Background

- In May 1998, Ethiopia and Eritrea began a border conflict that lasted
until June 2000.  As part of the cease-fire agreement, the United Nations
(U.N.) established the U.N. Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), a
peacekeeping operation between the two countries.  UNMEE consists of
approximately 4,200 troops and military observers, and currently has a
mandate to operate through March 2002.

- The 1998-2000 conflict effected the Eritrean population severely,
displacing a large percentage of the population, especially in the
'breadbasket' zones of Gash Barka and Debub.  Displacement of agricultural
groups resulted in a 74% crop in grain production during the conflict.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a problem in both zones.

- Drought conditions over the last three years, particularly in the
Anseba, Debub, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea zones, contributed
to Eritea's humanitarian crisis.  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 of
Africa, pastoralists in Eritrea suffered extensive losses to their
livestock herds and other personal assets.


Numbers Affected

- Conflict:  There were 1,048,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs)
living in organized camps and host communities in Eritrea in 2001,
according to the U.N. 2001 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Eritrea.
Many of these were resettled during the past year, and by October 3
approximately 44,000 IDPs remained in camps and approximately 23,000 were
living with host families, according to the Eritrea Information
Coordination Center (ICC).  There are also 84,000 Eritrean residents of
Ethiopia forced to move to camps and communities in Eritrea.

- Drought:  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, were affected by drought conditions.  The drought- affected
populations in Eritrea, many of whom are agro-pastoralists, have suffered
from three years of failed crops, dwindling water resources and declining
herds.


Current Situation

- Effective demining and resettlement activities allowed a large number of
Eritreans to return to their homes in time for planting season in early
summer 2001.  However, landmines and unexploded ordinance remain a
security threat and many IDPs and refugees are still unable to return to
their homes because of mines or because their homes are too close to the
border.  Those who do return often face damaged or destroyed homes, water
resources, and health facilities.

- Rainfall during 2001 was better than in past years, however some areas
received below-normal rainfall.  Some areas will receive good harvests and
benefit from improved pasture.  Displacement and ongoing conscription of
males for military service, as well as remaining landmines, prevent full
use of arable lands in some areas.  In addition, water tables remain below
normal levels.


U.S. Government Assistance

- In fiscal year 2001 (FY01, October 2000-September 2001) the US
Government provided $50,867,562 in humanitarian aid to Eritrea.


USAID/OFDA Total FY01 funding: $2,101,121.

- CARE - Seeds and tractor services to conflict- and drought-affected
agricultural households.  Benefits 9,000 families.  $625,745

- International Medical Crops – Primary health care to IDPs and host
communities through mobile clinics, nutrition monitoring and capacity
building, and establishment of supplementary feeding centers in targeted
areas.  Benefits 48,000 people.  $325,376

- UNICEF - Water supply rehabilitation and hygiene education for IDPs and
drought-affected populations; and training in water resource management.
Benefits 120,000 people.  $1,150,000


USAID/Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP)  Total FY01 funding: $3.0
million.

- USAID/FFP provided 4,000 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food
assistance to populations affected by drought and conflict, valued at $3
million.


US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA/FAS)
Total FY01 funding:  $37.5 million.

- USDA provided 105,000 MT of Section 416(b) emergency food commodities,
valued at $37.5 million.


US Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration
(State/PRM)
Total FY01funding:  $8,266,441.

- UNHCR - Funding for UNHCR's 2001 Appeal for Eritrea.  $4,500,000

- UNHCR - Emergency funding for the Eritrea repatriation program.
$2,491,742

- IMC - Mobile health clinics, capacity building in the Ministry of
Health, and mine awareness for returnee populations.  $462,031

- International Catholic Migration Commission - Emergency funding for
community mobilization programs in areas of refugee return.  $546,227

- UNHCR - Regional funding for Africa.  $60,000,000 *

- ICRC - Regional funding for Africa.  $45,100,000 *

USAID/OFDA	$2,101,121
USAID/FFP	$3,000,000
USDA/FAS	$37,500,000
State/PRM	$8,266,441
Total FY01 USG humanitarian assistance to Eritrea	$50,867,562



* These funds are provided for activities to benefit refugees and
returnees throughout Africa and are not included in the total figures for
Eritrea.


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