OCHA Situation Report
Eritrea
14 November 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

HIGHLIGHTS

UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Martti Ahtisaari visited
Eritrea from the 9-12 November.  During his visit the Special Envoy
discussed the humanitarian situation with President Isaias Afwerki,
representatives of government, donors, UN agencies, and NGOs. He
acknowledged that Eritrea's humanitarian situation would continue to be
serious in 2004.  He also emphasised the need to work in partnership with
the Government of Eritrea, adding that the country had little chance of
success without the support of the international community. "Thanks to
donors a major disaster has been avoided," said Mr. Ahtisaari, as a result
of the response by the international community. He also praised the
efforts of the government of Eritrea, who he said despite its meagre
resources was progressing in the areas of water, education and health.  
"The situation hasn't dramatically changed," the Special Envoy said
referring to his last visit to Eritrea in July.  However, he noted that
two thirds of the population were living below the poverty line and it was
a sign that the situation has been deteriorating.  He also visited drought
and war affected Omhager in the Gash Barka region where he witnessed
recently rehabilitated buildings destroyed during the 1998-2000 war.

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES VISITS ERITREA

On Thursday 13 November, the High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Ruud
Lubbers visited Eritrea for the first time.  He led a convoy of almost 900
returnees back from Sudan.  He also held discussions with President Isaias
Afwerki, governmental officials, UN agencies and NGOs.  Eritrea was the
last stop in a four-nation trip, which included Burundi, Tanzania and
Sudan, by the High Commissioner.  He called for more support for
reintegration projects, listing Eritrea as one of four countries chosen
for the pilot testing of a new initiative dubbed the 4Rs, Repatriation,
Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.  The programme aims to
ensure the safe and sustainable return of refugees through effective
rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.  In Eritrea the programme is
known as the Integrated Recovery Programme.

UNICEF CONCERN AT MALNURTITION AND WATER SHORTAGES

UNICEF has warned that significant areas of Eritrea traditionally known
for their good water resources, such as Elabared in Anseba region, are
still facing water shortages. These shortages are continuing despite the
2003 rains, which followed after a year of severe drought. UNICEF is the
lead agency for water in Eritrea, and efforts are continuing to provide
sustainable water sources to the worst affected communities. Amader water
project in Debub region, implemented by Haben with assistance from UNICEF
and CARE, is the latest water installation to be opened, while in
Ghatellai area, 4,000 more people now have access to water following a new
pump installation.  Water Management Training has been ongoing in 30
UNICEF supported projects.  UNICEF is also highlighting the consistently
high levels of child malnutrition. Results of nutrition surveys conducted
by NGOs, UNICEF, UNHCR and the Health Ministry between March and June this
year reveal that 9% to 25% of children under five are malnourished (global
acute malnutrition).  This indicates that the number of malnourished
children around the country has increased still further compared to the
results of last year's Demographic Health Survey, which already indicated
extremely high malnutrition levels. Nationwide awareness raising workshops
focusing on another core priority - the care and protection of children -
are under preparation. The workshops, targeting teachers, religious &
community leaders, administrators, social workers and the police, will
focus on protecting children from violence, sexual abuse, neglect and
exploitation. Training on HIV/AIDS prevention and sensitisation on the
dangers of landmines will additionally be included, as part of overall
efforts to promote a protective environment for children in Eritrea.

WFP ERITREA EMERGENCY REPORT

The FAO/WFP Crop Assessment has now been completed; final results of the
mission will be available by the end of November 2003.  Preliminary
findings were shared with Mr. Ahtisaari - UN Special Envoy for the
Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa, members of the UN Country Team
and the international donor community on November 12th.  Senior Government
officials were also debriefed on the findings. An independent Portfolio
Evaluation covering all of WFP Eritrea's programme activities began last
week, and will conclude on November 26th.  The evaluation mission will
travel to all regions of Eritrea in order to assess the progress of WFP's
emergency and recovery operations.  Overall pledges for EMOP 10261.0 are
now approximately USD 34,567,000 (74% of the total requirement).  A total
of USD 16,941,000 - representing only 35% of the overall requirement - has
been resourced for PRRO 10192.0.  WFP considers resourcing of the
remaining amount for both operations to be critical, in order to avoid
pipeline breaks and widespread malnutrition in Eritrea.

WHO BEGINS MEASLES POST CAMPAIGN EVALUATION

The Measles Post Campaign evaluation is underway. Data collectors and
supervisors are in the field collecting data using the standard
questionnaire. A measles mass campaign for children 9 months to 14 years
was conducted in the period September 20 to October 06, 2003. More than 1
million children (82%) of the total 1.3 million children targeted have
been vaccinated.  Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) is one of the
vaccine preventable diseases targeted for elimination by the year 2006. To
validate the assessment which was done by WHO and UNICEF jointly in
February 2003, the Ministry of Health has requested WHO to provide
technical assistance to conduct Lot Quality Assessment to verify whether
Eritrea has eliminated MNT or not. Elimination is defined as Neonatal
Tetanus less than 1/1000 Live Births at all districts (sub-zones in our
context). WHO consultants are in Eritrea in the period November 10 to 21,
2003 to assist the MOH in assessing MNT status in Eritrea. The Health and
Nutrition thematic group is meeting every week to prepare the
Government/UN medium term (2004-2006) strategic plan and Integrated Work
Plan for the year 2004. The basis for the strategic plan and integrated
work plan is the UNDAF document. The MOH and WHO are co-chairing the group
and a first draft of the document was developed and circulated to the
basic social services group at the meeting in the Ministry of National
Development. World Health Organization has mobilized additional USD
1,472,000 (one million four hundred seventy two thousand) for the biennium
2004/2005. The money will be used to assist the MOH in combating
communicable diseases including malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, vaccine preventable
diseases, non communicable diseases and strengthening of the health
systems in the country including policy and guidelines development.

JAPAN PLEDGES USD 988,087 FOR UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND ERITREA

The People and the Government of Japan have committed to assist in
Mobilizing Communities to Reduce Reproductive Health Morbidity & Mortality
in Eritrea through the Trust Fund for Human Security. The two-year project
will be implemented in the Zobas of Gash Barka, Debub and Anseba. In
partnership with the Ministry of Health and local NGOs, UNFPA aims at
strengthening local partners' capacity at the community level, to ensure
that basic reproductive health care and information are readily available.
This will be done by strengthening antenatal and postnatal services and
emergency obstetric care through provision of ambulances for outreach and
referral, training of community health workers, and establishing maternity
waiting homes for pregnant women. Efforts will be made to increase
awareness of reproductive health issues including STIs/HIV/AIDS,
traditional harmful practices, early marriages and unsafe abortions.
Furthermore, pregnant/lactating women will be provided simultaneous access
to reproductive health services and counselling while they receive
supplementary food. Finally, the youth and adolescents will be provided
with youth- friendly reproductive health services, counselling and
information.

The UNFPA is the world's largest multilateral source of population
assistance to developing countries.  The GSE/UNFPA second Reproductive
Health Sub-programme in Eritrea (2002-2006) is helping the Government
reduce maternal and child deaths as well as unwanted pregnancies and
prevent sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS by increasing
access to reproductive health services and information.

Please contact: OCHA Eritrea Information Office.  291 1 151888


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