OCHA Situation Report
Eritrea: Humanitarian Update
30 November 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

The United Nations and the Government of Eritrea launched the 2005 
Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Eritrea on 23 November 2004 at the 
Intercontinental Hotel Asmara. The Minister of Labour and Human Welfare, 
Ms. Askalu Menkerios gave the keynote address.

The Appeal calls for US$157.2 million in food and non-food assistance to 
meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of an estimated 2.2 million 
Eritreans from displaced, returnee and vulnerable communities affected by 
war and drought. Twelve UN agencies and Non Governmental Organisations 
(NGOs) are appealing for this amount to fund the implementation of 24 
projects in 10 sectors.

Commenting on the magnitude of the humanitarian challenges in Eritrea, the 
UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator stated that the failure of the Kremti 
rains and the stalemate in the border demarcation have undermined gravely 
the coping mechanism of over two thirds of the population resulting in 
more people depending on humanitarian assistance than in 2004.

Malnutrition continues to plague Eritreans, with 10-20% acute global 
malnutrition cases among children under five in three of the country's six 
regions. In addition, Eritrea has one of the highest maternal under 
nutrition rates in the world, currently standing at 42%. The need for food 
aid, clean water, increased supplementary and therapeutic feeding and 
maternal healthcare remains acute.  Lack of safe access to clean water is 
still a major threat to the health and lives of many communities in 
Eritrea.

Large-scale pending returns of increasingly restive internally displaced 
persons (IDPs) and refugees are a critical characteristic of this crisis. 
Over 70,000 IDPs and expellees remain temporarily in unsustainable camps. 
The Government has recently committed itself to the return and settlement 
of about 30,000 IDPs and expellees, for which funding is critical. Over 
one million Eritrean IDPs and refugees who have returned to their home 
villages since the end of the border conflict are unable to restore their 
livelihoods and remain dependent on humanitarian assistance. 20% of areas 
for IDP return are mine- infested, rendering de- mining activities a key 
priority.

The Minister of Labour and Human Welfare, Ms. Askalu Menkerios in her key 
note address said that during the past five years, the CAP which 
constitutes over 60% of the humanitarian assistance granted to Eritrea, 
has significantly contributed in averting imminent humanitarian disasters. 
She further highlighted "while duly recognizing and presenting our deepest 
appreciation for the assistance so far rendered, it has not been 
sufficient to effectively meet the challenges".

UN agencies Government, NGOs and Donors participated in the CAP process, 
which has benefited considerably from the involvement of key stakeholders. 
As well as being implementing partners for UN agencies, NGOs have also 
submitted project proposals in the 2005 CAP.

Humanitarian partners in Eritrea are appealing for a total of US$ 
157,151,179.

The response to the CAP 2004, according to the Geneva Financial Tracking, 
stands at 55% as of 30 November.

UNICEF, UNDP and WFP have signed a Joint Programme for IDP Return - in 
order to coordinate support to the government for the safe return and 
resettlement of nearly 19,000 residents of Adi Keshi IDP camp in Gash 
Barka.  The programme, worth some USD 10 million, covers social sector 
support, transport, shelter, food aid and sustainable livelihood.  UNDP 
will be the managing agency for the programme, while NGO contributions in 
areas of emergency shelter, water and agriculture are also anticipated.

The HIV/AIDS Learning Team (HALT) composed of the entire resident UN 
agencies, UNMEE, NGOs, ESMG, USAID, ICRC and Hotel Intercontinental, 
Asmara conducted a Learning Fair on 28 November at the grounds of the UN 
Offices in Eritrea. The UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Mr. Dominique Mathiot, 
officially opened the fair. Mr. Mathiot in his opening remarks underscored 
that, the fair was part of the HIV/AIDS learning work plan and its main 
objective was to raise the awareness of staff members and their families 
on HIV/AIDS. During the fair every participating agency had its own booth 
and displayed its activities and messages on HIV/AIDS. In addition, 
well-known national and international art troops such as the Ministry of 
Education Students Awareness Group, Hilal Band, and Indian Battalion from 
UNMEE performed various dramas, songs, puppet shows for children with 
messages relevant to HIV/AIDS. Moreover, tents had been erected to house 
activities such as: Voluntary Counselling and Testing (around 20 people 
used this service during that day), female and male condom demonstration 
and distribution, and video showing. Mr. Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF 
Representative in Eritrea and HIV/AIDS Theme Group Chair Person, read the 
message of the UN Secretary General on the occasion of the world AIDS day. 
The learning fair was the first of its kind in Eritrea.

The 27th meeting of the Military Coordination Commission (MCC) was held on 
29 November 2004 in Nairobi.  During the meeting, the Force Commander and 
Chair of the MCC, Major-General Rajender Singh, informed the 
representatives of Eritrea and Ethiopia that the military situation along 
the border remained stable and peaceful. He thanked both parties for their 
cooperation with and supporting UNMEE in carrying out its mandate. He 
highlighted the positive impact of the Sector MCCs (SMCCs) on the working 
environment around the southern boundary of the Temporary Security Zone 
between both countries and requested both sides to further strengthen the 
process of the SMCCs and to hold them regularly.  Both Parties assured the 
Force Commander that they would continue to support UNMEE in its 
endeavours.

Colonel Zecarias Ogbagaber, Chief Acting Representative for the CCPM and 
General Yohannes Gebremeskel, represented Eritrea and Ethiopia, 
respectively. Brigadier-General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo represented the 
African Union.

The next MCC meeting would be held on 10 January 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya.

UNFPA DONOR SUPPORT

Overall, as UNFPA has become better known in the humanitarian community, 
donor response has improved. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to 
mobilize resources in a timely manner, given the low percentage of overall 
CAP funds allocated to the health sector.

One million EURO from the Dutch Government has been donated for the UNDP 
and UNFPA CAP projects. Out of this contribution, UNFPA received funding 
for its "Save the Mother and Her Baby" project. With this information, 
UNFPA has secured 100% of its requirements for 2004. However, the late 
arrival of the funding made the implementation of the project in 2004 
unlikely.

UNHCR PROJECT PROGRAMME WORKSHOP

UNHCR held an intensive two-day planning workshop in Barentu over 4 and 5 
November. The workshop brought together UNHCR with government, UN and NGO 
partners, creating an opportunity to jointly tailor a programme for 
reintegration in 2005.

A comprehensive look at UNHCR's project cycle was presented, along with an 
appraisal of activities completed and priorities remaining.  An overview 
of returnee monitoring and a village assessment of the largest 20-returnee 
villages were given, addressing outstanding returnee needs.  These 
presentations were complimented with the presentation of regional level 
Zoba priorities and its operational framework, putting key policy 
priorities in context.  By clearly presenting the remaining identified 
needs of returnees, the key outcome of the workshop was to put together a 
practical plan for implementation with a focus on consolidation, 
self-reliance, sustainable livelihood and capacity building activities.

Active involvement in plenary sessions achieved a thorough understanding 
of sectoral elements and UNHCR's direction in 2005.  The workshop's 
success will enable UNHCR to produce a strategic paper outlining future 
reintegration needs.

UNHCR's role in 2005 will continue to encourage and seek opportunities for 
joint programming to ensure sustainability of return and reintegration of 
Eritrean refugees coming home.  It will continue to plan and implement its 
own short-term interventions, addressing immediate needs and continue to 
support the implementation of the Integrated Recovery Programme (IRP) with 
other UN agencies.

UNICEF PROVISIONALLY HANDS OVER WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS and SUPPORTS CHILD 
HEADED HOUSEHOLDS

Provisional handing over of Adi Chomai, Adi Shilomun, and Adi Lubso water 
supply projects in Debub region, which is providing clean water to around 
10,500 people, was carried out on 17 November 2004. Initially, the 
population used to get water from unprotected traditionally dug shallow 
wells with hand pumps that broke down frequently, especially during the 
dry season due to depletion. The total cost of the project amounted to USD 
58,400 contributed b y the Swedish Government and the Finish National 
Committee for UNICEF.

UNICEF Child Protection, in collaboration with the Eritrean Ministry of 
Labour & Human Welfare has provided 17 most vulnerable child headed 
households with long term economic assistanc e in the form of Income 
Generating Activities (IGA) of their choice (worth of 10,000 Nakfa each) 
to alleviate the burden of poverty they are shouldering due to the current 
"no peace - no war" situation and the recurrent drought. Beneficiaries for 
the assistance are located in Maekel as well as in Amstegeleba IDP camp in 
Senafe town in Debub region.

UNICEF organized an intensive Emergency Preparedness and Response training 
course during the second week of November.  Some 30 professionals from 
line Ministries, ERREC, UN and NGO's participated.  The course covered 
such areas as dynamics of complex and natural disasters, early warning, 
risk analysis and preparedness tools, codes of conduct in humanitarian 
situations, and emergency standards, tools and available global trainings. 
Overall participants requested to hold further training in areas of early 
warning, especially in the Eritrean context.

CARE INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS

Food Security: To improve the food security of women headed households in 
drought and war affected areas, 42,680 Fayomi chicks were distributed to 
1,953 families in the current year.  The distribution was conducted in Adi 
Quala (Aila Gundet area) and Mai Mine sub-zones in Debub and Berik, Gala 
Nefhi and Serjeka sub- zones in Maekel zone. Beneficiary households 
received chicken feed that will last households for a period of 6 months, 
chicken coops, training on poultry management and chicken vaccinations. 
This project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of 
Agriculture (MOA).

CARE in partnership with the MOA and local NGO Vision Eritrea is 
implementing "Integrated Food Security project" in the North Red Sea zone. 
To date, 30 hand-dug wells were constructed, 30 motor pumps and various 
varieties of vegetable seed were distributed to farmers.  In addition, 
training on water management, vegetable production and nutrition were 
given to the 30 communities. A spate irrigation system was constructed in 
184 ha in Inghel in Ghelealo sub-zone.  This USAID funded project 
implemented in Karora, Nakfa, Afabet, Sheeb and Ghelealo sub- zones, will 
end in March 2005.

Women's Health: In partnership with NUEYS and Haben, CARE is implementing 
the Women's Health Project. The objective of this project is to raise 
awareness among 50,000 people of the refugee/returnee community on women's 
health and gender issues.  This includes Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 
and early forced marriage.  The project has a strong health education 
component, coupled with rebuilding the livelihoods of vulnerable women. 
During the months of August to October:

    NUEYS and Haben conducted 13 community dramas with discussion on FGM
    and early marriage to approximately 600 men and women in 7 villages.

    NUEYS mass radio broadcast shows on FGM and early marriage continued
    and 630 community members heard special pre-taped programs on FGM and
    early marriage.

    Haben's community mobilisers disseminated a total of 5,741 educational
    materials to communities on the adverse affects of early forced
    marriage and FGM.

    The NUEYS health clinic rehabilitation in Tesseney is completed.  This
    will enhance youth health service delivery.

    6 Credit and Savings Associations with a total of 136 members are
    active in income generating activities that are benefiting their
    households and the wider community.  A total of 67,737 Nakfa was
    disbursed to all the associations to be used as revolving fund for
    member income generating activities.


UNMEE MACC/FMAC HIGHLIGHTS

The Peacekeeping Force (PKF) demining assets, which currently include the 
Bangladeshi and Kenyan demining contingents, continued to conduct 
clearance operations in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) of Sector West, 
in particular in the minefields of Shilalo. The PKF assets cleared 48,202 
square meters of land and 11 km of roads. They also destroyed 8 
anti-personnel mines and 157 UXO. In addition, the MACC Explosive Ordnance 
Disposal (EOD) Team disposed of 26 UXO.

The MACC Mine Risk Education (MRE) Field Teams focused their MRE 
activities on communities and villages in the Gash Barka zoba in Sector 
West. They also visited the Dembe Doran Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) 
Camp. They provided MRE to 3054 people. They supported their 
community-based MRE outreach with the distribution of several MRE posters 
and games. Both Teams collected several reports of UXO discoveries from 
the local population. The MACC EOD Field Team immediately shared these 
reports with the MACC Operations Section for further action.

The MACC focused on establishing the newly contracted MECHEM Integrated 
Demining Capacity (IDC) in the Mission area. This commercial demining 
capacity has been contracted to fill the capability vacuum left behind by 
the departure of the Peacekeeping Force's Slovak demining contingent in 
June 2004. MECHEM's manual deminers as well as mine detection dogs and dog 
handlers have arrived in the Mission area. They have undergone some of 
their training and accreditation requirements. Currently, the MACC is 
making the necessary logistical arrangements for the arrival of the 
mechanical component of MECHEM's IDC. The mechanical equipment was 
expected to arrive at the end of November 2004. However, the shipment has 
been delayed and is now expected to arrive during the first week of 
December 2004. Once the mechanical assets arrive, the MACC, in cooperation 
with MECHEM, will carry out the remaining training and accreditation 
procedures prior to deploying the integrated demining teams.

The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) deployed a two-person, independent 
Evaluation Team to the Mission area to conduct a three-week evaluation 
exercise of the MACC programme from its inception through to its current 
operations. The exercise was completed in mid-November 2004. The MACC is 
expecting a final evaluation report by the end of the year. In the absence 
of the MACC Programme Manager from mid-November 2004 through mid-February 
2005, UNMAS had deployed a MACC Officer- in-Charge (OIC), Mr. Greg 
Lindstrom. Mr.

Mine/UXO Accidents

One mine accident was reported on 15 November 2004. Reportedly, the 
accident occurred three kilometers south of Tesseny, outside the adjacent 
areas of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). The Eritrean Demining 
Authority (EDA) will investigate the accident, as the accident occurred in 
an area outside of the TSZ, where the UNMEE MACC does not have a mandate 
to operate.

UNDP MINE ACTION CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM (MACBP)

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams deployed and started operation and 
this raised the capabilities of EDA to address the huge UXO problem in the 
country. UNDP MACBP has also assisted EDA in planning for 2005 to set up 
additional six Technical Survey/MCTs, one post Clearance Impact Assessment 
team, two Regional Offices and evaluation of mechanical requirements in 
program.

In addition, UNDP MACBP hosted a delegate from CIDA, on funding Community 
Based Rehabilitation as part of the landmine victim assistance program and 
delegates from SRSA on gender perspective in mine action.

UN Certification Committee has certified Eritrean Landmine Impact Survey 
Final Report, which is expected to be released before the end of the year.

For Further Information Related to the Humanitarian Update, Please 
contact: OCHA - Eritrea Public Information Section at 291-1-151666/151888, 
Fax- 291-1-151999, e-mail: gebrehiwots@un.org

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