OCHA Situation Report
Eritrea
Report for November 2006
13 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UNICEF HIGHLIGHTS

UNICEF and WHO continued during the reporting period to support the
Government to introduce Community Therapeutic feeding as a measure to
treat acute malnutrition in children under five years old while allowing
the children to stay in their communities and families. Health workers
and community volunteers were trained to carry out the project that was
launched in 4 locations within Zoba Anseba and Debub. The first regular
report from project sites indicates 48 admissions in Debub. Training was
conducted in Shieb, Northern Red Sea to intensify the same program in
the area.

In support to IDP children's reintegration in schools, UNICEF supported
during the month of November the Ministry of Education and zonal
administration in Gash Barka and Debub to construct/rehabilitate
additional classrooms to accommodate the children. Close to 50
classrooms have been completed or are under the process of
finalisation/maintenance. Support to the distribution of Non-Food Items
continued and emergency supplies such as blankets, soaps, jerry cans,
family relief kits, plastic sheets were provided through the Zoba
administration.

CARE HIGHLIGHTS

CARE, in partnership with the Branch office of the Ministry of
Agriculture and the local administration in Debub, implemented in the
course of the month of November Environment/energy conservation, and
food security strengthening project in Mai Mine sub-zone. The project
has three components: Planting tree seedlings in 1,650 households,
Distributing improved stove (mogogo) to 1,650 families to enable them to
reduce firewood consumption by 50% and Support 80 families in bee
keeping as income generating activity. 887 households supported by the
project planted a total of 8,964 tree seedlings in their compounds and
backyards. All the tree species planted have economic benefit, as
sources of bee forage, firewood and shade, and leaves of one of the
species is used as ingredient for making local drink. 40 bee keeping
beneficiaries received training on bee rearing and management. A total
of 42 households received full package of bee keeping materials and bee
colonies.

CARE with its partners has also implemented Emergency Drought Response
for Livestock Project in Debub and Northern Red Sea administrative
zones. The project addresses water problems for livestock and humans it
alleviate livestock feed scarcity during critical period of the dry
season as well as it provides improved veterinary services for
deteriorating animal health. The project has 4 components: Construction
of two water-ponds, two rangeland development, Distribution of 35,000
animal feed blocks (140 tones) and wheat bran to vulnerable households
to feed their animals during the dry season and supply veterinary drugs
and vaccines. 100 tones of wheat bran have been distributed to 1,539
households in Ghelae'lo sub-zone of Northern Red Sea zone in response to
the prevailing acute livestock feed crisis caused by drought. Two sites
for pond construction have been selected, surveyed and pond designs are
under preparation. Community managed rangeland site have been selected
for improvement in two administrative villages of sub-zone Adi Quala in
Debub zone.

CARE faced during the reporting period serious fuel (diesel) shortage
which hindered a full scale of field operations. Often, in order to
complete critical activities CARE had to rent vehicles from the market,
which increased operational cost unnecessarily.

UNMEE MACC HIGHLIGHTS

The Route Clearance Team (RCT) deployed to Sector Center, conducted road
clearance operations and route verification tasks in Tsorona. The
Integrated Demining Capacity (IDC) teams deployed to EgriMekel minefield
near Tsorona, within the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). The teams
cleared 247,777 m=B2 and 194 kms of road in the area. The teams discovered
2 unexploded ordnance (UXO) items and detonated 7 Anti Tank (AT) mines
during this month.

The Mine Risk Education (MRE) Teams of the MACC deployed to Sector West,
Sub zone of Lae'lay Gash, and Sector Center, Sub Zone of Tserona
respectively conducted MRE activities for 2928 local people living in
Hadish-adi, May-Weray, Sebio, Tserona and Shilalo from different age
group and gender affected by mines and explosive remnants of war.

The MACC Force Mine Action Center (FMAC) in Asmara conducted MRE
briefings to 1 UNAIDS, 2 UNV, 9 UNMO and 111 UNMEE contingent members
recently arrived in the mission, together with 1 UNMEE ITU and 1 UNFP
representative. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team based in
Eritrea deployed to Tserona area, Sector Center destroyed mortar,
artillery shells, variety of hand grenades, sub munitions and S-5k
rockets. The team destroyed 21 UXO. The Explosive Ordnance (EOD) team
based in Ethiopia destructed 12 UXO items in Fatsi and Betqorqos, Sector
Center, with in the southern adjacent area.

Mine/UXO Accidents

A MACC investigation team conducted an investigation into a mine
incident that occurred near Tserona and Wulisho village, inside the TSZ
of Sector Center at approximately 12:50 hours on 08 November 2006. Two
international members from the UNMEE MECHEM demining company contractor
traveling in an UNMEE vehicle, conducting a reconnaissance for a new
campsite were involved. According to the report this incident caused
severe injuries due to the size of the explosive.

The victims were stabilized by MECHEM Trauma medics and then MEDEVAC by
road to JORBAT LEVEL II hospital in Asmara. Both members have been
evacuated from the mission for further medical treatment.

For further Information related to the Humanitarian Update, Please
contact:

OCHA - Eritrea at 291-1-151666 / 151888
fax - 291-1-151999
e-mail: OCHA-Eritrea@un.org

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