UN and Govt. of Eritrea launch US$ 157.2 million humanitarian appeal for Eritrea for 2005

ASMARA, 23 November 2004 - The United Nations and the Government of Eritrea today launched the 2005 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Eritrea. The Minister of Labour and Human Welfare, Ms. Askalu Menkerios officiated at the launch.

The Appeal calls for US$157.2 million in food and non-food assistance to meet part of the most urgent and to continue catering for the 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 has 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 recognising and presenting our deepest appreciation for the assistance so far rendered, it has not been sufficient to effectively meet the challenges".

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), will work together with the Government to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable Eritreans in order to:

• Prevent high levels of acute malnutrition through the provision of food aid and extensive supplementary and therapeutic feeding;
  
• Ensure basic survival of highly vulnerable groups by providing access to basic services;
  
• Provide assistance, protection and seek sustainable durable solutions for IDPs, expellees, returnees and refugees;
  
• Strengthen de-mining activities; and
  
• Enhance coordination structures and the implementation capacity of Government counterparts and civil society involved in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

  UN agencies Government, NGOs and Donors have all participated in the CAP process, which has benefitted 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

For further information please contact:

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
OCHA - Eritrea
Tel: +291 1 15 16 66/15 17 77
Fax: +291 1 15 19 99
E-mail: gebrehiwots@un.org