The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa to visit Eritrea

Asmara, Saturday, 5 July 2003 -- Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa arrives in Asmara, Eritrea on 6 July, on a mission to review the humanitarian situation together with the Government, humanitarian and development partners, in order to highlight any gaps in assistance and also to discuss implementation of recovery and food security strategies that can reduce Eritrea's vulnerability to drought.
The Special Envoy's two-day visit to Eritrea will include a field trip to camps for Internally Displaced Persons and Senafe Hospital in the Debub Region. Mr Ahtisaari will hold a press conference on Tuesday, 8 July prior to his departure from Eritrea.

With two thirds of the population of Eritrea at risk, the visit of the Special Envoy is aimed at mobilizing further resources for urgently needed humanitarian relief for Eritrea. Mr. Ahtisaari will also consult with the UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders as part of his mandate to recommend longer-term strategies and programmes focusing on food security, recovery and development.

Mr. Ahtisaari's appointment as Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa with specific reference to Eritrea and Ethiopia, by UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, was announced on 18 June 2003. From 1989 - 1990 Mr. Ahtisaari served as Special Representative of the Secretary General for Namibia and led the UN operation (UNTAG) in Namibia. Mr. Ahtisaari was President of the Republic of Finland from 1994 -- 2000.

Mr Ahtisaari will be accompanied by his Adviser Mr. Antti Pentikäinen, WFP Reporting Officer, Mr Tahir Nour, Mr. Eric Laroche, Deputy Director, UNICEF Emergencies Division and Mr Markus Werne, Humanitarian Affairs Officer OCHA.

For further information please contact:
UN-OCHA Asmara, Eritrea, Tel.: (291-1) 151666 Fax: 291 -- 1 151999