Eritrea
In 2009 Eritrea will face the multiple challenges of promoting sustainable socio-economic development; restoring economic stability; ensuring food security; and mobilizing requisite resources. Although there is a dearth of up-to-date information, the overall drought and food situation in the Horn of Africa points to a looming famine and critical humanitarian situation in Eritrea too. The dangers of food insecurity have been exacerbated by the high global food and fuel prices leading to sharp price increases in staple food commodities. Additionally, the stand-off between the Government and the World Food Programme (WFP) over “integrated” WFP food stocks remains unresolved. The disagreement stems from a revised food aid policy moving away from free food distributions to cash-for-work.
There are significant capacity challenges facing regional administrations, yet the Government insists that all humanitarian and development activities must be implemented through local government structures. The lack of strategic inter-agency coordination with Government departments and the limited NGO operation have resulted in a reduced number of humanitarian partners and in difficulties in coordinating humanitarian assistance.
In the absence of a Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) and other means of humanitarian resource mobilization, OCHA Eritrea will continue to coordinate the preparation of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) as an internal inter-agency document; and, as needs dictate, facilitate access to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). United Nations agencies’ activities will be crucial in addressing existing urgent humanitarian needs, including water and sanitation, nutrition, food aid for refugees, emergency agriculture and health. With the support of OCHA, the UN Country Team has prepared and will update its inter-agency contingency plan.
Key Objectives, Outputs and Indicators
