Eritrea - United Nations Annual Needs Assessment

REPORT OF THE JOINT GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF ERITREA - UNITED NATIONS ANNUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT

FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO

ERITREA

JANUARY 2001

Table of Contents

Map of Eritrea...... iii

I. Executive Summary...... 1

II. Introduction ...... 3 A. Objectives...... 3 B. Methodology ...... 3 1. The Food Aid and Food Security Assessment...... 3 2. The Non-Food Sector Assessment...... 4 C. Constraints and Recommendations ...... 5 D. Structure of the Assessment Report ...... 6

III. The Year in Review ...... 7 A. Humanitarian Developments during 2000 ...... 7 B. Changes to Humanitarian Operations ...... 7 C. Lessons Learned ...... 8

IV. Current Situation ...... 10 A. Description of Current Humanitarian Context...... 10 B. Key Themes and Concerns for Humanitarian Assistance...... 10 C. Information on Target Population Groups ...... 12 1. Target Population Profiles ...... 13 2. Population Figures ...... 16

V. Sectoral Summaries ...... 18 A. Food Aid and Food Security...... 18 B. Shelter and Household Items...... 20 C. Health and Nutrition...... 20 D. Water and Sanitation ...... 21 E. Education and Child Protection...... 22 F. Mine Action ...... 23 G. Social and Economic Activities ...... 23

VI. Zoba Reports ...... 25 A. Zoba Anseba ...... 25 1. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 25 2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations...... 26 B. Zoba Debub...... 33 1. Available Information on the Occupied Areas – Senafe...... 33 2. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 33 3. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations ...... 34 C. Zoba Gash Barka ...... 42 1. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 42 2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations ...... 44

D. Zoba Maakel...... 51 1. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 51 2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations ...... 51 E. Zoba Northern Red Sea...... 55 1. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 55 2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations ...... 56 F. Zoba Southern Red Sea ...... 65 1. Food Aid and Food Security ...... 65 2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations ...... 66

Annex I – Acronyms and Abbreviations...... 72

Map of Eritrea

iii

I. Executive Summary

Since the humanitarian community launched its appeals for assistance in January 20001, two developments occurred that had major implications for the general humanitarian situation. Firstly, the third major round of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which took place in May-June 2000, led to the displacement of over a million Eritreans, mainly from the war-affected border zones of Gash Barka and Debub. With much of the fighting taking place in Eritrea’s most fertile regions (that account for 70% of Eritrea’s agricultural production), displacement from these areas and the fact that farming activities were brought to a standstill resulted in food shortages in most of the country. Secondly, the drought that affected large areas of the Horn of Africa in 2000 intensified during the course of the year impacting an estimated 335,000 people in Eritrea. With two (currently three) consecutive years of inadequate rainfall, agro-pastoralists in the most drought-affected zones of Anseba, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea were forced to increasingly rely on traditional coping mechanisms for survival (this included the sale of livestock, which is often seen as a last coping mechanism). With water shortages in much of the country, vulnerable population groups, in particular children, became more susceptible to malnutrition and diseases related to poor sanitation.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Government and the humanitarian community made complementary efforts to assist the most vulnerable war- and drought-affected populations. Revised Government and UN Country Team appeals were launched in June and July 2000 respectively, in addition to an Emergency Appeal for the Drought in the Horn of Africa issued in June 2000. Although considerable progress was made in 2000, in terms of meeting the urgent needs of the war- and drought-affected groups, the peace process (resulting in the signing of the Algiers Peace Agreement on 12 December 2000), and the subsequent return of more than 400,000 displaced persons, it is clear that significant populations will continue to require humanitarian assistance throughout 2001.

Thus, in looking forward, it was determined that with the continued combined and increasingly overlapping humanitarian implications of the drought and war, the humanitarian community would require a comprehensive survey of the needs of affected populations on which to base its humanitarian planning for 2001. This Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) was therefore undertaken (under the joint auspices of Government and the UN, with participation from the NGO community) in an effort to determine the number of people in need of assistance, particularly in drought- and war-affected areas, and to estimate and prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations in these areas. While separate methodologies and assessment teams were used to assess needs in the food and non-food sectors, both areas are covered in this report.

In terms of major findings, the ANA found that a total of 1,761,8542 of the most vulnerable rural inhabitants will need various levels of food assistance in 2001. Certain sub-sets of this group will also require different types of non-food assistance, depending on their particular situation. In addition to these rural groups in need of

1 The UN Country Team launched a Country Team Appeal in January 2000 covering the needs of 583,000 drought- and war-affected persons; the Government of Eritrea issued an appeal targeting 850,000 persons in the same two categories. 2 This includes provisional planning figures for a possible further 45,000 expellees/deportees from Ethiopia and 62,000 returnees from Sudan.

food and/or non-food aid, it was determined that approximately 154,000 urban residents, classified as vulnerable, will require varying types and levels of non-food assistance in the coming year. The assessment identified four main target population groups: IDPs in camps, the rural war-affected3, the drought-affected, and the urban vulnerable.

3 This group includes: IDPs living outside of camps, host communities, returnee IDPs/refugees, Eritreans currently under occupation, and rural deportees not in camps.

II. Introduction

A. Objectives

It was determined that with the continued combined humanitarian implications of the drought and the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the humanitarian community in Eritrea would require a comprehensive survey of the needs of affected populations on which to base its humanitarian planning for 2001. The main overall objectives of the Annual Needs Assessment were:

· To determine the number of people needing humanitarian assistance in the drought- and war-affected areas; · To estimate and prioritize the needs of the war-affected populations; and · To estimate and prioritize the needs of the drought-affected populations.

In order to establish a close link between the Annual Needs Assessment and the Common Humanitarian Action Plan of the 2001 UN Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal, this report also aims to provide recommendations for actions to be taken, where possible, to address the needs identified within each sector.

B. Methodology

To accomplish the above, an inter-agency Assessment Technical Team (ATT) was established under the co-leadership of the Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (ERREC) and the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator. Members of the ATT include: The Eritrea Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Secretariat services were provided by OCHA. The ATT was responsible for planning and coordinating the annual needs assessment exercise in close cooperation with the relevant Eritrean ministries and Government entities, UN agencies, the NGO community, and bilateral agencies. This involved assembling and providing training for the inter-agency assessment teams that would carry out the fieldwork, and compiling the resulting findings and recommendations.

The work of the field assessment teams and the methodologies used are described below. As separate methodologies were used for assessing the food and non-food sectors, the two are outlined separately.

1. The Food Aid and Food Security Assessment

For the food aid and food security sector, the assessment was based on the Household Food Economy (HHFE) methodology and conducted under the guidance of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Eritrea. The strategy adopted this year included the training of 45 field assessors from the NGO community, UN agencies, ERREC, and line ministries on the HHFE approach. These trained participants were subsequently involved in the collection and analysis of the field data.

The assessment sought not only to understand where, and to what degree, localized food shortages would need to be covered by food aid, but also how best to direct food to needy populations. A key aim of this year’s assessment was to consolidate as

much information as possible on historical trends, the social and political context, and up-to-date information on the food security situation in all of the areas visited.

Using a participatory approach, the field assessment teams traveled to various parts of the country in order to conduct interviews in a cross-section of the country’s regions. Where possible, the information collected was analyzed in light of nutritional reports. In terms of area selection, the general aim was to cover as large a proportion of the population as possible, to ensure that the diversity of livelihoods was represented, and to proportionally cover populations under different administrations. 4

Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal (PRRA) techniques were used for information gathering. This included the use of semi-structured interviews, ranking, scenario analysis, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.5 Main sources of information in the field were households, village elders, women, focus groups, local NGOs and authorities. ERREC and the UN agencies in Eritrea were also consulted.

Six teams led by WFP and/or Government representatives were identified for the full assessment process. Teams first filed a rapid report from the field giving the most salient information in an easy-to-read format. On their return, teams completed more comprehensive reports. Only the most salient points of the full assessment reports are captured in this overall report.

The major objectives of the food assessment were:

· To identify those areas and populations most likely to face hunger in the coming year and the extent and intensity of food shortage in the coming year; and · To identify the populations whose longer-term productive capacity will be harmed by the emergency measures that they are temporarily forced to employ in search for food and income.

More specific objectives within the food economy analysis were:

· To assess the role of relief food interventions in 2000; · To assess the level of recovery needs (physiological, nutritional, economic and social) in those areas worst affected in 2000; · To assess the level of resilience in those areas worst affected by insecurity and climatic events this year; · To assess how social and market networks will affect food security in 2001; and · To assess the degree to which food security and nutritional status are linked.

2. The Non-Food Sector Assessment

For the non-food sectors, two pre-designed questionnaires were used: one for officials such as sub-regional administrators, camp leaders, and health officials; a second for randomly selected household families. The purpose of the latter questionnaire was to crosscheck information gathered from the officials, at the national and regional level, and to ascertain the families’ own set of priorities, as articulated by themselves.

4 58% of the sub-regions, or sub-zobas, in Eritrea were visited. 5 Regarding baseline data, the figure of five (5) persons per household was used throughout the assessment (including for the non-food sections). 2100kcal was used as the average required daily caloric intake.

In terms of execution, inter-agency field assessment teams, consisting of representatives of the Government, UN agencies, and the NGO community6, were dispatched to each of the country’s six regions, or zoba, to gather survey material and to undertake on-site observations of the most drought- and war-affected areas. Prior to their departure for the field, team members attended a workshop on the agreed assessment methodology organized by the ATT. Team members also received a CD-ROM, prepared by the Information Coordination Center (ICC) in Asmara, containing reference material and guidelines on the use of the two questionnaires.

Regarding coverage, it should be noted that the teams were not able to visit all affected areas. Instead, a number of sample locations were selected in each zoba along with particularly vulnerable areas. Information gathered in these locations was then extrapolated to cover the entire zoba and country.7

After completing the field assessments, each field assessment team produced a regional report highlighting the needs of target populations, and recommendations for future actions, within the zoba visited. This country report was then compiled by members of the ATT, facilitated by OCHA, based on the zoba reports.

C. Constraints and Recommendations

The following is a brief recount of the main constraints and limitations encountered prior to and during the annual needs assessment exercise.

The limited time available for the assessment exercise was most clearly reflected in the development of the questionnaires to be used for the non-food assessment. Although the development of a high-quality questionnaire typically involves numerous rounds of testing and re-drafting, time constraints in this case meant that field-testing was limited. Consequently, field assessors were called upon to make minor adjustments to the questionnaire if and when problems became apparent.

Field teams were also faced with limited transport and logistics resources. The lack of vehicles (and the absence of air transport), coupled with time constraints, meant that the assessment teams were not able to cover the entire country. Instead, as mentioned above, the teams prioritized areas identified as particularly vulnerable (such as IDP camps and known host communities). Results from representative samples were then extrapolated to cover the whole country.

A further limitation was the fact that teams did not have access to territories under occupation (such as the Senafe area), mined areas, and to the, as-yet undefined, Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). Although it was known that large population groups, mainly war-affected, remained in these areas it was not possible to directly assess their needs within the scope of this exercise.

As certain vulnerable groups, such as IDPs living outside of camps and the urban vulnerable (see description of these and other target populations below), had not been registered prior to the assessment, identification of certain groups was difficult.

6 A total of 46 participants from 10 organizations participated in this year’s ANA. 7 The fact that especially vulnerable areas would not give representative findings when extrapolated was taken into account. Data provided by local Government representatives for each administrative region was used to balance the findings.

This task was further complicated by the fact that many vulnerable groups were affected by several overlapping factors such as war, drought, and poverty.

Finally, the annual needs assessment exercise was hampered by the absence of an information management system incorporating all data collected by the larger humanitarian community during the course of the year.8 A coordinated data collection system, possibly incorporating Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, would have greatly facilitated the data analysis work.

D. Structure of the Assessment Report

Following this brief introduction to the annual needs assessment exercise, the main developments during the past year, and the most important lessons learned, will be summarized (Section III).

The subsequent section (Section IV) will outline the current humanitarian context and a number of key issues relevant to humanitarian assistance in the present context, including details on target population groups.

Section V includes the main findings and recommendations of the report summarized by sector. Finally, summaries of the six regional reports (or zoba reports), prepared by the various inter-agency field assessment teams, are presented (Section VI).

8 It should, however, be noted that the Information Coordination Center (ICC) in Asmara has been collecting and disseminating a broad range of information relevant to the humanitarian community. As mentioned, the ICC provided the various assessment teams with a reference CD-ROM containing background information on the humanitarian situation in Eritrea.

III. The Year in Review

A. Humanitarian Developments during 2000

In 2000, Eritrea experienced the effects of two separate developments that both contributed to a substantial deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

Firstly, a third round of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which took place during May and June 2000, led to the large-scale displacement of civilian populations away from the disputed border areas to locations both within and outside Eritrea. Most fled from the war-affected border regions of Debub and Gash Barka, to the less-affected central and northern zones. Approximately 92,000 took refuge in Sudan, Yemen and Djibouti. Of the estimated 1 million Eritreans displaced by the fighting, 90% were women, children, and the elderly. As much of the fighting took place in the highly fertile Gash Barka and Debub regions, where 70% of the national agricultural output is produced, displacement from these areas led to major disruptions to food production, resulting in shortages in the entire country.

Secondly, the protracted drought that affected much of the Horn of Africa impacted an estimated 335,000 people in Eritrea. Two (currently three) consecutive years of inadequate rainfall forced many agro-pastoralists, particularly in the Anseba, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea zones, to increasingly rely on traditional coping mechanisms, such as wage labor and remittances, for survival. Also, with rising cereal prices, households were gradually forced to sell livestock, often seen as a last coping mechanism, in order to purchase necessary quantities of grain. With the shortage of food, safe drinking water, and inadequate health services, the worst affected became highly vulnerable to malnutrition and related diseases. As with the war-affected displaced, the most susceptible population segment consisted of young children and women, especially nursing mothers.

Clearly the war-related emergency in Eritrea was further exacerbated by the region- wide drought. During the course of the year, it became increasingly difficult to differentiate between the effects of the two emergencies and the groups affected by each. Many households suffered the impact of both war, drought, and poverty; distinguishing between the groups became all the more difficult and, in some cases, irrelevant (see more on this overlap below).

B. Changes to Humanitarian Operations

As described above, dramatic changes have taken place in Eritrea during the course of the year. In January 2000, the UN agencies launched a Country Team Appeal to cover the needs of 583,000 war- and drought-affected persons, or about 20% of the Eritrean population. This included approximately 371,000 war-affected (including IDPs, deportees, and host communities) and 211,000 drought-affected persons. The Government’s independent appeal, also launched in January, targeted 850,000 drought- and war-affected persons.

Following the resumption of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia in May 2000, the number of war-affected quickly rose to more than a million. Meanwhile, drought conditions worsened, mainly in Anseba and the Northern Red Sea regions. By mid- 2000, it was estimated that 1.6 million Eritreans were affected by war, drought, or a combination of both factors.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Country Team issued an Emergency Appeal for the Drought in the Horn of Africa in June 2000 and launched a Revised UN Country Team Appeal for Eritrea in July 2000. The Government meanwhile issued a second appeal in June targeting 1,662,000 persons.9 At the same time, humanitarian operations were stepped up to address the priority needs of the 1.1 million war-affected and 335,000 drought-affected persons in the country. This primarily involved providing emergency supplies (in the form of food, shelter and household items, clean water, and essential drugs) to vulnerable groups and ensuring minimum living conditions in camps and temporary settlements.

The signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 18 June 2000 resulted in a more secure environment and the gradual return of over 400,000 IDPs and refugees (25,000 refugees have returned in an organized manner; many others spontaneously) during the fall. Accordingly, the humanitarian community began implementing return and reintegration initiatives in support of these groups. Emergency assistance (in particular food distributions) was provided to these returned groups, where necessary, in their home communities.

C. Lessons Learned

The following is a brief outline of lessons learned in terms of the provision of humanitarian assistance in response to both war and drought in 2000.

· It is generally recognized that the planning scenarios envisaged by many humanitarian actors, including the Government and international organizations, prior to the resumption of hostilities in May 2000 were too optimistic. This resulted in insufficient preparedness and planning work being done ahead of time.

It has therefore been recommended that more comprehensive early warning, prevention, and preparedness mechanisms be established in Eritrea.10 The UN Country Team and the Government should also produce and maintain a contingency plan.

· Relatively strong community coping mechanisms helped limit the effect of both drought and war until the humanitarian community could begin providing substantial assistance. However, coping mechanisms were, as always, of a limited nature and should have been complemented with external assistance more rapidly. Limited funding available from donors, especially in the non-food sectors, resulting in delayed and insufficient initial response.

Greater flexibility in funding, to facilitate the redirection of earmarked contributions to reflect changing priorities, would also have helped.

· It has been a great challenge to keep track of population movements due to the constantly changing situation.

9 Including war-affected (IDPs and deportees), impacted host communities, urban poor and drought-affected. 10 It should be noted that in the area of food security, the National Food Information System (NFIS), which includes representatives of various Government ministries and departments, supported by FAO and FEWS/USAID, is currently responsible for collating, sharing and analyzing relevant early warning information.

Nevertheless, the Government of Eritrea and its humanitarian partners should continue to strive, where possible, to maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of population movements, locations, and numbers of affected groups. This will facilitate the timely adjustment of programme interventions.

· In the aftermath of the latest fighting, the humanitarian community focused excessively on easily identifiable groups, such as IDPs in camps. Other, less visible, affected groups (such as those IDPs residing in host communities) received less attention.

Efforts should be made to ensure that all assessed groups in need receive the assistance they require.

· There should have been a more prompt response to input needs in the agricultural sector, in recognition of the time constraints imposed by the annual planting seasons. The Government and humanitarian community should also have budgeted for improvements to be made to infrastructure in order to support humanitarian distributions, especially in the transportation sector.

· A clear mechanism and designated entity for the coordination of assistance in the domain of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery is key to facilitating a more rapid shift towards these areas and the involvement of a larger number of actors.

IV. Current Situation

A. Description of Current Humanitarian Context

On 12 December 2000 the Algiers Peace Agreement was signed, ending the two- and-a-half-year border war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. This positive development together with the deployment of the 4,200 strong United Nations peace-keeping force and 200 United Nations Military Observers, expected to be completed by the end of January, has drastically improved the prospects for return movements by both IDPs and refugees displaced from the border areas. The formal end to the war has also meant that the socio-economic situation in Eritrea can slowly start to improve as demobilization begins and the thousands currently serving in the military return to the civilian workforce. Nonetheless, it is clear that the normalization of life within Eritrea will require a considerable amount of time, to be reckoned in years not months.

The more than 208,000 IDPs remaining in camps will continue to require a broad range of humanitarian assistance including both food and non-food aid in 2001. IDPs and refugees returning to areas in and around the Temporary Security Zone (to be defined), many of which have been severely impacted by the fighting, will need help to rebuild their lives and to reestablish themselves in their home communities.

Furthermore, the fact that the drought persists in many areas of the country means that thousands of households that are reliant on farming and/or livestock will not be able to regain their economic footing, until more favorable conditions come to pass. In the meantime a great many drought-affected families, possibly as many as 145,000, will continue to rely on assistance from the Government and the humanitarian community for most of 2001.

In light of these and other expected needs in the year to come, the humanitarian community is planning to continue providing basic humanitarian relief assistance (especially food aid) to 1.76 million persons that will face a significant food deficit in Eritrea in 2001 (see Population Figures section below for details). Simultaneously, the Government and UN agencies will support initiatives aimed at facilitating the return and reintegration of displaced populations. Support will also be given to recovery programs, and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged homes and infrastructure.

B. Key Themes and Concerns for Humanitarian Assistance

Out of the current emergency situation several key themes and concerns have emerged that are affecting and will affect the humanitarian relief activity in Eritrea. These are:

· Women-Headed Households: It is estimated that women head 70% of the war- affected families as most able-bodied men, and many young women, between the ages of 18-40, are involved in the national defense. This reality cuts across all population groups, including those not considered target population groups. Women are called upon to undertake all activities relating to managing the household including agricultural activities, the provision of water, firewood, and food, looking after children, as well as fulfilling social obligations relating to deaths in the family, religious events, visiting the sick, and giving emotional and social support to family members. The elderly are also under the care of women.

These tasks are often performed under extreme social and economic hardship and the psychosocial difficulties encountered by women in this role can be profound.

· Needs of Children: War affects children in dramatic ways. The trauma of fleeing during shelling and bombings, of seeing relatives killed or injured or being injured themselves, of being separated from parents and siblings, and of going without food for days creates a psychological condition that may take years for many children to overcome. War also creates many orphans who have to be cared for and protected by relatives or other caretakers. Currently it is estimated that there are over 90,000 orphans in Eritrea.11 Displacement has added to the problems of children. Based on a study by UNICEF, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare and Save the Children (UK) over 5,000 children have been separated from their families as they fled the recent conflict and now are living in IDP camps or with relatives elsewhere.

· Continuing and Improving Relief Assistance for Drought- and War-Affected: A complex humanitarian situation has existed for two and half years, and forecasts indicate that it could continue for more than a year in several areas for some population groups and in certain sectors. For example, if IDPs and refugees cannot return to their home areas by April, they will not be able to plant and will continue their dependency on food aid and other relief assistance. Basic assistance in the food and non-food sectors for the IDPs in camps will need to continue until they are able to safely return to their home areas. The IDPs who can return to their villages will also need relief and rehabilitation assistance (including agricultural inputs and shelter materials). Moreover, the severely drought-affected people (particularly in the regions of Anseba, Northern Red Sea and Southern Red Sea) and the war-affected (especially in Gash Barka and Debub) will require various forms of emergency food and non-food assistance in 2001.

· Recovery, Reconstruction and Movement toward Self-Reliance: Of over one million people displaced during the third round of fighting, over 400,000 IDPs and refugees have returned or are preparing to return to their homes and villages (25,000 refugees have returned in an organized manner; many others spontaneously). They face the challenge of reconstructing their homes and village infrastructure and restarting their lives, businesses and agricultural activities. The key to sustainable recovery is agriculture - increased local production of food contributes to food security. However, the agricultural sector is in critical need of inputs such as wells, micro-dams, tractors and fuel, draught animals and tools. The war-affected areas desperately need programs to replace or replenish seeds, tools, goats, sheep, and poultry. In addition, more could be done to help IDPs in camps become more self-reliant by starting income generating programs to building fuel efficient cooking stoves, making sleeping mats, raising poultry, etc.

· Integration of the Deportees/Expellees and Long-term Refugees: The deportees cannot return to Ethiopia and will have to be given land and/or means to earn a living. Several thousand rural deportee families have been allocated land and are in the process of developing their farms. Apart from a fortunate few, the urban deportees have problems of securing housing, employment and credit,

11 Developments during 2000 have let to a situation where Eritrea once again has approximately 90,000 orphans despite initiatives aimed as reducing this number during the past year.

but there is a lack of programs specifically designed to address the integration problems of the urban deportees. Several thousand long-term refugees from the Sudan are expected to return to Eritrea in 2001. They will need basic services (water, housing, health and education) and relief assistance until they get established and opportunities to become self-sufficient in agriculture or business.

· Mine/UXO Action and Awareness: Over the last two and a half years thousands of landmines have been planted in populated areas. Efforts are underway to clear the mines, but this will take years. The returnees and those who remained have to be informed about the danger and locations of landmines before they can safely re-start their normal activities. In addition, when the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) is established and becomes accessible to civilians, a concentrated effort will be needed to mark mined areas, clear landmines/UXOs, and inform the people.

· STDs and HIV/AIDS: While Eritrea has a relatively low rate of HIV/AIDS cases as compared to sub-Saharan Africa12, the threat of an epidemic is a major concern. Displacement, conflict and economic hardship increase the chances that the uncontrolled spread of HIV/AIDS would seriously compound the economic and social effects of war and drought. The key issues are (1) expanding the ongoing campaigns of STD and HIV awareness along with the distribution of condoms, (2) expanding testing facilities, and (3) improving the treatment of STD and AIDS sufferers.

· Protection and Special Care for Women, Children, and other Vulnerable Groups: It is expected that when the emergency phase draws to a close and most of the immediate, basic material humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations have been addressed, it will become apparent that a full range of other, complex needs and challenges remain including the psycho-social needs of vulnerable groups. Thus, in 2001 efforts will be stepped up to further address the specific protection and psycho-social needs of groups such as widows, female-headed households, orphans, unaccompanied minors, populations that remained in occupied territories, and demobilized soldiers.

C. Information on Target Population Groups

In order to target relief assistance more effectively, it was determined that the Annual Needs Assessment should focus on, and highlight the needs of, the most vulnerable and severely affected population groups. Thus, four main groups were identified by the Assessment Technical Team as especially important for the purpose of this assessment and subsequent programming (see “Target Population Profiles” below):

· IDPs in camps; · Rural war-affected;13 · Drought-affected; and · Urban vulnerable populations.

Regarding the identification of these groups, it should be noted that clear lines separating them were often difficult to distinguish. As is generally the case within the

12 The National AIDS Control Programme estimates that approximately 65,000 Eritreans have been infected with HIV. A 1997 study found that 2% of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Eritrea were HIV positive. 13 This group includes: IDPs living outside of camps, host communities, returnee IDPs/refugees, Eritreans under occupation, and rural deportees not in camps.

context of a complex emergency, natural disaster, or combination of the two, individuals are not easily categorized by just one of the many hardships they endure. Instead, a majority are affected by multiple factors relating to the general socio- economic situation and the temporary, or sometimes protracted, crises they are attempting to overcome.

In the case of Eritrea, large groups were adversely affected by two emergencies in 2000: the border war with Ethiopia and ongoing drought that affected much of the Horn of Africa. The difficulties arising from both emergencies were compounded by the already demanding situation facing many as a result of poverty and economic hardship.

An example of this overlap can be found in drought-affected areas such as Anseba, where families struggled to compensate for their failed harvests through traditional coping mechanisms. In years of failed crops, the male population from Anseba historically traveled to neighboring Gash Barka, where rain is more plentiful, to earn wages working on farms. However, as the war severely affected Gash Barka, many farms were left idle and no outside wage-labor was needed in 2000. To make matters worse, many young men (and women) from around the country, including Anseba, were mobilized for national service, making it very hard for them to help their families through the difficult period. Countless households in Anseba (and in other primarily drought-affected areas), often headed by women, were thus left to cope with the direct effects of the drought, the indirect effects of the war, and the resulting economic difficulties.

In a similar fashion, families in the coastal areas of the Northern and Southern Red Sea regions were confronted with the multiple effects of war and drought. Numerous fishermen and their families were forced to cope with the loss of the traditional markets for their catch as the purchasing power of their drought-affected customers declined. The war also deprived many households of men, leaving the women and girls to manage without a stable source of income. In addition, the displacement of war-affected populations meant that many communities already struggling for survival were called upon to host large groups of IDPs (who in turn may be coping with various war- and drought-related factors in addition to their displacement), placing a further strain on their economy.

Despite the difficulties described above relating to classification, and although countless examples can be found of the overlap between war- and drought-affected groups, it was deemed necessary to highlight the needs of the four key groups for planning and programming purposes. Accordingly, vulnerable groups were classified by their principal feature, i.e. the characteristic that most clearly described their current situation. The features of the four main target population groups are described below.

1. Target Population Profiles

· Drought-Affected: This group of over 738,000 people is scattered in various sub-regions in all six zobas and is affected by three years of poor and erratic rains during both the winter rains (November-February) and the summer rains (July-September). The most severely affected areas are located in the Anseba, Northern Red Sea, Southern Red Sea, and Maakel zones.

In Anseba, the livelihoods of approximately 86% of the people are based on traditional subsistence agro-pastoral activities. The typical family is semi- nomadic and relies on a few domestic animals, such as goats, sheep, or cows,

for its livelihood. In a normal year, some supplement their food supply by planting sorghum or millet during the short growing season. However, in 2000 less than half, about 100mm, of the average annual rain fell in many parts of the zoba, prolonging several years of drought.

In the Northern Red Sea region, about 80% of the land receives less than 200 mm of rain on average during the winter rains. Because much of the region is at low altitude (less than 250m) and has a hot climate, high evaporation rates cause a chronic shortage of water. The population of roughly 459,056 derives its livelihood primarily from semi-nomadic pastoral animal herding, rain-fed agriculture in the higher elevations, and spate irrigation in the lowlands. In 2000 the winter rains started early and if they continue, the drought may be broken, or its intensity reduced (nevertheless, it should be noted that the effects of the drought will be felt for years to come). However, for the northwest part of the zoba, which relies upon the summer rains, the drought conditions are expected to continue.

The Southern Red Sea region can be characterized as a hot, arid coastal region. Much of the area is chronically affected by drought. It has a population of 203,618 people of whom over one fifth live in the port city of Assab. About 95% of the rural people are semi-nomadic pastoralists while 5% are small-scale traders, laborers, or fishermen - all are affected by the drought conditions. The main industries, an oil refinery, salt plant, and port facilities have not been in operation since mid-1998.

· IDPs in Camps: There are currently 24 organized camps in the three zobas of Debub, Gash-Barka and Northern Red Sea. The 208,163 camp residents are living in tents or under plastic sheeting and are almost completely dependent on ERREC and the humanitarian community for emergency relief. Some 80% have lived in camps for more than two years and many of the non-food items they received or brought with them have been worn out or broken. Many fled from areas close to the border, in the future Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). Their quick return to their homes is contingent upon the smooth establishment of the TSZ and marking/de-mining efforts in their home areas. Their living conditions are basic, and many are concerned about not being able to contribute to their own livelihood, as there are very few economic opportunities in the IDP camps (which are often situated on marginal and infertile land).

· Urban Vulnerable Population: This group is made up of approximately 154,000 very poor, disabled, and elderly (often in women-headed households) who have lost their means of livelihood or family wage earner due to the war. As such, they are indirectly war-affected. Since they have very few resources and little or no money for rent and other necessities, they have become dependent on the Government and the humanitarian agencies for food and basic social services.

· The Rural War-Affected: There are several sub-groups within this larger group, but because they are intermingled, share the same resources, and often have the same needs, they cannot be easily separated. They account for roughly 40% of the total beneficiary population. The sub-groups are:

o IDPs Living outside Camps: This sub-group lives in rural host communities, in towns or in areas close to their own homes or villages (many displaced have chosen to remain as close as possible to their

homes in order to continue their agricultural activities). They either rent rooms or a home with relatives or friends scattered across Eritrea. Generally, it is very difficult to identify member of this group as they are inevitably linked to their host communities and share the same resources, services and economic hardships. Their return to their home areas is dependent on the establishment of the TSZ, progress made in peace process, and the marking/clearance of landmines and UXOs in the TSZ. o Host Community Populations: The ANA assessed a representative sample of the most severely impacted rural communities near the home areas of most IDPs. Host community members are currently sharing their existing meager resources and services with the displaced and consequently have many of the same needs as the IDPs.

Some IDPs chose to relocate to urban centers in order to continue their business activities or to take advantage of medical and educational services available there. The urban host communities are likewise strained. o Deportees or Expellees: This sub-group were forcibly expelled from Ethiopia. Their number has grown to over 75,000, of whom 30,000 were rural farmers and 45,000 were from urban areas. Most lost their property, investments and savings when they were expelled. As they returned to Eritrea, they were given some household goods, a small amount of cash and food allotments. Since they are not able or willing to return to Ethiopia, all will eventually have to be integrated into Eritrean society. This will involve providing them with land or alternative means of earning a living. For contingency planning purposes, provisions should be made to handle some 45,000 additional deportees in 2001. o Returned War-Affected IDPs and Refugees: The members of this sub- group fled or were originally evacuated from their homes and villages in the border areas of Debub and Gash Barka; many have now returned. Returnees face varying needs as their home communities were affected differently by the war and Ethiopian occupation. Some returnees in areas such as Om Hajer and Enda Gherghis face destroyed or damaged homes, village infrastructure, and businesses. Others returned to find looted homes while their houses were left intact. The fortunate ones, as those returning to Adi Quala and Adi Keih, found their homes untouched, as the Ethiopian advance did not reach the towns.

Included in this sub-group are also some 92,000 who fled to the Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti; they are referred to as new caseload refugees or as returnee refugees (25,000 refugees have retuned in an organized manner; many spontaneously). Most have returned while more are expected to return in 2001. They are distinguished from the long-term (old caseload) refugees in the Sudan, some of whom are planning to return to Eritrea in 2001 with the assistance of UNHCR.

Finally, persons that remained in their homes in Debub and Gash-Barka when the Ethiopian army occupied their villages are counted among the rural war-affected population.

2. Population Figures

The total population of Eritrea is estimated at 3,088,454.14 The following table shows a breakdown of this total figure by each region, or zoba.

Eritrea - Total Population15

Zoba Population Estimated number of Households16 Anseba 457,078 91,416 Debub 755,379 151,076 Gash Barka 564,574 112,915 Maakel 538,749 107,750 Northern Red Sea 459,056 91,811 Southern Red Sea 203,618 40,724 Sub-Total 2,978,454 595,692 Returnees from Sudan* 62,00-65,000 12,400-13,000 Deportees/Expellees* 45,000 9,000 Grand Total 3,088,454 617,692 *Provisional planning figures. Regarding returnees from Sudan, the planning figure used by WFP and UNHCR is 62,000. The Government uses 65,000.

As assessed by the 2001 Annual Needs Assessment, the total number of the most vulnerable rural inhabitants in need of various forms of food assistance in 2001 will be 1,761,854.17 Out of this group, certain sub-sets will also require different types of non-food assistance, ranging from shelter and clean water to education and health care, depending on their particular situation (IDPs in camps will, for instance, require a broad range of items and services, while those affected by the drought, but who have not been displaced, will require less non-food items and more basic food aid). In addition to these rural groups in need of non-food aid, the non-food assessment teams found that approximately 154,000 urban residents, classified as vulnerable, will require varying types and levels of non-food assistance in 2001.

It should be stressed that as not all in need of food assistance will require non-food aid, the total number of non-food beneficiaries will be lower than the 1.76 million requiring food aid. However, as mentioned, it is expected that there will be considerable overlap between the food and non-food beneficiaries in 2001. In terms of a regional breakdown, the following table shows the total number of persons in need of food assistance in each of the six zobas.

14 Ministry of Local Government, Nov. 2000. 15 Source: Ministry of Local Government. 16 The figure of five (5) persons per household was used throughout the assessment. 17 The food assessment methodology covered only the most vulnerable rural populations. The Government, based on its independent September/October 2000 assessment, quotes a higher figure of 2,348,454 in need of food aid. This higher figure includes urban populations, and some less vulnerable groups, experiencing food deficit. These groups were not accounted for by the HHFE methodology.

Eritrea – Persons in Need of Food Assistance

Zoba Persons in Need of Food Assistance Anseba 269,835 Debub 492,070 Gash Barka 424,334 Maakel 78,640 Northern Red Sea 255,842 Southern Red Sea 134,133 Returnees from Sudan* 62,000 Expellees from Ethiopia* 45,000 Total 1,761,854 *Provisional planning figures. Regarding returnees from Sudan, the planning figure used by WFP and UNHCR is 62,000. The Government uses 65,000.

Regarding those in need of non-food aid, it is clear that there is considerable overlap between those requiring different types of assistance. Thus, attempting to isolate the various groups (for instance, those who will require and will benefit from improved health services, or newly constructed schools, in communities that include both target and non-target populations) at the aggregate level will easily result in a misleading figure. This summation will therefore not be done here. The details regarding non- food needs are detailed in each of the regional reports in the “Zoba Reports” section below.

The needs of the four target population groups that form the basis of the assessment and that will be used to target subsequent humanitarian programming, are also described for each zoba below. However, for ease of reference, the following table details the number of persons in need of assistance (food and/or non-food) in each target population group.

Eritrea- Target Population Figures

Target Population Target Type of Description Population Number Assistance Drought-Affected 738,450* Food Aid: IDPs in Camps 208,163 1.76 Million (including Deportees in Camps) Rural War-Affected, including: 708,241 Non-Food Aid: · IDPs Outside Camps Smaller sub-sets · Host Community Population of the 1.76 Million · Returnee IDPs/Refugees in need of food. · Eritreans under occupation (43,00 to 50,000) · Rural Deportees not in camps Returnees from Sudan** 62,000 Deportees/Expellees** 45,000 Total 1,761,854 Urban Vulnerable Population 154,510*** Non-Food Aid *Figure includes drought-affected in the following regions: 269,835 in Anseba; 255,842 in Northern Red Sea; 134,133 in Southern Red Sea; and 78,640 in Maakel. **Provisional planning figures. Regarding returnees from Sudan, the planning figure used by WFP and UNHCR is 62,000. The Government uses 65,000. *** A higher Government figure (296,312) includes food and non-food beneficiaries.

V. Sectoral Summaries

A. Food Aid and Food Security

Crop production in 2000 was impeded and reduced by a number of factors related to both war and drought. These included: the loss of draught animals, a reduced workforce as young men and women were involved in national service, insufficient rains, pests, diseases, and uncontrolled weeds. In addition, the war disrupted town and rural markets, which in normal times provide a reliable source for consumption goods, asset building, and income-generation. Increased strain on socio-economic structures severely reduced the strength of traditional coping mechanisms such as gifts, loans, sharing of foodstuffs or credit in the form of cash.

The war and protracted drought conditions have also directly affected the livestock sector. Inaccessibility to a significant part of the preferential dry season grazing areas located along the border with Ethiopia, reduced the availability of alternative pastures. This development impacted negatively on food security due to a reduction in the production of livestock products, such as milk and butter. Further depletion of livestock assets was caused by selling of livestock including draught and breeding animals at lower than average market prices in order to cover grain shortfalls.

Whereas in the past people from drought-affected deficit areas could compensate for a lack of income and food by working as wage laborers in the grain producing, surplus areas, this option was, as mentioned previously, hardly available in 2000 due to limited agricultural activities in the surplus areas as a result of the conflict. IDPs who moved from the insecure areas into infertile parts of the country and drought- affected regions could not produce their own food and therefore placed an additional strain on the meager resources of their host communities.

The 2001 scenario for food production is primarily contingent on the timely implementation of the Peace Agreement and the gradual return of displaced farmers to their farms. For farmers displaced from highly productive farming areas, return to their farms should begin as soon as February 2001, in good time to make preparations for the cropping season in the summer. However, some farmers will not be able to return until homes are rebuilt and mines cleared. The same applies to those displaced from the 25 km wide strip bordering Ethiopia – the Temporary Security Zone. While it is difficult to predict with any accuracy, it cannot be expected that more than 50% of the war-displaced farmers will have returned to their farms in time to be fully productive in the 2001 cropping year. The challenge for the Ministry of Agriculture and the international community is thus to ensure that those farmers who do return to their farms are provided, in a timely manner, with the means to be fully productive in next cropping season.

The far-reaching effects of war and drought will become evident in 2001. This is mainly due to low carryover food stocks from the 2000 yields. The Household Food Economy methodology used in this assessment determined that a total of 1,761,854 people in rural Eritrea will face a food deficit of between 34–100% in 2001. To meet the deficit, the ANA recommends the provision of food aid amounting to 228,862 MT. The Government of Eritrea, following its independent September/October assessment, stated that the country requires 563,643 MT of cereal to feed approximately 3.1 million people in need in 2001. However, the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that the local food production has dropped from 320,000 MT in 1999 to 85,000 MT in 2000. An additional 50,000 MT expected through commercial imports

and 125,000 MT of carryover food aid stocks into 2001 will leave a national food gap of 303,643 MT of cereals. Out of this amount, WFP will attempt to resource 228,862 MT under the CA 2001 for Eritrea.

Eritrea - Food Requirements and Inputs 2001

Requirements Inputs Deficits Annual cereal consumption 563,643 MT requirement according to Government 2000-2001 domestic production - 85,067 MT Expected commercial import - 50,000 MT Gross deficit to be met by food aid 428,576 MT according to Government Less pledges carried forward - 125,000 MT Total net cereal deficit 303,576 MT Amount appealed for by WFP 228,862 MT

As the food sector methodology used in the 2000-2001 Annual Needs Assessment could not be applied to urban communities, the Government will separately identify the needs for the urban poor and the remainder of the un-assessed populations.

The damage to agricultural infrastructure such as veterinary clinics and insecurity in parts of the main agricultural areas is a concern to the food and food security sector. About 80% of Eritreans live in rural areas where agriculture forms the basis of lives and livelihoods. The food production outlook for 2001 will depend on the gradual return of IDPs to their productive farming areas, which remained inaccessible when this document was drafted. To facilitate the resumption of agricultural production, the deployment of the UN peacekeeping force, removal of land mines, distribution of farming tools and seeds will be vital. Moreover, normal rainfalls are a prerequisite to agricultural production.

Sectoral Objectives

· In the short term, meet the food needs of 1.76 million rural Eritreans who will face severe food deficits due to war and drought conditions and whose traditional coping mechanisms are inadequate to achieve food security in 2001; and to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2100 Kcal for the food deficit rural population; · To broaden and diversify the productive base of rural households to reduce food insecurity, vulnerability and dependency on free food distributions; · To improve the agricultural and pastoral livelihoods which can contribute to enhanced food security through the provision of seeds, tools, livestock restocking, veterinary services, domestic processing of livestock and crop products, and other agricultural inputs and services; · To support the return and resettlement of rural/agricultural displaced populations and revive agricultural production in 2001; · To support diversification of income sources from livestock and crops to other livelihood means through community based initiatives; and · To improve logistical and implementation capacities to promote food security.

B. Shelter and Household Items

As described above, the third round of hostilities in May 2000, resulted in the displacement of some 1.1 million people. During the course of 2000, the Government of Eritrea, UN agencies, and NGOs provided support to meet the emergency shelter needs of the war-affected and displaced populations through the provision of shelter and household items. By the end of 2000, the most urgent shelter needs of these populations were met and the desperate situation of May-August 2000, had been stabilised.

Much, however, remains to be done in 2001. While plastic sheets, tents, and kitchen utensils are in relatively good supply, an acute need of blankets, clothing, bed sheets, and kerosene remains. Of the total population that fled the war, over 208,000 are still living in makeshift camps. Some 70% of these are sheltered in tents; the rest are still relying on plastic sheeting. As the plastic sheets, which provided urgently needed protection in the height of the emergency, are not a viable solution in the longer term, they should be replaced with tents in the coming year. Additionally, an estimated 20% of the tents are not expected to last to the end of 2001, and therefore need to be replaced. Household items, especially those with shorter life spans will also need replacement.

Following the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in June 2000, many IDPs and refugees returned to their homes, some to find their houses damaged or destroyed and their possessions looted. While programs aimed at the reconstruction of houses are needed, many returning IDPs and refugees will also require temporary assistance in the form of shelter material and household items in 2001. Priority items include kitchen utensils, blankets, kerosene, and jerrycans.

Regarding the estimated 75,000 persons deported from Ethiopia, many are currently living in overcrowded, rented accommodation or with relatives. Due to a serious shortage of housing and high rents in most urban areas, it will also be necessary to continue providing assistance to this group.

Finally, an estimated 100,000 IDPs are still hosted within various communities in rural and urban areas. They typically share the host’s meagre resources, including their homes and household items. As a result, many host families have expressed that their household items have sustained considerable wear. Many host community families have also lent household items to their displaced guests with no means of replacing them. Clearly, these communities will continue to require considerable support in the coming year.

C. Health and Nutrition

As in other social sectors, progress made towards developing the heath sector in Eritrea during the years following the war of independence was severely offset by the destruction caused during the 1998-2000 war with Ethiopia.

Illnesses such as diarrhea and acute respiratory tract and eye infections are common, while malaria and various skin conditions continue to affect large portions of the population. These conditions are exacerbated by the prevailing high malnutrition rate among displaced children (10-11%) and among drought-affected children (16- 30%). These health and nutritional problems are compounded by limited access to both curative and preventive health services. While Eritrea has a relatively low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the threat of an epidemic remains a major concern.

During the past year, humanitarian assistance in this sector targeted war- and drought-affected populations by providing technical and material support for reproductive health, immunization, and supplementary feeding programs. The provision of essential drugs, and items such as mosquito nets, for displaced and drought-affected populations was also a high priority.

In the year to come, it will be of crucial importance to continue many of these programs, in particular, the immunization of women and children in IDP camps and selected high risk areas (75,000 infants and 200,000 children under five) and the supplementary feeding of vulnerable groups among the displaced and drought- affected (approximately 200,000 IDP and drought-affected children and women). It will also be important to restore basic health care services in Debub, Gash Barka, and drought-affected areas such as Anseba, and the Northern and Southern Red Sea regions by repairing damaged facilities and providing essential drugs and basic equipment.

By continuing the distribution of mosquito nets, and ensuring proper hygiene and environmental sanitation practices, especially in IDP camps, a contribution can be made to the control and prevention of common diseases such as malaria, and diarrhea. Finally, it will be essential to complement the Ministry of Health by supporting reproductive health care services and providing diagnostic and clinical services for HIV/AIDS patients.

D. Water and Sanitation

Water

Large parts of Eritrea are arid, with limited water resources. Rainfall is unpredictable and occurs sporadically. Hence there are few perennial rivers. Eritrea, like other countries in the Horn of Africa, is currently suffering from drought, which has caused a serious shortage of water (in particular drinking water for humans and livestock, and water for hygiene and sanitation purposes) as water tables fall and traditional water sources dry out. In most rural settlements, households obtain water from dug wells, most of which are unprotected. Other sources are located along dry riverbeds and are subject to surface pollution. In areas where the water table has fallen, borewells are the principal source of clean water. However, borewells are expensive to construct, operate, and maintain, making clean water a significant expenditure for poor households.

In addition to the drought, the devastating war with Ethiopia, that displaced more than a million people, has caused considerable pressure to be placed on already limited water resources in host communities. The water supply problem has been further aggravated by the lack of management, maintenance of structures, and trained personnel at many water installations. It is estimated that only 44% of the urban and 16 % of the rural population have access to safe water.

Priority areas for 2001 should include ensuring that access to safe water is improved in drought-affected regions and in areas of return for IDPs and refugees. Further, sustainable management systems should be established for water supply facilities constructed or rehabilitated in 2001. Finally, clean water should be extended to a minimum of 150,000 people living in IDP camps.

Sanitation

Regarding sanitation, the lack of access to, or limited use of, latrines and the indiscriminate defecation in open areas by most population groups remains a major problem. It is estimated that only 52% of the urban population have access to sanitation facilities; the corresponding figure in rural areas is 1%.

In 2001, agencies should prioritize improving access to sanitation facilities in all IDP camps. It is also of central importance to increase awareness of proper hygiene and sanitation procedures, and to train at least 200 health/social awareness workers to serve IDP camps.

E. Education and Child Protection

Education

During the past year, war and drought have had a profoundly negative effect on the educational system in Eritrea. Rapid development made in the educational sector since independence was negated in war-affected parts of the country as a large number of school facilitates were either destroyed or vandalised. The displacement of populations and the economic effects of the drought left many households destitute, forcing children to stay at home in order to support their families. Many who have attempted to stay in school have record poor attendance and low achievement due to distractions at home.

Further, the displacement of populations has led to the pupil/teacher ratio increasing dramatically in host communities. The situation is aggravated by a general shortage of trained teachers (especially among the Afar, Tigre and Saho speaking communities) and basic learning materials. Other factors, such as the distance to schools, the shortage of boarding facilitates, and the lack of feeding programs have also affected enrolment, particularly that of girls.

In terms of priority needs, it is clear that providing technical and material support to emergency education for the war- and drought affected populations will remain essential during 2001. It will be especially important to increase access to education by constructing makeshift schools and repairing damaged ones, and to continue providing support for school-feeding programs. It will also be necessary to provide material support in the form of learning materials and furniture to schools currently lacking these basic necessities. Training of new teachers will help to bring down the high student/teacher ratio; upgrading the skills of those currently serving will improve the quality of teaching.

Protection

The most clearly affected victims of the recent war in Eritrea are the women and children, especially adolescent girls. Since the start of the conflict, women and children have constituted a large number (on average 26% and 67%, respectively) of the total number of war-affected. In some areas, they make up almost 90% among both war and drought-affected populations. During times of emergency, the obligations and responsibilities that women and girls assume in their homes and communities increase dramatically. Meanwhile, traditional coping mechanisms and safety nets have been stretched to the limit, making it difficult for a majority of the women and girl-headed households to adequately provide for the protection and care of their families without external assistance.

Priorities in this field should include providing the most vulnerable women- and girl- headed households with income generating assets, offering counselling services to women and children who have experienced physical and psychological violence and trauma as a result of the war (particularly in the occupied areas), and sensitising communities on the plight of children and women affected by the war. Efforts should also be made to prevent children from leaving school, and to create social activities within their communities.

Finally, it will be necessary to conduct a rapid assessment of disabled children to determine their needs. In light of the recent development towards peace, humanitarian agencies should also continue to facilitate the reunification process of separated families from the occupied areas as soon as the situation permits.

F. Mine Action

Eritrea’s mine problem is substantial. According to Government estimates, between 500,000 and 1,000,000 mines were laid in Eritrea during the war for independence and the subsequent border conflict with Ethiopia. The already serious mine-related problems are exacerbated by the presence of a further 3 million UXOs resulting from the wars of the past decades.

Efforts made by the Government to clear mines following independence in 1993 were aggravated by the use of thousands of new mines during the 1998-2000 war with Ethiopia. During the latter period, the displacement of populations within Eritrea exposed large groups to the immediate threat of mines, especially as they attempted to return to their homes following the signing Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in June 2000. Although information on areas that remain under Ethiopian occupation is generally scarce, and little is known about the condition of groups that remained in these areas, it is safe to say that many have indeed been exposed to the highly mined areas adjacent to the border.

Current priorities, following the sighing of the Algiers Peace Agreement in December 2000, should revolve around implementing programs aimed at protecting civilian populations, in particular vulnerable groups such as women and children, from the threat of mines and UXOs. This should include sensitizing IDPs and refugees (including school children), in particular those planning to return to mine/UXO- affected areas, to the dangers associated with mines and UXOs through targeted mine awareness campaigns. Alongside these initiatives, and in addition to planed demining activities to be undertaken in the Temporary Security Zone, it will be important to develop a national mine action capacity.

As the basis for accurate mine action programs is reliable information, the systematic gathering and analysis of mine-related information will be important when identifying populations at risk and developing appropriate mine/UXO awareness and clearance strategies.

G. Social and Economic Activities

As a result of both the war and recurring drought, a large portion of the Eritrean population has lost its primary source of income, be it agriculture or business. War- affected and displaced families, many of them from rural areas, have not been able to cultivate their lands and have therefore been left dependent on relief assistance. Meanwhile, the war has ravaged the Eritrean economy, leading to stagnation in many business sectors, severely affecting urban and rural populations alike. The past year

has also seen pastoralists forced to sell or eat their dying livestock, as they were no longer able to find adequate water and pastures for their herds. As the sale of livestock is often seen as the last coping mechanism employed when all other resources have been depleted, these developments are indeed worrying.

Overall, there is a need to design and implement programs aimed at mitigating the effects of drought and war by providing alternative means of income for vulnerable groups. This includes, for instance, providing materials and skills training to allow farmers and pastoralists in coastal areas to supplement their income by fishing. Developing and teaching more effective ways of utilizing limited water resources may also help mitigate the effects of the drought on farmers. By providing limited inputs such as seeds, animal feed, tools and fertilizer, farmers in drought-affected areas can be helped through the difficult period.

Further, it would be beneficial to develop income-generating activities for IDPs (in and outside camps) and host communities to allow them to purchase basic necessities and to achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency. Initiatives that support small business, micro-credit schemes, and cash/food-for-work programs would serve this purpose.

Displaced persons that return to their homes will also require help in order to regain their economic footing. Income and employment generating activities will be key to their reintegration, rehabilitation and socio-economic progress. This should also involve providing skills-training, particularly targeting women-headed households.

VI. Zoba Reports

Below are summaries of the six regional, or zoba, reports prepared by the food and non-food assessment teams following their missions to the various parts of the country. Each report contains a short general description of the zoba (including main features and demographics), a synopsis of the assessed requirements in the food sector, and a summary of the non-food needs by target population group.

A. Zoba Anseba

General Description

Anseba is a semi-arid region in the north-central part of Eritrea. The average annual rainfall is less that 200 mm. Most of this rain falls within the three-month period July to September. In 2000, only 100 mm of rain fell in many parts of the zoba, thus prolonging drought conditions.

The zoba has an estimated population of 457,07818, divided over 11 sub-zobas and 425 villages. The livelihood of approximately 86% of the population is based on traditional subsistence agro-pastoral activities. The typical family is semi-nomadic and relies on a few cows and a small herd of sheep or goats. In a normal year, many supplement their food supply by planting and harvesting sorghum or millet during the short growing season. Of the 150,000 arable hectares, only 40,000 are currently being utilized (this includes about 2,000 hectares planted with fruit and vegetables). The average farm size ranges from 0.5 to 2 hectares. A small part of the population is engaged in businesses such as trading, tailoring, etc.

The usual coping mechanisms for drought years have been disrupted by the war. When crops fail, and the pastures dry up, people tend to travel to other, less affected regions such as Gash Barka to work on farms or sell their animals in order to buy grain. However, the war has diminished the possibilities for farm work and disrupted the market economy in most of the country. In addition, most able-bodied men and many women are involved in national service, thus preventing them from effectively supporting their families.

It is recognized that long-term development measures need to be taken in order to improve the livelihood of the entire population on a structural basis. In addition, in the short- to medium-term there is a need to address the effects of the drought and war on vulnerable populations, including the thousands of internally displaced who are seeking refuge in various parts of the zoba.

1. Food Aid and Food Security

Agriculture and pastoralism are the dominant economic activities in Anseba, with most households practising both. Sorghum, wheat and maize are the main staple food sources. Livestock rearing is significant, however this is at a reduced scale following destocking through death, as a result of the drought, distress sale, slaughter due to the scarcity of other food sources, and the decline in veterinary services.

18 Source: Ministry of Local Government.

The 1999 crop yields were significantly reduced by the drought with no carryovers left for 2000. The groups most affected were the poorest sections of the rural population whose traditional coping and support strategies were over-stretched. Additionally, the recent war led to the drain of active labour from productive activities. Those left behind included the disabled, children, single female family heads or the elderly. Traditionally, women are not allowed to plough the land or plant. Therefore these groups relied mostly on hired labour or assistance from relatives, leading to delayed sowing. The situation was exacerbated by drought that caused extensive death of draught animals such as oxen.

Crops planted were affected by uncontrolled weed and pest infestations in July, August and September during the crop flowering stage, preventing pollination and resulting in poor grain formation. To cover their annual food requirements the poorest groups will require food aid in 2001.

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 269,835 vulnerable rural persons in rural Anseba will need 36,550 MT of emergency food assistance in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal.

2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

2.1 Drought-Affected

The ANA field assessment teams estimate that 269,835 persons are directly affected by drought. The sub-zones Sela’a, Kerkebet, Asmat, Habero, Hagaz, Elabered and Gheleb have been severely affected by the drought and a majority of the population lives below subsistence level. In Kerkebet only 500 households (out of a total of 5,557 households) were found to be in the upper and middle-income level.

Drought and its effects have made a large portion of the population dependent on external assistance. Many did not produce an annual harvest and goats are not able to find grass or fodder. As a result, many have been forced to sell their emaciated goats cheaply to buy the necessary food.

ERREC has distributed mainly food (sorghum/wheat, lentils, oil, and salt) to the affected population. The ANA teams observed that in villages where the people received relief, some had to redistribute their rations among the whole village. Supplementary food like DMK and milk were distributed in very small quantities.

2.1.1 Shelter and Household Items

The assessment found that a majority of the drought-affected population lack basic necessities, mainly due to poverty resulting from the drought. Many affected families lack proper shelter. Straw huts or mud brick huts observed were old, congested and in need of repair. Families are in need of basic items such as utensils, blankets, and clothing. They also lack the means to buy mosquito nets, in particular in the malaria prone areas of Anseba.

Needs and Recommendations:

As households have little or no money to purchase basic items it is recommended that the following be provided:

· 107,934 blankets and mats (2 per affected household); · 53,967 jerry cans, one for each affected household; · Adequate clothing for 269,835 individuals. Considerations need to be made for suitable clothes for women according to their locality; · 107,934 mosquito nets (2 per affected household).

2.1.2 Water and Sanitation

As there has been little or no rain to replenish the ground water during the last two to three years, the water table is generally much lower than usual (e.g. in Hagaz water used to be available at 8 m, but is currently to be found in a depth of 40 m). Falling water tables also result in a deterioration of the water quality, e.g. water becoming brackish.

As a consequence of the above, it is estimated by the local administration that only 15 % of the total population in Anseba have access to sufficient and safe water; 42 villages are in urgent need of an increased water supply. It is also estimated that the population in Anseba use on average less than 6 liters/capita per day, which is far below the recommended minimum use of 15 liters/capita per day for domestic purposes.19

In most rural areas, water is fetched from sources other than boreholes and covered wells, i.e. from hand-dug wells, riverbeds, etc. As the water sources become more and more scarce, humans and animals will increasingly use the same water sources. Also, the poorest segment of the population, typically the target groups, can often not afford to pay the water fees at boreholes or wells, and are therefore forced to use less safe and/or more distant water sources. The lack of trained water system attendants and technicians contributes further to the water shortage in many areas.

The general lack of water has affected the sanitary conditions throughout the zoba (including both rural and urban areas). Access to latrines is also generally limited. If the drought and the associated influx to urban areas continue, it is expected that sanitary conditions in the towns will further deteriorate.

Needs and Recommendations:

· It is recommended that funds be made available to ensure the availability of water for the target groups; · Repair and maintenance capacity for water sources in Anseba zone should be increased; · More boreholes and wells should be constructed. Non-functioning water supply systems should be rehabilitated. Existing low or non-yielding water sources be assessed and if possible deepened; · Rain-harvesting be introduced for short-term water shortage alleviation; dams and reservoirs should be constructed for the alleviation of long-term water shortages and to allow groundwater to recharge;

19 see “The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response”, Oxfam Publishing , 2000, p. 30.

· Awareness campaigns should be launched regarding proper procedures for water drawing, transport, and storage; · Animal troughs should be built at all water sources shared by humans and animals; · Latrines should be constructed in densely populated areas; and · Hygiene promoters should be trained in communities in support of sustainable programs.

2.1.3 Health and Nutrition

The effects of the drought, in particular the lack of safe water for drinking, cooking and sanitation, have been substantial in this sector. Both health professionals and community members agree that the main health problems are Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), diarrhea, malnutrition, and malaria. TB and anemia were given more prominence by health professionals. Regarding feeding programs, health facilities have just started (October) to receive supplementary foods for malnourished children. No therapeutic feeding for severely malnourished children is available due to the lack of nutritional/health NGOs in the area.

All health facilities have maternity services. Antenatal services are better attended than delivery services, as most women prefer to deliver at home with either a TBA or an experienced mother from their family in attendance. Condoms are available in all health facilities – but few are requested. HIV/AIDS awareness programs have been undertaken in all sub-zones, ranging from videos, posters and the distribution of pamphlets, to lectures and discussion sessions with students and local leaders. Very few cases of STDs are recorded in health facilities (average 1/month).

Needs and Recommendations:

· Targeted Supplementary Feeding of 750kcal/person/day to especially vulnerable groups (Children<5yrs<80% weight for height; pregnant, and lactating mothers) or approximately 192,000 persons; · Establishment of a therapeutic feeding center (including training of personnel) in Keren Hospital; · All 11 sub-zone should be equipped with an ambulance for emergency referrals (a total of 8 are needed); · Ensure that every sub-zone has at least one health center (3 needed); · Provide basic laboratory equipment and reagents to every health center; · Support the up-grading of medical personnel’s skills; · Medical facilities should be provided with drugs in order to meet Government standards on the availability of drugs; and · Health/Nutritional NGOs should be encouraged to operate in the area.

2.1.4 Education

As described above, the recent war and the ongoing drought have left families struggling to make ends meet. As such, children are often called upon to stay at home in order to contribute to the household economy. Further, as a consequence of poverty, malnutrition, anemia and other diseases have become widespread among the young population, especially in the rural areas. As a result, absenteeism, failure, dropp- out, and repetition rates are high.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Feeding programs should be established in schools to ensure continuity of education; · Clean and safe water should be provided in all schools (and health centers) to avoid poor health; · Learning materials should be provided to destitute students; · Makeshift schools should be constructed to reduce distances; and · Medical services, followed by the construction of latrines, should be provided.

2.1.5 Social and Economic Activities

There are already some on-going programs. The regional Ministry of Agriculture office has a five-year plan for the severely drought-affected agricultural areas. Pilot projects like the Fiza project in Habero, Dairy Feed Production project near Hamelmalo, Provision of Chicks to female-headed households and Supply of Improved Goat Breeds (Hasana) have already made a positive effect on the overall socio-economic conditions in those areas. In general, most of the households indicated that running small businesses, such as restocking animals, credit schemes, food for work, provision of seeds and tools, crafts, or sewing can help them improve their livelihood.

The following are some of the activities that drought-affected communities suggested could help them support themselves:

· Restocking of animals. This should also include supplying communities with feed, water, veterinary service, equipment, and training; · Cropping - supply of seeds, hand tools, fertilizer, insecticides, training on farming, soil and water conservation techniques; · Dairy feed production programs; · Tractor services for collective farm plots; · Training on hygiene and nutrition aspects for women and community groups; · Afforestation seedling programs for drought-tolerant plants such as acacia; · Rotation of grazing lands; · Cash-for-work programs for hills and farm fields terracing, afforestation activities; · Water harvesting from roofs for backyard gardening; · Small grants and micro credit program for starting business such as crafts: knitting mats, baskets, production of mud blocks and running shops; and · Supply of corrugated zinc sheets for shelter, in order to minimize the use of wood, and deforestation.

2.1.6 Mine Action

Land mines have been a threat in some sub-regions of Anseba as a result of the 30- year war for independence. The worst mine-affected areas include Habero, Hagaz, Asmat and Elabered, where a considerable number of accidents have affected people and their animals. According to the information obtained from local leaders and households, old mines still exist around agricultural fields, grazing lands, roads and mountains.

Recently, plans have been developed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of mine infested areas in the whole zone. Future mine action should include surveys, mine awareness campaigns, destruction of mines, and training of staff.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Mine-affected areas to be immediately surveyed and assessed; · Mine awareness programs should be launched; and · De-mining programs should be launched targeting farm fields, grazing areas, and feeder roads.

2.2 IDPs outside Camps

Thousands of IDPs have sought refuge with relatives in various parts of Anseba. Many having been displaced from the highly war-affected regions of Gash Barka and Debub. Since the beginning of the crisis, ERREC, assisted by its humanitarian partners, has provided food and shelter to groups of these IDPs and their host communities. However, due to the difficulties related to identifying all IDPs outside of camps the exact number is not known (there are no IDP camps in Anseba and most are living with host communities). ERREC had initially registered 1,129 households and started distributing tents in October 2000. This figure was revised in November 2000 and now stands at 1,359 households. Most of these IDPs are living in Keren, Elabered and Hagaz.

2.2.1 Shelter

Tents, especially in towns such as Keren, were found to be inadequate. Although they offer reasonable protection against the sun, rain and wind, they are not secure enough to store property in. Another constraint is to find adequate space where tents can be set up while causing the least disturbance to neighbors.

Need and Recommendations:

· Replace tents with durable and secure structures, such as huts, if IDPs are to stay in their current environments for a longer period of time.

2.2.2 Household Items

Most of the IDPs fled empty-handed leaving all their property behind. As such, many lack basic household necessities. ERREC is currently distributing tents, blankets, stoves, soaps, griddles, and personal hygiene items. However, important items such as jerry cans and kitchen utensils are still lacking. Observations indicate that many of the IDPs also lack adequate clothing.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Essential household items should be provided to the IDPs (see table below). The standard is to provide each family with: 4 blankets, 4 sleeping mats, 1 jerry can and 1 complete set of kitchen utensils20.

20 The sets consist of 5 plastic cups, 1 water jug, 1 wash basin, 2 cooking pots, 1 kettle, 1 plate, 1 bucket, 1 round tray, 1 griddle, 1 knife, spoons, and forks.

Anseba - Summary of Household Items Distributed/Needed: IDPs21

Kitchen 20-lt Blankets Mats Utensil (sets) Jerrycans Distributed 0 0 4480 0 Needed 1,359 1,359 920 5436

2.3 Urban Vulnerable

The majority of this group are to be found in Keren; a smaller number in Eden. Estimates indicate that there are about 18,000 individuals in this category in the Anseba zone. This group includes returnees from Sudan, and many deportees. They have lost their primary source of livelihood, either due to war or drought (or a combination of both). Most of these households are completely dependent on external aid for their livelihood. Some are involved in small-scale business activities, such as selling peanuts or handicrafts.

Many underage children are involved in these activities. There are currently more than 200 street children in Keren. Currently, the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare, in collaboration with other line ministries, is attempting to address this problem by providing street children with education and other employment enhancing vocational training.

2.3.1 Shelter and Household Items

A majority of the urban vulnerable families live in makeshift homes, which are often cramped and lack proper sanitation facilities. As there is a general housing problem in Keren, most urban vulnerable live in overcrowded areas in the outskirts of the town.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Improve living conditions of urban vulnerable through improved and appropriate sanitation, water supply and an increase in the availability of low- budget housing.

2.3.2 Water and Sanitation

Water is a major problem in Keren, especially during the months of December to June. Tap water is not distributed to most houses and a majority of people use water delivered by trucks or collected in jerry cans. A similar water problem prevails in Eden.

Issues of sanitation are critical in these areas. So far there are only 5 public latrines in Keren. Most people therefore use the surrounding areas for open defecation.

Need and Recommendations:

· Funds should be made available in order to provide safe water for the urban vulnerable; · Non functioning water supply systems should be rehabilitated; · Traditional water sources should be protected; · More public latrines be constructed; and

21 Source: ERREC Anseba, November 2000

· Awareness of proper hygiene procedures for waste disposal, water drawing, transport and storage should be raised.

2.3.3 Health and Nutrition

Needs and Recommendations:

· Targeted Supplementary Feeding of 750kcal/person/day to especially vulnerable groups (Children<5yrs<80% weight for height; pregnant, and lactating mothers); and · Establishment of a therapeutic feeding center (including training of personnel) in Keren Hospital.

2.3.4 Education

Education also suffers as the influx of displaced persons from Gash Barka, and to some extent Sudan, has increased the average class size from 65 to 80. Meanwhile, the number of teachers has not increased proportionally. In this respect, the urban vulnerable face similar problems as the general population in the urban areas.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Bring schools closer to communities by building temporary schools (recognized by the Government) where necessary; and · Improve girls’ education by continuous advocacy, increasing the number of female teachers, and providing incentives such as free books, exercise books and uniforms.

2.3.5 Community Programs and Social and Economic Activities

The ANA determined that credit schemes, cash/food-for-work, crafts, sewing and poultry programs could assist this group improve their livelihood. Traditionally women make baskets and clay utensils; the proceeds of the sale enable them to improve their livelihoods. Many members of this group were found to be eager to resume these income generating and employment creating activities.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provision of inputs such as chickens, bees, feed, veterinary services, equipment and training; · Training on hygiene and nutritional issues for women; · Water harvesting from roofs for backyard gardening; · Provision of small grants and micro credits in order to commence businesses such as crafts, knitting mats, baskets, production of mud blocks and the establishment of small shops; · Supply of corrugated zinc sheets for shelter to minimize the use of wood and resulting deforestation; and · Cooperative marketing of local products to improve incomes.

2.3.6 Mine Action

Mines/UXO are not considered a direct threat to this group.

B. Zoba Debub

General Description

Debub has been the scene of much of the recent conflict and there has been considerable socio-economic disruption, with both immediate and longer-term effects. The most war-affected sub-zobas include Adi Keyih, Senafe, Adi Quala, Areza, Maimne, Emni Haili, Mai Aini and Tsorona (Senafe and Tsorona are still under occupation and therefore inaccessible).

In the main agricultural area in the Hazemo plain (the breadbasket of the region), farming has not been possible. Debub normally contributes almost 30% of the annual national crop production. The prevailing drought conditions have further exacerbated the deterioration in living standards for large portions of the population.

The total population of Debub is 755,379, or an estimated 151,000 households (at least 105,000 of these are headed by women).22 With its 12 administrative sub- zobas, it is the fourth largest in area and the most populous region of Eritrea. The residents are mainly ethnic Tigrigna, Saho and Tigre.

It is estimated that more than 492,000 people in Debub will require food assistance in 2001, largely due to missed harvests caused by the war and drought. A large portion of those in need of food aid will also require non-food items and services. The needs of the various target population groups in Debub are detailed below.

1. Available Information on the Occupied Areas – Senafe

Senafe and the surrounding 114 villages were occupied by the Ethiopian armed forces in May and June 2000. An estimated 43,000 to 50,000 Eritreans are currently residing in the occupied territory.

This area has been seriously impacted by the war since the onset of the conflict in 1998. People have faced continuous, and often repeated, displacement. The population was largely dependent on relief assistance even before the recent occupation. Since the occupation, the area has been inaccessible to assistance from Eritrea and it is believed that the stranded population is facing severe hardship. The little information that reaches Asmara indicates that much destruction of the economic infrastructure has taken place.

Moreover, landmines are believed to have been planted, making movement and economic and social activities extremely difficult for the population in the area.

2. Food Aid and Food Security

The outlook for most sub-regions of Debub are less favorable than in previous years. The recent Eritrea-Ethiopian border war displaced several hundreds of thousands of mainly subsistence farmers and herdsmen from their fertile and most productive farmlands, disrupted agricultural production activities and depleted livestock numbers. Cross border trade, which served as the livelihood mainstay of the population living along the border, was effectively halted.

22 Sub-zoba Senafe is currently under Ethiopian occupation, about 50% of the population are still left behind and the remaining 50% are living in various IDP camps. Source: ERREC

Year 2000 is ranked as the worst in terms of food production since 1996. Land cultivated in 2000 covered 35,000 hectares as compared to 128,100 in 1999, indicating a reduction of 73%. Harvests dropped from 63,030 tons to 20,000 tons during the same period. Reduced crop production in 2000 has resulted in high grain prices, affordable only by the middle and better-off socio-economic groups (5-15%). Meanwhile, survey results indicate an 80% reduction in livestock.

Between 60-65% of the population are considered food insecure. This is due to weakened kinship support and other social networks. Other causes include, massive displacement due to insecurity, high percentage of female-headed households in the region (50%), involvement of most young people in national service duties, reduced household income, reduced food availability/accessibility.

The Government estimates that 30-35% of the displaced population has returned to their homes following the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 18 June 2000. Full resumption of normal life would however be realized only after food security is achieved and peace established in the country.

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 492,070 of the most vulnerable persons among Debub’s rural population (comprising the very poor and poor socio-economic groups) will need about 66,598 MT of life-saving emergency food in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal

3. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

3.1 War-Affected Returnees

The war-affected returnees and IDPs outside camps amount to nearly 262,000. During the May 2000 offensive, over 500,000 people were displaced from 8 of the 12 sub-zobas.

The returnees are those IDPs who have gone back to their villages after the Ethiopian army withdrew from Eritrean territory. This population is about 261,824 and includes the sub-zobas of Areza, Mai Mne, and Adi Quala. Many returnees had their homes and grain stores looted, farms destroyed, livestock stolen or slaughtered, and water resources polluted, thus leaving them without any means of survival. An assessment on post-war damages conducted by the University of Asmara estimated that the total cost of destroyed and looted schools, health clinics, and government offices at over 132 million Nakfa. The war-affected returnees’ immediate needs include the following:

· Reconstruction of the destroyed and damaged houses; · Solution to the water shortage including the supply of water containers; · Relocation of the scattered graves in the villages to a suitable place; · Provision of agricultural tools, seeds and oxen; and · Support for the aged and the disabled populations including the provision of transportation to and from health facilities.

3.1.1 Shelter and Household Items

Many houses have been partly damaged and others completely destroyed. Limited distribution of household items, including blankets and soap, has taken place (for

instance in Areza sub-zoba). Nevertheless, the majority of returnees have a serious shortage of essential household items such as stoves and mosquito nets. There is an acute shortage of firewood, and kerosene is costly. Most assessed families had an inadequate supply of clothing.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Support to rebuild destroyed and damaged homes; · Provide household items, in particular mosquito nets, kerosene stoves and fuel, cooking utensils, and soap; and · Examine more sustainable, long-term possibilities of alternative cooking methods such as solar cookers and fuel-efficient stoves;

3.1.2 Health and Nutrition

The Assessment revealed a critical gap between health needs and the availability of health facilities. According to Government standards, a minimum of 2 doctors and 8- 10 nurses should staff a health centre catering to 20,000 people. In reality, there are very few doctors and nurses and these standards are rarely met. Furthermore, in many cases, health facilities have been looted. In five of the most affected sub- zobas, whose total population is estimated at 200,000 (Adi Quala, Areza, Emni Haili, Mai Aini, and Mai Mine), there are a total of 5 health centres (thus with an average population per health centre which is double the Government standard), 4 health stations, 2 clinics and 1 small hospital in Adi Quala. There are 23 nurses, and 58 assistant health workers.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Rehabilitation of damaged/destroyed health facilities and construction of 10 additional clinics; · Provision of 80 additional nurses while upgrading existing assistant health workers and recruiting/training new assistant health workers (if possible locally or/and high school graduates from the national service); · Supply/restore medical equipment and drugs; · Provide mosquito nets for families in the malaria-infested areas; and · Supply ambulances and other forms of transport for both the health workers and patients to clinic and hospitals. This is especially important for the referral of pregnant women and the elderly.

3.1.3 Water and Sanitation

The unsanitary disposal of corpses has led to the pollution of some water facilities. Solar systems were looted and pumps and drills damaged. Distances to water sources (some over 8 km), puts additional strain on women heads of households and girls (reducing the likelihood thatthey weill receive an education). There were no sanitation facilities in the assessed areas.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide safe drinking water, where possible, closer to the villages; · Rehabilitate existing water facilities and provide chlorination facilities; · Replace looted solar systems and damaged drills/pipe; · Provide water containers; and · Provide technologically-appropriate sanitation systems.

3.1.4. Education

A majority of the population are subsistence farmers. The combination of war and protracted drought over the last two and a half years has left many destitute. Parents are often unable to pay for their children’s school fees and supplies. The fear of UXOs near schools is also an obstacle to attendance. Classes in most areas have resumed in damaged classrooms which have no doors, windows or furniture. The majority of schools do not have water or latrines. Classrooms are overcrowded because of the additional burden presented by school-age children among the IDP populations. In the Areza, Adi Quala, Mai Aini, Mai Mine sub-zobas, there are 36,000 students, 505 teachers and 351 classrooms for an average of 71 students per classroom.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Repair/reconstruct schools and classrooms; · Supply school furnishing and school materials; and · Institute mine awareness campaigns.

3.1.5. Mine Action

Two children were recently killed and two others wounded, by suspected UXOs in Adi Nefas. Another child lost his fingers after tampering with bullets in Mai Duma.

The Eritrean Defence Force (EDF) has provided some information to the general public about areas contaminated by mines and/or UXOs. The EDF is also conducting some mine/UXO clearance in villages and agricultural fields outside the TSZ.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Expand mine awareness activities for school children and adults; and · Initiate mine/UXO clearance in areas of return (outside the TSZ).

3.1.6 Social and Economic Activities

Most households in the area are dependent on subsistence agriculture. Many were displaced at the peak of the planting season and, as mentioned previously, few families were able to harvest. There is currently little participation in community programmes, however, respondents to the assessment indicated interest to join credit schemes.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide agricultural tools including ploughing oxen; · Provide poultry to improve the income of women headed families; and · Establish micro finance programs.

3.2 IDPs outside Camps

In most cases, IDPs outside camps were previously, at one point, resident in camps and left those camps to be closer to their villages. One motive frequently sighted was the desire to be closer to their home communities in order to take advantage of facilities such as schools for their children. These IDPs are now sharing scarce resources with their host communities. There is no separate census or calculation as

to the numbers in this group as they are included with the returnee population figures, but they nonetheless share many of the same needs. The most urgent needs of this group are to be found in the food sector (supplementary feeding) and the shelter and household items sector.

3.2.1 Shelter and Household Items

Of those in this group who were assessed, three-quarters live in overcrowded rooms, some saying they would prefer to live in tents rather than to continue to burden their relatives. Blankets, bars of soap, and jerrycans have already been distributed. Few have received stoves, kerosene, sleeping mats and water jugs. Many do not have adequate clothing.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Set up skill training programs in order to create employment opportunities; · Organize micro finance schemes; · Supply clothing and household items according to size of the family; and · Encourage health and nutritional NGOs to work in the area.

3.2.2 Health and Nutrition

The most common diseases for both children and adults were found to be diarrhea, acute respiratory tract infection, malnutrition, tuberculosis, and malaria. Polio vaccinations have been given to all children under 5. Few households had access to supplementary feeding programs.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Establish supplementary feeding programs; and · Support to the health care network, including the supplying of medicines and drugs.

3.2.3 Water and Sanitation

The majority of the households lack money to pay for a safe and adequate supply of water. All have an acute shortage of water containers. A few families use latrines, however most do not.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Augment the supply of potable water; · Provide additional water containers; · Provide latrines, including in schools, health centres, and market areas; and · Conduct sanitation awareness education.

3.2.4 Education

Most households are unable to cover school expenses like uniforms, exercise books, and school registration fees. Equipment such as furniture, school supplies, and school facilities are also in short supply. The ultimate consequence of this condition is a decline in school enrolment.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Support for school registration fees; and · Establish a system to help IDPs with school registration fees and school materials in order to avoid students dropping out from school.

3.2.5 Mine Action

Please refer to 3.3.6 below.

3.3 IDPs in Camps

There are 10 camps in Debub with a total population of about 80,000 (16,000 households). The number of separated children in the IDP camps is approximately 3,000. The IDPs are originally from Tsorona and Senafe - areas that are still under Ethiopian occupation. Most of this population group have been displaced for more than two and a half years and have moved numerous times. For the majority of these IDPs, it is no longer a short-term emergency situation. Some IDPs, like those from Tsorona, had time to take some of their belonging with them in 1998 when they first fled. As a result, they have not been provided with the same bundle of household items. Most assessed families stated that the household items and clothing they had are now worn out or were lost during the last offensive. They are not currently in a financial position to acquire any new goods.

3.3.1. Shelter and Household Items

In some camps, the tents that were given out in 1998 are now seriously worn, while, in other cases, families of one and two are still living under plastic sheeting and have never received tents.

Apart from blankets, soap and mosquito nets, items like jerrycans and cooking utensils have not been uniformly distributed. Many households have to borrow kettles and other items from those who have them. There is an acute shortage of firewood in all camps. In Alba camp, women and children may spend 6-8 hours in search of firewood. Families do not have adequate supplies of clothing, particularly the adults.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide an estimated 9,000 tents, 20,000 plastic sheets, and 15,000 sleeping mats. (Many camp administrators and IDPs have asked that the plastic sheets be replaced with tents as plastic sheets give very little protection); · Provide 80,000 blankets; and · Provide 18,000 jerrycans, 15,000 sets of kitchen utensils, 13,000 kerosene stoves, 2,500,000 litres of kerosene, and 190,000 pieces of clothing.

3.3.2 Health and Nutrition

Malaria, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), and respiratory infection were found to be the most common diseases among this population. Outbreaks of measles have also occurred in most camps. As a preventative measure, polio vaccinations have been undertaken. The Assessment learned that children under five and lactating mothers were not receiving supplementary feeding.

Needs and Recommendations:

The following should be provided in the 10 camps:

· Laboratory equipment, medical instruments and drugs; · Additional health assistants; · 9 ambulances and radio communication to the nearest hospital (Alba will be provided with an ambulance by a local NGO Vision Eritrea); and · Implementation of supplementary feeding programmes.

3.3.3 Water and Sanitation

In all of the camps visited, average water consumption is ten litres per person per day. This is below the generally accepted standard of 15 litres per person per day. In most cases the reason is not the lack of an adequate water supply at the camps, but the inadequate supply of water containers. In Alba camp, there are three covered hand-dug wells in use. As much as 100,000 litres of water is drawn from the three wells, one of which supplies 45,000 litres per day. However, the water level of this well is fluctuating from five metres to seven metres and there appears to be concern that this well is operating at or beyond its capacity. The people reported that while some chlorine is added to the well and reservoir, it does not appear that there is proper chlorination.

Even where there are latrines available, the majority of the IDPs still use the open spaces for human waste. Latrines currently exist at health centres in all of the camps.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Increase the supply of adequate water and sanitation facilities (for instance by providing water containers); · Ensure that proper chlorination of water is done; · Build additional latrines supported with appropriate educational and promotional activities; and · Provide additional water containers.

3.3.4 Education

About 25% of this population are school-age children, however this figure does not include over-age children who want to go to school. Schools in the camps are in tents, when available, or under trees. Most of the children in the camps visited stated that they needed school materials such as exercise books and bags. The psychosocial effects of war and displacement on children have been assessed but the effect on teachers remains an unknown concern.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Supply additional teachers and classrooms for Alba Camp; · Develop water and sanitation facilities for the Karibosa Camp; · Supply school furniture for Alba; · Provide school materials for Agra 2 Camp; and · Give training and psychosocial support to the teachers in all Camps.

3.3.5 Social and Economic Activities

99% of the target population are not participating in any sort of community programmes. Most of the households were totally dependent on agriculture, though there were a small number of traders. Now, all are dependent on food aid. Shops in the camps provide a modest income to a small number while remittances from relatives working outside the camps area source of support for others. Some residents showed interest while others felt too unsettled to participate.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Develop culturally sensitive income generating activities and community programmes, taking into consideration the large number of households headed by women.

3.3.6 Mine Action

Some awareness of mined areas exists among the IDPs in camps although no formal awareness campaigns have been conducted. Many of these IDPs fled from Senafe and Tsorona – areas that are heavily mined. The displaced were able to avoid mine fields by fleeing through safe routes across mountains. No mine casualties have been reported, and, in their present locations in camps, there are no mines or UXO. However, mine awareness programs for adults and children in the area are needed before they return to their home areas.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Initiate mine/UXO awareness activities for children and adults; and · Initiate mine/UXO clearance in contaminated areas.

3.4 Deportees, Expellees and Urban Vulnerable Families

Although the number of urban deportees is known, presently no support is extended to them. On arrival, the urban deportees were provided with an initial six months supply of food, cash and household items by ERREC. They are living mainly in Mendefera, Debarwa, Dekemhare and Segeneiti and are in desperate need of food and housing. Rents have increased and this population has little or no income.

On arrival they received a ‘deportation grant’ from ERREC. This included a few household items, some grain and 500 Nakfa. Although ERREC had planned to continue this support, competing priorities for scarce resources meant that the Government was forced to discontinue this programme. 88% of deportees who were interviewed live in overcrowded accommodation and the remaining 12% live with relatives. The number of people identified as in need of urgent support is over 13,000.

The “Urban Vulnerable” are made up of the poorest female-headed households, the elderly and disabled. This population group has not been receiving any non-food aid. Their immediate needs are for additional food, shelter and clothing. They are not able to secure employment and therefore have no money for food or rent. Many stated that because of their extreme poverty, their children are forced to drop out of school in order to contribute to household income.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Food aid and rental support, blankets, clothing and household goods; · Create income generating skill training activities for the women who have little or no education and skills; and · Support for micro-credit schemes and the provision of business training.

3.5 Host Communities

These communities survive by subsistence agriculture. However, the combination of drought and the lack of able-bodied men and women to plough the fields has meant that host communities will be dependent on food aid at least through the end of 2001. In addition, most respondents to the assessment stated that members of the IDP community had shared their homes at some point in the past two years. Many of their household items had suffered excessive wear and tear, had been damaged or were, in some cases, on loan to their guests. The host population was not in a position to replace these goods.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Continued relief assistance, support with household goods, and school materials for children; · Provide agricultural training in support of women headed households; and · Develop micro-finance programs for income generating activities such as poultry farms.

3.6 Drought-Affected

In addition to the conditions caused by war, there are 7 sub-zobas which have been dramatically affected by drought. These communities are largely agro-pastoralist and have thus witnessed greatly reduced food security. The main problems identified are shortage of food, clothing and drinking water in sub-zoba Segeneiti. Many wells have dried up, and many show declining water tables including the Segheneit reservoir which served as the main water source for the town. Trucks are bringing in water for sale from the nearby town of Dekemhare.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Continue to provide food aid; and · Begin the conservation of rainwater by:

o constructing concrete dams in the villages; o building roof catchment systems; and o introducing rain water recharging mechanisms which requires Geo- hydro engineering technology.

C. Zoba Gash Barka

General Description

Gash Barka has a land surface of approximately 37 thousand square kilometres at an altitude ranging from 600 –1000 meters above sea level. Its annual rainfall ranges from 231 – 700 mm and with a temperature of 12 – 47 ºC. The predominant ethnic groups include Kunama, Hedareb, Nara, Tigre, Tigrigna, Saho and Bilen. The zoba is rich in rainfall and seasonal surface water, namely from the Gash, Barka, and Setit rivers, and is highly fertile. The inhabitants are predominantly engaged in traditional subsistence agriculture and animal rearing. The population of the zoba is estimated at 564,574. This represents 18% of the total population of the country. 20% of the population live in the three major towns of Barentu, Tesseney, Akurdat.

1. Food Aid and Food Security

Gash Barka, as much of the country, has experienced deteriorating food security during the last three years. Grain production has decreased. Although most market functions have resumed after the May 2000 disruption, grains are sold at increasingly higher prices. Income and income-earning opportunities have been considerably reduced, a trend likely to continue during 2001.

The conflict has contributed significantly to the situation of food insecurity in the region during the last two years. Extensive disruption of cultivation however, has been experienced since 1998 when the war started. Further, in May 2000, virtually the entire population of the Gash Barka zone was temporarily displaced or hosted IDPs. At least 10-15% of the population from the grain producing areas of Guluj, Lalygash and Shambuko is still displaced.

Acreage under cultivation was reduced by approximately 50% from last year due to the war, a lack of agricultural inputs, and late cultivation. Yields were further decreased by a myriad of other factors including insufficient rain and poor rainfall distribution, insufficient inputs of labour, weeds, pest, diseases and poor methods of cultivation. From the normal 15-20 quinta/hectare, the 2000/2001 yield is expected to be 3-5 quinta/hectare in the traditionally grain surplus areas. In conjunction with a reduced asset base and poor yields, only marginal carryovers are expected into 2001.

Livestock losses were as high as 30 – 40% throughout the region because of the combined effects of the conflict and as a result of the drought. Seasonal movements of livestock in all the sub-zobas revolve around the common grazing grounds along the rivers Setit and Gash. The Setit grounds, lying in the south along the Ethiopian border, are still insecure as are the northern part of the Gash river. Therefore, inaccessibility of the traditional grazing grounds, because of their occupation, will mean that livestock products will contribute very little to annual food requirements during 2001 as livestock numbers are further reduced. A significant number of livestock were also looted and/or slaughtered by occupying forces.

Market activities have resumed in many areas of the region and are expected to gain momentum as residents become increasingly confident about the implementation of the peace accords. Internal trading in livestock will continue at an accelerated rate by the late summer, though prices are expected to decline. Some grain and vegetables will continue to be available via cross-border trade with Sudan through the Tesseney market. Grain prices have gradually increased from last year (180-200

Nakfa/quinta23) to this year’s 280-320 Nakfa. This trend is expected to continue in 2001 with projected prices of 340-400 Nakfa/quinta24 due to the combined effects of increased demand and inflation. Low-income households will find it exceedingly difficult to purchase grains.

Income-earning opportunities within the sub-zobas for the poor socio-economic groups include internal labor (cultivation, herding, fetching water), external labor (masonry, well/dam construction, casual labor in small and micro-enterprises) and small-scale trading (mat weaving, tea shops, firewood sales, water sales). Significant contributions from cultivation activities will not be available until late in 2001.

Emergency food aid enabled the majority of households to cover food shortfalls in 2000. Global malnutrition rates among the war-affected declined from 11.2 per cent in November 1999 to 6.5 per cent in September 2000. It is anticipated that continued relief efforts will further reduce malnutrition.

General food insecurity in Gash Barka will be felt as follows:

· Logo Anseba, Barentu and the Barka zone comprising Forto, Dhige, Akordat (except Mensura) sub-zones, which rely mainly on the production of the Gash zone, will experience the most severe food insecurity. This is due to localized poor harvests because of drought, diminished coping mechanisms (heavy reliance on the surplus areas for grains) and competition for resources with the IDP population. · Gogne, Mogolo, Molki, Hykota and Mensura sub-zones will be moderately food insecure due to a reduced asset base, a reduced harvest because of the drought and displacement, and the presence of a large guest population which is not able to participate in productive activities, including IDPs, returnees and deportees (due, in part, to the fact that they are currently residing in infertile locations). · Guluj, Tessenei, and Shambuko will be marginally insecure due to displacement, and poor crop yields in 2001.

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 424,334 rural vulnerable persons in Gash Barka comprising the very poor and poor socio-economic groups will need about 37,327 MT of life- saving emergency food in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal. · Although the better-off socio-economic groups are expected to meet all their food needs, provision of food to middle-income groups during the hunger gap (June-October) will be necessary to promote crop production activities and check the erosion of their long-term asset base through sales. · Regardless of production modes (traditional or integrated), all communities will require seeds (distributed or on credit basis) to enable them take advantage of the next planting season. Provision of agricultural tools will also be necessary.

23 A “Quinta” is a local measure equivalent to 100 Kg 24 approximately US$40/100g

2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

Gash Barka was significantly affected by renewed fighting between Eritrea and Ethiopia in May 2000. IDPs, returnees and host communities affected by this conflict in this region are estimated to be over 440,000 people. This represents at least 78% of the total population of the region.

2.1 IDP’s in Camps and Deportees

The IDPs in camps (mainly at Adi Keshi, Korokon, Tologanya, Kotobia, and Jejah camps) were displaced due to the military offensives in February 1999 and May 2000. Most are displaced from the villages either under Ethiopian occupation or very near to the front lines. The IDP population in camps is estimated to be 85,898 (17,179 households). 59% of this IDP population are women; children under 5 are estimated at 18%. Women head a total of 56% of the IDP households.

Before being displaced, their primary means of income was crop production and livestock husbandry. However, they are currently entirely dependent on relief assistance. This segment of the population shares social services like water, health, and education with the host community and this has put a severe strain on the already meagre resources in the areas.

2.1.1 Shelter and Household Items

Shelter is, of course, a priority need for the IDPs. 70 – 80% reside in temporary shelter (i.e. tents or under plastic sheeting). 50% of the households require replacement tents while those currently using plastic sheeting should be provided tents.

Needs and Recommendations:

· 50% of the IDP households require replacement tents. Making estimations based on an average household size of 5 persons, the required number of family tents is 9,927; and · 3,971 households currently residing under plastic sheets require family tents.

2.1.2 Household items

The IDPs received blankets, bars of soap, jerrycans, buckets and mosquito nets. Replacement of jerrycans and buckets are necessary. Moreover, stoves are categorized as urgent needs because the demand for firewood is causing environmental devastation that will take years to reverse.

Needs and Recommendations:

The Assessment Team recommended that the following items should be provided:

· 5 blankets per household; · 2 jerrycans and 2 buckets per household; · 1 kitchen set per household; · 1 stove per household; · 180 litres of kerosene per household, per year (15 liters/per month); · 1 clothing set per household; and · 15 pieces of soap per household per month, i.e. 180 per year.

The above estimates were prepared on 100% need basis.

Gash Barka – Household Item Requirements (IDPs)

Target No. H/H Blankets Jerry Buckets Kitchen Stoves Bars of Cloth. Kerosene group cans sets. Soap (liters) IDPs 19,855 99,275 39,710 39,710 19,855 19,855 3,573,900 19,855 3,573,900

2.1.3 Health and Nutrition

See 2.2.2 below

2.1.4 Water and Sanitation

Needs and Recommendations:

· Supply of water in IDP camps is generally satisfactory; · In the IDP camps, and especially in Adi Keshi camp, there are 500 family latrines. They are properly utilised and fairly clean. There are two public latrines in Korokon which are under-utilised; · It is recommended that 1 hand dug well be constructed in Fanko, one borehole each in Setimo and in Tologanya; and · Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines (VIP) should be encouraged in all the camps in order to improve sanitary conditions.

2.1.5 Education

Needs and Recommendations:

· In all IDP camps, pupils lack benches and desks. It is recommended that these be provided. For the Adi Keshi, Tologanya, and Korokon IDP camps a total of 2,790 desks with chairs are required; · In Korokon camp, classrooms are being held out of doors, under trees; 60 to 75 pupils per class. It is recommended that 25 classrooms be built in Korokon camp; · Due to a general lack of space, class sizes have increased from 60 to 80 in Adi Keshi camp. It is therefore recommended that 6 makeshift classrooms be built in Adi Keshi; · Tologanya camp has a population of around 25,000. No school facility is currently available. Students that have enrolled so far have to walk as far as 8 kilometers in order to reach the school facility in the neighboring IDP camp (Kotobya). It is recommended that a school with 25 classrooms be built in Tologanya camp. Alternatively, a bus should be provided to transport pupils from Tologanya to the Kotobya school; · The Ministry of Education is distributing school stationery to the pupils in camps. However, there is a need for additional assistance in the form of 136,944 exercise books, 365,184 pens and 365,184 pencils, 7,608 rulers, erasers, and mathematical instruments per school year; · As poor performance and poor motivation in the classroom is an immediate result of hunger, school feeding should be provided for 7,608 pupils in camps; · Schools in the IDP camps should be linked to existing water distribution systems and taps set up for the pupils. Also, 254 VIP latrines are required for

a total of 7,608 students in the camps. Staff should also be trained in their proper maintenance; · Displaced people in general are in severe need of clothes. It is found out that 85% of the respondents possess only one worn out garment. The situation among schoolchildren is even worse. Clothes should be provided to pupils 7,608 pieces of clothes are needed for the same number of pupils; · Jejah camp is currently being transferred to a new site, i.e. Shelab Camp. In the new camp although other infrastructures have been pre-prepared, no school facility has been put in place. A school with a capacity of accommodating 300 students or minimum 6 classrooms with 120 desks with chairs are necessary; and · Adi Keshi is the only camp where a sports field has been established, however sport equipment is lacking. Other camps have no sports field or equipment. Football and volleyball fields with the necessary equipment should be set up.

Regarding deportees, these are mainly accommodated in Jejah, which is currently being transferred to Shelab.

2.1.6 Mine Action

See Mine Action under 2.2.5 below.

2.1.7 Social and Economic Activities

Most IDPs and most deportees are completely dependent on relief assistance. Few alternative means of income are presently available.

Needs and Recommendations:

· In the long-term, jobs or employment opportunities are required; and · Micro credit programmes should be initiated to enable displaced persons to be engaged in income-generating activities in the short-term.

2.2 Rural War-Affected25

The IDPs outside the camps have in most cases been displaced from villages that are currently under occupation or are very close to the front line. These IDPs, estimated at 1,338, reside in host communities (i.e. in huts or rented houses) and share the same social services with these communities. Many are dependent on relief assistance.

Regarding the larger returnee group, these are recently returned refugees who fled to the Sudan during the May 2000 offensive, and returned IDPs from camps in other parts of the country. The returnee population is estimated at 196,188 (39,237 households.).

25 IDP’s Outside Camps, Returnees, and Host Communities

2.2.1 Shelter and Household Items

Shelter

Needs and Recommendations:

· It is recommended that loans for reconstruction of houses or huts be provided. This will, however, require further assessment regarding the number of returnees who require this type of assistance.

Household Items

Needs and Recommendations:

Estimate based on the following minimum requirements per household.

· 5 blankets per household; · 2 jerrycans per household; · 2 buckets per household; · 1 kitchen set per household; · 1 stove per household; · 180 litres of kerosene per household, per year (15 liters/per month); · 1 clothing set per household; and · 15 pieces of soap per household per month, i.e. 180 per year.

The above estimates were prepared on 100% needs.

Estimates of required household items are shown in the following table.

Gash Barka – Household Item Requirements (Rural War-Affected)

Target No. Blank. Jerry Bucket Kitchen Soap Stove Kerosene Cloth. groups H/H cans sets (liters) Returnees 39237 196188 78474 78474 39237 7062660 39237 7062660 39237 Host Com. 24000 120000 48000 48000 24000 4320000 24000 4320000 24000

2.2.2 Health and Nutrition

Health Facilities

Many of the existing facilities (see below) lack running water, fencing, electric lighting, and refrigeration for medicines and vaccines (i.e cold-chain facilities) . Many of the facilities are also in need of basic services like laboratory, delivery services, and a proper cold chain system. A number of the existing facilities also lack basic equipment and furniture; much of it having been looted or destroyed.

Gash Barka - Health Facilities

Type of MOH The MOA Evangelical Total Number Functioning/ non- Facility Catholic Church of Health functioning Church Facilities Hospital 3 - - - 3 3/0 Health 13 1 1 - 15 12/3 Center Health 41 2 - 2 45 33/12 stations Total 57 3 1 2 63 48/15

According to Gash Barka’s zonal medical officer, the first constraint within the present health system is a shortage of skilled human resources. According to his report, only 60% of the required personnel are available at present (see table below). Specialist services do not exist.

Gash Barka - Existing Human Resources (Health)

Type of Personnel Total Number Technical 344 Administrative 230 Total 554 ( 60% of the total need)

Diarrheal diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years of age in camps and in locations where people live in a crowded and non-hygienic environment. However, so far, because of effective preventive measures, such diseases have never reached epidemic proportions.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Shortage of ambulances - 3 more ambulances are needed for referral services for the IDP camps and remote Sub Zones like Goluj, Molki and Shambuko; · Renovation of exiting facilities - 20 facilities should be renovated; · Provision of refrigerators, equipment and furniture to replace lost or looted property. Refrigerators, equipment and furniture adequate to supply 20 health facilities are required; · Provision of sanitary items like soap, buckets, waste baskets and sanitary pads to health services in IDP camps; · Providing health facilities with essential drugs. This includes pediatric syrups, vitamins, and antipyretics; · Providing health facilities with important medical equipment that are usually in short supply such as 10,000 disposable syringes and 300 thermometers; · Replacing old health facility tents in IDP camps and, in those camps where it is currently anticipate that the IDP population is likely to remain .for the immediate future, the construction of better, more permanent better facilities (barracks, prefabricated houses with cemented floor, huts etc; and · Return of qualified medical personnel, currently involved in National Service, to their home communities.

2.2.3 Water and Sanitation

The inadequacy of the local water supply is apparent in the host communities. People fetch water from hand-dug wells and nearby lakes and rivers. Neither the

volume nor the hygienic nature of these sources can be relied upon as the water is not treated.

There are no latrines in host communities and in public places.

Needs and Recommendations:

· One bore hole and a hand dug well in Tesseney need immediate repair. Their solar and or generator systems were either looted or destroyed; · Eight boreholes around Tesseney are not functional due to the depletion of ground water. These wells should be deepened or alternative sources found; and · A qualified solar and generator technician is needed for the available water pumps in Tesseney area. Reservoirs should be built and pipelines extended in the town of Tesseney. · One additional hand dug well is needed in Gergef.

2.2.4 Education

Children in host communities suffer many of the same effects of war and drought as their peers in IDP camps. They are equally disadvantaged in terms of malnutrition, poor clothing, and school materials.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Barentu High School was damaged during the war. It is recommended that repair and maintenance work be carried out. Office blocks and storage spaces in the Tesseney school require total reconstruction. Barentu High School requires classroom reconstruction and replacement of doors and windows, as well as furniture; · In Gergef , two classrooms and teachers quarters require repair; · 4 class rooms need reconstruction in Tebeldia; · In Goluj, rehabilitation of the high school building is required, as is the replacement of damaged furniture for 200 students; · In Barentu High School, the water delivery system is not reliable. Water must be fetched daily by truck. Linking the school to the town water distribution system is necessary; and · In addition, it is recommended that 270,852 exercise books, 180,568 pens and pencils, 22,571 rulers, rubbers and mathematical instruments be provided. Supplementary feeding and clothes for 22,824 pupils in the host community is also recommended.

2.2.5 Mine Action

According to local leaders, few mine-related causalities have been reported in the villages and camps (except in Korokon IDP camp where 3 children died in mine explosions).

The Ministry of Defence, UNHCR, and UNICEF have been targeting schools, villages and camps throughout the zoba for land mine awareness campaigns, using seminars and posters.

2.2.6 Social and Economic Activities

Needs and Recommendations:

· Credit programs should be made available to enable the IDPs, returnees, and host communities to be engaged in income generating activities; and · For host communities, seeds and agricultural implements should be made available. Tractors, or subsidized tractor charges, are also necessary to facilitate farming.

D. Zoba Maakel

General Description

Zoba Maakel, located in the central highlands of Eritrea, has a total population of 538,749. 74% of that number (i.e. 377,000) live in the capital city of Asmara. The Zoba is divided into 7 sub-Zobas of 102 village administrations. Four of the sub- Zobas, with 21 village administrations, are considered within Asmara’s city limits.

Agriculture and labour activities are the main sources of livelihood in the rural Maakel. The main crops are barley, wheat, maize, finger millets and taff. However, erratic rains have recently limited crop production.

1. Food Aid and Food Security

The Food assessment covered the three rural sub-zobas, which lie within the central highland geo-ecological zone. Due to erratic rains in 2000, coupled with the war- related labor drain into the National Service, crop production was adversely affected and shortfall in yields. As a result, year 2000 is regarded as food insecure year with a minimum grain carry over to the coming year.

As mentioned, the urban poor were not studied using the Household Food Economy methodology and are thus not included in the food and food security sections of this report.

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 78,640 vulnerable persons in rural Maakel will need about 6,410 MT of emergency food in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal.

2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

Of the 78,640 rural vulnerable persons identified as in need of food (mostly drought- affected), the following target population groups, sub-sets of the total, will also require various forms and levels of non-food assistance. In addition, a large urban group will require non-food assistance.

2.1 Drought-Affected and Rural IDPs

The problems of crop failure and livestock loss, due to drought, was compounded by the war as many household breadwinners involved in national service were unable to work on the land or unable to do casual labor. This impacts IDPs living outside camps (ca. 17,900 persons).

Needs and Recommendations:

· Establish cash-for-work programs to do trash pick-up, road maintenance, community building maintenance, water system improvements, etc; · Organize skill-training programs in agriculture production in the areas of commercial gardening, poultry raising, bee keeping, dairy cows, farm tool crafting, etc; · Establish seed and livestock replacement programs for the drought-affected farmers; and

· Set up micro-credit schemes for farmers to start commercial agricultural businesses.

2.2 Urban Vulnerable

Since the deportees, IDPs and the urban vulnerable population (about 78,000 people) all share the same conditions living in an urban environment, the major portion of each target group share the same needs such as finding and paying for housing, obtaining enough cash to pay for basic necessities, and developing their skills to obtain employment. Therefore, assistance programs should address the conditions that affect all the target groups with similar conditions. They should be organized so that the capable members from the target groups get paid to run the programs for the less able members of the group.

Most of the deportees living in Maakel came from urban areas in Ethiopia and 50% rent rooms or houses, 40% live with relatives and 10% own their homes.

In a representative sample it is estimated that 67% of the IDPs rent rooms while 33% live with relatives. The assessment indicates that 57% came from areas still occupied, 33% came from areas close to the border, 22% fear landmines in their areas and 77% lost all their property.

2.2.1 Shelter and Household Items

Several factors have created a housing crisis in Asmara. Very few low-cost housing units have been built, slum buildings have been demolished and recently the influx of deportees and IDPs has led to overcrowding, scarcity of housing and high rent costs. It is common to find 8-10 people sharing one room, one toilet and the same courtyard space.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Establish rent subsidy programs to help urban groups improve their housing situation by providing a portion of the costs for renting rooms. The rental subsidy could conceivably be paid directly to the landlord, on the provision that the housing is safe and hygienic. If this is not the case, the subsidy should first be used to improve the living conditions.

2.2.2 Health and Nutrition

Zoba Maakel has sufficient health facilities as several referral hospitals are located within the city. There are seven health centers (4 in Asmara and 3 in the surrounding area), 26 health stations (9 in and around Asmara) and one small hospital. In addition there are 45 private clinics in the city.

Needs and Recommendations:

· It is recommended that additional nurses, health workers, and TBAs be trained to alleviate staffing shortages; · Upgrade the skills of the existing health workers for better services through follow-on training; and · Provide emergency support in the form of essential drugs, medical equipment, etc.

2.2.3 Water and Sanitation

The four sub-regions within Asmara get their water supply by pipeline or trucks. The three sub-zobas outside the city get their water from wells, streams or dams (18 open wells, 21 bore holes and more than 30 dams) and the water is generally not safe as it is rarely treated. In addition, the demand for water increased recently due to the influx of displaced and deportees from Ethiopia. The drought has also affected the water supply situation in some locations.

In most villages there are few or no latrines (people use the open fields) or garbage collection sites. There is, however, a functioning garbage collection system in Asmara. Asmara also has 19 public latrines but these are rarely used and 5 are currently not functioning.

Needs and Recommendations:

· In the rural areas, drill 25 additional wells with reservoirs and for the existing untreated wells; · Establish reservoirs to treat and purify the water; and · Construct public latrines in Asmara and its environs.

2.2.4 Education

There is considerable overcrowding and a shortage of classrooms due to the addition of IDP and deportee students. There are currently 114,918 school aged children of which 106,601 are attending school.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Train additional teachers; · Provide in-service training for teachers currently serving; and · Build additional classrooms to accommodate the school aged IDPs and deportees.

2.2.5 Social and Economic Activities

The Assessment Teams found few members of the target group populations participating in community programs.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Establish work-for-cash programs to assist urban groups purchase the basic necessities beyond minimum grain distribution. Organize community service programs for all able-bodied persons (such as trash pick-up, road maintenance, school site maintenance, etc.); · Organize social service programs to assist the elderly and the disabled people. This could include activities like paying women from the urban vulnerable groups to (1) cook and care for the nearby elderly and disable, (2) prepare food for the hungry at feeding centers (community soup kitchens or school food programs), (3) do social surveys to identify the needy, etc.; · Develop skill-training programs targeting women head of households. All participants would be given a training stipend. These programs could be organized upon the education level of the women. For example, for the higher

educated, subjects could include English Language, computer skills, commercial cooking and tailoring, childcare/kindergarten training, gardening, job search techniques, basic business skills, etc. · Organize women promotion centers for the less educated women. All participants would be provided with a stipend for the duration of the course. Subjects could include literacy, domestic health and hygiene, child-care, nutritional cooking, domestic finances and budgets, and so on; and · Set up micro finance programs for those who need capital to start informal or formal businesses.

E. Zoba Northern Red Sea

General Description

The Northern Red Sea zone is located on the eastern coast of Eritrea, bordering Sudan to the north, stretching to the Danakil depression to the south and the Dahlak islands in the Red Sea. It is comprised of 10 sub-zones covering a total of 34,732 sq.km. About 80% of the region is less than 250m above sea level receiving an annual rainfall of less than 200 mm. Due to high temperatures, evaporation is between 1600 – 2000mm a year, making it a water deficient region. The zone has a total population of 459,056 persons, a majority of whom derive their livelihood from rain-fed agriculture, nomadic pastoralism, and irrigation-based farming of the flood plains in the low lands.

Over the last 6 years, the region has experienced drought conditions that have severely affected food and water supplies and the capacity of the land to support livestock. Regarding precipitation, both the short “Kewue” rains that fall in the coastal regions and the “Keremti” rain in the highlands have been on the decline during the past several years, overstretching the already fragile traditional coping mechanisms.

The border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea has also affected the region. As a result of the last round of hostilities in May 2000, about 7,000 persons have been affected in Bada area. 2,900 of these are still living in occupied territories. 415 IDPs from Endeli and Alitena are currently being accommodated in a camp at Ghinda, while an estimated 5,000 persons are scattered in the surrounding mountains in the area.

The region also hosts a total of 47,541 IDPs from other regions in camps such as Makete (displaced form Gash Barka region), Mai Habar (displaced from Debub region) and Denden (displaced from Assab in Southern Red Sea zone).

1. Food Aid and Food Security

The Northern Red Sea’s 10 sub-zobas can be divided into two geographical regions; lowlands and highlands. The lowlands, consisting mainly of areas bordering the coastal region, have been adversely affected by a continuous drought. No significant harvests have been realized in the last three years.

In the highlands lower yields than normal are expected due to late rainfall which delayed the onset of all farming activities. At least a 74% reduction of livestock has been reported over the last three years resulting from drought-related effects. The lack of draught animals (oxen) resulted in the decrease of area cultivated and many fields have been left fallow for whole planting seasons. Poor rains at a critical growth stage of the crop resulted to low yields. Pests and diseases attack on the crop also contributed to reduced yields.

The effects of the war are two fold: most able bodied persons are engaged in national service duties, leaving the most vulnerable, mainly women, children and the elderly to partake crop production activities. These people were forced to leave the irrigation schemes where they were growing sorghum and other crops. A second consequence of the war has been the increase crop production costs, e.g. the hire of tractors rose from 71 Nakfa/hour to 123 Nakfa/hour. This price is beyond the reach of the majority of the ordinary farmers. Livestock prices have declined due to low demand and/or distress selling for grains. Conversely, the prices of other food items remain high and are increasing further which predisposes individual household to

food insecurity. Floods that swept across parts of the area have washed away about 4,000 goats and 28 camels.

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 255,842 vulnerable persons in rural Northern Red Sea will need 33,688 MT of emergency food commodities in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal.

2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

Below are the main target population groups identified in the Northern Red Sea. The needs of each group follow. As in other zobas, sub-sets of the total rural population in need of food aid (i.e. 255,842) will also require various forms of non-food assistance. In addition, a number of urban vulnerable (approximately 18,000 persons) will require non-food items and services.

2.1 Drought-Affected

As described above, the lack of precipitation in the Northern Red Sea has had a considerable negative effect on the livelihood of a majority of the population in the zone. The drought has had an impact on nomads, agriculturists, and urban population. It is estimated that 255,842 persons (55% of the total population of the zoba) are affected by the drought. Natural flooding of agricultural land has diminished and the ground water table has fallen considerably due to the lack of rains in highlands.

Among the drought-affected, those at particular risk of malnutrition include children under five, and pregnant and lactating women. Distribution of DMK and BP-5 biscuits in health centers and schools has played a great role in alleviating the declining nutrition status. However, humanitarian assistance provided to the drought-affected population in the Northern Red Sea zone during 1999/2000 has largely been limited to food aid. Further, 3 out of 10 sub-zones did not received food rations in the last six months, leaving 33% of the drought-affected population without food aid.

The war has further aggravated the situation by engaging numerous young men and women at the front, thereby reducing the level of income of a majority of the households.

In order to maximize the impact of food assistance, the drought-affected populations in this region will be increasingly in need of non-food assistance in 2001.

2.1.1 Shelter and Household

Needs and Recommendations:

· Due to the severity of the drought, nomads in the northern areas have been forced to move to urban centers in order to receive relief assistance. A total 13,062 drought-affected families have been displaced in this manner and require shelter and household items to improve their living conditions and general well-being. Specifically:

o 197,180 persons require clothing; o 4,165 households require tents in Karora sub-zone; o 2,895 households require tents in Adobha sub-zone;

o 6,002 households require tents in Afabet sub-zone; o Each household should receive two blankets and mats in Karora, Adobha and Afabet sub-zones, i.e. 26,124 blankets and sleeping mats; and o 13,062 kitchen sets and stoves are also required for the same areas.

· The Northern Red Sea zone is malaria prone and of households assessed the vast majority expressed the need for mosquito nets (while a majority can not afford to purchase nets). The distribution of mosquito nets to 90% of the households in the Zoba is recommended. 113,762 mosquito nets are required for 56,881 households (2 nets per family). · Families are forced to walk long distance to fetch water. The distribution of jerry cans is recommended to 90% of the drought-affected population in order to improve water storage capacity at homes. 56,881 jerry cans are required (one jerry can per household).

2.1.2 Health and Nutrition

Although communication is a major problem within the Zoba, existing health facilities are generally able to cover the population adequately. However, in the northern sub- zones villagers have to travel approximately 35 km to the nearest health centers/posts. In Bahri administrative area, the distance is 60 km to the nearest health center in Ghelalo. Another example is the mountainous areas of Foro sub- zone where no health services are available. In terms of the general health situation, health personnel in the Zoba express concern that due to food scarcity, malnutrition is expected to further increase in the coming months.

Needs and Recommendations:

· There is a need to establish health stations at Aluli (for Bahri administrative areas), Bordele in Ghelalo sub-zone, Taranta for the population in the mountain areas of Foro sub-zone, Illa-Ababu (in Adobha sub zone), and Ghadem Halib (in Af’abet sub- zone); · There is a need to continue to provide supplementary rations to children under five at the 36 existing health facilities. In addition, it is recommended that supplementary rations be provided to 35,492 children who are currently not receiving adequate supplementary rations; · Trained personnel required for the zone: 11 pharmacists, 11 lab-technicians, 8 mid-wife nurses, 22 general nurses, and 25 health assistants; and · Public health education should be undertaken to improve hygiene practices;

2.1.3 Water Sanitation

The main water sources for the rural population are unprotected hand dug wells in dry riverbeds, bore holes, and ponds. Most of the families spend almost half a day collecting water from these sources. Due to severe water shortages in villages by the sea (Bahri administrative area), 220 families have immigrated from Rasa to Guray, 40 km away, in search of water.

90% of the households have access to 7 – 8 liters of water per person/day, which is below commonly accepted minimum standard of 15 liter per person/day.26 Many are

26 see “The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response”, Oxfam Publishing , 2000, p. 30.

entirely dependent on water brought in on trucks. In locations where solar powered systems and hand pumps have been installed, there is a general lack of spare parts and trained personnel to maintain them. However, the population expresses a preference for solar powered pump systems due to the relative ease of maintenance.

Regarding sanitation, 95% of the populations assessed does not use latrines and practices open defecation.

Needs and Recommendations:

· An alternative to provide water for the population living in areas such as Bahri is through taping surface run-off and rainwater harvesting during the rainy season. The local population should therefore be trained to construct surface reservoirs, roof catchments, and dams. Further, the construction of more recapped sources such as hand dug wells, springs, surface reservoir, and boreholes would improve the water supply. A survey to assess the taping of hot springs and valley dams in high elevations should be carried out; · Public health education campaigns should be emphasized and training on the construction of pit latrines using local materials should be promoted. In order to ensure that latrines are used, campaigns should be undertaken to explain the benefits of latrines and their proper usage; and · Train hand pump technicians at the sub-zoba level who could subsequently service pumps at various villages. This would involve at least 10 hand and solar pump technicians, one for each sub zoba.

2.1.4 Education and Child Protection

No form of psycho-social care exists in the villages visited for children in need of this type of assistance. A majority of schools assessed had no water supply or sanitation facilities. All schools visited lacked adequate teaching materials. Further, there is a need for more teachers among the Afar, Tigre and Saho speaking communities.

The drought has considerably affected the number of children enrolled in schools. Children stay at home assisting parents in times of hardship. Enrollment of girls in school is low in the zone due to the long distance to most schools, cultural factors, and economic hardship.

Needs and Recommendations:

· In order to improve the enrollment of school children, school-feeding programs should be introduced in drought stricken sub-zones. Water and sanitation facilities should also be provided; · Required school materials include textbooks and sport equipments; · The Ministry of Education should consider constructing schools in Bahri administrative area and Af’abet where students travel 3-4 hrs to school. The provision of emergency school materials should be considered for schools in rural areas; and · More teachers are required among the Afar, Tigre, and Saho speaking communities. · Provide water and sanitation facilities in schools, as necessary.

2.1.5 Social and Economic Activities

Needs and Recommendations:

· There are limited socio-economic activities available for the drought-affected populations. In areas where farmers are using spate irrigation, only 67% of the land is irrigated due to drought. The purchasing power of pastoralists continues to decline. Due to the drought, leading to the death or sale of a large portion of livestock, dependence on livestock as a source of income has become unreliable; · Fishing materials and skills training is recommended for pastrolist families as a means of mitigating the effects of drought. Credit schemes to allow these families to purchase basic fishing equipments should be introduced; and · Additional areas for spate irrigation should be identified and developed to provide alternative means of income.

2.1.6 Mine Action

The independence war left countless land mines in the region. Numerous mine- related casualties, involving both humans and animals, are reported each year.

Needs and Recommendations:

· De-mining required in Foro, Bada, Ghinda, and Af’abet sub-zones; and · A mine awareness campaign should be launched throughout the Zoba.

2.2 IDPs outside Camps

The approximately 7,000 IDPs residing outside of camps in Northern Red Sea are mainly located in Bada Administrative area in Ghelalo sub-zone. Bada Administrative zone is comprised of 4 villages located near the Ethiopian border. Laimbada and Bolali villages with a total IDP population of 4,000 persons are under Eritrean control while Adimurug and Erimile with 2,900 IDPs are in the occupied areas. The population of Bada comprises about 60% farmers, 30% pastrolist and 10% traders. The Rigale river, the main source of irrigation, is located on the frontline, with roughly half of the population of Bada on either riverbank. Farming activities using the river’s flood waters have largely halted due to the war, affecting the local sorghum and maize crops. ERREC has distributed food aid to the population on the Eritrean side. The health center moved from Bada to Ghelalo which is at a 115 km distance and mobile health workers visit the area regularly.

The population in Bada is dependant on the food aid provided through ERREC. No non-food assistance has been provided to this population. Thus, shelter, household items, and clothes are the main requirements.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Distribution of tents, clothes and households items to approximately 3,000 persons; · Monthly food rations should continue to be provided regularly, including supplementary food rations to children under five; · Mine awareness and demining should be initiated throughout the Bada area; · Regular mobile health services should be provided at central locations; and · A regular supply of water should be established for the villages in the area.

2.3 IDPs in Camps

There are three IDP camps in the Northern Red Sea zone area: Harena, Mekete, and Denden. They accommodate a total of 47,541 displaced persons.

Due to the proximity of Mai-habar camp to Asmara, its population is receiving regular and adequate food and non-food assistance. The water and sanitation situation has been fragile in this camp (resulting, amongst others, in an outbreak of Shiggelosis) but has much improved in recent months due to enhanced watsan interventions by, inter alia, OXFAM.

Denden camp has a population of approximately 1,300 persons. It is recommended that the return of camp residents to Assab is facilitated as soon as possible through the provision of specific returnee assistance. Currently, the IDPs are not willing to return to Assab fearing that assistance will be discontinued.

Generally, diarrhea is still common in the camps due to poor sanitary practices. Hygiene campaigns and related training should therefore be stepped up in all camps. Environmental sanitation committees should be established in camps in order to facilitate the maintenance of latrines.

Although basic humanitarian needs have been provided to the IDPs in camps, many are forced to sell portions of their food rations and non-food items in order to buy other necessities. A full survey should therefore be undertaken to identify gaps in the distribution of non-food items to camp populations, particularly at Denden, Harena and Makete.

2.3.1 Shelter and Household Items

Needs and Recommendation:

Provision of the following items for population in Denden, Mai-habar, and Makete camps:

· Mai-habar camp requires 3,070 tents, mainly to replace old tents and to shelter families currently sheltered under plastic sheeting. The supply of kerosene to 9,100 households should be enhanced. Generally, regarding the distribution of kerosene in camps, assessed households expressed the need for a 10 liters ration per month (the current one-liter/month ration is seen as insufficient); · Denden camp requires 170 tents and 800 blankets (blankets should also be provided to IDPs moved from Buya camp), including replacements; · Sleeping mats are required for 11,038 persons in Denden and Makete camps; · 5,519 households require kitchen sets in Denden and Makete camps; · 5,519 households require soap in Denden and Makete camps; and · Only 25% of the IDPs at Mekete received tents and 50% have shelter made of plastic sheeting. The remaining 25% of the camp population (1,354 households) are without proper shelter. Thus, 1,354 households require shelter material in Mekete camp. · As soon as possible and deemed appropriate and safe, Denden camp should be moved back to Assab and assistance under the returnee programme should be extended to the returnees.

2.3.2 Health and Nutrition

Needs and Recommendations:

· Medical services and assistance should be maintained at Denden, Makete and Mai-habar camps; · It is recommended that additional Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) be trained in Denden camp to cover additional IDPs moved from Buya; · Medical equipment should be supplied to Harena and Denden camps to alleviate the current shortage; · Health education campaigns should be launched in all camps; · 2 Medical tents are required for Denden camp; · 6 health workers and a generator is required in Mekete camp; · Dry supplementary rations should be provided for vulnerable children under five in Denden (to cover additional IDPs moved from Buya) camp; · HIV awareness campaigns to be stepped up in all camps.

2.3.3 Water and Sanitation

No water problems are apparent in the Harena and Denden camps. No latrines are available in Denden while the ones at Harena and Mekete are not being maintained properly.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Public health education should be strengthened at Harena and community water and sanitation committees established. Maintenance of the existing latrines is urgently required in Harena and Makete along with training in personal hygiene for camp populations; and · 10 latrines should be constructed in Denden to accommodate additional IDPs from Buya.

2.3.4 Education and Child Protection/Psycho-Social Care

There is a general lack of teaching and learning materials in all camps. In addition, there is a shortage of Saho speaking teachers at Denden camp. Classes are overcrowded at Harena due to the return of children from Asmara.

In Mekete camp, 520 school-age children are not attending elementary school. There is also a shortage of qualified teachers (only 10 out of 43 teachers are qualified) resulting in a teacher- student ratio of 1: 93 (Ministry of Education norm is 1: 45). Presently, children 13 years old and above are not attending school as no classes are available above elementary level.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide text and exercise books, desks, and sport equipments to all camps; · More class rooms should be constructed in Harena; · 33 qualified teachers required at Mekete camp; and · Community based literacy and adult education programs are required in all camps.

2.3.5 Social and Economic Activities

Needs and Recommendations:

· In order to increase self-reliance and self-determination, income generating activities should be introduced in the camps where possible and when the populations move back to their home villages; · It is recommended that more commodities such as tea, coffee and sugar be distributed to the population in camps in order to reduce the selling of food rations and other non-food items.

2.3.6 Mine Action

As groups return to their home areas, it is necessary that they receive mine awareness information and updates on landmine in return areas.

2.4 Urban Vulnerable

In Northern Red Sea zone, the urban vulnerable population identified by the ANA team includes returnees, deportees, displaced nomads, and populations left destitute as the result of the drought and war. The group constitutes approximately 18,000 persons (3% of the total population of the zoba). Areas where these populations have been identified are Massawa, Ghinda, Afabet and Mahmimet.27

The urban vulnerable families are mainly headed by women (as many of their partners, and adult children are at the frontlines). Their incomes have been severely reduced and they are faced with price increases in terms of food commodities and water. As a result, 90% of this group is not able to buy sufficient quantities of clothes or school materials for their children.

It is recommended that humanitarian assistance be extended to this group in 2001. Major findings and recommendations are listed by sector below.

2.4.1 Shelter and Household Items

Needs and Recommendations:

· 150 female-headed households in Mahmimet require household items such as clothing and other basic household neccesities; · 1,728 returnee families in Mahmimet require shelter and household items; · Cooking sets and kerosene are required for 5,200 households in Massawa and Ghinda; · 18,362 persons require clothing articles in the Zoba; and · 1,881 households in Af’abet require tents, blankets, soap, kitchen sets, jerry cans, cooking stoves, mosquito nets, and kerosene. This group consists of nomads who have moved to Afabet town due to the drought.

27 The urban population of Nakfa has not been included in these estimates due to lack of data.

2.4.2 Health and Nutrition

Needs and Recommendations:

· Medical supplies, equipment (including cold chain equipment), and staff training required in Massawa, Afabet and Ghinda hospitals. Further assessment of medical equipment needs to be undertaken in hospitals in urban areas; · Continuation of existing supplementary feeding programs for children under five in Ghinda, Afabet and Massawa. Approximately 5,708 children will require supplementary food rations in 2001; and · General public health education required.

2.4.3 Water Supply and Sanitation

Many among the urban vulnerable population in Ghinda draw water from the nearby May’adkomom river as they can not afford tap water. In Massawa the urban vulnerable draw water from a hand dug well for the same reason. The urban poor in Ghinda and some parts of Massawa are not using latrines as they are in short supply. In the northern sub-zones the situation regarding water supply is the same as of the drought-affected population described above.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Containers are necessary in order to collect water for approximately 5,200 families; · More public latrines should be constructed in schools, health facilities and market places; · In order to reduce the incidence of diarrhea, which is common among this population group due to unsafe water, recapping and treatment of hand-dug wells is necessary; · Additional public latrines are required in Ghinda and Massawa. In Afabet 6 public latrines are required; and · Public health education programs should be introduced, targeting the urban vulnerable, in all urban areas.

2.4.4 Education and Child protection/Psycho-Social Care

Needs and Recommendations:

· Text and exercise books, desks, sport equipment should be supplied to five elementary schools in Massawa, three elementary schools in Ghinda, one in Mahmimet, and one in Afabet; · It is recommended that school feeding programs should be introduced in the above areas; and · A one-time distribution of clothes should be undertaken targeting vulnerable school children in urban areas.

2.4.5 Community Programs and Social Economic Activities

Income-generating activities are required in order to support the urban vulnerable. Presently, 90% of the urban vulnerable are dependant on relief assistance from the Government. Due to the war most of the young men are away from their homes.

Presently, it is estimated that 67% of the urban vulnerable homes are headed by women.

Needs and Recommendation:

· It is recommended that income-generating activities should be introduced, including for example fishing, small-scale trade, hand crafts, sewing, poultry farming, or gardening of vegetables and other horticulture crops; and · Priority should be given to female-headed households in providing credit schemes.

2.4.6 Mine Action

Mines/UXO are not considered a direct threat to this group.

F. Zoba Southern Red Sea

General Description

Zoba Southern Red Sea is semi-arid coastal region with one seaport. Much of the area is chronically affected by drought conditions. It has 203,618 people of whom approximately 40,000 live in the port city of Assab and are classified as war-affected returnees. Approximately 98% of the rural population in the region is pastoral, relying on livestock production for food and income. The remaining 2%, who live close to the coast depend mainly on fishing. Agricultural activities are limited to agricultural research projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.

During the intense fighting in May-June 2000, nearly all the civilians of Assab and surrounding areas fled. Some are still in IDP camps in Zoba Northern Red Sea. A few who fled to Yemen, have only recently returned. About 95% of the rural people are semi-nomadic pastoralists while 5% are small-scale traders, laborers, or fishermen. This group is classified as drought-affected.

The conflict with Ethiopia disrupted most of the economic activities including labour opportunities and market network in the zoba. All economic activities in the town of Assab, the source of employment and market for thousands of people have come to a halt including salt farming, port activities and the oil refinery. Government Cash for work projects and road construction have also stopped. Cross border trading with Yemen and Djibouti has been disrupted. This has led to short supply of essential and commercial goods, which has resulted to high inflation. The meager cash economy revolves around the local administration and military presence.

Security currently directly affects only the areas along the border with Ethiopia, particularly along the frontlines and the displaced communities around Deba Sima, Mussa Ali and other small settlements in the area. However, the general sense of insecurity for the entire region, focused on Assab and its surroundings, is palpable. Any potential resumption of hostilities is generally assumed to be aimed at the port of Assab. This has definitely had its effect on the return rates of the civilian population.

The interplay between the drought conditions and the war-affected economy creates a situation in which the needs of both target population groups are virtually the same. As a result, roughly 85% of the total population will need some level of relief assistance.

1. Food Aid and Food Security

Between 1998 and 2000, the food security situation in Southern Red Sea has deteriorated considerably. The area has experienced continuous insecurity for the past two years due to the border conflict with Ethiopia. This has led to the disruption of economic activities and displacement of the population to the neighbouring regions and into the interior of the region.

As mentioned the Southern Red Sea area is semi-arid with a majority of the population relying on livestock production for food and income. Agricultural activities are limited to agricultural research projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. The system of land ownership in the area is communal.

For many, an already difficult economic situation has been compounded by an outbreak of the “Rift Valley” fever, which has led to a ban on livestock export to Yemen.

The region has also been affected by drought for the last five years. This year’s rainfall was inadequate to replenish pastures, which may result in reduced livestock reproduction rates. Recent flash floods from the Ethiopian highlands killed large numbers of goats and camels. All these factors have culminated in the deterioration of the food security situation in the Southern Red Sea region

Needs and Recommendations:

· A total of 134,133 rural vulnerable persons in Southern Red Sea will need 17, 572 MT of life-saving emergency food in 2001 to ensure a minimum daily intake of 2,100 kcal.

2. Non-Food Sectors by Target Populations

There is a significant overlap in the needs of the two severely impacted groups in the Southern Red Sea region- the war-affected returnees/urban vulnerable population and the drought-affected population. Therefore the population can be separated into those living in and around Assab, the war-affected urban dwellers, and those in the rest of the Zoba, the drought-affected rural population. Recommendations for the two groups also overlap and complement each other and will be presented together.

While no IDP camps exist in the SRSZ, there is an appreciable IDP population, displaced mainly from the Mussa Ali and Deba Sima areas near the frontlines in Debub SRSZ. Population figures were impossible to obtain as was information on interventions currently being carried out to assist them. Reports available stated only that IDPs were currently being hosted by semi-nomadic communities and small settlements scattered around the Abo Kebabi.

2.1 Shelter and Household Items

The majority of households interviewed live in makeshift houses made of wooden frames covered by odd bits of material including wooden planks, asbestos and metal sheets. Most are one-room homes, badly in need of repair and often overcrowded. Children sleep 4 or 6 to a bed (also makeshift) or on sleeping mats (if available) on the mud floor. Few homes have more than one mosquito net because most families cannot afford more. The average family owns some basic cooking utensils and household items, but they are old and rusty, and not hygienic.

In the rural areas, a majority of the families cook on open fires using firewood and any other material. In the drought areas outside Assab, some women and children spend almost an entire day (every three days) in search of firewood. This is not only a time- consuming task, but also damaging to the community’s environment which is already dry and devoid of trees

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide household materials and kitchen utensils to the most vulnerable households in both urban and rural areas (approximately 85%); · Supply shelter material to renovate those shelters that are in need of repair (approximately 65%) and rebuild those homes that are a potential safety hazard to the households (approximately 25%); · Promote awareness programs on basic sanitation and hygiene through the training and posting of 100 community-based health workers;

· Provide mosquito nets to all households with instructions on how to set them up in their homes and use them effectively (approximately 95%); · Install and repair latrines in homes (approximately 85%); and · Introduce alternative and inexpensive methods for fuel other than kerosene such as fuel-efficient wood stoves and solar cookers to avoid further environmental damage.

2.2 Health and Nutrition

The most common health problems in the zoba are diarrhoea, malaria, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), malnutrition and anaemia, eye diseases, skin diseases and T.B. infections.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Acute shortage in the number and types of health workers in all health facilities to properly serve the widely scattered and distant living communities in their areas. It is recommended that attempts be made to obtain a more ideal staffing situation by reinforcing each health facility with the following staff:

o Public Health Nurse Practitioners o Physiotherapists o Ophthalmic Technicians o Midwife Nurses o Health Assistants.

· It is recommended that sufficient supplies of essential drugs and medical supplies be provided to each health facility; · There is currently an inadequate number of trained Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and Malaria Agents in the Zoba. It is recommended that the following be done to increase the number of trained TBAs and other community health agents.

o Train 100 TBAs o Provide refresher courses for the existing 120 TBAs o Provide refresher courses for the existing 199 Malaria Agents

· Lack of transportation means for referral of patients and maternity services. Provide 6 four-wheel drive ambulance vehicles for use in emergency referral of patients and Integrated Primary Health Care Services at health facility level; · No supply of supplementary food in health facilities. Establish growth monitoring and supplementary feeding centres. Establish two therapeutic feeding centres at Assab Hospital and Tio Mini Hospital; · Shortage of food and inpatient beds at health centres and health stations for use for very critical patients. Thus, provide five additional beds and suitable food supply for each rural health station for emergency admissions; · Support vulnerable families by supplying 2,000 Insecticide Impregnated Mosquito Bed Nets free of charge and increase community awareness on their use; · Supply sufficient supplementary food and vitamins to all levels of health facilities;

· Undertake nutritional surveys and establish monitoring mechanisms at all health facilities, through training and collaboration with other relevant governmental sectors; and · Provide additional refresher courses and on job trainings to 20% of health workers from Assab town and 80% of health workers from rural health facilities. Provide continuous and regular health education concerning issues such as nutrition, malaria, HIV/AIDS/STDs and diarrhea.

2.3 Water and Sanitation

Water problems exist in nearly all areas. All assessed locations are supplied with piped water, however many cannot afford to pay the associated fee. As a result many water from unprotected hand dug wells, often located at great distances from their houses. Boreholes close to the coast and even farther inland are often salty and brakish.

Very few latrines are available to the public, except in health facilities, some schools, and other governmental offices.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Provide access to safe and sufficient supply of water (for approximately 70% of the population) by constructing additional water wells; · Assist the communities to construct at least 40 public VIP latrines throughout the Zoba; and · Increase community awareness of personal and environmental hygiene by training community health workers to give seminars in local languages.

2.4 Education and Child Protection

Education

There are 27 functioning schools in the Zoba: 24 elementary schools, 2 junior schools, and one secondary school. In Assab town there are nine schools with a total of 3,571 enrolled students and 70 teachers.

In the rural area school enrollment is generally very low. Although enrollment has gradually increased in the post-independence years, the numbers are still far below the national average. The reasons are that children must travel great distances from the scattered pastoral settlements. Also, schools offer poor feeding programs and most schools lack lodging facilities.

Another observed problem is the low enrollment of female students (38% of total enrollment in Assab; 20% in rural areas). Many families are reluctant to send their daughters to school because of cultural and poverty-related reasons. There is serious shortage of teachers (female teachers in particular), educational materials, and furniture.

Needs and Recommendations

· Promote and extend school-feeding programs to all 9 schools in Assab sub- zone, particularly for out-of-town students and in the 18 schools in the drought areas;

· Promote programs that encourage female school enrolment and employment of female teachers. Only 20% to 38% of the student body are female and this figure should be brought to 50%; · Replace the temporary classrooms in six emergency schools with permanent structures; · Expand the 3 existing boarding schools and set up new boarding facilities throughout the Zoba; · Provide clothing and school uniforms for the most vulnerable 85% of the children; · Provide each of the 9 schools in Assab sub-zone with water reservoirs and latrines; · Install electricity or solar panels in each of the 9 schools for lights and ventilation fans; · Provide additional upgrading for qualified teachers; · Provide certification programs for the unqualified teachers; and · Provide additional school materials and equipment, such as desks, books, school bags and other stationery materials to the most vulnerable 85% of the students.

Child Protection

There are no facilities for disabled children. Interviewed families of physically and mentally disabled children, generally keep these children at home and care for them the best they can. There is one popular youth center where young people gather in the evenings to watch movies and TV. The basketball court is used frequently during the day. However, younger children complain that there is little for them in terms of recreational activities and organized social events. Needs and Recommendations:

· Support a national study/survey on disabled children and assessment on child- headed households; · Provide more community-based programs to address the problem of disabled children in all communities; · Increase awareness among the parents not to stigmatize disabled children in all communities; · Support alternative schools, vocational training or informal school in areas currently supporting educational facilities in order to make them viable members of their communities (currently 9 schools in Assab sub-zone); · Allocate resources to provide disabled children with alternative school and special health care facilities, pending further assessments as to exact needs and numbers; · Provide long-term economic support to those families that care for extended family members, including orphaned children and widowed women and their families, pending further assessment of the exact number of affected children and families. Current data is inadequate to draw workable conclusions; and · Provide recreational materials.

2.5 Social and Economic Activities

95% of the population can be classified as pastoralists; 2% as traders; 2% as daily laborers; and 1% as involved in traditional fishing activities. With the closing of the port and refinery, the salt works have also come to a near halt. Some small-scale trade continues with Yemen (mostly food items, eggs, building materials bartered for Eritrean livestock, skins and salt). Some minor trade also exists with Djibouti.Apart

from these, most social and economic activities have slowed to a halt throughout the zone.

A number of projects currently provide skills training to vulnerable populations. One program assisting street children by providing school materials, vocational training, and apprenticeships. A further program trains volunteers to work with disabled living in Assab town. Small-scale experimental agricultural projects that have been initiated by the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government have had encouraging results in some areas. However, it remains to be seen whether rainfall patterns will allow this project to be duplicated in other areas of the region.

Micro-credit programs in the past have had very mixed results due to cultural, transportation, communications, trade and market constraints. However, the Ministry of Fisheries has instituted a soft-credit program of supplying Afar fishermen with fishing boats, nets and other inputs with a guaranteed market for their fish.

Grants were commonly mentioned as necessary inputs among various segments of the population in order to get the economy functioning again -- at household, village, sub-zonal and zonal levels. Common areas of requested intervention were agricultural and small business.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Training programs should be initiated in various areas throughout the zone, perhaps with credit schemes (see below) and/or cash-for-work components to lead the participants into long-term sustainable economic viability. Areas for consideration are agriculture, building, technical skills, management, and small business management. These should be accompanied with workshops on determining suitable training programs for different population segments in different regions. Ideally, these would focus on the training of trainers (TOT) in order to make the programs more relevant, far reaching and more long- term sustainable. With this option, some 50 individuals could be trained as assessor-trainers involved in outreach assessment/training programs throughout the region. Emphasis should be placed on training native speakers of local languages.

· Micro-credit programs that work alongside the Ministry of Fisheries’ already successful program of supplying soft-credit in-kind assistance consisting of fishing boats and implements is one option, but it may also be possible to adapt other micro-credit programs along these same lines in such areas as livestock, small business start-up or expansion, among others. The concern is that markets may not exist in these areas, thus leading to the failure of the credit schemes. 10% of the general population can be considered to have entrepreneurial abilities and could be targeted in this project, equaling 2,129 individuals.

· Cash and in-kind grants should be considered. Agricultural inputs should focus on agricultural implements, seeds, pumps and irrigation equipment. Fishermen require boats, nets and storage facilities. Pastoralists require the restocking of livestock which have died off due to the drought. Small businesses require start-up capital and goods. Grants are recommended for the lower strata of the war- and drought-affected, covering the very poor and the poor.

· Roads should be surfaced and expanded to reach drought-affected and vulnerable populations. This would have the added effect of increasing trade and economic activity. Grasslands require dramatic intervention in reseeding in order to assist pastoralists with grazing their livestock, as well as to slow the process of erosion throughout the region. Wells, schools, clinics and shelter must also be built under other sectoral programs and could be placed under the aegis of cash-for-work programs.

2.6 Mine Action

In all areas visited, landmines were not seen as a priority and the most recent landmine incidents were recorded as having been several years ago (the most recent having been three years with one injury reported). There were no reports of on-going mine awareness programs. Of special concern is that the entire border area along the war front is currently very heavily mined, according to UNMEE personnel in the area. The extent of the mining is unknown and the areas mined are not currently inhabited. However, as the peace process proceeds and people return to home communities, landmines will present a very real danger.

Needs and Recommendations:

· Mine-Awareness programs should be provided for populations currently displaced from frontline areas and de-mining along the same areas; · General landmine awareness programs should be initiated in those areas near the frontlines (pop. approximately 2,000), with very clear indications of which areas are affected; and · Concerned agencies should proceed with all due haste in determining the full extent of mining activities, inform the public of those areas and immediately commence demining frontline areas to enable the safe return of civilians to their home communities.

Annex I – Acronyms and Abbreviations

ANA Annual Needs Assessment ARI Acute Respiratory Infection ATT Assessment Technical Team CA Consolidated Appeal CAP Consolidated Appeal Process CHAP Common Humanitarian Action Plan DMK Locally produced supplementary food EDF Eritrean Defense Force EDP Eritrean Demining Programme EMOP Emergency Operation ERREC Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission FAO Food and Agriculture Organization GIS Geographic Information System HHFE Household Food and Economy ICC Information and Coordination Center ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDP Internally Displaced Person IFRC International Fed. of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Kcal Kilo-calorie MLHW Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare MoH Ministry of Health MTs Metric Tones NGO Non-Governmental Organization NUEYS National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students OCHA UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs PHARPE Public Health and Rehabilitation Program for Eritrea PRRA Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal RC/HC United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator RCSE Red Cross Society of Eritrea RH Reproductive Health SCF-UK Save the Children-United Kingdom STD Sexual Transmitted Disease SWG Sectoral Working Groups SRSG Special Representative of the Secretary-General TB Tuberculosis TBA Traditional Birth Attendants TSZ Temporary Security Zone UN United Nations UNCT United Nations Country Team UNDAC United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNMEE United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea UXO Unexploded ordnance VIP Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines WFP World Food Programme WHO World Health Organization