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Common Country Assessment (CCA)

ERITREA

Poverty Reduction

Governance Economic Growth Food Emergency & Security Recovery HIV/AIDS Nutrition Gender Capacity Equity Communication Special needs Environment Data & Energy Educatio

Shelter, Water & Health Sanitation

Volume 1

March 2001

United Nations

Table of contents

Page Foreword

1. Introduction 1

2. Country Overview 2
 Historical context 2
 Basic facts 3
 The state of human development 4
 The national policy framework and UN System cooperation 6

3. Key Development Issues for Poverty Reduction 8 3.1 Governance 10 Focus box 1: HIV/AIDS & STDs 13 3.2 Economic growth and development 14 Focus box 2: Nutrition 17 3.3 Food security 18 Focus box 3: Gender in development 21 3.4 Education 22 Focus box 4: Capacity development 25 3.5 Health 26 Focus box 5: Issues of equity 29 3.6 Water, shelter and sanitation 30 Focus box 6: Communication for development 33 3.7 Environment and Energy 34 Focus box 7: Population groups with special needs 37 3.8 Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation 38 Focus box 8: Data for development 41

4. Conclusions and the way forward 42

Annexes 46 1. From assessment to collaborative programming: potential areas for UN System support 47 2. Eritrea CCA Terms of reference 57 3. United Nations Country Team & Members of the Steering Committee 63 4. List of Theme Group Members 64 5. List of resource persons consulted and/or attended Theme Group Meetings 67 6. List of focus people responsible for sections in the CCA document 70 7. Process and Methodology 71 8. References 73 9. Acronyms 79 10. Matrix showing inter-linkages between thematic and cross-cutting issues 81 11. Mandates of the United Nations System organizations 86 12. Development Database (in process) 89

ii Index of figures, charts, indicator boxes and maps

page Map 1: Administrative regions of Eritrea 3 Box: Poverty – Core indicators 8 Figure 3.0 Poverty reduction 9 Box: Governance - Core indicators 10 Figure 3.1: Governance – Causal analysis 12 Box: Economic growth and development – Core indicators 14 Chart 3.2.1: GDP at 1992 constant factor prices (million Nakfa) 14 Chart 3.2.2: Government Expenditures and Revenues 1992-1999 (million Nakfa) 14 Chart 3.2.3: Foreign exchange inflow (averages 1996-1998) 15 Figure 3.2: Economic growth and development – Causal analysis 16 Box: Nutrition – Core indicators 17 Box: Food security – Core indicators 18 Chart 3.3.1: % of children under the age of 3 years suffering from mal-nutrition 18 Chart 3.3.2: Import : Production Ratio for Cereals 19 Figure 3.3: Food security – Causal analysis 20 Box: Gender in development - Core indicators 21 Box: Education – Core indicators 22 Chart 3.4.1: Net Primary Enrolement Rate 1992-99 (%) 22 Chart 3.4.2: Repetition Rate Primary level (%) 23 Figure 3.4: Education – Causal analysis 24 Box: Health – Core indicators 26 Chart 3.5.1: % increase in health facilities since 1991 26 Chart 3.5.2: Infant and under-5 mortality (1996) 27 Figure 3.5: Health – Causal analysis 28 Box: Water, shelter and sanitation – Core indicators 30 Chart 3.6.1: Access to safe water and sanitation (%) 30 Figure 3.6: Water, shelter and sanitation – Causal analysis 32 Box: Environment and Energy – Core indicators 34 Chart 3.7.1: Landuse potential in million ha 34 Chart 3.7.2 Forest cover as % of total land area (1880 - 1997) 34 Chart 3.7.3: Shares in energy consumption per carries (1989) 25 Figure 3.7: Environment and Energy - – Causal analysis 36 Box: Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation - Core indicators 38 Chart 3.8.1: Affected by the war damage 39 Figure 3.8: Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation – Causal analysis 40

iii Foreword

It is my pleasure and honour to write this part of the introductory remarks upon the successful completion of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) in Eritrea, which was prepared under very difficult circumstances. Only a month after it was launched in April 2000, a fierce war between Ethiopia and Eritrea broke out prompting a colossal humanitarian crisis and social and economic destruction. Given this situation, it was natural for the Government of Eritrea and its development partners to turn their attention to the growing humanitarian emergency. However, the determination to get things done, despite this difficult situation, and the evidently unfailing dedication of all the protagonists in the preparation of the CCA proved bigger and stronger than the obstacles.

Under the general direction of the UN Country Team, a Steering Committee, chaired by Mr. Firouz Sobhani, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, was assigned with the overall responsibility to oversee both the process and the production of the CCA in Eritrea. The Steering Committee was made up of representatives of all the resident UN agencies whilst non-resident agencies were kept informed of progress at key stages of the process through electronic channels of communication.

The important task for the Steering Committee was to devise a system of identifying the key development challenges. Reflecting the Government’s policy priorities, the Steering Committee identified human development and poverty reduction as the over-arching objective of all UN development efforts in Eritrea. Accordingly, eight thematic areas were selected for assessment and analysis and a corresponding number of theme groups established for the day-to-day management of the different phases of the work. The core members of the theme groups, drawn from the UN System, from Government, from civil society and from the donor community, were identified by the Steering Committee. However, it was the responsibility of the Chair of each theme group to co-opt unlisted but qualified individuals into the respective theme group. Thus, a practical and participatory system that enabled the theme groups to do their work effectively was put in place. The draft CCA was finally reviewed and final modifications agreed during a two-day national workshop in Massawa with high level representation by Government, bilateral and non-governmental partners and the UN system agencies.

In addition to providing a participatory consultative framework, the other purpose of the CCA is to serve as the basis for a coordinated UN Development Framework (UNDAF) in support of the development priorities of the Government. A number of important challenges have been identified in this CCA document, which I believe will enhance our ability to respond strategically to the needs of Eritrea through the UNDAF.

I wish to thank all those involved in the preparation of the CCA for Eritrea, the members of the Steering Committee, especially those in the theme groups who gave their time freely and tirelessly. I have no doubt that this CCA document, on which they all worked so hard to produce, will make a significant contribution to the development of Eritrea in the next five to six years.

Simon R. Nhongo Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator

iv 1. Introduction In 1997, the Secretary- General of United Nations launched a programme of reform for the United Nations with the aim of preparing it for the challenges of the 21st century. A number of the reform actions set forth by the Secretary-General address the development work of the United Nations, a core mission that remains of vital importance. One of the key The Common Country Assessment (CCA) is a country-based process elements of this reform is to bring greater coherence to the United for reviewing and analyzing the Nations programmes of assistance at the country level with common national development situation and objectives and time frames in close consultation with governments. This identifying key issues as a basis for is intended to be achieved through the United Nations Development advocacy, policy dialogue and Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The Common Country Assessment preparation of the UNDAF. (CCA) is a country-based process for reviewing and analyzing the national development situation and identifying key issues as a basis for advocacy, policy dialogue and preparation of the UNDAF. The CCA is undertaken by the United Nations System in close consultation with the Government and other key partners.

The official launching of the CCA process took place on 5 April 2000 in a meeting convened by the UN Resident Coordinator and attended by senior government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, private sector and bilateral/multilateral agencies present in Eritrea. During the launching event the partners were briefed on the CCA process in Eritrea and received an Aide Memoire on the detailed plans for its preparation. They were invited to take part actively in the eight Theme Groups established for the preparation of the CCA. The selection Senior Government officials, of the thematic areas to be assessed and analyzed by the Theme Groups representatives of civil society was based primarily on the areas of focus agreed upon by the UN and organizations, private sector and Government of the State of Eritrea in the Country Strategy Note (CSN) bilateral/multilateral agencies in 1998. They were also selected by virtue of their significant present in Eritrea took part actively in the eight Theme contribution to reduce poverty and promote human development, which Groups established for the constitute the over-arching objectives of the UN in Eritrea. The eight preparation of the CCA. thematic areas were: Governance, Economic growth and development, Food security, Education, Health, Shelter/water and sanitation, Environment and energy as well as Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation

Under the guidance of a CCA Steering Committee established by the UN Country Team, the Theme Groups worked from April to June to accomplish their tasks and produce their final reports. This required intensive interaction between the members of the group through brainstorming sessions and discussions in their meetings and retreats. The Groups also called upon external resource persons/experts as necessary to attend their meetings and make presentations on specific subjects. The CCA was amended and validated based on the review during the national CCA/UNDAF workshop in Massawa, 29/30 January Volume I (this document) 2001. captures the main findings of the CCA process whilst volume Volume I, captures the main findings of the CCA process whilst volume II is a compilation of the II is a compilation of the complete reports produced by the eight theme reports produced by the eight groups. The present document (volume I) is organized in 4 chapters: theme groups.

1 Following this introduction, chapter 2 presents in summary the country context as to the basic socio-economic and political parameters, historical context and policy environment; Chapter 3 represents the core of the report indicating in summary summary the findings of the Theme Groups related to eight thematic areas. It also features in focus boxes selected additional issues that emerged as particularly relevant. Chapter 4 presents the main conclusions. The annex contains background information and working documents of a forward-looking nature. The CCA sets the stage and constitute the starting point for negotiations and discussions between UN System and the Government for the preparation of UNDAF by June 2001.

2. Country overview

Historical context

Eritrea has a checkered history of occupation and oppression that has lasted for centuries. Parts of present day Eritrea located along the Red Sea fell to the Turkish and Egyptian empires of the past. Modern Eritrean history may, however, be said to have started with the colonization by Italy in 1891. It was Italy that carved Eritrea out of the area known as the Horn of Africa and also gave it its name. At the end of colonial rule, Eritrea was the only country in Africa whose fate was decided by the United Nations, which federated it with Ethiopia. Ethiopia flouted the terms of the agreement from the start and later, abrogating the UN sponsored federation, annexed it and declared it as one of its provinces. This Ethiopian action was the cause for the start of a liberation struggle that lasted 30 years, 1961-1991.

Eritrea’s struggle for liberation came to an end on 24 May 1991. Eritrea became formally independent two years later, in 1993, following an internationally supervised referendum in which 98.8 percent of the The length and severity of the war eligible constituency voted for independence. More importantly, a new of liberation has resulted in and Eritrea-friendly government was also installed in Ethiopia soon after profound damage to the national the liberation of Eritrea bringing hope for lasting peace and stability in economy and has touched every sector. the region.

During the protracted war of liberation, Eritrea suffered human tragedy and socio-economic devastation of immense proportions. Tens of thousands of people were killed, a large number vulnerable groups created and many of the educated and skilled Eritreans were forced to migrate to other countries. Expectedly, the absence of skilled human resources has been identified as the main bottleneck in the economic reconstruction of post-independent Eritrea. The length and severity of the war of liberation has resulted in profound damage to the national economy and has touched every sector. Compared to many other African countries, Eritrea was a relatively more industrialized country before the advent of Ethiopian rule in the early 60s.

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Basic facts

Chronology of Political History

1891 Colonization by Italy 1941 Italy driven out by allied forces 1941–51 British Military Administration 1952 Federation with Ethiopia under a UN arrangement 1961-91 Liberation struggle following annexation by Ethiopia 1991 Liberation of Eritrea 1993 Referendum and official independence 1998 Border conflict with Ethiopia escalated to open war

Form of state Unitary State

National Legislature Transitional National Assembly of 150, composed of 75 members of the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, 60 members representing the six Regional Baitos (Councils) and 15 members representing Eritreans residing abroad. Head of State President, elected by the National Assembly National Government The President and the Council of Ministers

Land surface area 125,700 sq. km Average rainfall from less than 100mm to 800mm according to region Population 3.29 million (estimate for 2000 based on a 1998 Government estimate. No census has ever been conducted in Eritrea but there is a plan to undertake one as soon as population movements stabilize) Annual population growth 3% (estimate) Urban population ratio 18% (UNDP Human Development Report 2000)

GNP per capita (1998) 200 US$ (UNDP Human Development Report 2000) GDP per capita (1998) 175 US$ (UNDP Human Development Report 2000)

Life expectancy at birth (1998) - Female 52.6 yrs (UNDP Human Development Report 2000) - Male 49.6 yrs (UNDP Human Development Report 2000) - Average 51.1 yrs (UNDP Human Development Report 2000)

Infant mortality rate 70/1000 (UNDP Human Development Report 2000) Under-five mortality rate 112/1000 (UNDP Human Development Report 2000) Maternal mortality 998/100,000 (Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 1995 Under three underweight rate 44% (Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 1995 Total Fertility Rate 6.1 (Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 1995 - Urban 4.2 (Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 1995 - Rural 7.0 (Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 1995

Adult illiteracy rate (% age 15 and above, 1998) - Overall 75% (Ministry of Education) - Female 80% (Ministry of Education)

3 During the struggle for liberation Eritrea’s industries were either destroyed or allowed to be run down. The few remaining installations were nationalized. Eritrea virtually started from scratch at independence facing a daunting task of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Muslim and Christian Eritreans were equally involved in the liberation struggle and, compared to other countries, religious relations in Eritrea are not disruptive. One of the positive trade-offs of the 30 year long war of liberation is that, more than ever before, it created strong solidarity among Eritrea’s nine population groups as there was no section of Eritrean society that had not suffered from the effects of Ethiopian rule.

Since independence, the transition from war to peacetime administration has been generally smooth. Eritrea achieved remarkable progress. By 1997, the combined performance of the various economic and social sectors had reached levels that assured the minimum acceptable standards. A new national constitution was formally proclaimed on 24 may 1997, but its implementation was disrupted as a result of the unexpected conflict that erupted with Ethiopia in May 1998. The Government effectively runs under the mandate of a National Assembly of 150 members. Unfortunately, the new round of conflict has reversed much of the progress that Eritrea had been making.

The state of human development

The human development perspective sees expansion of human choices as the ultimate goal of development. The most essential choices imply the abilities to lead a long and healthy life, to be educated and to command the necessary resources to meet basic needs. These three elements have been combined into an index called the Human Development Index (HDI) which contains three variables: life expectancy, educational attainment as measured by combined primary, secondary and tertiary enrolment and real GDP per capita. While the concept of human development is wider and subject to the availability of reliable data, the HDI offers a simple and useful basis for assessing the level of human development.

Human development is measured by the index on a scale of 0 to 1 and countries are divided into high, medium and low levels of human development. Eritrea falls within the group of countries with low human development. Between 1994 and 1998 the value of the index for Eritrea increased from 0.269 to 0.402 and it’s ranking improved from 168 to 159. This reflects the rapid development, which took place after independence. Since independence there has been major investment in extending basic services. As a result, infant and child mortality has been reduced, iodized salt is widely consumed, immunization coverage has been expanded and polio is close to being eliminated. More children are going to school and staying there longer. In addition, a conducive policy environment for human development was created through the constitution, progressive social policies and the macro policy.

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Nevertheless, significant challenges remain particularly in the wake of the recent war which disrupted the development process, caused significant infrastructure damage and left more than one third of the population internally displaced. Livelihoods in Eritrea are highly dependent on fragile ecosystems prone to periodic disruption. Access to safe water and sanitation is amongst the lowest on the continent, the maternal mortality rate is high. Data to support programming and capacity of Government to implement decentralized programmes are Due to the low starting level at limited. Due to the low starting level at independence Eritrea’s HDI independence Eritrea’s Human value is still below the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 0.464 and the Development Index (HDI) value Least Developed Countries average of 0.435. With improved prospects is still below the Sub-Saharan for peace it is likely that Eritrea will continue its progress towards Africa average of 0.464 and the improved human development and eventually be able to surpass these Least Developed Countries levels. average of 0.435.

Despite the bleak scenario presented above there are a number of enabling factors for development. The most important prerequisite for these factors to be effective would be an environment of peace and tranquility. The peace dividend would imply greater availability of resources for development and perhaps allow a swift return to pre-war levels. The Government has consistently shown it commitment and can build on the good policy environment currently in place.

A second factor is that more partners and resources are now available in country to support the development process. The World Bank, current and planned interventions have potential of making a major impact. In addition, several international NGO’s are present and have signaled their desire to stay for the longer term. They include the Norwegian Church Air, the Lutheran World Federation, ACCORD and recently OXFAM, Save the Children Fund, MSF Holland and CARE. Major donors in country include the Italian Cooperation, USAID, Danida, Sida, the Netherlands, the European Union and others. In addition, several embassies support trade and investment initiatives as well as projects relevant to human development including construction of social amenities, training and provision of basic inputs.

The third factor is the relatively un-exploited natural resource base including marine resources, arable land of which only a small proportion is currently being used and minerals. If peace prevails one could also reasonably expect an influx of foreign investment and opportunities for increased tourism. Finally the human resource potential of Eritrea is significant and investments in human capital likely to yield high returns for human development . In addition, Eritreans abroad form a pool of highly trained and skilled professionals whose expertise could and should be enlisted for national development.

5 The national development policy framework and UN system co-operation

In the post independence period, Eritrea has adopted a two-pronged The Government of the State of approach to tackle its development challenges. Firstly, it has tried to Eritrea pursues the resuscitation of address the immediate challenges of resuscitating the economy and the economy and rehabilitating key rehabilitating key sectors through promoting an outward-oriented, private sectors and has in the Macro policy sector led market economy. An Investment Code that opens the entire of 1994 devised a framework to economy to both domestic and foreign investors has been adopted. address structural and systemic Achievements have been registered in the rehabilitation and expansion of factors hampering the the Government and development institutions such as health, education development of Eritrea. and finance; and restoration of the productive capacity of the economy, particularly agriculture, fisheries, tourism construction, mining and manufacturing industries (National Economic Policy Framework, 1998).

Secondly, the Government has looked beyond the horizon of immediate problems and has been examining in depth the long-term prospects and based on such a diagnosis to devise an appropriate macro framework and supporting policies (Macro policy, 1994). The Government’s development programmes emphasize the following: •= Reduction of the widespread urban and rural poverty and the enhancement of social justice; •= Enhancement of the status and increasing the participation of women; •= Acceleration of human capital formation; and •= Restoration, enhancement and preservation of Eritrea’s ecological integrity.

In spite of these policies, achieving the growth necessary for development has been very challenging. The most critical constraints that have affected Eritrea’s socio-economic recovery are: Human resource deficiency: This has been the greatest bottleneck in Eritrea’s development efforts. The Government is tackling the problem by importing foreign experts on a temporary basis but the long-term solution lies in a concerted national effort aimed at increasing Most critical constraints educational and skill development opportunities. include: A financial and foreign exchange gap: With a low per capita income and •= Human resource widespread poverty, Eritrea’s ability to mobilize sufficient domestic deficiency: savings to finance domestic investments is limited. •= A financial and foreign Physical Infrastructure: The extend and the quality of Eritrea’s exchange gap infrastructure are still inadequate to attract private investment. •= Physical Infrastructure •= Institutional capacity: Though much has been done to improve Eritrea’s Institutional capacity •= administrative, legal, commercial, judiciary and regulatory institutions Inadequate Information much remains to be done to achieve a standard that fosters investor confidence and private sector participation in long term investments. Inadequate Information: Although improvements have been made over the last eight years, there is still a great dearth of relevant, timely and reliable economic and social information. There is no reasonably

6 accurate data on national income, fiscal and monetary developments, balance of payments, price indices, demography and social trends.

Eritrea has established a sound basis for effective and viable partnership Eritrea has established a with the international development community. This is based on a firm sound basis for effective and conviction that “the struggle against under-development, poverty, disease viable partnership with the international development and ignorance should be joined by the developed world not only for community. humanitarian and altruistic reasons, but because to do so is also in the developed world’s own interest” (Proceedings of Eritrea’s Development Partners meeting, 1998).

The Country Strategy Note of March 1998 and the meeting organized by The importance of external the Government with its multilateral and bilateral partners in November partnership can be 1998 to discuss the National Economic Policy Framework and exemplified by the way the programme for 1998-2000 has opened avenues for the UN, to increase Government’s annual deficits and renew collaboration. Commitment to close UN System collaboration are financed. In 1997, the was achieved through regular and open consultations with the relevant total Government expenditure Government counterparts. For example, the Government’s resolve to do was in deficit by 487.5 million business with the United Nations as a system rather than its component Nakfa but almost 89% of it parts engendered UN Agency collaboration in humanitarian assistance came from external grants following the escalation of the border conflict into war in May 1998. and loans.

The UN system was the largest provider of grants to Eritrea in 1999. UN system assistance constituted 49 percent of all grants received in 1999 The UN system was the while bilateral assistance was a little over 32 percent. The remainder, largest provider of grants to amounting to 16.35 percent, came from Non-Governmental Eritrea in 1999 Organizations. The sources of the 1999 grants were a reversal of the picture in 1998 when bilateral and UN System grants accounted for 67.5 percent and 29.6 percent respectively. Another significant development was the rise of the NGO contribution from nothing in 1998 to over 16% in 1999, a result of the increased role NGOs have been allowed to play in relief and rehabilitation assistance. Main areas in which the The preparation of the Country Strategy Note (CSN) was the result of a Government wanted the UN collaborative effort by the Government and the UN Agencies active in system’s collaboration were Eritrea. The main purpose of the CSN was to facilitate explanation of the institutional capacity building and activities to be carried out during the period 1998-2000 and to ensure a strengthening, human resources coherent and consistent approach to supporting national priorities. Main development and the immense task areas in which the Government wanted the UN system’s collaboration of reconstruction and were institutional capacity building and strengthening, human resources rehabilitation. development and the immense task of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

According to the CSN, complementarity in operational activities of UN Agencies and Government Institutions was the guiding principle for the identification of the projects to be implemented. While increased coordination over the last two years has enhanced UN System collaboration in the country, there is significant scope for improvement. The CCA/UNDAF process is expected to provide the impetus to bolster system-wide coherence and synergies.

7 3. Key development issues for Poverty Reduction

Although data on the subject is extremely limited, proxy indicators Poverty would suggest a relatively high level of overall poverty defined to Core Indicators include income as well as access to and utilization of public services. A •= Poverty headcount ration(% rapid appraisal undertaken in 1993/94 estimated that 69% of the of population living beyond population of Eritrea were living in poverty. The highest concentration of $1 a day) the poor was found in the highlands followed by the urban areas and the Total, urban, rural population of the lowlands being relatively better off most likely due to •= Poverty headcount ratio (% of access to prime agricultural land and lower population density. population living below national poverty line) Since then there is likely to have been some improvement until the recent Total, urban, rural conflict with Ethiopia started in May 1998. The Government has recently •= Poverty gap ratio •= indicated its intention to undertake a poverty assessment as a basis for Poorest fifth share of national consumption the preparation of a poverty reduction strategy. The World Bank and the •= UN system have been approached to provide assistance in this area. Human development index

Livelihoods are vulnerable to climatic conditions as well as to war. The recent war with Ethiopia directly affected the livelihoods of more than 1 million people who were forced to flee the advancing Ethiopian army. The war adding particular burden on women and children, created large numbers of female-headed households and orphans.

Another poverty inducing impact of the war and drought emergencies is the increase in the prices of basic commodities including foodstuffs making it more difficult for many families to afford a well balanced diet. Partially as a result of this, chronic malnutrition remains at unacceptable high levels. Limited access to social services helps to perpetuate poverty and reduces the overall capacity of the country to develop.

After 30 years of struggle to achieve independence, Eritrean society is faced with the challenge of rebuilding and developing not only its physical and economic infrastructure, but also its human potential. The development of human potential requires the creation of an environment in which all can enjoy long, healthy and creative lives through equal access to, and participation in, the economic, social, and cultural life of the nation.

The Common Country Assessment has taken a rights based approach. The Eritrean Constitution recognizes equal participation in all political, The Eritrean Constitution economic, social and cultural activities of the State as a fundamental recognizes equal participation in all 1 principle. This applies in a particular way to the fundamental rights of political, economic, social and equal access to: education; food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, cultural activities of the State as a health services, good governance, economic opportunities and a healthy fundamental principle. environment. The assessment takes explicitly into account of the special development situation in Eritrea and needs related to emergency and

1 Eritrean Constitution Article 7 sub 1

8 recovery. This in a nutshell is the ground covered by the eigth working groups that were established for this assessment.

The graphic provides and overview and is a reminder of the fact that there are no simple unidirectional cause-effect relationship. There are actually multiple inter-linkages among all the issues looked at. Health is a function of access to clean water and sanitation. Education is essential for improving food security, for fostering economic growth or effective participation in the development process. HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem but also a fundamental determinant for economic growth and food security. The dimension of equity is fundamental to reducing poverty and helps to draw attention to the most vulnerable people. Human resource and institutional capacity development is the basis for improving performance in all areas. Poverty Reduction

3.1 3.2 Governance Economic 3.8 Growth 3.3 Emergency 1. HIV/AIDS Food & Recovery 2. Nutrition Security 3. Gender 4. Capacity development 5. Issues of equity 6. Communication for development 7. Population groups with special needs 3.7 8. Data for Development Environment & Energy 3.4 Education 3.6 Shelter, 3.5 Figure 3.0: Poverty Reduction Water & Health Sanitation

The numbers in the illustration above refer to the respective sections
You find under which the issue is analysed. All eight thematic sections follow the - more details in the 8 theme group same structure: They present national priorities, key indicators and data reports in VOL.2 of the CCA gaps, followed by a synthesis of the assessment of the situation. Key - more indicators and data in the challenges and a causal analysis are presented including with a simplified draft data base in Annex 10 problem tree. The final section draws conclusions and makes - More on inter-linkages between recommendations that highlight entry points for action. The eight issues in Annex 11. thematic sections alternate with focus boxes. Issues featured in focus On the issue of data and data gaps, boxes do not pertain to any specific thematic issues. To the contrary, they please, refer also to Focus Box 8. underline the fact that there are many dimensions that are in effet cross- cutting or underlying one, several or all other issue.

9 3.1 Governance

Within the context of a number of international human rights Governance instruments, Governance may be defined, among other things, as the Core Indicators exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a •= Commitment to international country's affairs at all levels, comprising the mechanisms, processes, and human rights instruments; institutions through which the authority is directed. This authority is •= Availability of human rights circumscribed by a system of fundamental human rights, freedoms and treaties monitoring and duties and, in the case of Eritrea embodied in the Constitution, ratified on implementing bodies; 23 May 1997 by the National Assembly. (see also Annex 1) •= Frequency of free and fair elections and existence of During the assessment of governance in Eritrea, the theme group democratic and responsive identified certain information gaps as issues to be further investigated. government; •= The information gaps relate to the lack of assessment of the impact of Guarantees of the right to freedom of expression, association and Government reforms; the non-availability of statistical data on the assembly; achievements of various ministries and other government institutions, as •= Existence of an impartial well as non-availability of periodic quality information to the public on judiciary, fair trial and respect of the activities of public institutions. Using nine indicators (see box), the the rule of law; theme group assessed the Government's efforts in establishing a •= Guarantees as to liberty and foundation for good governance in Eritrea. security of the person; •= Quality of civil service delivery; Assessment •= Devolution of power and decentralisation of administration Among the milestones of very significant Government achievements to the regions; are the 1992 referendum to lead to the establishment of an independent •= Facilitating environment for equal state, the ratification of the Constitution in 1997 by an elected body, the opportunity, civil society and proclamation of laws amending the Ethiopian codes, the 1997 Ministry private sector development. of Justice programme to upgrade the legal system, local and regional Baito elections, the public sector management review, and the 1996 Decentralization Proclamation. It is fundamental to ensure A review of available data indicates that international human rights that people know and can instruments are respected in Eritrea. Eritrea has ratified various enjoy their rights without fear international human rights conventions and has signed the Geneva of retribution. Conventions. The Ministry of Justice is in the process of identifying additional measures to ensure these rights are fully respected.

The practice of democratic election has a long-standing history in Eritrea. Local elections had always been organised at village level and The bulk of the legal framework in Eritrea is written not only in the practice continued during the struggle for independence. Though the languages alien to the vast majority further accelerated development of an electoral law has been hampered of the Eritrean people, they are not by the recent conflict with Ethiopia, since the 12 December 2000 Peace materially available in the market, Agreement was signed, two important laws have been drafted: one thus making it difficult to apply the dealing with the electoral system and the other with the setting up of principle that “everyone is political parties. The draft law to govern the formation and conduct of presumed to know the law.” The political parties is now under public debate. The holding of elections, Government is, however, now in the scheduled for December 2001, is vital as it will eventually lead to the process of preparing the new codes establishment of a fully constitutional Government. Freedom of in English, Tigrinya and Arabic association, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly and to identify and remove further bottlenecks. are protected by law. The Government has issued a press law and a

10 number of private newspapers and magazines have started flourishing in the country.

The Constitution stipulates that judicial power shall be subject only to the law, to a judicial code of conduct determined by law and personal conscience. Every individual in Eritrea is entitled to launch a litigation and to fair and speedy consideration. The current congestion in the The Government has judicial system is not facilitating this provision. The Eritrean legal identified training needs and system guarantees liberty and security of the person and the right to started to train public bring suit against the state. However, because of poor access to servants. A computer centre information, financial constraints and the low literacy rate, Eritreans may has been established to not always be able to make use of the legal system to defend their rights. facilitate certain key public service operations. The Constitution of Eritrea states that the Civil Service of Eritrea shall
Focus Box 4 be free of corruption, efficient, effective and accountable. As a result of the functional review of the public service in 1995, a smaller and leaner civil service has emerged. Government has not yet enacted a budgetary law and does not publish the country’s annual budget, which is Eritrea is addressing the issue an important element for more transparent and effective decision- of how to integrate the making. assistance and expertise offered by both national and Decentralization and devolution of power has been pursued for less international non- than four years (1997- 2000). While considerable achievements can be governmental organizations noted for Debub and Gash Barka regions, human resource and material (NGO). limitations and the conflict with Ethiopia have hindered progress in the other regions. Civil society organisations can build on a pre-colonial tradition, but are still few in numbers and not well developed. Since independence, substantial efforts have been made to promote private sector-led economic development (see 3.2). While it is a matter of policy
You find that the State should do only what the private sector cannot do, the State's - more details in the 8 theme group involvement in the country's economy is still strong. reports in VOL.2 of the CCA - more indicators and data in the Key issues and causal analysis draft data base in Annex 10 - More on inter-linkages between Examination of the development situation in Eritrea shows that though issues in Annex 11.

Governance Causes:

Inadequate Rigidity of systems Lack of internal procedures & structures Slow Delays in Backlog of awareness control Gender promulgation Devolution unmet needs mechanisms of laws of power inequality

B asic causes: Legacy of Budget different Human Material constraints resource constraints Conflict administrative Colonial & Lack of with Competing systems constraints Administrative patriarchal access to priorities Technology Ethiopia heritage information Figure 3.1: Governance – Causal analysis

11 efforts exerted by Government are encouraging and commendable, many challenges remain.

Among these challenges are: (1) delays in devolution of power; (2) human resource constraints in public sector management; (3) lack of awareness and appropriate mechanisms for the implementation of fundamental rights and freedoms; (4) inadequate systems, procedures and controlling mechanisms in public sector management; (5) gender The lack of suitably qualified inequalities in the State and society; (6) delay in the promulgation of persons means that the Government is not able to plan various laws, such as budgetary law, civil service law, co-opertaitve law and implement policy adequately. and electoral law, as well as legislation governing non-profit organisations, and non-government organisations all of which have an impact on public sector management; (7) rigidity of internal structures, not necessarily reflecting the powers and function of individual ministries; and (8) a backlog of unmet needs due to the two year state of war with Ethiopia.

Common factors to all of the key challenges are the shortage, and proper use, of qualified personnel and material resources. After many years of colonisation and deprivation, the education system in Eritrea is weak and unable to supply the requisite qualified personnel needed to establish a strong civil service and private institutions. Because of the financial limitations, Eritrea is unable The years of war have so weakened the Eritrean economy that the to attract qualified Eritreans financial resources of the country are inadequate. These financial or other nationals from constraints affect the availability and quality of the local training abroad nor can it meet the institutions, which are inadequately equipped and staffed. demands of the locally available qualified personnel. Conclusions

Indicators developed for the CCA confirm that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure good governance. As a result, Eritrea may be cited as one of the countries with relatively good governance. Efforts have to be consolidated and strengthened. It is in particular necessary to: •= reinforce human and material resource capacities of the institutions; •= consolidate national policies, refine objectives and clarify implementation strategies; •= ensure protection and promotion of basic human rights; •= finalize and implement key legislation (such as budget law, civil service law, co-operative law and electoral law); •= encourage local authorities to involve local, private, community groups and other representatives of civil society; •= promote Government accountability, transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness, including in the judicial sector; •= undertake civic and human rights education and training; •= promote the use of new information technologies and the media; •= encourage the development of civil society and the private sector; and •= monitor impact of reforms, including use of impact surveys.

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) infected grows, so does mother to child estimates that approximately 60,000-70,000 transmission, especially when people are Eritreans have been infected with HIV. The unaware of their HIV status. Rapid and trend is alarming: MOH analysis indicates that convenient testing services and effective the doubling time for AIDS cases is about 18 counseling are not yet widely available. Care and months. About 70% of reported AIDS cases are support services are only starting to be young people aged 20-39 years, and 5% are developed. Therefore, HIV positive people are children below 15 years. More than 98% were very likely to transmit the virus to others. from urban areas of Eritrea, mainly the larger cities of Asmara, Massawa, and Assab. Around If immediate action is taken and knowledge, 9,200 cases of curable sexually transmitted awareness and services are made available, a infections were reported in 1999 (MoH), mainly pandemic situation can be avoided. gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease. Eritrea has strong religious and social values that The disease that has erased the gains of the have helped to delay the HIV pandemic. last fifty years in Africa's most abundant Conversely, however, there is also severe stigma economies could virtually erase this newest and discrimination and widespread denial, all African nation. leading to a conspiracy of silence. The recent conflict with Ethiopia has sapped While it can take a long time for HIV to reach resources, created massive population 1% prevalence, the disease tends to increase displacement and intensified the risk of HIV rapidly, and to become exponentially more transmission. difficult to combat, once prevalence reaches 2%. Thus, although the current prevalence is low in The most important challenges include comparison with other African countries, the •= establishing an enabling environment for Government of Eritrea is cognizant of the threat combating AIDS. and, in 1997, developed a five-year strategic plan •= broadening the national response to the with emphasis on a multisectoral approach and HIV/AIDS epidemic, involving all decentralization of the HIV/AIDS prevention and government sectors and civil society to control program. A comprehensive policy on develop multisectoral programmes. HIV/AIDS and STDs was established in 1998. It •= addressing specific prevention, care and highlights the specific roles of key sectors, the support needs of military personnel, need for scientific studies, and the urgency of internally displaced, and their families; raising public awareness. •= building an expanded programme involving all key stakeholders, and responding to the If HIV spreads among the troops, needs of the most vulnerable groups. demobilization poses a grave threat of •= developing research based behavioral spreading HIV – once mainly an urban change communication strategies and problem – across the nation. messages that build on Eritrea's strong social, cultural and religious values. The main modes of transmission are •= Developing appropriate surveillance data for heterosexual (estimated at 90-95% of all cases), programming and monitoring purposes. mother to child (5%), and the remainder through blood and blood products, including harmful traditional practices. Reports from health Effective intersectoral cooperation is vital. facilities show an increasing transmission trend. There are a number of favourable conditions that A 1997 study found that 2.0% of pregnant should be built on, including the still low women attending antenatal clinics in Eritrea prevalence of HIV, the current political were HIV positive and an HIV prevalence commitment, the presence of indigenous NGOs among commercial sex workers of 35%. and an interested business community as well as

the remarkable tolerance and cooperation Unprotected sex with an infected partner is by between religious groups. far the most important direct cause of transmission. As the proportion of women

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3.2 Economic growth and development Economic Growth and development Achieving equitable economic growth and halving world poverty by Core Indicators 2015 have been set as international goals. The Government of Eritrea •= GDP at 1992 constant factor cost pursues the goal of poverty reduction through a re-launch of the •= GDP at 1992 constant factor cost economy and rapid private sector-led and outward looking economic % change expansion with equitable distribution of economic gains, equitable access •= Real GDP per capita to basic services and the empowerment of women. Please refer to annex Total – female - male 1 for more detail. •= Foreign Direct Investment •= Net Official Development Data gaps that were identified include: % of population below national Assistance •= poverty line; Human Development Index (HDI) value; GDP per capita Exports/Imports as % of GNP •= and annual rate of GDP growth; gender disaggregated data, including on Debt service as % of exports •= Remittances employment, adult literacy rate, ratio of employment to population of •= working age, informal sector employment as % of total employment and Total Government revenue •= Total Government expenditure the unemployment rate. •= Consumer price index for

Asmara % change Assessment •= Employment to population of working age ratio Economic Growth involves the supply side of the improvement of an •= Unemployment rate economy; general improvement or increase in the output economy; •= Informal sector imployment as % production activities leading to growth or advancement of an economy in of total employment general. Economic Development involves the demand side of the Refer also to other sections and annex 10 improvement or increase in the output of an economy; access to for core development indicators benefits derived from economic growth, improvement in the livelihood and welfare of the society in general. This section primarily focuses on Chart 3.2.1: GDP at 1992 constant the former as other dimensions are covered in the other sections. factor prices (million Nakfa)

GNP and GNP per capita at current prices in 1999 are estimated to be 4000 about 7.3 billion and 2 300 Nakfa, respectively. In real terms GDP at 1992 constant factor prices increased from about 2.0 billion Nakfa in 3000 1992 to about 3.5 billion in 1999, which constitutes an average annual 2000 growth rate of about 11 percent for the period 1993 –1997.1 For the years 1998 and 1999 the rates are 3.9 and 0.8 percent.2 1000

In general, Eritrea’s export performance during the period under 0 review was poor. During 1992-1997 exports financed, on average, less 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 than 16 % of imports. In 1996-1998 they averaged about 7.5 % of GNP, whereas imports stood at about 64 % of GNP. However, Eritrea’s debt- service ratio in relation to exports was only 2.9% in 1998 but has risen Chart 3.2.2: Government 3 Expenditures and Revenues 1992- sharply due to the collapse of the exports. 1999 (million Nakfa) Expenditure Revenue Between 1992-1999, total government revenue increased close to four- fold to about 2.1 billion Nakfa, government expenditures about ten- 6000 fold to close to 5 billion Nakfa. This has lead to a budget deficit of 5000 4 about 2.9 billion Nakfa in 1999. 4000 3000 1 Ministry of Finance – paper at Seminar on Integration of social sector strategies, May 2000 2000 2 Latest Government estimate 1000 3 Bank of Eritrea 0 4 Ministry of Finacne, same as 1 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

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Gross domestic investment, which had increased by about 90% during 1992 -1997, sharply declined in 1998 and 1999, i.e. by -6.0 and -9.9% Chart 3.2.3: Foreign exchange 1 respectively. Foreign direct investment inflows during the period inflow (averages 1996-1998) 1996-1998 averaged about US $ 36 million a year.2 Annual net official development assistance received during 1996-1998 amounted to about US $146 million on average.3 Remittances or private foreign exchange transfers during the period 1996-1998 averaged about US $ 282 million per annum. The importance of private remittances to the balance of payments of the country can thus hardly be overemphasized.4 FDI ODA Remittances Key issues and causal analysis

The theme group identified the following key challenges to economic growth. The Agricultural sector is among others handicapped by irregular and inadequate rainfall, sub-optimal practices, inadequate storage and marketing (see also 3… food security). The private sector, including the informal sector in which a large part of the Eritrean
You find workforce is employed, is characterized by poor organization and - more details in the 8 theme group management skills, lack of skilled labour, know-how and information reports in VOL.2 of the CCA technology. The situation in specific industrial sectors, e.g. leather and - more indicators and data in the food processing, depict a similar picture. Productivity is low and quality draft data base in Annex 10 generally poor. Insufficient promotion measures and a risk-averse - More on inter-linkages between attitude (focus on trade and real estate) and inadequate financial issues in Annex 11. institutions are impeding investment.

Economic Growth and Development Causes: Private Sector Agricultural Sector Informal Sector Low quality& Small& Productivity Little Industry/manufacture Poor weak Investment management markets

Basic causes: Legacy of Human/ armed institutional Under- Policies struggle Technology Gender capacities developed Rainfall/ Regulations IT Bias Bureaucracy Infrastructure Drought Tax system

Figure 3.2: Economic growth and development – Causal analysis The underlying causes include the legacy of 30 years of armed struggle with underdeveloped, deteriorated and outdated infrastructure (transport and utilities), equipment and technologies. Inadequate and inconsistent rainfall hampers particularly the agricultural sector with repercussions for the entire economy (see also 3.3). A gender bias from

1 Ministry of Finance, same as above 2 Bank of Eritrea 3 UNDP Human development Reports 1997-1999 4 Bank of Eritrea

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basic education to recruitment and promotion keeps women’s skills and participation in formal activities low. Inadequate policies and regulations such as, land access, the tax system, business laws etc. continue to present constraints. Limited capacities of institutions, bureaucratic procedures, and a generally low level of education, technical and business skills permeate all sectors.

Conclusions The full extent of the implications of Rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes launched after the the latest war with Ethiopia in liberation of Eritrea in 1991, resulted in commendable achievements, economic terms is not yet clear. which have unfortunately been slowed down due to the recent war with
3.8 Ethiopia. The overriding challenge for Eritrea is put itself on a sustainable path of economic development, as set out in the National Economic Policy Framework and Programme (1998-2000).

Developing a private sector-led outward looking market economy with productive investment in the economy – private investment from foreign, overseas Eritreans, and domestic origin – is of paramount importance. It will require the establishment of an enabling environment, human resource development and the upgrading of institutions and infrastructure. Eritrea needs to actively promote itself as an attractive investment Key challenges to these ends include: •= location with a fortunate Strengthening and effective implementation of conducive macro geographic position next to economic policies, laws and regulations; major trade routes. •= Ensuring justice, fair play, transparency, predictability etc. •= Accelerated privatization •= Promotion of market liberalization and ethical practices •= Establishment of favorable fiscal and monetary policy •= Strengthening support institutions, incl. financial services •= Continued improvement in information flow •= Generation of a consistent database and efficient data dissemination •= Promotion of information networks and services Human resource development •= Improvement both in software and hardware requirements has been and still is the top •= Entrepreneurial, technical and management skill development priority of the Government. This policy will need to be •= Strengthening and establishing of appropriate institutions •= intensified by giving special Outward looking identification of market niches emphasis to technical and •= Active participation in trade negotiation business subjects in higher •= Introduction of export incentives and effective support institutions learning institutions . •= Foreign Investment Promotion and Collaboration: Marketing Eritrea •= Development and promotion of SMEs, industrial estates and agro- based industries •= Improvements in physical and service infrastructure •= Commercialization of infrastructure service •= Improve acquisition, transfer and upgrading of technology •= Introduction of cost effective services •= Resource mobilization

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Nutrition

Nutrition is a major concern in Eritrea. While slowed. The Nutrition much remains to be done the Government of practice of Core indicators Eritrea has been able to reduce overall complementing •= Malnutrition in % malnutrition from 43.7 (1995 EDHS) to 34.5% breast-feeding among children under (1999 SEMISH) with solid foods age 3 for infants of 6 to •= Underweight Malnutrition among children of under three 9 months is very rural, urban, total years age: National prevalence of malnutrition low. •= Stunted among children under three years, the age group Population below most affected, is severe. In these findings, 38% rural, urban, total minimum dietary •= of the under three were stunted, indicating energy (de) Malnutrition in % chronic malnutrition, while 16% were wasted, consumption: among mothers reflecting acute malnutrition and 44% were National average rural, urban, total •= underweight, reflecting either acute or chronic dietary energy Female malnutrition forms of malnutrition. About one fifth suffer (DE) requirements rate from severe forms of stunting and underweight. per day are 40% of all Eritrean young children are established per adult person by taking variables chronically malnourished.1 such age, sex, and activity. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the national average Micronutrient deficiency: The most serious (DES) per caput is 25% lower than the micronutrient deficiencies include iodine recommended requirement of 2700 Kcal per deficiency disorders (IDD), vitamin A deficiency adult person per day. Due to high levels of (VAD) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) or inequity in food access vulnerable groups and nutritional anaemia. The prevalence of IDD people at the lower end of the food distribution among school children, for example, showed due to the inability to produce or buy it suffer geographic and gender pattern. with females from dietary energy shortage.

One survey indicates that about 510 cretins and An estimated 41% of all women are about 50,960 infants with some degree of IQ malnourished, and therefore many newborns loss are born in Eritrea annually as a sequel of may not receive sufficient nutrition through iodine deficiency. breastfeeding. Immediate causes of malnutrition (26%) as compared to males (19%). The higher are inadequate food intake, while intermediate IDD prevalence was in the highland area or the causes include infections such as malaria, present Southern Region (37%) compared to the hookworm, and other parasitic infestations, eastern coastal lowland areas (4%).2 tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases that exacerbate malnutrition. Additionally, repeated drought, Breast and complementary feeding:. The subsistence farming, limited arable land also breast-feeding rate in Eritrea is high (98.4%) contribute indirectly to malnutrition. Root with a median duration of 22 months. However, causes include the prolonged drought, poverty one important problem is withholding and lack of awareness about sanitation and hygienic practices as well as the best ways to With regard to complementary feeding, in utilize existing food supplies and traditional sub-Saharan Africa Eritrea (45%) is only infant feeding practices. above Mali (33%) Ghana (36%) and Burkina Faso (44%). Key challenges include: •= breastfeeding for an extended period and feeding Child&women nutrition incl. breast and the newborn with butter or water with salt or complementary feeding; •= sugar. From the age of 6 months, children need Nutrition education; •= complementary solid foods or they experience Regulary surveillance and surveys with protein-energy deficiency and growth rate is laboratory support; •= Programmes for vulnerable groups; •= 1 Food fortification with macro-nutrients in high 1995/96 Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2 risk areas. 1993/94 National Micro-Nutrient Deficiency Survey

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3.3 Food security

The most fundamental right to adequate living standards, including food is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The World Food Security Food Summet set the goal of halving malnutrition by 2015. Eritrea is Key indicators among the countries with the highest food insecurity and malnutrition •= % of children under the age of 3 (see Focus Box 2). This is further aggravated by the border conflict. years suffering from mal- National objectives include the diversification of agriculture, nutrition encouraging small scale irrigated agriculture, focus on high value crops, •= micro-nutrient deficiency •= life stock and fisheries to promote exports and supplement agricultural % complementary feeding of infants 4 to 6 months old production, improved access to land and safe water supplies and the •= promotion of national and household food security. (see annex 1) food production per capita •= % of population below

minimum level of diatary The following assessment is based on the 10 key indicators agreed upon energy consumption (see margin box). Updating of data and expansion of coverage should •= availability of agricultural include producer prices and costs, food consumption, imports, exports, inputs distribution and post production food losses to determine the income •= producer price trends levels of the rural households, food supply availability and the food •= exports per capita directly consumed by human beings. Available data on food security lack •= food import : production ratio the coverage at regional, community and household levels to identify •= % contribution of agriculture vulnerable groups. Data on the actual utilization of inputs would allow and fishing to GDP measurement of the degree and trend in agricultural intensification.

Assessment

While this summary focuses in particular on agricultural growth, achieving national and household food security requires attention to multiple dimensions. A recent study on eliminating food insecurity in the Chart 3.3.1: % of children under Horn of Africa has identified the following key challenges: (1) the age of 3 years suffering from Broadening sustainable livelihoods, incl. improving of agriculture, mal-nutrition supporting pastoralists, diversification of incomes, expanding markets and trades, (2) protecting the needy by dealing with emergencies and constructing safety nets, and (3) Creating an enabling environment, including strengthening governance, resolution of conflict and infrastructure development.1 Underweight In norm Eritrea has a permanent food deficit and malnutrition is high (see margin and Focus box 2). Achievement of food security is largely dependent on
agricultural growth. The per capita production of cereal grains over the See Focus box 2 on Nutrition last 8 years (1992-1999) has fluctuated between a low of 29kg in 1996 and a high of 148 kg in 1998.2 The overall per capita food production trend in Eritrea has been positive over the past eight-year period but fluctuating according to rainfall and due to the conflict.

Availability of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, veterinary drugs, drought and pest resistant crop seeds at affordable prices, their effective distribution and utilization are pre-requisites to increase agricultural productivity and production. The use of major

1 UN Inter-Agency Taskforce: Eliminating food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, 2000 2 Ministry of Agriculture, National Food Information Systeme and consultant estimates

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agricultural inputs, in respect to agricultural intensification, is very low. Chart 3.3.2: Import : Production Fertilizer and pesticide availability per rural household for 1999 was 4.42 Ratio for Cereals kg and 0.03 kg respectively as contrasted with use in sub-Saharan Africa 600 and North Africa with averages of 11 kg/ha and 90 kg respectively. 500 Producer price trends: According to the Ministry of Agriculture and 400 the National Food Information System the available annual average 300 producer price, for the period 1992 to 1999, shows a price increase for 200 the common agricultural products. 100 Food grain import : production ratio: Eritrea has always been food 0 grain importer and particularly the pulse imports have been much higher 92 93 94 .. 98 99 than domestic production. The trend suggests that food import will Imports Production continue for several years and the country may have pressure on foreign exchange reserves unless adequate food aid flows in. The share of agriculture to GDP is quite low considering that a large part of the Data source: MoA and National Food national work force is engaged in this sector. Information System

Key issues and causal analysis

The key challenge is to increase economic growth with regional equity so that self-reliance of communities on food, nutrition and health is achieved. In the causal analysis the following emerged as most significant:
You find Agricultural growth rate: In Eritrea, agriculture remains to be a prime - more details in the 8 theme group sector for achieving food security. It is the source of food supply, income reports in VOL.2 of the CCA - more indicators and data in the and employment for the rural population. It is the source of raw materials draft data base in Annex 10 for the agro-industries such as textile and tanneries, which are major - More on inter-linkages between employers and exporters. Food security in Eritrea is not attainable issues in Annex 11. without increasing the productivity of agriculture.

Food Security A 4 to 5 % annual agricultural growth rate is required for the Causes: low-income food deficitInadequate countries to attain a reasonableFood level inflow of food Low security and nutrition.imports agricultural Limited
3.2 & Focus Box 2 Weak production & Inadequate distribution / Limited information productivity rural access to food infrastructure access to and extension resources services

Basic causes: Conflict Financial Recurrent Limited Inadequate Manpower Weak constraints drought Lack of refinement access to budget for and private for and implementation credit rural equipment sector/ importing policies, incl. Land development constraints markets food tenure, water Figure 3.3: Food security – Causal analysis

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Productivity is low due to poor technology, high losses of crop and livestock due to pests, continuous degradation of soil, forest and water bodies, extreme rainfall variability with recurrent and long drought Achieving national food security periods, inadequacy in processing and marketing systems, and lack of and nutrition means that all research and weak extension services. The basic causes include resource people at all times have access to restraint for agriculture and rural infrastructure, inadequate food of adequate quantity, quality promotion of investment on agriculture, poorly designed agricultural and safety required for a healthy policy including land use, low efficiency in management functions, weak and active life.
3.2 and Focus Box 2 participation of the private sector in particular the small-holder farming communities.

Adequate access to resources such as land, water, variable inputs, services, and credit for agriculture and livestock production is a pre- requisite in any attempt of agricultural development and to increase food production and incomes. At present, the land proclamation exists but agricultural land tenure and use rights have remained under the old system. (
3.7) Access to credit by the small-holder is difficult, because the banks demand collaterals of fixed assets such as a building in major towns which condition can not be satisfied by the poor farmers. Access The present access to land and to inputs and technologies by farmers is poor due to erratic supply and insecurity of land tenure in unclear delimitation of roles between the private and public sectors. Eritrea is an important factor There is also a general lack of research and effective information constraining modernization of systems that enable monitoring of natural resources, rainfall, prices, agriculture through intensification of land use. production, food availability, imports, emergencies, pest affecting crops,
livestock and human beings, household food security and malnutrition. 3.2 and 3.7 (
focus box 3)

Conclusions

The most significant variable influencing national food insecurity and malnutrition in the country, before the current war, was that the food deficit ranged between 40 and 80% depending on rainfall. The agricultural production system is subsistence, highly vulnerable to drought with a dangerous variability in annual food supply availability. Most affected are the poorest, the Entry points for improving food security in Eritrea include: unemployed, underemployed, the •= Ensure multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral action and effective old, the disabled, pregnant women mechanisms to this end or those suffering from chronic •= Developing a national food security strategy and involvement of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and communities in planning and implementation; women headed households with •= children. Strengthen capacities of Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries;
Focus Box 7 •= Conservation management of natural resources; •= Improvement of rural infrastructure and irrigation development; •= Research, technology generation and dissemination; •= Strengthening of information, monitoring and surveillance capacity; •= Formulation of agriculture and fisheries policies and implementation of land legislation; •= Flexible and direct access to finance and promotion of savings; •= Promotion of gender balance in control and use of assets •= In short term encourage food aid.

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Gender in development

The Since independence in 1993, the GoE has taken Women's role in Gender several measures to ensure that women’s rights are decision making: Core indicators protected under the law and to promote gender Women's •= The ratio of girls’ equality and equity in political, economic and social representation in enrollment to boys’ spheres. The Macro-Policy Statement of 1994 parliament has enrollment in underlined the centrality of gender equality in the changed dramatically secondary education; development of the country and commits due to the quota •= women’s share of government to undertake measures to enhance system introduced by parliamentary women’s role in education and economic activities. the GoE in 1995. At representation; The Constitution of Eritrea prohibits “ any act that present, women make •= women’s share of violates the human rights of women or limits or up 30.5% of the paid employment in otherwise thwarts their role and participation” in the elected members of industry and services. political, economic and social affairs of the nation. regional people's •= Women’s access to The civil and penal codes are also being reformed assemblies and 22% land to protect women's rights and equality before the of the National law, particularly in the new Family Law. The GoE Assembly.1 Gender signed CEDAW in 1995. equality in the numbers of women holding political office is important not only a a right in itself, but The policy and legal framework in Eritrea is also because it provides women with more of a conducive to promoting gender equality and voice in determining the laws and policies which women’s empowerment. However, the regulate women's progress in other areas of life implementation mechanism by which policy can be Gender initiatives in policy, programmes and introduced, put into practice and ultimately legislation should be monitored to track progress sustained is not entirely in place. The National made towards achieving gender equality and Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) is the only women's empowerment. women’s organization in the country and as such plays a key role in the advancement of women. such as the economy.

The Beijing Conference has put emphasis on Women’s share in paid employment in industry and services: In 1998, women accounted for 30% women’s and girls' access to education and training, of the total labor force in manufacturing, trade and women's role in decision-making and access to service sectors in Eritrea. Although the number of paid employment, access to land and other women in paid employment is increasing; women productive assets including credit. Related gender are still concentrated in low skill and low wage sensitive indicators (see box) compare the situation employment. Women's access to land is of males to that of females, and show an aspect of guaranteed by the Land Proclamation, which has their relative advantage or disadvantage. Sex yet to be implemented. Their access to other specific indicators are also used to assess conditions productive assets including credit is still limited. that are experienced only by one sex such as maternal mortality and morbidity (see 3.5. Health). Key challenges include: It is important to assess women’s absolute levels of •= achievement as well as gender gaps in all these Ensuring equal access to education, decision areas. making, economic opportunities and assets; •= Making available of gender disaggregated data Women are the main care providers, carry a heavy in all sectors and levels of government workload and are particularly vulnerable. Women •= Implementation of policy on eradication of tend to be disadvantaged due to a gender bias based early marriage; on traditional values and believes. About 95% •= Eradication of female genital mutilation. undergo female genital mutilation at very early stage. In Eritrea the net enrolment rate for girls and boys at the secondary level was 12.6% and 10% respectively in 1998/99. (refer also to 3.4 1 Source: Ministry of Local Government, as quoted in NUEW's Education) National Report on the Implementation of the African and Global Platform for Action for the Advancement of Women, 1999

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3.4. Education Education Core Indicators The Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All (EFA) has •= Gross enrolment in early childhood identified the expansion and improvement of early childhood care and development programmes, including education, to guarantee free, compulsory and good quality education to public, private, and community all children by 2015, and to achieve 50% improvement in levels of adult programmes literacy by 2015 especially for women. The Government of Eritrea •= Apparent (gross) intake rate: new strives for equal opportunity for disadvantage groups, capacity entrants in primary grade 1 as a development at all levels in the education system, the elimination of percentage of the population of disparities in primary and secondary education, systematic quality official entry age control, the strengthening of vocational technical education and •= Gross enrolment ratio educational infrastructure. (see annex 1) •= Net enrolment ratio •= Public current expenditure on At the outset of the education assessment, some basic limitations in the primary education a) as a percentage data were noted, including: the lack of a national census and a reliable of GNP; and b) per pupil, as a population estimate; the lack of data on working children under 15 and percentage of GNP per capita. the impact of this work on their education, children with learning •= Percentage of qualified primary difficulties and school health. Studies need to be conducted in these school teachers. areas to determine the current situation and obtain baseline data. •= Repetition rates by grade.

•= Survival rate to grade 5 (% of pupil Assessment cohort actually reaching grade 5). •= An important milestone in the Eritrean struggle for independence has Percentage of pupils having reached at least grade 4 of primary schooling been the development of a new Eritrean education system. Education, who master a set of nationally during the struggle was seen as part of the liberating process. Attempts defined basic learning competencies. were made to reach all citizens irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, •= Adult literacy rate: percentage of the religion, location and occupation (including nomads) through formal and population aged 15+ that is literate. non-formal means. Education as a fundamental right of the child is enshrined in the Eritrean Constitution and emphasized in the Macro Policy and the National Economic Policy Framework.

The ratification of the convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) are expressions of the national commitment to the implementation of the educational right of the child. The education policy focuses on the eradication of illiteracy. It calls for the provision of free and compulsory basic education (5 years of primary plus 2 years of middle level); the use of the mother tongue teaching at the primary level; the expansion of secondary and tertiary education opportunities as the essential components. In addition to basic education there is a special Chart 3.4.1: Net Primary need to cater for the requirements of an expanding private sector-led Enrolement Rate 1992-99 (%) economy and to give special emphasis to technical and business subjects 100% in higher learning institutions. 80% 60% The primary gross/net enrolment ratios showed an increase from 40% 36.3/22.4 percent in 1991/92 to 52.2/33.3 percent in 1998/99 and for the 20% 1 0% girl child from 33.8 percent to 47.9 percent for the same years. The net 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 enrolment rate for boys and girls at secondary level is 12.6 percent and Enroled not in school 1 The data presented in this section are based on the Ministry of Education’s report on “Education for all in Eritrea” 1999.

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10.0 percent respectively (1998/99). The gender gap widens as the level increase. The repetition rate at the primary level is 19.4 percent (20.8% girls); at the middle level it is 18.1 (24.2% girls) and at the secondary Chart 3.4.2: Repetition level 12.4 (17.6% girls). Boys have better survival rates but the gap has Rate Primary level (%) narrowed since 1993.

35 The trend in the last five years shows that the percentage of qualified 30 teachers in the primary level has increased from 47.7 percent in 1994/95 25 percent in 1994/95 to 72.8 percent in 1998/99. However at the middle 20 level, only 37.9 percent of the teachers have the necessary qualifications. 15

A 1:1 pupil/textbook ratio is maintained in about 90 percent in the 10 primary and middle levels. The quality, relevance and gender-sensitivity 5 of textbooks need further improvement. About 57.8 percent of schools 0 have no access to safe water and about 60 percent are without access to 93 99 sanitary facilities. There is an estimated illiteracy rate of 75 percent, with a higher rate of 80 percent for women. Boys Girls

The seven basic skills development centres, eight intermediate and two advanced technical schools are unable to meet the demand for technical education and vocational training. Education’s share of the social sectors’ budget was 38.9 percent in 1997.

Key issues and causal analysis

A number of factors account for low enrolment, completion and quality of basic education, low literacy, limited technical and vocational education, limited access to water and sanitation services and low public expenditure on education. There are too few schools for all 840,000 school-age children (approximately). The average distance to school is
You find 14.8 km. at the primary and 34.5 km. at the middle level. Distance also - more details in the 8 theme group accounts for low completion and poor performance. The low completion reports in VOL.2 of the CCA rate of girls in particular is caused by early marriage among other - more indicators and data in the economic and cultural factors. Many children from pastoral families have draft data base in Annex 10 family responsibilities. Many parents believe that girls need no formal - More on inter-linkages between education. The underlying causes include the lack of community issues in Annex 11. participation, limited capacity for teacher training, over-centralization of Education Causes: Infrastructure Mismatch No. of schools Gender Poor access training / Limited Over- distance bias to water and demand for training Limited centralized sanitation teachers capacity community decisions participation Basic Causes: Unstable Inadequate socio-political Weak investment / environment regional & Ineffective Socio-cultural budget Drought / community decentralization values and constraints Environmental capacities practices degradation Figure 3.4: Education – Causal analysis

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educational decision-making, poor planning and maintenance of water Technical/vocational education points, inadequate inter-sectoral collaboration, lack of a school health lacks adequate finance often policy and programme. based on the economic argument that the private rates The need for middle level technicians and skilled personnel is critical for of return in this area are the country’s growth. In technical/vocational education, the lack of greater than the social rates of qualified trainers and technologically advanced training instruments and return. This position implies an equipment impacts negatively on the quality of services. exclusion of the primary clientele for technical education The basic causes for these major challenges include socio-cultural values and vocational training, the and practices, the unstable socio-political environment, ineffective poor.
Focus Box 7 decentralization, severe environmental degradation and overall poverty and conflict situation. Although the 1996 legal proclamation on decentralization accords powers to the regional administrative structures, devolution of authority to the decentralised levels is limited, due to the purported lack of adequate technical and managerial capacity. Covert forms of gender Due to adverse climatic changes and environmental degradation, forest, discrimination in society woodland and water resources have become scarce. The depletion of remain one of the most difficult natural resources indirectly affects children’s schooling especially girls’ basic causes to address. education, as domestic responsibilities become cumbersome and time-
Focus Box 3 consuming.

Inadequate educational expenditure is a basic cause of all the major challenges in educational development. Private sector, donors and community investment in education is inadequate. Inadequate education expenditure is itself a function of the poverty situation and poverty, at both the household and national levels has exacerbated the lack of access to quality education.

Conclusions

Basic education is the The basic challenge, therefore, is to reduce poverty, gender and foundation for capacity geographic disparities and maintain stability so as to ensure school development in all areas of expansion in a qualitative and equitable way supported by a literate and public service delivery, for technically skilled adult population. Education remains Government’s empowering people on all levels responsibility. Considering the mismatch of development priorities and and for the development of a the availability of resources, the impact of the recent border conflict, the dynamic private sector. wide gender and geographic disparities, the limited capacities especially
3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6 and others at the regional and community levels and the lack of data on some key quality indicators the thematic group made several recommendations for action. •= Improve access through gender and geographic disparity reduction. •= Improve educational quality and efficiency. •= Strengthen teacher training capacities. •= Review and adapt a relevant curriculum. •= Improve data management at national and regional level. •= Strengthen inter-sectoral partnerships. •= Technical/vocational education and adult continuing education. •= Conduct national census and research in the areas identified.

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Capacity Development

The government of Eritrea conducted afunctions levels deficits are found. The general picture is review of Ministries in 1995, which had a that management in Eritrean enterprises has a number of outcomes: a reduction of the number good grasp of mechanical, especially of civil servants, higher pay for the remaining maintenance, and production engineering, but government employees, clarification of the roles very vague notions of the benefits of computers of ministries, emphasis on increases in and limited knowledge of more advanced efficiency, a decision to privatise state-owned technologies. The largest gaps are in human- enterprises and decentralisation to regions. These resource development, financial polices need to be followed up and maintained. engineering/planning and marketing, sales and Providing the required skills development and exports. means to local and Zoba administrations, empowerment of communities and strengthening Most of the financial sector in Eritrea is still of civil society organizations are of particular state owed. Access to banking services, e.g. importance. credit, etc., is however severely restricted by outdated very conservative banking practices. In functional areas a clear picture of deficits Entrepreneurs without collateral are not serviced arises. Co-ordination, co-operation and and much activity is directed towards property information sharing between ministries are often development in Asmara and a few other based on informal networks and initiatives of locations. gifted individuals. Long-term planning and, more importantly, prioritisation within Eritrean It is clear that many of the long-term solutions to institutions are a problem despite concerted develop capacity in Eritrea rest with the efforts by the Government in this area. educational system (see educations). The largest educational gaps are in higher-level non- The constraints identified cover a whole gamut university training. Areas such as technical of areas. There is an educational capacity schools and subjects such as computers, development gap; many people received sub- electronics integrating, etc. clearly need to be standard training as a result of the 30-year further developed. struggle others never had the opportunity to finish their schooling. Investment in quality In the shorter term the commendable policy of basic education creates a solid foundation for up grading the skills of the civil service by lifelong learning. The quality of graduates from means of short courses and evening classes need the University of Asmara can be improved to be continued and expanded. To address needs including by expanding/increasing the subjects for skilled personnel in the short term the taught. One of the greatest areas of shortages is Government and the private sector should at the level of technicians be it in agriculture, the explore joint arrangements. A potential source of banking system and so forth. skilled people in the short term is the many Eritreans living abroad who have been educated Many ministries are devoid of modern planning overseas. Attractive repatriation and tools, and many community leaders are, in remuneration policies and schemes that will general, due to educational gaps and involve these people in the Eritrean economy unfamiliarity, not in position to lead the needed must be developed and implemented. transformation and to take charge of the subsequent change in working procedures that There is a huge need for investments in new technologies require and induce. information technology (see Focus box 6) Dramatic changes in technology must be The private sector shows many of the same accompanied by serious reorganisation of the symptoms as the public sector. It has the same way that business is undertaken in order to reap labour force to work with, and thus faces similar the full benefits of the interventions. human skill constraints. However, also at higher

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3.5 Health

Health he international goals set for 2015 include universal access to primary Core indicators and reproductive health services and information by 2015, the reduction •= of the infant mortality rate by 1/3 of 1990 level and below 35 per 1000, % population with access to primary health services the reduction of child mortality rate by 2/3, improved maternal health •= and reduced maternal mortality by one half based on 2000 levels. In Estimated HIV Adult Prevalence order to ensure the best possible health status for all Eritreans within a rate resource constrained environment, the Ministry of Health is following a •= HIV prevalence in Pregnant Primary Health Care approach. This means a focus on health promotion, Women under 25 and prevention of illness as the first line of action, linked with the •= Infant Mortality Rate provision of affordable basic health services in the periphery, and a •= Under 5 Mortality Rate viable referral mechanism between different levels of care. •= Maternal Mortality Ratio

•= % births attended by skilled health Presently, all calculations on health statistics are based on the 1995 personal Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) and population •= estimates from Zones. The State of Eritrean Management Information Contraceptive prevalence rate System for Health (SEMISH) is fully operational but only captures •= % of 1year old immunized against health institution based data. Activities in the community such as measels deliveries are not captured. Discrepancies between the data collected by •= Nutrition status (see Focus box 2) SEMISH and the data collected, through various mechanisms have been observed including calculations and target age groups on immunization, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS. This needs to be synchronized. A second Chart 3.5.1: % increase Demographic and Health Survey planned for 2001 will help to establish in health facilities since a better understanding of the current situation. 1991

Assessment 300

250 While the health status of Eritrean’s remains overall poor, the 200 Government of Eritrea has already achieved major improvements, 150 including: an increase in access to health services (see margin); an 100 increase of health workers by 46%, the establishment of a domestic drug 50 manufacturing capacity and significant improvements in distribution of 0 oral rehydration sachets (1.4 million in 1995 to 2.3 million in 1999), 1991 2000 Immunization of 1 year old against polio from 53.6 (1996) to 58.6 (1999) and agains tuberculosis from 52.2% (1995) to 66.5% (1999). (EDHS Hospitals 1995 and SEMISH 1999) Health centres Health stations While the health system in Eritrea has benefited from clear policy guidelines, an impressive health infrastructure, and a growing number of Since 1991 health facilities health personnel, many critical health issues remain yet to be addressed. have increased as follows: hospitals by 92%, health The Maternal Mortality Ratio in Eritrea is estimated to be among the centers by 58% and health highest in the world (998/100,000)1. UNICEF reports that for every stations by 165%. In addition the existing 27 mother who dies, 30 mothers suffer serious and usually long-term health centers were complications. It is the national goal to reduce maternal mortality by rehabilitated. 50% by 2004.

1 Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey 1995, Statistics and Evaluation Office 5/97

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Childhood mortality in Eritrea is high, but there is evidence of a decline For every 100 babies born in Eritrea, in recent years. In 1996, the direct estimate of infant mortality was 72 more than 13 of them will have died deaths per 1000 births, while under-five mortality was 136 deaths per by their fifth birthday – at least 7 of 1,000 children under five. The trend of malaria incidence seems to be them in infancy. decrease, but malaria remains the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The outpatient incidence of malaria from 1995 to 1999 was 11.4%, 10.1%, 9.8%, 18.2% and 7.8% respectively. Malaria related deaths from Chart 3.5.2: Infant and under- 5 mortality (1996) 1995-1999 were also 16.3%, 8.2%, 15.6%, 18.6% and 8.5% respectively.
On HIV, please refer to Focus Box 1. 100% 80% Key issues and causal analysis 60% 40% The CCA Health and Nutrition group identified five key health issues, 20% namely, reproductive health including maternal mortality and morbidity, 0% infant and child mortality and morbidity, malaria, HIV/AIDS and other Infants Under 5s STDs and malnutrition. Additionally, it was recognized that the special deaths survivals reproductive needs of adolescents and men are often overlooked.

The immediate causes of high maternal mortality in Eritrea include About 40% of Eritrean young hemorrhage, infection (sepsis), obstructed labor, eclampsia and pre- children are chronically eclampsia and unsafe abortion. These are often caused or aggravated by malnourished. pre-existing anemia, infections like malaria, early age of first birth, grand
Focus Box 7 Health

High infant High maternal and under 5 mortality & Causes: mortality morbidity Malaria HIV/AIDS & other STDs Respiratory Infections Malnutrition (Focus Box 1) Gender (Focus Box 2) Diarrheal Diseases & others bias (Focus Box 3)

Basic Causes: Weak Health Sector Service Lack of investment Financial& Lack of safe Traditions, Delivery & Human skills awareness & financial Material water & proper customs, Referral & capacities information schemes constraints sanitation practices System (3.6 & 3.7) private sector

Figure 3.5: Health – Causal analysis multiparity, poor management of third stage of labor, pre-existing female genital mutilation which complicates the delivery, the very limited blood transfusion services and poor referral system. The hidden root cause of One out of 100 life births results in the poor state of reproductive health in Eritrea is cultural traditions and tragic and unnecessary maternal customs. According to the Eritrean Civil Code, the legal age of marriage death. 30 other mothers will for both girls and boys is 18. However, gorls are still married as early as experience serious and usually between age 12 and 15. This creates the problem of “4-too syndrome” long-term pain and disability. Most namely too early pregnancy (below 18 years); too close pregnancy (less direct causes of maternal mortality than 24 months interval between births), too late pregnancy (pregnant are preventable.

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women aged above 35 years) and too many children (more than 4 The 4-too syndrome children). The traditional feeding habits coupled with poor economic contributing to high maternal status do not favor women and girls. Heavy workload, and frequent mortality occurrences of malaria and worm infestations compound this problem. Pregnancies The immediate causes of high infant and under five mortality are the •= too early presence of high rate of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), diarrheal •= too close diseases, malaria and malnutrition (see Focus Box 2) These are •= too late compounded by low immunization coverage and delayed or lack of •= too many children treatment, including traditional beliefs. Lack of health promotion activities at the community level, lack of appropriate hygienic practices, lack of adequate safe water supply, lack of appropriate waste disposal techniques are some of the intermediate causes. The root causes include The hidden root cause of the lack of access to information and clinical services for under fives, low poor state of reproductive diagnosis and treatment skills, knowledge and motivation of health staff, health in Eritrea are cultural and lack of human financial and material resources. traditions and customs.

Malaria is the number one cause of mortality in Eritrea. The immediate cause is the exposure to the infected mosquitoes and the presence of untreated infected persons and the emergence of drug resistance, especially to chloroquine. Lack of trained personnel both at the health Malaria, acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) and facility and community level is another immediate cause of high malaria diarrhea are among the top morbidity and mortality. Underlying causes include the presence of ten causes of mortality and uncontrolled mosquito breeding areas and unawareness of people about morbidity in Eritrea, what causes malaria, how to prevent it and the modalities of treatment. particularly among children. The other root cause of high malaria morbidity and mortality is absence of adequate resources in terms of human, financial and material resources, affordability and access to health services, as well as a change of the strains of the malaria

Conclusions

Although comprehensive health policy and operational guidelines exist, and the country has an extensive network of service delivery points, the
You find health status of many Eritreans remains poor. Communicable diseases, - more details in the 8 theme group reports in VOL.2 of the CCA complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period - more indicators and data in the and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV all contribute to draft data base in Annex 10 unnecessary and tragic mortality and morbidity. Among the key - More on inter-linkages between challenges and constraints are: issues in Annex 11. •= Shortage of skilled human resources •= Inadequate skill of health workers to interact with communities and involve them adequately; •= Financial constraints; •= Inadequate inter-sectoral coordination and teamwork; •= Building individual and community confidence in the health system; •= Building individual and community awareness of basic preventive health practices and danger signs; •= Insufficient equipment, supplies and infrastructure; •= Inadequate systems to project health related requirements.

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Issues of equity

Equal participation in all political, economic, the physical and mental development of the social and cultural activities of the State is children. According to the Eritrean Demographic recognised by the Eritrean Constitution as a and Health Survey (EDHS) carried out in fundamental principle. 1995/1996 the highest incidence of stunting (47%) was found in the Northern Red Sea Area, The Theme Group reports generally recognise while the lowest (32%) was found in the Central that the development of Human Resource is an Region. (see Food Security) overriding challenge for the development and growth of the Eritrean economy and society. To The limited data available on water and achieve such a goal, all Eritreans must have sanitation reveal that 59.6 % of the urban equal access to:- (a) education; (b) food; (c) population and only 8.1 % of the rural clean water, sanitation; (d) shelter; and (e) population has access to adequate and safe water economic opportunities including fianancial supply. Also access to safe sanitation facilities resources. including access to and use of sanitary means of excreta disposal is extremely low and is lowest Every person has a right to live long, healthy in the rural areas. As opposed to urban areas and creative life, to have equitable access to there have not been any rural housing food, education, clean water, sanitation, development schemes. (see Shelter, water and information, economic opportunities and Sanitation) decision making. Lack of market information means that the trading between farmers and wholesalers is not It is important to note that while Eritrea is a being carried out in a level playing field, lack of heterogeneous society with 9 major cultural basic market information means that rural groups and languages there is no ethnic divide communities are often unable to obtain the best that would determine access to services and price for their goods. Though the Eritrean resources. There is a significant gender bias Development and Investment Bank and the based on strong social and cultural beliefs that systematically discriminate against women in the The bulk of the population living in the social, political, and economic spheres of life. countryside is not yet a beneficiary from the See for further detail the thematic analyses and Eritrean Television services. Programmes, the focus box on gender. As in most countries which are considered of interest and targeted there is also a significant urban bias manifested to rural population, are provided through in less developed infrastructure and lower mobile 9 TV projectors equipped with cars and provision of social services in rural areas. The generators. following paragraphs focus primarily on this urban-rural gap and related developments village banks have been established to assist the which the Eritrean government is trying to small operator, access to credit and other address including through decentralization (see financial services remains an issue. For the small 3.1. Governance) holder (such as the subsistence farmer) it is very

difficult to obtain finance, because the The Government sees education as a key institutions demand as collateral fixed assets component of the social and economic such as buildings, which the small operator development of the Country. Early childhood usually does not have. Access to land, and education in Eritrea shows a strong urban bias. insecurity of land tenure mean that the Disparities are greatest in the regions of Northern landholder is unable to capture the economic Red Sea, Southern Red Sea, and Gash Barka. benefit of any improvements on land and this (See thematic analysis on Education) effects both the small and medium scale

investment in key economic sectors such as Malnutrition among young children is agriculture. widespread with serious consequence both for

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3.6 Water, shelter and sanitation

Water and Sanitation for all by 2015 was set as a target by the Earth Summit in 1992. Eritrea is taking measures to increase access to safe Water, sanitation, shelter water and adequate sanitation, establish sustainable management Core Indicators systems, implement the Eritrean Rural Water Supply and Environmental •= % of population with Sanitation programme (ERIWESP), establish an inventory of the water sustainable access to safe points and to develop capacity at all level. Please refer to annex 1 for drinking water more detail. Total – urban - rural •= % of population with There is a severe deficiency of organised data (series or time specific) access to adequate that would enable detailed analysis of related development issues. The sanitation Total – urban - rural main areas with gaps in basic information include sector financing, •= human resources and policy as well as information on access to safe Access to adequate shelter - number of Persons/Room drinking water, safe sanitation, shelter, nature and quality of water or average floor resources. The main causes for the data gaps are low institutional area/person capacity to organise relevant data from periodic data surveys. Total – urban - rural

Assessment

In Eritrea, water supply is grossly inadequate especially in rural areas. The water and sewage system especially in urban centers are obsolete and there is a general gap in sewage treatment. Increased urbanization has added a strain on shelter provision. Alternative building materials There is a heavy burden on affordable by all are not adequately available and access to land is a women and girls particularly constraint to housing development. Capacity development is required on during the dry season where all levels. they spend a great deal of their time and energy fetching The estimated per capita consumption of water is much below WHO’s water from distant sources. standard of minimum adequate per capita intake of 20 liters. More than 70% of the rural population are consuming below the minimum amount. Some 21.7% of the country’s population and only 8.1% of the rural and 59.6% of the urban population have access to adequate and safe water Chart 3.6.1: Access to safe supply. There are approximately 5,365-water points, of which 3,374 are water and sanitation (%) unprotected dug wells and 1,233 are contaminated surface water points. 100 Water supply in the urban areas, except Asmara city, is below WHO’s minimum requirement. In the Asmara the obsolescence of the water 80 supply systems resulting in high losses reaching as high 30%-45%. 60

The access rate to safe sanitation facilities is extremely low standing at 40 only 1.2%, 66% and 18% for rural, urban and national coverage respectively. The general standards of personal and domestic (food and 20 water) hygiene are observed to be very poor. Water for drinking is often 0

n n carried and stored in unhygienic containers and is often drawn from a a rural rural urb urb contaminated sources. Access to, and use of sanitary means of excreta national national disposal (latrines) is also very low. Soap is rarely used when washing hands either after defecation or before preparing food or eating. Even Water Sanitation No access when alternatives are available, water is taken from the most convenient and/or good tasting source, which may be a nearby open reservoir rather than a safer but more distant well.

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There are no data on the percentage of the population with access to adequate shelter or information related to the housing deficit in the country, levels of production, etc. Building on scattered data, the trends can be summarized as follows: a shortage of more than 30,000 urban housing units (a need that is likely to increase due to high population growth in urban centres including settling returnees, deportees, demobilized armed forces). Overcrowding, lack of space and lack of privacy characterise many neighbourhoods and settlements in Eritrean towns. The 1995 Demographic and Health Survey indicates room occupancy rates (persons per room) with 3.8, 3.0 and 3.6 for rural, urban and national areas. The chronic shortage of accommodation and very high demand, have driven prices to unaffordable limits. The Government has taken positive actions including establishment of the department for urban development and the Housing Bank of Eritrea.

Key issues and causal analysis
You find A number of causes account for low access to safe drinking water. There - more details in the 8 theme group is obviously a fundamental shortage of water due to insufficient rainfall. reports in VOL.2 of the CCA - more indicators and data in the There is high rate (e.g. 80% in Gash Barka) of dys functional hard and draft data base in Annex 10 or mechanical pumps. This people resort to alternative but contaminated - More on inter-linkages between water resources in rural areas. This causes over pumping of other issues in Annex 11. services in urban areas.

Causes: Water / Shelter / Sanitation

Water scarcity Population (3.7) growth Conta- IDP, returnees, mination ownership Behavior Access to partici- Culture facilities deportees pation

Basic Causes: Sector Rainfall Knowledge Political Investment Defores- Financial Policy Integrated practices stability Infra- tation Legal frame Human skills & Reconstruction schemes Drought outreach structure Incl. Land (Focus Box 6) capacities (3.8) Private sector (3.7) (Focus Box 4) (3.2)

Figure 3.6: Water, shelter, sanitation – Causal analysis

There is a lack of policy guidance for water use and development as well as lack of overall water resource planning and management. Undefined ownership of water sources confuses responsibility and obligations for maintenance. Also, the variety of equipment utilized has added problems with regard to the availability of spare parts, repair skills, system management. Surface water supplies and dug wells are often contaminated including through unhygienic drawing and storage practices and where people and animals are watered from the same sources without adequate or hygienic separation. Techniques for harvesting and storing rainwater are not widely known. There is also an issue of high costs of water systems versus low income of beneficiaries

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where revenues generated from such sources would hardly cover the The most important running cost. Water conservation is also an area that requires more underlying factors for attention. inadequate sanitation are behavioral ones related to Some of the main problems related to and affecting access to adequate knowledge, attitudes and sanitation are disposal of excreta (particularly in IDP camps), the lack practices. of access to or use of latrines and indiscriminate open space defecation
Focus Box 6 by all population groups. While lack of household resources and high rate of illiteracy represent are main /factors that affect household access to sanitary facilities for excreta disposal, the most important underlying factors are behavioral and relate to knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Many factors have negatively affected shelter development. The liberation struggle prevented shelter development and caused the destruction of housing. The war situation during liberation struggle and the government’s nationalization policy of housing; were not conducive to adequate shelter development. There is no clearly defined housing Due to excessive financial requirements of the Housing policy to guide housing standards or promotion and support of Bank of Eritrea, many systematic shelter development in urban and rural areas. Housing Eritreans prefer the development schemes have been undertaken principally in Asmara and traditional saving system are far below actual need. In general most Eritreans do not have access through regular contribution to financial schemes and a large number of the urban households cannot among a group of friends and afford new dwellings such as the ones available in the present housing colleagues known as “Equb”. market. In Eritrea land is owned by the State and every citizen has an usufruct right over land1. Regional and local authorities have a limited control of land development. This sub-sector is also characterized by an almost total paralysis of the national construction materials industry, necessitating the importation of materials and consequent high cost of construction of houses. Also, deforestation has an impact on housing development in the country.

Conclusions

Increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation and increasing shelter demand will require a major investment in basic infrastructure. Key challenges include: •= Improvements in access to water supply and appropriate sanitation facilities in schools and health facilities are a priority; •= Integrated water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion programmes to change behavior carry a high potential; •= Sector policies for water, sanitation and shelter are needed to facilitate participation of public, private and community sectors. •= Priority must be given to develop capacity of the sectors at all levels •= Develop alternative local materials for the construction industry. •= Urban Water Conservation and Sewage Treatment •= Sectoral Capacity Building (Be R)

1 Land Proclamation, No.58/1994

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Communication for development

The right to information is incorporated into Eritrea’s National Constitution. This is clearly One of the most severe problems facing the mass reflected in Article 19 of the constitution that media in Eritrea is the lack of skilled human says “every person shall have the freedom of resources. The lack of financial resources to speech and expression, including freedom of the increase the quality and quantity of popular press and other media” and “every person shall participation of professional play writers, actors, have access to information”. (The Constitution cartoonists, translators and scriptwriters for of Eritrea, page 16, 1997). This article provides programme production is another hindrance to a framework for communication for development effective communication for development. in Eritrea. Eritrea has a rich history of music and drama, which was used very effectively to mobilise, The radio has remained the most powerful support for the Eritrean People’s Liberation medium of communication in the country. Front in and out of the country. Community groups, extension services religious and professional groups all provide good potential In 1993 the Ministry of Information was formed, links with the community. Virtually every a short time after the official independence with village has a nearby church or mosque. three departments: the Department of Radio, Television and Press and News Agency. These Eritrea has a relatively but limited departments provide information, education and telecommunication system due to the use of old entertainment to the general public. technology in this area. Access to the Internet is Communication plays an important role in a very recent development. Mobile telephone development and the government of Eritrea sees service is non-existent. In-country long-range it as a tool for development. communication is totally reliant on High

The radio has been a very important tool for development in the country. Radio was the key organ of communication used during the war of The current emergency situation poses Liberation and now for reconstruction. particular challenges. The key question is how According to the national audience research best can those affected be reached? What conducted by the Ministry of Information in communication strategies and activities would 1997, the distribution of radio sets among respond to their needs? households is 78 % and current coverage is estimated at about 85% (MoI). Currently radio How quickly, frankly and convincingly the broadcasts in 8 local and 2 foreign languages. United Nations tells the world about the The Eritrean radio broadcasts weekly immediate needs of the population affected and programmes on nutrition, hygiene, environment, what UN is doing is literally a matter of life and mother and childcare, HIV/AIDS and other death. It may well determine the amount of health related programmes. funds we raise to meet the unexpected, life-

saving requirements of an emergency. With about 80,000 television sets in Eritrea, television in Eritrea is still in its infancy. Both Major challenges include: television and the press reach a small, high- •= income strata. Since 1998 384 video shows were Communication skills of media people •= provided to the rural population with mobile Rehabilitation of communication system •= projectors in different languages and a total of Access to the Internet, 1,366,169 people in the different administrative •= Development of human skills regions were able to benefit. The Ministry of •= Upgrading of communication technology Information has three newspapers. The Tigrinya •= Use of traditional media and Arabic papers are published three times a week, and the English version once a week. The circulation of the newspapers is 30,000 in Tigrinya and 4,000 each in Arabic and English.

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3.7 Environment and Energy

International goals embodied in Agenda 21 include the integration of Environment and Energy environmental protection in development planning, sustainable Core Indicators management of dryland, the reduction of green house gases and the •= Per capita arable/cultivated land; conservation of biodiversity. Eritrea has ratified three international •= Average holding size/household; environmental conventions relating to Desertification, Biodiversity and •= Land and marine degradation; Climate Change, and is now working towards their implementation. In •= % change in forest/woodland cover; 1995 the National Environmental Management Plan of Eritrea (NEMP- •= E) was prepared through an extensive consultation with stakeholders. Total area of land protected; Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment were issued in 1999. A •= CO2/Greenhouse gas emission National Environmental Law is under preparation, and the development rates (per capita); of a national environmental information system envisaged. •= Biodiversity: Land area protected; •= Rate of species loss; There are data gaps for the key indicators selected for analyzing the •= Per capita biomass consumption; environmental dimension, including climate change data. Reasons for •= such gaps include: the lack of systematic data collection, a lack of time The state (quantity/quality) of the water and other natural resources; series data, lack of knowledge of what data exists and its suitability, •= inadequate facilities for the collection and management of data.1 % of population relying on traditional fuels Assessment

Land is almost the sole source of income for more than 80% of the Eritrean population and land degradation a serious problem. No Chart 3.7.1: Landuse systematic land classification survey has been undertaken in Eritrea. It is potential in million ha estimated that some 2.089 million hectare or 16.6% of the total land area are arable of which only about a quarter is actually cultivated. Thus there 2500 is an obvious mismatch between the distribution of the population and the location of arable land. Estimates suggest that 60% of the Eritrean 2000 population lives in the highlands, which account for only 5-10% of the 1500 country’s total land mass. The medium rate of soil erosion is about 15 1000 tons per hectare per year for rainfed agriculture.2 Other forms of land degradation include intrusion of salt water to underground water and soil 500 salinization in the Red Sea Coastal Plains. The proportion of land 0 affected by degradation ranges from 10% to 20%.3 Since 1992 the Government embarked on an intensive programme of soil and water arable cultivated conservation with significant achievements (see margin). Soil and water irrigable irrigated conservation on farmland had not received adequate attention. The MoA has recently initiated an integrated watershed management programme Using food and cash for work that addresses erosion control in a comprehensive way. ranging from hillside terracing (1647ha), check dam construction Biodiversity is an important resource from which direct and indirect (2114km), stone bunds on farm land (35925km), tree planting (69,9million benefits are derived. The loss of vegetation cover is at the centre of seedlings) ans the establishment of genetic erosion in the country. Forest cover has decreased drastically in enclosures (191,500ha). The the last century; it fell from 30 % in 1880 to 20% in 1930, and it further enclosures proved to be the most deteriorated to 11% and 5% in 1950 and 1960 respectively, hitting a effective way to regenerate the record low of 2.03% in 1986 improving slightly to 2.3% in 1997. natural vegetation.

1 Eritrean Environment Information System 12 UNEP/DEIA/TR.97-12 2 FAO Agricultural Sector Review of 1994 3 FAO, 1986

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Woodlands cover 11.3% of he country. The rich resources of the Eritrean Chart 3.7.2 Forest cover as % of Red Sea are not optimally utilised. Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is total land area (1880 - 1997) estimated at 62,000 tons of fish per year. Although fish catch is still low, it has shown a steady increase from 398 tons in 1992 to 6,970 tons in 100% 1999, or 11.2% of the potential, not including unregistered fishing. There 80% is a risk of over-exploitation of ornamental fish. 60% 40% Eritrea depends heavily on biomass fuel. A 1998 survey by the 20% Department of Energy showed that the shares of biomass, oil products 0% and electricity were 65.8%, 33.1% and 2.1% respectively, but in rural 0 0 8 30 6 86 97 9 areas, up to 97% of the energy consumption is derived from biomass 18 19 1950 19 19 1 sources. Fuel wood collection and charcoal making aggravate deforestation, and diversion of cow dung and crop residue for fuel forests other land deprives the soil of its sources of organic nutrients, depressing productivity. The emission of smoke from burning of biomass poses health hazards particularly to women and children. About 21% of the population of the country (and 2% in rural areas) was estimated to have Chart 3.7.3: Shares in access to electricity in 1999. energy consumption per carries (1989) Land use conflicts are still at low level at present, but are likely to intensify in the future as the demand for land increases. This will further compound problems of degradation of land as well as the genetic erosion of the biodiversity resource base. Water resources are scarce. Eritrea lies in the semi-arid zone, and has low and unreliable rainfall and except for the Setit river the country has no perennial river. The full extent of the country’s water resources (ground and underground) is not known. Biomass Oil products Key issues and causal analysis Electricity

Land is overused due to a number of factors. The length of fallow has declined as holding sizes decline due to population growth particularly in the moist highlands. Delays in the implementation of the Land Proclamation act as disincentive for proper land husbandry and to Per capita electricity encourage aggressive or extractive use of the land for short-term consumption increased from benefits. In the pastoral areas, the main cause of land degradation is the 16 kWh in 1991 to 52 kWh in encroachment of crop agriculture into grazing areas, depriving the 1999, but it is still low. All electricity in Eritrea (about pastoralists of their traditional grazing areas thus increasing their 100 MW in 1999) is thermally vulnerability to droughts. Forestlands are being cleared for construction, produced from diesel. agriculture, extension of infrastructure and settlement, and energy. There are technological constraints or lack of technical know-how. Causes: Environment/Energy Land Degradation of Degradation Biodiversity Land use incl. risk of Overuse of Improper conflicts Biomass fuel Water over fishing Basic Causes: management

Rainfall Need for Population Deforestation Unclear income and pressures and Lack of Lack of land use Habitat Drought Land foreign increasing know how planning & destruction tenure exchange needs water law & pollution

Figure 3.7: Environment and Energy - Causal analysis 35

The overexploitation of biomass fuels has come mainly as a result of i) Land use conflicts are likely inefficiency of energy conversion technologies like the traditional stoves, to intensify as the demand for ii) lack of affordable alternative fuels, iii) increased demand for fuel land increases. wood, iv) natural provision of fuel wood, v) lack of monitoring mechanisms, and vi) lack of fuel wood plantations. Land use conflicts between crop farming, livestock raising, and forestry and wildlife The majority of the rural conservation are likely to emerge as a result of a growing population, population is sedentary and growing aspirations of the population. Although land use plans are practises rainfed agriculture and underway for certain localities, the Department of Land has not prepared animal husbandry. a land use plan for the whole country, due to the financial, technical and expertise problems mentioned above. There is a danger that more land Delays in the implementation will be cleared for farming without proper study. of the Land Proclamation act as a disincentive for proper A complete inventory of water resources of the country has not been land husbandry. done to date. Already there are indications of overexploitation. For The Land Proclamation does example, in the Ala Plains the ground water level is decreasing at the rate not clearly define the land of about one meter per year. The absence of a water law, which is rights and obligations of currently in draft, has made it difficult to supervise water use and to take pastoralists. legal action against mismanagement. The major threats to coastal and marine biodiversity come from i) improper exploitation, ii) habitat destruction, and iii) pollution including oil spills, dumping of toxic One of the major problems is substances. The inadequate marine resources inventory is a major lack of consistent policy to constraint to coastal and island resource protection. The sustainable address the issue of water as a harvest rate should be determined and properly regulated to avoid strategic resource. depletion of fish stock

Conclusions

The following key development challenges were indentified: •= Finalization and implementation of Environmental law, maritime law and water law;
•= Diversifictaion of rural energy supply and efficiency improvements; You find •= - more details in the 8 theme group Land classification, land use planning and sensitivity are mapping; reports in VOL.2 of the CCA •= Implementation of Land Proclamation re subsistance farmers and - more indicators and data in the pastoralists; draft data base in Annex 10 •= Closing the data gaps that were identified, concerned government - More on inter-linkages between institutions collect and collate data in their respective areas and issues in Annex 11. ensure full compatibility for easy exchange; •= Strengthen the capacities of relevant institutions, such as the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment; •= Duties and roles of related institutions need to be defined to avoid duplication and overlap; •= Measures to arrest land degradation and appropriate water management practices should be continuously promoted; •= Measures to protect biodiversity resources are important and the establishment protected area should be considerd; •= The underground water potential of the country should be thoroughly assessed, and proper mechanisms for its proper use designed; •= Development /implementation of policies and regulations pollution.

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Population groups with special needs

The concept of vulnerability entails the risk of contributing factors to taking up such a high-risk sudden reductions in welfare due to disruptions in occupation. livelihoods coupled with limited access to basic social services and safety nets. In the Horn of Africa, Street and Working Children: A recent survey on including Eritrea, a high proportion of the population street and working children undertaken by MLHW live in a semi permanent state of vulnerability due to indicated the existence of at least 3,000 street and the combined effects of poverty, recurring wars and working children between the ages of 6 and 17 with drought. the vast majority between ages 9 and 14. Approximately three quarters were boys. It was The Disabled: A 1992 study identified found that close to half of the parents of the street approximately 42,000 disabled people of whom children were illiterate. The primary cause for the 6,900 were children. Of the children, 1,500 were phenomenon was found to be poverty and the need to blind, 1,700 deaf, 1,400 were amputees, 1,400 were work in order to support the family. lame crippled or otherwise deformed and 500 were mentally retarded. with severe mental disability. A Demobilized soldiers: The border conflict with study on the disabled planned for year 2001 should Ethiopia has resulted in the military mobilization of provide important insights. all able-bodied citizens between the ages of 18-40 years. Since national service in Eritrea pertains to Orphans: In 1993, a study estimated the number of both genders, many thousands of young women are orphans resulting from the war of independence at also serving in the military. While many of the over 90,000. A 1998 study estimated the number of demobilized soldiers will return to their respective orphans estimated to be living in extremely difficult jobs in the civil service and private employment, the circumstances at 51,000. The policy of the Government will face the serious challenge of Government has been to avoid institutional care in reintegrating into society and the economy those favor of a process of reunification with extended unskilled members of the armed forces, who were families. previously unemployed. There is a need for skills training programmes and psychosocial care for all Female and Child Headed Households: women demobilized soldiers. head approximately 20% of households, and a number are headed by children these are mainly The Victims of War: During the most recent phase located in camps for the internally displaced. They of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea more than face special problems due to the multiplicity of tasks one million people, representing more than one third and the limited number of adults to provide guidance of the population, were internally displaced. These and direct supervision for the appropriate care of people lost the most of their economic assets and children to ensure their healthy development. They were unable to cultivate their lands, some also are also more vulnerable due to the fact that women suffered severe trauma as well as physical and sexual earn only 50 to 80% of what their male counterparts assault. Some 20,000 and 50,000 have been trapped earn and are subject to unequal treatment. behind enemy lines and appear to be suffering greatly. Another 75,000 people have been deported People Living with AIDS: Although the from Ethiopia. In addition there are returnees who Government has a very enlightened policy on the had sought refuge particularly in Sudan during the treatment and care for people living with AIDS they liberation struggle. are still subject to social stigma and lack care. (Focus box 1) Adolescent and elderly: Adolescents are at a stage of great vulnerability in the lifecycle. A large Commercial Sex Workers are at high risk of proportion of adolescents are outside of the protective contracting sexually transmitted diseases including school environment. The elderly are generally taken HIV and are at risk of unwanted pregnancies. A 1999 care of by extended families. Where this is not study estimated the number of commercial sex possible there is no public safety net in the form of workers at over 4,500 ranging from age 14 to 60 with specific services and no social security, pension the majority being in the age group 18-21. Poverty schemes and medical insurance exists to meet their and unemployment were found to be the primary needs.

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3.8 Emergency, Recovery, Reintegration and Rehabilitation Emergency and recovery Peaceful conflict resolution and lasting peace and security belong to the Core Indicators international communities’ prime goals. International conferences have Preparedness and Mitigating Food Insecurity also focused on preparedness, prevention and response to natural and •= Status of preparedness, and human made disaster including food emergencies, the adoption of responses to emergency integrated policies to address them and the promotion of a community relief based approaches to vulnerability reduction. •= Food security index Eritrea finds itself in a state of emergency with vast reintegration and The Humanitarian Dimension of rehabilitation needs. The Government’s objectives include the provision the Conflict of emergency needs for drought affected population, the internally •= % of the population affected displaced people (IDPs), deportees, the repatriation and reintegration of by war returning refugees, eventually the demobilization of the armed forces, •= Emergency relief needs and and the rehabilitation of the war and drought affected areas. Emergency responses interventions are therefore to be planned with the rehabilitation •= Potentials and challenges for requirements in mind. As Ethiopia still occupies large areas of Eritrea, post-conflict rehabilitation the extent of social and economic damage could not be fully assessed. Repatriation and Reintegration •= Number of refugees for repatriation and reintegration Assessment •= peaceful coexistence with existing population The conflict that started in May 1998 between Ethiopia and Eritrea •= free accessing to socio- escalated into war in May 2000 resulting in the latter occupying vast economic services areas of Eritrea and the displacement of over 1.1 million Eritrean •= participation in community citizens, a third of the entire population. The human rights of civilian development activities population have been violated at unprecedented scale. The war ranged •= attainment of comparable over Gash Barka and Debub, the two regions, which normally account level of food self-sufficiency for 70 – 75% of the country’s agricultural output1. The destruction and Drought Affected Population human costs of the war have been massive particularly as the country is •= Vulnerability in the drought poor and in which much of the population has been suffering from the affected areas effects of prolonged drought conditions for the last three years. •= High prevalence of malnutrition of children <5 •= Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the humanitarian assistance needs, Livestock and grain price the Government of Eritrea has been alerting the International Community indexes by year to the impending tragedy if effective and coordinated intervention measures are not taken urgently. By 1 July 2000 some 39.2% of the appeal had been funded 2 In the meantime humanitarian emergency 217,000 internally displaced people needs have continued to grow and humanitarian conditions have been currently in camps deteriorating because of the lack of resources, response capacity in 300,000 accommodated in host widely scattered and inaccessible locations. This applies to the war- as communities well as the drought-affected population. 600,000 internally displaced have

returned to their homes and require Eritrea is a small country and the size of the rehabilitation and emergency assistance reintegration challenge following the conflict and drought is overwhelming. According to an assessment recently conducted by the 740,000 people affected by drought University of Asmara the value of the destroyed/looted property in the 75,000 people deported from two most affected administrative regions, Gash Barka and Debub, is Ethiopia equivalent to 5.6 billion Nakfa (US$ 560 million). The replacement value 160,000 potential returning refugees

1 (Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment Results, 30 June – 2 July 2000) 2 UNCT Appeal for Eritrea, July-December 2000)

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is likely to be significantly higher. The bulk of the damage has affected farming households (62.4 %) followed by non-farming households Chart 3.8.1: Affected by the war (17%), large-scale industrial and agricultural establishments (9.5%) and damage public infrastructure (4.2%) and others (7%). Houses and social services like health centers and schools were in most cases completely destroyed. Overall, the per capita loss was estimated to be in the order of US$ 1000 in the Gash Barka and US$100 in the Debub Regions respectively.1

According to Government estimates some 600,000 internally displaced Farming households people (IDPs) have returned to their homes devastated by the war. Many Non-farming households of them remain without basic shelter, household utensils and means of Large establishments production.2 Before the outbreak of the war in May 2000, the Public infrastructure Government of Eritrea in collaboration with UNHCR had planned to Others resume the voluntary repatriation of 160,000 Eritrean refugees from the Sudan and 3000 from Yemen. Instead it seems that an estimated further 95,000 have fled to Sudan. Of these 25,000 have returned with UNHCR Over 210,000 students and an assistance while others are believed to have returned spontaneously. additional 60,000 school-age children, some of whom are According to ERREC reports, nearly half a million drought-affected deportees from Ethiopia, now people are short of food. The winter rains did not come in sufficient need to be enrolled in schools. amounts for two consecutive years and the extended dry spell has seriously affected crop and livestock production in 1998 and 1999. The parts of Eritrea hardest hit Key challenges and causal analysis by the drought condition are Anseba, North and South Red The inadequateness of preparedness and institutional response to Sea Zones and some pockets of Gash Barka and Debub. relief needs was essentially due to the magnitude and complexity of the problem. Fought within Eritrea, the vicious war with Ethiopia was very

Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation

Causes: Inadequate Needs of preparedness and Mine returnees, Massive internal and Enormous relief response risks deportees and external displacement Weakening of & rehabilitation mechanism demobilized Incl. massive coping needs soldiers violations of human mechanisms rights

Basic causes: Drought Massive destruction of Lack of know Deforestation Lack of experience Poor Lack of shelter, social and how on water Land “young planning qualified economic infrastructure harvesting degradation government” capacity manpower

Figure 3.8: Emergency, recovery, reintegration and rehabilitation – Causal analysis

1 Aide Memoire, Emergency and Reconstruction Program, Appraisal Mission, 4-14 September 2000, World Bank. 2 Draft UNDP Proposal for an Umbrella Program for Emergency Recovery and Rehabilitation in War-Affected Areas, 16 September 2000.

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destructive. The lack of an emergency plan and preparedness is mainly due to a dearth of qualified manpower in the country affecting the Government’s effectiveness including in this area. The Government has also limited experience and in general still weak planning capacity.

Anseba, North and South Red Sea and parts of Gash Barka are transitory food insecure areas and two years of little or no rainfall has tremendously Vulnerability has dramatically increased as affected people increased the vulnerability of the affected population. Lack of water have lost important coping harvesting capacity and underdevelopment in the use of appropriate mechanisms like cross border technology to harvest and/or extract water were identified as the two trading and sale of firewood. dominant immediate and intermediate causes. It is reported that migration of families in search of food has become common and the cause for the increased school drop out rates of students in those areas. Affected areas have also lost their cross-border trading, employment and grazing opportunities with Ethiopia and to some extent with the Sudan. Grain prices have increased and households have been selling their animals. This has left them even more vulnerable. The serious environmental degradation has further barred traditional coping mechanisms such as collection and sale of firewood.

Lack of material and human resources are basic causes for inadequate emergency preparedness and response. The country suffers from a fundamental shortage of qualified manpower caused by war and instability and neglectful colonial policies that did not encourage human development.

Conclusions

All the assessment studies that were carried out on internally displaced and drought-affected people confirm that there is a serious threat of
You find famine looming over Eritrea. The effort of Government and its partners - more details in the 8 theme group need to shift into a fast gear to address the plight of the affected people. reports in VOL.2 of the CCA The following is recommended: - more indicators and data in the •= draft data base in Annex 10 Support government in its capacity to respond to emergencies - More on inter-linkages between •= Establishment of an early warning, preparedness and disaster issues in Annex 11. mitigation strategy under ERREC. •= Strengthen the information and dissemination capacity of the government. •= Need of an integrated plan for reintegration and rehabilitation based on an integrated database which includes a level 1 mine survey •= Mine action to clear affected areas •= Prepare and implement legislation regarding refugees, stateless etc •= Provide special attention to women-headed households in the emergency and recovery programs •= Focus on human resource development. •= Support policies that encourage human resources development and harmonization •= Strengthen coping mechanisms of population at risk

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Focus boxes feature issues linked with several thematic analyses 

Data for development

Although many factors contribute to the gap effective development planning. This might between development policy and include support for organized systems of record implementation, one of the most critical ones is keeping, reporting, processing, analysis, use and the availability of timely and relevant feedback of information within line ministries information to support effective decision- where fairly strong information systems exist. making. Additionally, there appears to be a need for a Throughout the process of the Common Country central “institutional home” for development Assessment, a wealth of data was collected and data such as the Statistics and Evaluation office. analysed. In total, 448 indicators were identified of which 103 had a complete data set for the period 1992-1999. The data was particularly The census, originally planned for 1997 has useful in identification of development trends in not yet been implemented due to population the areas of economic growth, food security, movements associated with the conflict nutrition, education, health, shelter, water, sanitation, and environment. Additionally, a Such an integrated development database would number of demographic data sets were utilized in be designed to provide different levels of providing an overview of the development managers and policy makers with timely and context in Eritrea. relevant information necessary to formulate

policy, plan, implement, monitor, supervise and However, during this analysis, a number of evaluate development program activities. The issues were identified in relation to development system should be designed in an integrated data that are currently available for Eritrea: format based upon the minimum information •= The census, originally planned for 1997 has requirements for decision making at the level not yet been implemented due to population where data is collected or aggregated. movements associated with the conflict A development data base can be built upon the •= Data was not always available for all years; existing routine data collection systems of line •= Inconsistencies were identified between ministries and complemented by other sources of various sources of data information, such as demographic and health, living standards and other community surveys, •= Source of data was often lacking research, census data, etc. •= Gender dis-aggregated data was only available for a few indicators; The types of data required for Eritrea’s development needs cover a broad spectrum of •= Definitions for numerators and sectoral and cross-sectoral issues. Identification denominators were not always consistent of the data required would be based upon the with global indicator definitions priority needs of the Government of Eritrea and •= Data was not easily available it’s multilateral and bilateral partners.

•= There was evidence that much of the As a first step in this process, the draft information collected, has not been fully development data-base annexed to the CCA utilized for development policy, planning, document could be reviewed with all concerned resource allocation and monitoring purposes partners and a mechanism identified to further strengthen and institutionalise a common system A clear need has been identified to strengthen the that could would be useful to the Government of collection, analysis and use of data for more Eritrea and it’s development partners.

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4. Conclusions and the way forward

The Common Country Assessment has set out to analyze the development situation, trends and key challenges that need to be addressed to reduce widespread poverty in Eritrea. The CCA has taken a rights based approach. The Eritrean Constitution recognizes equal participation in all political, economic, social and cultural activities of the State as a fundamental principle. This applies in a particular way to the fundamental rights of equal access to: education; food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, health services, good governance, economic opportunities and a healthy environment. The assessment has taken into account of the special development situation in Eritrea and needs related to emergency and recovery.

The analysis has shown that there are no simple unidirectional cause- effect relationships but multiple inter-linkages among all the issues looked at. The following key development challenges and priorities have emerged:

Eritrea is an arid country with a fragile natural environment. Low rainfall and recurrent drought are basic causes for scarcity of water for consumption and agriculture. The inadequate availability of water has numerous related consequences. For example school attendance is reduced, as children, and particularly girls, need to spend more time to fetch water or collect fuel wood. Water scarcity is a fundamental factor for low food production and there is a direct negative correlation with nutritional status and food insecurity. Emergency food imports put pressures on foreign exchange reserves. Land and soil degradation, poor water management, grazing rights, drought preparedness and mitigation all need to be addressed as part of comprehensive environmental legislation.

Eritrea has a colonial legacy of successive totalitarian and oppressive regimes. The heritage includes weak social services and many legal and administrative systems that do not adequately respond to Eritrea’s needs. Eritrea has lost the largest part of its most skilled people who where killed or emigrated throughout the world. There continue to be strong ties with the expatriate communities and remittances are twice as high as the official development assistance flowing into the country. There is great potential to draw in skills and investment from Eritreans abroad.

The analysis underlines that the development of human and institutional capacity is the central priority for the development of Eritrea. The functioning of social services, the prospect for private sector development, the empowerment of regional administrations and of communities depend on it. Significantly improved access to and quality of primary education, adult literacy programmes are of pivotal importance with particular attention to girl’s education. Technical skill development, vocational training and higher education are important for

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development of the private sector and all parts of the administration, the judiciary, etc.

While traditions, culture, practices represent a significant wealth, it has become apparent that there are beliefs and practices that actually pose major problems to equitable development. A gender bias is deeply ingrained also in the Eritrean society. It keeps many girls from attending school and hinders the advancement of women. Early marriage, frequent pregnancies and practices like female genital mutilation, are responsible for the very high maternal mortality ratio. Covert forms of gender discrimination in society remain one of the most difficult basic causes to address. While lack of household resources and high rate of illiteracy represent main factors that affect household access to proper sanitation, the most important underlying factors are behavioural issues relating to knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Often it is simply awareness and basic information that would enable individual behaviour change. There is much to gain by broad-based and integrated sensitization campaigns with key messages and information on hygiene and sanitation, preventive health measures, maternal health, child-rearing practices, and protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS. Effective extension is needed on management of natural resources, including water and soil, and cultivation practices. And a massive education campaign is required to let people know what rights they have and how they can actually claim and enjoy them. The development and rehabilitation of multiple communication channels becomes a necessary key priority. Eritrea can build on a tradition using radio communication and efforts need to be made to ensure that educational programmes are not only emitted but also receivable by the population. The radio coverage is 85%. Establishing functional means of multi-directional communication is also an important factor for community empowerment

The theme groups identified a number of special groups of people, who may need special assistance - these are:(a) the poor - estimated to be over 50% the vast majority of which live in rural areas, (b) the disabled about which little is known though a study is planned for 2001; (c) orphans - there are over 90,000 orphans from the war of independence alone, of which 51,000 are estimated to be living in extremely difficult circumstances; (d) female and child headed households; (e) people living with AIDS; commercial sex workers; (f) street and working children; (g) people returning from the front; as well as (h)approximately 160,000 Eritreans, who have lived in Sudan for many years, who are now being repatriated.

There is a special need to help displaced people who have for various reasons been forced to leave their homes and social context, including internally displaced due to the war, deportees from Ethiopia, returnees from Sudan, and those who have been serving on the front in the armed forces. Their reintegration is a major challenge and puts additional strains on already inadequate infrastructure, including shelter, social

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services, such as schooling and health, and resources including scarce water. Demobilization and integration of soldiers into productive lives is a major challenge, including with regard to the control of the spread of HIV. Eritrea’s culture of solidarity is an important asset to integrate people. Mine action is urgent to clear vast areas of land mines that remain from the period of the independence struggle as well as the recent conflict with Ethiopia.

There are immense emergency and recovery needs including those created through massive destruction in the liberation struggle and the recent war with Ethiopia. Communication infrastructure, like radio and eventually telephone are powerful instruments to link people and share knowledge. The Internet offers tremendous resources for the country even if access to it will initially be limited to the privileged urban areas. Access roads and other transport infrastructure facilitates the creation of markets, the selling of produce, the purchase of supplies, spares and the distribution of food and agricultural inputs. Access to electrical and other sources of energy is an important factor for facilitating private sector development.

Resources for the development of infrastructure and social services need to come primarily from economic growth. Private sector development is of pivotal importance for improving food security, for generating tax revenue and foreign exchange. The role of the state in overall economic growth and development remains strong and Eritrea needs to make a major effort in clarifying the respective roles of the state and the private sector. Clear and reliable parameters are essential to attract foreign and domestic investment. Finalization of policies and regulations on land tenure, trade and investment, the streamlining of bureaucratic procedures and the upgrading of the banking sector are important to this end. The informal sector needs to receive adequate attention in this context and micro-finance schemes need to be expanded and professionalized. The spread of HIV/AIDs could not only lead to human tragedy but also seriously damage any prospects for economic growth.

Eritrea has made encouraging progress with regard to governance, democratization, decentralization, empowerment of communities, the establishment of the “rule of law” and drastically improving civil service delivery. Principles of equity, particularly taking into account current urban-rural disparities, provide a fundamental orientation. It is essential, that policies that have been commenced are finalized and implemented and that the “law in the books” becomes the “law in practice”. The elections planned for December 2001 will be an important step in element in the implementation of the Constitution. It is to be hoped that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on 12 December 2000 will pave the way for the establishment of a lasting peace with neighboring Ethiopia. The conflict that ravaged parts of the country for more than two years has not left any of the issues analyzed without significant impact.

The CCA process has also emphasized the need to strengthen the collection, analysis and use of development data for more effective

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development planning. As part of the analysis key indicators and data gaps have been identified and the compilation of a development data base has been commenced to facilitate monitoring and decision making. Mechanisms need to be developed to further strengthen and institutionalize a common system that would be useful to the Government of Eritrea and it’s development partners.

The Common Country Assessment process is an iterative one and from the outset participants have been conscious that the process mattered just as much as the results. The CCA process has in effect developed a rich network of nationals and expatriates and will in itself foster future collaboration. It must be emphasized that the Government of Eritrea has participated in the work in an exemplary and truly impressive way. The commitment of the Government, in spite of the tremendous challenges, is one of the most important assets in setting Eritrea on a course of sustainable development.

Shortly, the Government of Eritrea jointly with the United Nations System in Eritrea will embark on developing the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that will define the areas where the United Nations system will contribute most effectively to the overall development of the country. It is important to note, that the CCA is a process, not a product, and will foster coherence and collaboration in the UN system and amongst its bilateral and multi-lateral partners and will also be a useful tool in Government’s five year planning.

45 ANNEXES

Annexes

1. The way forward: Potential priority areas for UN System support 47

2. Eritrea CCA Terms of reference 57

3. United Nations Country Team & Members of the Steering Committee 63

4. List of Theme Group Members 64

5. List of Resource Persons consulted and/or attended Theme Group Meetings 67

6. List of focus people responsible for sections in the CCA document (Vol. 1) 70

7. Process and Methodology 71

8. References 73

9. Acronyms 79

10. Matrix indicating inter-linkages between thematic and cross-cutting issues 81

11. Overview on mandates of the UN system agencies 86

12. Development Database (in process) 89

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 46 From assessment to collaborative programming ANNEX 1

Potential priority areas for UN System support

The following table was prepared during various strategic retreats of the United Nations system. The table was further reviewed at the national CCA/UNDAF workshop 29/30 January 2001. In particular the 2nd and 3rd columns were further developed and clarified. The potential priorities for UN system support were also prioritized (indicated by numbering of the items). The table is an important basis for defining UN system support within the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and programming.

Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference GOVERNANCE

•= Public sector •= Establishing a democratic 1. Assist with the drafting of laws that •= Office of accountability constitutional government implement the constitution the (CCA guidelines) (Constitution) 2. Strengthen institutional capacity of President •= Decentralization •= Free and fair elections electoral commissions systems and •= MoJ; (CCA guidelines) (Constitution) process MoLG; •= Promote •= Impartial judiciary 3. Assist in the reform of the Justice MoF participatory (Constitution Proclamation System •= UNDP, development No23/1992; 37/1993; 4. Assist and promote the UNICEF •= Acceding to all 1/1991) strengthening of an efficient and •= DANIDA; human rights •= Efficient effective civil effective civil service NORAD instruments and service (Proclamations No 5. Assist in the implementation of •= Italian Co- avoiding the resort 23/1992; 37/1993; 1995 Gov government decentralization policy operation, to reservations review of the civil service) •= Assist emerging civil society NGOs and •= Free and fair •= Decentralisation organisations to participate in the Private elections and (Proclamation 86/1996) national development \Sector democratic •= Promote and strengthen •= Support the development of an government civil society (Transitional enabling environment for private (WCHR) Civil Code) sector investment •= Effective legislative •= Promote private sector led •= Assist the Government on the on- framework, law economic development going efforts to accede/ratify the enforcement, (National Economic implementation of the international prosecutions, and Framework 1999 - 2001; human rights and humanitarian fair trials, existence Proclamations instruments of legal remedies in No18/1991and 72/1995) conformity with •= Review and assess international international instruments for standards (WCHR) ratification as appropriate •= Elimination of gross (ongoing) violations of human rights affecting security of person including torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment summary and arbitrary execution, disappearances and slavery (WCHR) • Eliminate/significan

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 47 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference tly reduce violence and crime (UNCPCTO) •= ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT •= Halving world Private sector-led outward •= Assist the Government to carry out •= ICMPEC poverty by 2015 looking market economy with poverty assessment •= BoE (Millenium Summit, productive investment through •= Assist the Government in •= MoTI NY) an enabling environment, formulating and implementing •= MoFin •= Achieve equitable human resource development poverty reduction strategies •= MoA economic growth by and the upgrading of •= Capacity development for economic •= MoFis, infrastructure, incl.: 2015 management •= MoEM •= •= Strengthening and Universal access ot •= Support government policy on the •= University effective implementation paid employment private sector development of Asmara of conducive macro •= (WSSD) Assist in developing Micro-credit •= WB economic policies, laws programmes •= UNCTAD and regulations; •= Assist in Export promotion •= ILO •= ensuring justice, fair play, development •= UNIDO transparency, •= Assist in developing specific •= UNDP predictability etc. economic sectors, e.g. industrial, •= •= WFP Accelerated privatization fisheries and tourism •= Italian Co- •= Promotion of market •= Assist in financial sector op liberalization and ethical development and investment •= African practices schemes Developm •= Establishment of •= Assist in adapting Internet and other ent Bank favorable fiscal and technologies to Eritrea’s needs •= Saudi monetary policy •= Assist in the development of labour •= Developm Establishing and markets and support employment strengthening of support ent Fund and social security schemes •= institutions DANIDA •= •= Continued improvement in NORAD information flow •= SIDA •= Generation of a consistent •= USAID database and fficient data •= DFID dissemination •= Netherlan •= Promotion of information ds, networks and services •= France. •= Improvement both in software and hardware requirements •= Human resource and entrepreneurial and skill development •= Strengthening and establishing of appropriate institutions •= Outward looking identification of market niches •= Active participation in trade negotiation •= Introduction of export incentives and effective support institutions •= Foreign Investment Promotion and Collaboration: Marketing

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 48 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference Eritrea •= Improvements in physical and service infrastructure: •= Commercialization of infrastructure service •= Improve technology acquisition and transfer •= Introduction of cost effective services •= Resource mobilization

FOOD SECURITY

•= Reduce poverty by •= Policy analysis + strategy 1. Assist in strengthening the capacity •= MoA half by 2015 (WFS) development to collect, analyse and disseminate •= MoLWE •= Halve •= Conservation and national and household food security •= MoLG severe/moderate management of natural information for policy decisions and •= Italian malnutrition among resources planning. Coop children under 5 of •= Encourage small scale 2. Assist in diversification of •= DANIDA 1990 levels by 2000 irrigated agriculture to opportunities for sustainable •= UNDP livelihoods in agriculture and (WSSD/FWCW/WS counter the effects of •= FAO fisheries including assistance to C/WFS) drought; •= UNICEF •= •= pastoralists to bring about sustained Reduce number of Diversify agriculture to •= IFAD chronically under- increases in productivity without create employment •= EU nourished by half by affecting their environment opportunities and raise •= WB 2015 (WFS) farm and fishing incomes; adversely. •= MoFin •= Focus on high value crops, 3. Assist in the finalization and •= WFP life stock and fisheries to implementation of policies, •= USAID promote exports; strategies and laws related to land,
 Improve research, agriculture, forestry and fisheries extension services, and 4. Assist in the implementation of access to land, financial improved water harvesting, services, technology, management and soil conservation; markets, and other inputs; 5. Assist in research, extension, •= Expanding access to safe technology generation and water supplies and dissemination + assist in the sanitation establishment and implementation
 Capacity building of of financing mechanisms to institutions/actors (MoA, empower communities by providing MoFish) in relation to more flexible and direct access to decentralization finance; 6. Assist vulnerable groups to establish sustainable means of becoming food secure (IDPs, Returnees) EDUCATION

•= Universal access •= Equal access to quality
 Assist in education policy •= MoE and completion of basic education for all development •= MoLG primary education groups
 Assist in providing access to quality •= UNICEF by 2015 •= Capacity development at basic education for all children •= UNDP (EFA/WCW/WSC/ all levels especially the most vulnerable and •= WB ICPD) •= Quality assurance disadvantaged groups •= UNIDO •=
 Adult illiteracy •= Secondary education Assist in Girls’ education •= UNESCO
 Assist in ensuring access to quality reduced by halve of •= Vocational/technical •= Danida secondary education 1990 level by 2015 education •= USAID

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 49 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference (EFA/WSSD/ •= Educational infrastructure
 Assist in the provision of •= NORAD WCW) •= Tertiary education appropriate learning and life skills •= SIDA •= Further :The Dakar •= System of monitoring and education for young people and •= CIDA framework for educational management adults •= Italian action, 26-28 April support
 Support vocational/technical Coop. 2000: education •= LWF
 •= Expand and Support (institutional and •= SCF-UK improve early community) capacity development •= Don at all levels, including teacher childhood care and Bosco education, research, monitoring, education •= WFP •= management and information Free, compulsory •= WHO systems and good quality •= UNFPA education to all

children by 2015 •= Provide equitable access to appropriate learning and life skill programs to all young people as well as adults •= Achieve 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015 especially for women •= Eliminate disparities in primary and secondary education by 2015 •= Improve quality of education especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills

HEALTH •= Universal Access to •= Access to quality health Assist in: •= MoH Primary Health Care care including: 1. Health policy development •= MoLG (ICPD/WSSAD/FW •= Preventive services 2. Disease control including STD and •= WHO CW) beyond 2000 •= Promotive services HIV/AIDS, NAL, TB •= UNFPA •= Universal Access to •= Curative services 3. Safe Motherhood and Reproductive •= UNICEF Reproductive •= nutrition and child care; Health •= WB Health Services and •= Improve food accessibility 4. Under 5 and Infant Mortality •= USAID 5. Integrated Management of Information by 2015 and availability to •= Italian •= Childhood Illnesses (ICPD) adequate nutrition; Coop. •= 6. Adolescent Reproductive Health Reduction of IMR •= Expand access of •= Caritas 7. Reduction in PEM nutrition by 1/3 of 1990 level Education to parents on •= 8. Expand access of education to CARE and below 35 per health, •= SCF-UK 1000 by 2015 •= parents on health nutrition and child Rehabilitation Services •= NCA (ICPD/WSSD/WC care improve nutritional status •= LWF W/WSC) 9. Strengthen linkage between •= Improve nutritional status •= •= community and health system Red Cross Reduce child •= Improve: child, adolescent •= mortality rate by 2/3 10. Nutritional surveillance and KAP NUEW and maternal health (knowledge, attitude and practice) •= NUEYS of 1990 level by •= Strengthen school health on nutritional habit •= Red Cross 2015 (ICPD/WSC) program

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 50 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference •= Improved maternal •= Capacity building for 11. Improve access to good quality and health and reduced managers and health culturally acceptable food maternal mortality services procedures by ½ of 1990 levels •= Strengthening health by the year 2000 services delivery systems and further ½ by 2015 (ICPD/WSSD/FWC /WSC) •= Increased access to family planning and universal access to safe/reliable FP methods (ICPD) •= Improved child health •= Universal immunization against measles SHELTER, WATER & SANITATION •= Provision of •= Increase access to water 1. Develop sustainable water and •= MoLG sufficient living and Sanitation. Sanitation system at community •= MoLWE space and avoidance (Sanitation: Liquid + level (schools, health facilities) •= MoE of overcrouding Solid) 2. Promote Water Harvesting systems •= NUEYS (HABITAT II) •= Develop institutional and 3. Develop institutional and legal •= WB •= Universal access to legal framework for Water framework for both the WSS and •= UNHCR shelter sectors safe drinking water; and Sanitation Sector •= Italian Co- •= full coverage of Develop institutional and 4. Develop capacity in the WSS and operation Shelter sectors at all levels drinking water legal framework for •= USAID 5. Promote appropriate Low-Cost and supply by 2025 Shelter/Housing sector •= LWF (WCW/WSSD/UN •= Environmentally Friendly Housing Assess water resources •= IFAD CED) potential for the rural population •= WFP •= Universal sanitary •= Develop capacity at all 6. Implement “Healthy Cities” •= HABITAT waste disposal levels for both water and Initiative •= UNICEF (WCW/WCS/WSS sanitation and shelter 7. Formulate strategic plans to achieve •= WHO D/UNCED) •= Increase access to shelter objectives for both water and •= Dublin Principles •= Establish a sustainable sanitation, and shelter sectors. •= water and sanitation Integration of water and sanitation management system activities •= Implementation of ERIWESP •= “Healthy Cities” initiative ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY •= Clean and healthy •= Conserve, and sustainably 1. Assist in the development and •= UNEP environment and manage and develop implementation of legal and •= UNDP reversal of current terrestrial and marine regulatory frameworks •= WB trends in loss of natural resources (environmental law, energy law, •= FAO environmental (National Economic maritime law, energy law, etc.) •= Conventio resources (UNCED, Framework, NEMP-E) 2. Assist in the preparation of land n 21 •= Agenda 21) Drafting and classification and land use planning •= GEF •= Convention to implementing national maps, area sensitivity maps for the •= UNSO coastal and insular areas. Combat environment laws and •= DANIDA 3. Strengthen the capacity of the DoE, Desertication standards (National •= MoLWE •= Framework Economic Framework, MoLWE, to fully play its role of •= MoEM Convention on NEMP-E) coordination and enforcement of

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 51 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference Climate Change; •= Developing a land use and environmental regulations. •= MoTI •= Convention on management plan 4. Strengthen national and local •= MoT Biological Diversity (National Economic capacities for collection and •= MoFis •= Sustainable Framework, NEMP-E; dissemination of environmental •= MoA development Land Proclamation) information and statistics, including •= MoH •= •= Integration of Develop and implement data on natural resources. •= Sida 5. Strengthen the capacity for environment issues environmental data •= NORAD integrating environmental protection into government collection and distribution •= IMO planning and policy policy (National in development planning at the formulation Economic Framework, sectoral and regional levels. NEMP-E); 6. Support government efforts in the •= Develop and implement promotion and use of soil and water renewable/other energy sources and conservation policies and energy efficient technologies. strategies to arrest land 7. Assist in the implementation of degradation and improve conventions relating to farming methods desertification control, biodiversity •= Promote renewable energy and climate change. (National Economic 8. Assist in implementing land Framework, NEMP-E) policy/proclamation including the promotion of community based natural resource management for both pastoral and subsistence farming communities. 9. Assist the government in the formulation and implementation of pastoral development policy. 10. Assist in the formulation and implementation of water resource management policy and related regulatory framework. EMERGENCY AND RECOVERY •= Preparedness, •= Provision of emergency 1. Support Government with •= ERREC prevention and needs for the IDPs, emergency relief to the war and •= MoLG response to food Deportees, Stateless drought affected population •= MoH emergencies (Rome, •= Provision of emergency 2. Support and facilitate the •= MoE 1996) needs for the drought reintegration and rehabilitation of •= MoD •= Adopt integrated affected population returning refugees (recent and pre- •= UN policies for •= Repatriation and 1993 refugees) System, 3. Support the planning and prevention of, reintegration of returning •= Bilateral implementation of a program for preparedness for, refugees (recent & pre- •= NGOs and response to 1993) demobilization natural and other •= Immediate rehabilitation 4. Support to mine-action (recent and disaster situations of the war affected areas pre-1991) (Yokohama, 1994) with regards to: 5. Provide special attention to women- •= Promote community agriculture and other headed households in the emergency based approaches to employment opportunities, and recovery programs vulnerability social services, 6. Provide special assistance to reduction infrastructure, shelter, communities’ safety nets so as to (Yokohama, 1994) private sector cater the special needs of •= Humanitarian Aid development and micro unaccompanied children, the •= Demining credit disabled, the elderly and other •= Rehabilitation of drought disadvantaged groups affected areas 7. Bridge the gap between emergency, •= Demobilization and recovery, reintegration and reintegration development programmes 8. Assist in the provision of

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 52 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference •= De-mining of affected appropriate and environmentally areas friendly housing schemes for •= Establishment of early returning refugees, IDPs and warning system and deportees preparedness to respond to 9. Assist in the establishment of a any type of disaster mechanism for preparedness, •= Strengthen information prevention and/or mitigation of and dissemination disaster situations capacity 10. Support to collection, dissemination •= Support and strengthen and analysis of data Governments capacity for 11. Assist in drafting and an integrated plan for implementation of laws relating to reinte-gration and Refugees and statelessness rehabilitation, incl. mine action •= Community based support to population with special needs. HIV/AIDS •= Reduction of HIV •= Prevention of HIV among •= Promoting the greater involvement •= MoH transmission in the youth, the military and of people living with or affected by •= MoE general population the general population. HIV/AIDS (GIPA). •= MoLHW •= Creating an enabling •= Advocating for an expanded •= MoI environment to combat programme involving all key •= NUEYS HIV/AIDS. stakeholders to respond to the needs •= NUEW •= Mitigation of the personal of particularly vulnerable groups – •= NCEW and social impact of the youth, women and children left •= WB

HIV/AIDS, especially for without parents. •= USAID children left without •= Strengthening national capacity in •= WHO parents and women. the development of integrated and •= UNAIDS •= Ensuring access to multisectoral interventions. •= UNICEF condoms. •= Establishing prevention, care and

•= Establishment of an support programmes to address the

integrated communication needs of military personnel to be strategy for behavior demobilized and of internally change. displaced persons (IDPs). •= Community mobilization •= Expanding voluntary counseling and and empowerment. testing services (VCT). •= Establishment of •= Building capacity for the voluntary counseling and development of community and testing services (VCT). home-based care and support •= Prevention of mother-to- programmes. child-transmission of HIV. •= Developing a behavior change and •= Strengthening communication strategy and management and prevention messages that build on treatment of sexually Eritrea's strong social, cultural and transmitted diseases religious values, through active (STDs). community participation and sound formative research. •= Preventing mother-to-child- transmission of HIV. •= Establishing workplace-based prevention and care programmes in key national economic and social sectors, and in the private sector. •= Ensure regular and sufficient supply of condoms and HIV test kits.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 53 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT •= Mainstream a gender •= To ensure women's 1. Support the implementation of •= MoLG perspective in poverty participation in policy National Action Plan for the •= MoE eradication policies and making by reserving 30% advancement of women. •= MoH programmes of the seats in the national 2. Assist in strengthening institutional •= MoJ •= Eliminate disparity in assembly and appointing mechanisms at the national, regional •= MoLWE primary and secondary women to high level and local level to address gender •= NUEW education by 2005 political positions issues in public policy, resource •= NUEYS •= allocation, and monitor gender (ICPD/WSSD/FWCW) To encourage women's •= NCEW •= initiatives in policy, programs and Promote Institutional involvement in the civil •= UNICEF service system and legislation. Mechanisms for the •= UNFPA Advancement of ensuring equal 3. Assist in strengthening the capacity •= UNIDO Women and gender opportunities in promotion of organizations that represent •= WB mainstreaming in and job retention women’s interest and promote •= government policies •= To establish institutional advocacy, networking and NCA •= and programmes mechanisms (including partnerships for the advancement of Danida •= •= Introduce and promote educational) aimed at women. WFP •= gender perspective into addressing women's issues 4. Assist in strengthening women’s WHO health-related in public policy and entrepreneurial skills, knowledge educational activities resource allocation and capacities and increased attention •= Initiate legal reforms to 5. Support institutions to collect to HIV/AIDS infection remove existing biases analyse and disseminate gender- among women against women in disaggregated data in their •= Eliminate marriage, separation, respective sectors and areas. •= discriminatory divorce, inheritance and Assist in the strengthening and practices in property rights enabling legal and regulatory employment and •= To improve women's environment for equal ownership promote women’s access to education and and access to assets such as land, economic rights, equal productive assets inheritance, property, credit and access to economic •= Encourage and uphold other financial services •= resources and women's right to organize Assist in establishing mechanisms to employment (FWCW) to address pressing issues monitor gender initiatives in policy, •= Promote the adversely affecting their programs and legislation ratification and full participation in •= Assist and promote emerging micro- implementation of development finance institutions targeting women CEDAW •= Assist women in business •= Equitable access to •= Promote gender sensitivity training political institutions (FWCW) •= Promote participation of women in decision- making and political power DATA FOR DEVELOPMENT •= Capacity building •= Efficient policy tools and •= Capacity building including •= ICMPEC for development planning, monitoring and technical and financial support for •= MoFin evaluation instruments for population and development •= MoLG government decision planning, monitoring and evaluation •= SEO making including: •= MoE •= •= Establishment of Collection, analysis and utilization •= MoH appropriate information of data in all development planning •= MoA •= systems Support institutions to collect, •= MoLWE analyze and disseminate gender •= MoPW

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 54 Thematic/cross-cutting Government Priority Potential priority areas for UN System Potential issue/ goal of global objectives support Partners conference desegregated data in their respective •= MoTC sectors and areas •= UNIDO •= Assist national population and •= UNFPA housing census •= UNICEF •= Assist in implementing the •= WHO Demographic and Health Survey •= UNCTAD •= Institutionalization of a national •= FAO development data base •= CIDA •= Development and support of a •= USAID central GIS and mapping unit •= DANIDA •= Generate reliable data for planning •= NORAD and programming

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 55 Eritrea Common Country Assessment ANNEX 2 CCA Terms of Reference

Rationale for the CCA

Many contributions of UN member states on the deliberations in international conferences and formulation of international conventions have occurred over the past decade. Follow up to these global instruments is important globally for achievement of goals and standards set by such conferences and conventions and specifically to Eritrea as a member state. It is primarily the international conventions and conferences to which the Government of Eritrea has participated or is signatory that will guide the scope of the CCA. The UN Country Team and its partners will also have the opportunity to flag challenges and opportunities specific to the Eritrean context and identify key conventions particularly relevant to the work of the UN and its partners in Eritrea.

The Government of Eritrea produced its first Country Strategy Note (CSN) in 1998 which outlines its major development priorities and describes areas of cooperation with the United Nations. These areas are based on the principles of capacity building both for human resources and institution building. The Government’s national priorities are described in the CSN as: Economic growth, particularly through enhanced exports and diversification; access to basic social services in education, health, Shelter, water & sanitation; agricultural development and food production; and environmental management. The United Nations has based its programming in these assistance areas.

In many ways, Eritrea is moving into one of the most challenging periods of its socio-economic and political transition, seeking to consolidate and extend the gains of the last few years while managing the various risks which threaten to stall or reverse its progress. Significant collaboration and coordination are needed in the coming decade to evolve institutions that can deliver sustainable, poverty-centred economic growth, maintain and extend social stability and personal security, and protect human rights. This entails recognition that the gains of the last seven years remain at risk until these important institutional transitions can be completed.

During this period, the United Nations system and other international assistance institutions have a continuing significant role: to promote and help to mediate processes of international engagement; to mobilise resources and help demonstrate their effective use in the socio-economic and political innovation already underway; and to contribute to the evolution of Eritrean institutions for social development, improved governance and human rights protection.

A prior process of systematic assessment and analysis will help realise to the maximum these important United Nations and international roles in Eritrea. Through this process, consultation should occur across the agencies of the UN and Bretton Woods systems. Efforts should also be made to ensure participation from the Government of Eritrea and from others who interact with the UN system/Government as donors, partners and beneficiaries.

This approach is in line with resolutions of the UN General Assembly, and with evolving international policies promoted by the Secretary General of the UN. These seek a more effective co-ordination of development efforts across the agencies of the UN system, in closer co-operation with bilateral, private sector and civil society institutions who remain potential partners in realising the goals of international conferences and conventions.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 56 Objectives of the CCA

The goal of the CCA process is to review and analyse the national development situation in Eritrea and identify key issues which may focus UN advocacy and policy dialogue, leading to subsequent preparation, with the Government, of a United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

The specific objective of the CCA process is for participants to achieve deeper knowledge of key development challenges in Eritrea, based on a common understanding of the country's development situation. This will take place through three levels of assessment and analysis, carried out in relation both to Eritrea's own national priorities and international conventions and conferences.

Level 1 Assessment of the development situation around specific themes and indicators

Level 2 Selection and in-depth analysis of key development challenges emerging from the assessment

Level 3 Identification of core priorities for UN attention, for inclusion in the UNDAF.

Key uses of the CCA are to provide information and analysis: 1) as a base for production of the proposed UNDAF; 2) as a foundation for policy analysis in light of past experiences and lessons learned; 3) as a forum for advocacy and dialogue; 4) as a means to enhance partnerships and alliances; and 5) to build analytical capacity in the UN system and among partners involved in development co-operation. The Eritrea CCA will draw on existing databases and reports to develop agreed baseline data, disaggregated along pertinent dimensions such as sex and geographical region whenever possible. It will also identify key data and analysis gaps as priorities for institution and human resource capacity building.

The processes of analysis for preparation of the CCA should be pursued in ways that maximise usefulness to the Government and other partners in the formulation of their own plans and strategies. The CCA will include analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, of a standard that can help meet situation analysis needs across agencies and programmes.

Scope of the CCA

The UN Country Team, through the work of the CCA Steering Committee, and in collaboration with the Government, has identified poverty eradication as the over-riding objective of all development efforts in Eritrea. Under the umbrella of poverty eradication, the Steering Committee has identified thematic areas to be covered in the Eritrea Common Country Assessment. These areas are: Economic Growth and Development; Governance; Basic Social Services, Food Security and Nutrition, the Situation of Children, Management of the Environment, and Emergency and Recovery. Key development challenges in these areas will be identified and subjected to causal analysis. Analysis will explore the specific impact of overarching, cross-cutting factors such as culture, the environment, gender relations, good governance, human rights, inequity, macroeconomics, security and social development.

Overview of CCA Roles and Responsibilities

The UN Country Team, under leadership of the Resident Co-ordinator, will oversee the preparation of the Common Country Assessment, with day-to-day management responsibilities

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 57 delegated to a CCA Steering Committee. The CCA exercise will be carried out in consultation with Government, with involvement and input from non-resident UN organisations, relevant regional bodies, Bretton-Woods institutions and from representatives of civil society and the donor community.

CCA Terms of Reference has been drafted by the Steering Committee in February 2000 and reviewed by the UN Country Team. The Steering Committee also established Theme Groups to organise the collection, assessment and analysis of data for the CCA. The CCA terms of reference will be shared with all Theme Groups at the earliest convenience, as well as with Government and non-resident UN organisations, other development partners and the UN Development Group (UNDG) in New York. Once these consultations have been affected, the TOR will be finalised for transmission to Government and the UNDG by the UN Country Team. The CCA will be officially launched by the UNCT in Asmara with development partners.

The main work of the CCA will take place within the Theme Groups. Each TG will manage its own work plan and record and advance discussions of the group. They will also carry out information exchange and other forms of collaboration with relevant CCA stakeholders. Either directly or by identifying/supervising appropriate consultants, the Theme Groups will be responsible for data assembly, assessment and analysis, and for preparation of the reports on which the CCA will be based.

The CCA Steering Committee will hold consultations towards the end of May to review the reports of the Theme Groups. It will then assume responsibility for synthesising the reports and drafting the CCA document. The first draft of the CCA will be reviewed at a UN interagency seminar in June, the second by all CCA stakeholders at a ‘national consensus seminar’ in June, in collaboration with the UNDGO. The final draft will be submitted for UNCT approval and submitted to the UNDG by July 2000.

United Nations Common Country Assessment Exercise for Eritrea Work Plan and Time Line

STEP 1: PREPARATION Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame Appointment of Constitution of a "Steering Committee" to take charge of the Steering UNCT February Steering day-to-day implementation and monitoring of a CCA work Committee 2000 Committee plan. The committee should comprise primarily established technical/programme staff of the participating organisations.

Definition of The TOR outlines the roles and responsibilities of different TOR completed Steering March 2000 Terms of participants, the scope of the CCA, the methodology, the and shared. Committee Reference consultation process to be followed with the broader with support development community and the approach to collecting from UNCT information. A condensed terms of reference should be distributed as an ‘aide memoir’ to all CCA stakeholders.

Work Planning Developing a work plan; estimating costs and how to share Work plan Steering March 2000 them; indicating support required; deciding how the process developed Committee will be managed and its expected duration; determining how and by whom information will be assembled, including how civil society representatives will be involved in the preparatory process.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 58 Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame Constitution of The thematic groups are the core mechanism for Thematic groups Steering March 2000 thematic groups undertaking the CCA assessment and analysis, as reflected established. Committee in the CCA TOR. Their findings on key development with support challenges are the basis of the CCA document. The thematic from UNCT groups should ideally engage a wide range of development partners.

First / Steering April 2000 introductory Committee consultation with support with partners from UNCT

STEP 2: ASSEMBLY OF DATA AND INFORMATION Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame

Deciding on The CCA Indicator Framework will serve as the point of Consensus reached Thematic April 2000 indicators departure for collecting quantitative data. It is intended on key indicators for Groups with to ensure that the major global concerns are considered. specific thematic support from This framework includes indicators for the global areas Steering conferences, conventions and declarations as well as Committee contextual indicators for reference. Additional indicators should be added, if necessary, to cover national priorities and needs.

Assembling The theme groups identify sources of information Data and information Thematic April - May and compiling including both quantitative and qualitative data. Each assembled and Groups with 2000 information agency should support the assembly of information, compiled support from including quantitative and qualitative data, within its Steering mandate. The government statistical departments are Committee always involved in the data collection and information base issues. Information should be assembled for several past years in order to identify trends.

Identification Data gaps should be noted as an issue requiring Data Gaps identified Thematic April -May of data gaps attention, such as measures to close them. Meanwhile, and measures to close Groups with 2000 the best possible use should be made of existing data. them proposed support from Steering Committee Preparation of Advise on the development of a “CCA database”, which Strategy devised for Steering May-June detailed plan will include quantitative and qualitative data on development of CCA Committee with 2000 for the demographic, social, economic and other issues. This Database support of establishment common information base will consist of data compiled Thematic of a common from various sources (including district level) in the Groups information form of spreadsheets, tables, charts, files or other base records. Ideally it should be electronically accessible, dynamic and sustainable for all UN agencies within the country, as well as for other beneficiaries

STEP 3: ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame

Assessment of Thematic groups review the development Development situation Thematic Groups May 2000 the information situation with regard both to national reviewed by thematic area. with support of priorities and international commitments Steering Committee within the “theme” of their group. Consulting and building consensus with relevant stakeholders, they assess and interpret

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 59 Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame

available information in order to identify key development challenges that merit further analysis.

Analysis of the The analysis should identify underlying and Brief reports produced Thematic Groups May 2000 information in structural causes of the problems. Each summarising findings of with support from key areas thematic group records its findings in brief analysis by thematic area. Steering Committee papers that will serve as a basis for the CCA document. Reaching Based on the consolidated findings, the Consensus generated. Steering Committee May 2000 agreement on Steering Committee agrees on a core set of and Thematic core priorities issues for priority attention and inclusion in groups with support the CCA. Committee members first focus on from UNCT areas of agreement. Where there are controversial issues, they continue dialogue to seek a common understanding.

STEP 4: DRAFTING AND FINALISING THE CCA DOCUMENT Activity Point of focus for action Outcome Responsible Time frame

Drafting the CCA The findings of the thematic groups are reflected in CCA draft document Steering June 2000 document a CCA document. The CCA document should produced and widely Committee with focus on those issues on which the participating shared support of partners reach an agreement. Depending on local UNCT, Thematic circumstances, the UNCT, with other organisations, Groups and all decides how to reflect sensitive issues (if any). In CCA stakeholders any case, issues that need further work remain in the CCA process with the different perspectives captured. Draft CCA document will be widely shared and comments will be solicited.

Finalising The UNCT ensures that the findings and main Final CCA document Steering July 2000 the CCA document conclusions are accurately recorded in the CCA produced Committee with document. It also assures review to guarantee the support of quality of the final draft of the CCA document. A UNCT final ‘aide memoir’ is circulated to all stakeholders regarding completion of the CCA.

Establishment of Steering June- common Committee with September information base support of 2000 UNCT

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 60 CONSOLIDATED TIMELINE CCA

February 2000 March 2000 April 2000 May 2000 June 2000 July 2000

Key tasks Key tasks Key tasks Key tasks Key tasks Key tasks Propose steering Finalise steering Establish theme groups Causal analysis of Finalise strategy for Commence second committee committee key development establishing CCA draft of CCA membership membership Determine indicator set challenges by theme database and gather data by areas Reach consensus Draft CCA terms Finalise CCA theme area Finalise first draft of with stakeholders on of reference terms of reference Draft theme papers CCA final draft of CCA Identify data gaps by Propose thematic Identify theme theme area Reach consensus Solicit comments and Decide how to areas groups within steering feedback widely reflect sensitive and Identify key committee on core unresolved issues Draft aide Circulate aide development challenges issues Commence first draft memoir on terms memoir on terms by theme area for of CCA document Finalise and publish of reference for of reference to all further analysis Prepare plan on CCA all stakeholders stakeholders CCA database Circulate final CCA Key events Key events Key events ‘aide memoir’ to all stakeholders Key events Key events early March – Terms of Early April – Draft CCA reference presented for Theme group disseminated Feb 22 – UN Feb 22 – UN approval to UNCT meetings and Key Events Senior Staff Senior Staff consensus building UN review seminar CCA/UNDAF CCA/UNDAF Briefing for Theme to critique first CCA Early June UNCT retreat retreat Group Chairs Draft of theme draft meeting to approve group reports final draft of CCA Feb 23 - 25 – Feb 23 - 25 – CCA Stakeholder National consensus Steering Steering Launch (3 hours) Consultations to workshop to circulate Dissemination to Committee Committee review theme group second draft and UNDGO and all follow-up follow-up Theme group working findings and elicit feedback from partners meetings meetings meetings and consensus identify UN priority all CCA stakeholders building areas (all day)

UNDAF August 2000 September 2000 October 2000 November 2000

Key tasks Key tasks Key Tasks Key Tasks Identify UNDAF Steering Committee Agree major goals and co-operation Finalise UNDAF Circulate document strategies for UNDAF document widely and use as Agree on priority programming issues Determine M and E structure, use of common framework for the UN based on CCA TGs, etc as per UNDAF guidelines for all UN advocacy, programming, and Finalise UNDAF terms of reference Compile information for UNDAF operations and theme groups resource framework

Key Events Key Events

Workshop for UNCT on purpose and UNCT draft UNDAF Key Events operationalisation of UNDAF Key Events Stakeholders seminar to critique UNDAF Meetings to secure Steering Committee selected and TOR draft to ensure that function of UN UNCT and government developed responses to stakeholder needs for agreement on UNDAF streamlined and harmonised Stakeholders meeting using CCA to programming and operations (3 hours) inform and receive suggestions (3 hours)

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 61 ANNEX 3 United Nations Country Team & Members of the CCA Steering Committee

United Nations Country Team

Name Organization Position

Simon R. Nhongo UNDP Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator Heuston Dagg FAO Representative Bruce Campbell UNFPA Representative Ms. Simone Wolken UNHCR Deputy Team Leader Dr. Festo Kavishe UNICEF Representative Emmanuel Ablo World Bank Resident Representative Patrick Buckley WFP Country Representative Dr. D.V. Nsue-Milang WHO Representative

Members of the CCA Steering Committee

Name Organization Position

Firouz Sobhani UNDP, Chair Deputy Resident Representative Bruce Campbell UNFPA Representative Efrem Tecleab FAO Programme Officer Berhane Woldemichael UNDP CCA/ UNDAF Coordination Officer Bornwell Kantande UNHCR Programme Officer Dr. Debrezion Berhe WHO Disease Prevention & Control Advisor Luis Anyanzo WFP Programme Officer Christopher Davids UNICEF Programme Coordinator Ahmed Raji UNDP National Programme Officer

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 62 ANNEX List of Theme Group Members 4

Theme Group Members Organization Governance Seyoum Haregot (Chair) UNDP/OPS Froydis Aarbakke Norwegian Embassy Jeff Allen USAID Chris Davis UNICEF Elsabeth Mengsteab UNFPA Goder Yohannes UNDP Mengsteab Tesfay MoLG Rezene Seyoum MoJ Worku Zerai Theme Group Consultant Economic Growth and Emmanuel Ablo (Chair) World Bank Development Ahmed Raji UNDP Amha Kidane MoTI Elsabeth Mengsteab UNFPA Ghebreselassie Mebrahtu SEO Ghirmay Haile UNICEF Melake T/ Ghiorghis MoFin Michael Beyene Civil Society Anders Pedersen UNIDO Tekeste Asghedom Chamber of Commerce Kiflemariam Zerom Theme Group Consultant Berhane Woldemichael CCA Coordination Officer (UNDP) Food Security M. S. Reddy (Chair) FAO/MOA Ephraim Tekleab FAO Teklematiam Zeggu Theme Group Consultant Teclai Estifanos MoH Kathrin Puffenberger USAID Salma Mohammed MoH Rediet Tsehaye MoF Fetsum Gebre Yohannes MoA Yadav Khatiwada DANIDA/MOA Yemane Kidane UNICEF Tedros Demoz AFRICARE Yosief Admekom UNDP

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 63 Theme Group Members Organization Graham Farmer FAO/MOA T. N. Nayar DANIDA/MoA Lius Anyanzo WFP Angelo Guadagni Italian Cooperation Yordanos Beyene Italian Cooperation Education Cecilia Baldeh (Chair) UNICEF Tsehaye Haile UNICEF Abraham Russom MoE Habtom Tsegay MoE Vibeke Mortensen Royal Danish Embassy Goder Yohannes UNDP Yeshi Haile Theme Group Consultant Health and Nutrition Dr. D.V. Nsue Milang (Chair) WHO Dr. Ghirmay Andemichael WHO, Theme Group Rapporteur Dr. Yohannes Ghebrat USAID, Theme Group Rapporteur Bruce Campbell (Co-Chair) UNFPA Elsa Mengsteab UNFPA Margaret Thuo UNFPA Dr. Bisirat Hagos MoH Rachel Odede UNICEF Elisabeth Mengsteab UNFPA Debesai Haile UNICEF Dr. Debretsion Berhe WHO Shelter, Water & Dr. Ivan Camanor (Chair) UNICEF Sanitation Michael Negash MLWF (WRD) Ogbai Mesfin MoLG Joseph Muller MoLG/SDR Pietros Sebhat LWF Rosiemeri Nabatanzi OXFAM-GB Andera Senatori Italian Coop. Esayas Abraham ACCORD Berhane Berhe UNICEF Netsanet Alem NUEW Fidelis Don Chulu UNICEF Mohamed El-Fatih UNICEF Tony Parmer MSF-Holland

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 64 Theme Group Members Organization Bruce MacInnes SCF Wudassie Yohannes Theme Group Consultant Environment and Energy Firouz Sobhani (Chair) UNDP Graham Farmer FAO Warwick Thomson DANIDA Yoseph Admekom UNDP Dr. Beyene Tsegai WHO Semere Habtetsion MoEM Elias Araya MoA Beyene Misghena MoLWE Naigzhi Ghebremedhin CTA-World Bank Ogbaghebriel Berakhi UoA, Theme Group Consultant Zemenfes Tsighe UoA, Theme Group Consultant

Emergency and Recovery Kofi Owusu-Tieku (Chair) WFP Fred Ogwal-Oyee UNICEF Ivo Freijsen OCHA Ahmed Raji UNDP Said Osman UNHCR Tecle Mengistu ERREC Mehreteab Fessehaie ERREC Jeff Allen USAID Aklilu Lijam DIA Bornwell Kantande UNHCR Tecle Tesfay NCA Marie Maguire SCF-UK Berhane Woldemichael UNDP, CCA Coordination Officer (UNDP), Theme Group Rapportuer

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 65 ANNEX 5 List of resource persons consulted and/or attended theme group meetings

Theme Group Names Organizations Governance Daniel Tesfaldet MoF Estephanos Isack CPA Zemhret Yohannes PFDJ Tesfayesus Mehari UoA/EIM John Herzog UNFPA/CST Hiwot Zemichael MLHW Firouz Sobhani UNDP Simon Nhongo UNDP Dr. Ghirmay Andemichael WHO Rita Mazzocche UNDP Anders Pedersen UNDP Fawzia Hashim MoJ Berhane Abrehe ICMPEC Heads of UN Agencies UN Steering Committee Members UN Woldai Futur MoF Kidane Tseggai MoLG Economic Growth and Berhane Abrehe ICMPEC Development Woldai Futur MoF Ali Said Abdella MoTI Lia Ghebreab UNDP Kidane Tseggai MoLG John Herzog UNFPA Heads of UN Agencies UN Steering Committee Members UN Food Security and Berhane Woldemichael UNDP Nutrition Worku Tesfamichael ERREC Worku Zerai Consultant Arefaine Berhe MoA Berhane Abrehe ICMPEC Heads of UN Agencies UN

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 66 Theme Group Names Organizations Steering Committee Members UN Education Heads of UN Agencies UN Steering Committee Members UN Osman Saleh MoE Lia Ghebreab UNDP Berhane Woldemichael UNDP Health Sr. Kidisty Habte SEATS/USAID Berhane Woldemichael UNDP Dr. Eskindir Hadgu MoH Dr. Bahlibi Kiflom MoH Dr. Mismay Gebrehiwet MoH Dr. Solomon Gebreyesus MoH Salama Mohammed MoH Fili Said Fili MoH Eden Asghedom NUEYS Dr. Tewelde Gebremeskel MoH Sr. Shashu Gebreselassie MoH Berhane Berhe ICMPEC Saleh Meki MoH Heads of UN Agencies UN Steering Committee Members UN Shelter, Water & Woldemichael Gebremariam MoLWE Sanitation Berhane Woldemichael UNDP Saleh Meki MoH Abraha Asfaha MoPW Michael Negash MoLWE, DoW Berhe Habtemichael MoH Heads of UN Agencies UN Steering Committee Members UN Environment Berhane Woldemichael UNDP Lia Ghebreab UNDP Hagos Yohannes MoA Worku Zerai Consultant Ghebremicael Hagos MoLWE, DoW Asmerom Mengisteab MoLWE, DoE Teclemariam Berhane MoLWE, DoE

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 67 Theme Group Names Organizations Dr. Kesete Araya MoH Mebrahtu Iyassu MoA Wodemicael Gebremariam MoLWE Tesfai Gebreselassie MoEM Arefaine Berhe MoA Petros Solomon MoFis Berhane Abrehe ICMPEC Beyene Russom MoLWE Tekleab Mesghena MoLWE Heads of UN Agencies UN Ephraim Tekleab FAO Steering Committee Members UN Emergency and Daniel Tesfaldet MoFin Recovery Seilu Abraha MoFin Warwick Thomson MoA/DANIDA Christian Sorensen MoA/DANIDA Esayas Abraham ACORD Abraham Kahsai ERREC Habte Abraha ERREC Bekretsion Habte MoA Petros Sebhat LWF Mehret Iyob MoE Commissioner Worku Tesfamichael ERREC Heads of UN Agencies UN Worku Zerai Consultant Fetsum T/Yohannes MoA Steering Committee Members UN Special Consultations Internal (National) Saba Issayas Consultant, UNDP Consultants Kiflemariam Zerom Consultant External Consultants Douglas Passanisi Consultant on CCA, Mozambique Pablo Mateu UNHCR, Geneva Thomas Theisohn UNDP, France Gladson Kayira UNDP, Ethiopia

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 68 ANNEX 6 List of focus persons responsible for producing the sections of the main CCA document (Vol. 1)

S/N Title of summary Responsible for writing 1 Introduction Firouz Sobhani 2 Country Overview Berhane Woldemichael and Christopher Davids 3 Governance Seyoum Haregot and Rita Mazzochi 4 Economic Growth and Development Anders Pedersen and Emmanuel Ablo 5 Food Security S. M. Reddy 6 Education Cecelia Baldeh 7 Health Bruce Campbell and Ghirmay Andemichael 8 Water supply, Environmental Mohammed El Fatih and Ivan Camanor with Sanitation and Shelter input on Shelter from Eduardo Lopez, UNCHS(Habitat) 9 Environment Ogbagebriel Beraki, Zemenfes Tsighe, firouz Sobhani and Rita Mazzochi 10 Emergency and Recovery Berhane Woldemichael and Kofi Owusu-Tieku 11 HIV/AIDS Dominic Mathot and Rachel Odede 12 Gender Saba Essayas 13 People with Special Needs Christopher Davids 14 Equity Rita Mazzochi 15 Communication for Developemnt Rachel Odede 16 Data for Development Bruce Campbell and Anders Pedersen 17 Capacity Development Anders Pedersen 18 Conclusion Thomas Theisohn and Bruce Campbell

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 69 ANNEX 7 Process and Methodology

In December 1999, the UN system and The Government of the State of Eritrea reached agreement to embark on the preparation of CCA/UNDAF. The time frame agreed upon was to complete the process by the end of 2000 with a harmonized programming cycle starting in January 2002.

As indicated in the introduction section, the CCA process started with its official launch in a meeting called by the UN Resident Coordinator on 5 April 2000. The required groundwork for launching the CCA was carried out by a consultant from Mozambique, Douglas Passanissi, who had a good country experience with the CCA process. The consultant produced an Aide Memoir that described the plans for the preparation of the CCA in detail. In addition, the consultant also produced a CCA Terms of Reference, Steering Committee Terms of Reference, Theme Group Terms of Reference and UNDAF Terms of Reference.

The Steering Committee, made up of representatives of the resident UN agencies in Eritrea, formed the hub of the CCA process in Eritrea. It had the all-important responsibility for designing and overseeing the successful completion of the CCA process. A CCA/UNDAF Coordination Office was also established to facilitate the work of the Steering Committee. The day to day work of the CCA was however carried out by the eight theme groups that were established around the eight thematic areas selected for detailed assessment and analysis. Eight theme reports were thus produced which formed the basis of the CCA report.

In the production of the CCA document in Eritrea, the process was as important as the product itself. Each theme group was composed of relevant UN agencies, government departments, and interested bilateral and civil society organizations. For the details on the composition of Theme Groups refer to Annex 4. All Theme Group members took part in a one-day workshop on 20 April 2000 to have a common understanding on the methodology to be used in their work. It was indicated to the Theme Groups that they should undertake their work on the basis of the existing data. They should also assess the situation in each thematic area (problems, achievements and opportunities), identify key development challenges and undertake a causal analysis for those challenges providing insights on the immediate and underlying causes. In so doing, the Themes Groups often consulted specialists and experts as speakers or as participants in pre-arranged workshops.

All Theme Groups were advised to take into consideration in their analysis the key crosscutting issues such as gender, situation of children and capacity building. A chairperson was appointed for each Theme Group to lead the process and, in most cases, specialist consultants were appointed to help the Theme Groups with the production of the reports.

In a retreat of an extended CCA Steering Committee on 22 August 2000, the outline of the CCA document was developed and arrangements were made for writing the report based primarily on the work of the Theme Groups. The arrangement involved assigning individuals to summarize or write the different sections that make up Volume I of the CCA document. At every appropriate stage, the Steering Committee sought the endorsement and/or comments of the UN Country Team .

Having reached this far, the Steering Committee then decided to involve a specialist editor who could shape up the draft CCA document. Mr Thomas Theisohn, a UNDP staff member based in France was appointed for this purpose and made significant input to bring the CCA document into its present form.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 70 The following table shows the important milestones in the CCA process:

Date Venue Event 18 January 00 UNCT Workshop – presentation on CCA/UNDAF and the World bank’s Comprehensive Development Framework. 22 February 00 World Bank All-Agency Workshop facilitated by Douglas Passanisi, consultant 20 April 00 Selam Hotel Theme Group Orientation workshop facilitated by Pablo Matew, consultant 16 May 00 Ambassoira Hotel Education Theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 22 May 00 Mai-Sirwa Hotel Food Security Theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 06 June 00 Ambassoira Hotel Governance Theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 15 June 00 Ambassoira Hotel Emergency and Recovery Theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 17 June 00 Ambassoira Hotel Environment theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 21 June 00 Ambassoira Hotel Health Theme Group: One day workshop on assessment and causal analysis 30 June 00 UNDP Environment: Extended consultative meeting Conference Hall 22 August 00 Mai-Sirwa retreat Extended Steering Committee one day workshop aimed to: Identify the main cross-cutting issues Design and agree on the CCA report outline Outline the remaining steps of the CCA process 20 September UNDP Steering Committee meeting: to discuss and finalize 00 Conference Hall the conclusions and recommendations section of the CCA report 04 October 00 UNDP Steering Committee meeting: Design agenda for the Conference Hall UNCT retreat scheduled for 10 October 2000 10 October 00 Mai-Sirwa retreat UNCT: To discuss the CCA draft report with special focus on the conclusions and recommendations section 17 October 00 Eritrean Red UNCT: To discuss and finalize the draft CCA Cross Conference document Hall 09 November UNDP Steering Committee to discuss “shaping up” the CCA 00 Conference Hall report with Thomas Theisohn, external consultant 13 November UNDP UNCT: Finalization of the CCA document with the 00 Conference Hall editorial team including Thomas Theisohn, Bruce Campbell, Anders Pederson, Rita Mazzochi and Berhane Woldemichael 22 November Asmara Distribution of 2nd draft document to all CCA partners 00 for comment 29/30 January Massawa Final CCA workshop: 01

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 71 ANNEX References 8

The following lists present the resource materials used by the respective thematic groups.

Governance (3.1) Alemseged Tesfai, War-Torn Societies Project - Eritrea, “Governance: Issues and the Eritrean Context”, (Discussion Paper), November 1996. The Constitution of Eritrea, 23 May 1997. Cazeault, Henri et al., “Government-Wide Functional Analysis Report, August 1994 (Unpublished Report Funded by UNDP/UNOPS, Project ERI/93/004, PSMP). Daniel Tesfalidet, Report on "Budget Management in Eritrea", Ministry of Finance, 6 June 2000. Development Challenges in Light of the Principal Concerns of UNFPA, 4 May 2000. Gazettes for Eritrean Laws, Proclamations for Adopting the Transitional Judicial System, Transitional Civil Code, Transitional Civil Procedure Code, Transitional Penal Code, Transitional Penal Procedure Code, Transitional Commercial Code, Transitional Maritime Code, Transitional Labour Code, Provisional Government of Eritrea, Proclamations 1-8/1991, 15 September 1991 (available in Tigrigna and Arabic). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, a Proclamation to Provide for the Organization, Powers and Functions of PGE, Provisional Government of Eritrea, No. 23/1992, 22 May 1992 (available in Tigrigna and Arabic). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, a Proclamation to Provide for the Organization, Powers and Functions of the Government of Eritrea, Provisional Government of Eritrea, No. 37/1993, 22 May 1992 (available in Tigrigna and Arabic). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, Regional Administration Proclamation, Provisional Government of Eritrea, No. 26/1992, 7 October 1992 (available in Tigrigna and Arabic). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, A Proclamation for the Establishment of the Constitutional Commission, Government of Eritrea, No. 55/1994, 15 March 1994 (available in English also). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, Proclamation for the Establishment of Regional Administrations, Government of Eritrea, No. 86/1996, 15 April 1996 (available in English also). Gazette for Eritrean Laws, A Proclamation Issued to Establish the Constituent Assembly, Government of Eritrea, Proclamation No. 92/1996 (available in English also). Government of the State of Eritrea, Macro Policy, November 1994. Government of the State of Eritrea, Public Sector Management Programme, November 1994. Integrating Human Rights with Sustainable Human Development, A UNDP Policy Document, January 1998. Kracht, Uwe, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Principles of Emergencies - An Overview of Concepts and Issues, Draft, July 2000. Mengesteab Tesfay, Report on "Decentralization Process in Eritrea", Ministry of Local Government, 9 June 2000. Ministry of Labour & Human Welfare, State of Eritrea, “Initial Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Asmara, December 1997. Narayan Deepa, et al., 2000, "Voices of the Poor: Can any one Hear Us?": World Bank Rezene Seyoum, Report on "The administration of Justice and Law", Ministry of Justice, 9 June 2000. Seyoum Haregot, et al., “Public Sector Management Programme for Eritrea: A Diagnostic Report from a Programming Mission, 13 January 1993. (An Unpublished Funded by UNDP/MDP Report) Seyoum Haregot, “Constitution Making in Eritrea”, and “Women in Eritrea”, Second Phase, First Year; Fourth Quarter Report, 1 May - 31 July 1996; “Eritrea Adopts A Constitution,” Second-Phase, Second Year, Fourth Quarter Report, 1 May - 31 July 1997.(UNDP Project, Support for the Public Sector Management Programme of Eritrea); and other Quarter Reports dealing with Institutional Capacity

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 72 Building, Decentralization, Human Resource Development and Management, Management Information System and Privatization. Stepahanos Isack, Report on "Civil Personnel administration", Central Personnel Administration, 6 June 2000. World Bank Report, Eritrea: Options and Strategies for Growth, 10 November 1994.

Economic Growth and Development (3.2) Macro-policy, Government of the State of Eritrea, 1994 National Economic Policy Framework and Program for 1998 – 2000, Government of the State of Eritrea, 1998 Government of the State of Eritrea and the UN Development Agencies Country Strategy Note, UNDP 1998 Declaration of the Right to Development, 1986 Fourth International Conference on Women, Beijing, 1995 World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 1995 World Food Summit, Rome, 1996 Ninth Session of UNCTAD (UNCTAD IX), 1996 Fighting Poverty, The Eritrean Experience- Discussion Paper - UNDP, 1999 Eritrea – Poverty Assessment – Population and Human Resources Division – East Africa Department Africa Region, World Bank, 1996 Demographic and Health Survey 1995, Government of the State of Eritrea, Statistics and Evaluation Office, 1997 A Study of the Private Sector in Eritrea: with Focus on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Macropolicy and International Economic Cooperation, 1996 Foundations for Sustained Employment in Eritrea, EAMAT, ILO, 1995 Eritrea - Food and Agricultural Production Assessment Study, University of Leeds, 1991 International Year Book of Industrial Statistics, UNIDO, 2000 National Report on the Implementation of the African and Global Platform for Action for the Advancement of Eritrean Women, N.U.E.W., 1999 The Status of Women in Eritrea, The Eritrean National Report to the Fourth World Conference on Women 1995, N.U.E.W., 1999 Human Development Report 1997 - UNDP Human Development Report 1998 - UNDP Human Development Report 1999 - UNDP Human Development Report 2000 - UNDP African Development Indicators 2000, the World Bank 2000 World Development Indicators 2000, the World Bank 2000 Economic Report on Africa 1999, The Challenge of Poverty Reduction and Sustainability, UN Economic Commission for Africa World Investment Report, 1997, Transnational Corporations, Market Structure and Competition Policy, United Nations, 1997 Industrial Development, Global Report 1997, UNIDO Trade and Development Report, 1997, Globalization, Distribution and Growth UNCTAD, 1997

Food Security (3.3) Government of Eritrea, Macro Policy, 1994. Country Strategy Note, Cooperation between the Government of the State of Eritrea and UN, March 1998. Ministry of Agriculture, 2000. Strategy for the Development of Agriculture, WFS-Horizon 2010 Ministry of Health, 1999. Nutrition and Food Security Policy and Guidelines. Ministry of Agriculture, 2000. Five Year Development Plan (2000-2004).

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 73 World Food Summit (WFS) – 1996 World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) – 1995. International Conference for Nutrition (ICN) – 1992 Data Sources NSO, (National Statistics Office) Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS, 1995). 1997. MOA, (Ministry of Agriculture) National Food Information System (NFIS). Annual Reports, 1992-1999. MOTI, (Ministry of Trade and Industry) Annual Reports, 1992-1999. MOF, (Ministry of Finance) GDP Reports, 1992-1999. MOF, (Ministry of Fishery) Annual Reports, 1992-1999.

Education (3.4) Economic Commission for Africa (1999) Report of Mission to Eritrea (1-8 August 1999) (by the Regional Adviser, African Centre for Women/ACW) Government of the State of Eritrea and the UN Development Agencies (1997) Country Strategy Note Ministry of Education 1991-1998 Statistical Reports Ministry of Education and Swedish Save the Children (1995) Education for Pastoral Communities of Eritrea: A Research Study Ministry of Education (1999) Education for All in Eritrea Ministry of Education/UNICEF (1996) Girls' Education in Eritrea Ministry of Education (1997) The Curriculum in Eritrean Schools: A Situation Analysis Report Ministry of Education (1997) Curriculum Review and Development in Eritrea. Ministry of Education (1999) Our People are Our Future: A Framework for the Development of Human Resources in the Education Sector (draft) Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education/Royal Danish Embassy (2000) Technical Paper on Gender Relations in Eritrea Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare (1997) Initial Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The State of Eritrea (1997) The Constitution of Eritrea UNICEF (1996-1999) Annual Reports UNICEF (2000) State of the World's Children United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child United Nations 1981 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women United Nations Indicator Framework UNICEF (1999) State of the World's Children World Education Forum (2000) Dakar Framework for Action Revised Final Draft

Health and Nutrition (3.5) Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey, (EDHS) 1995 Ghirmay Andemichael, Knowledge Attitude Belief and Practice of married women towards Antenatal Care, Delivery and Family planning, 1999. Ghirmay Andemichael Prevalence and determinants of female genital mutilation among children of Eritrea, 2000. Ministry of Health strategies, 1999

Water, Shelter and Sanitation (3.6) CCA Guidelines. United Nations April 1999. CCA/UNDAF: Terms of Reference: State of Eritrea Common Country Assessment. 23 March 2000. CCA/UNDAF: Theme Groups Terms of Reference CCA – Eritrea 28 March 2000

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 74 Water

1. Survey Report on Rural Water Resources. Water Resources Department. Asmara. May 1994. 2. Demographic and Health Survey 1995. National Statistics Office. March 1997. 3. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study Relating to Hygiene, Sanitation and Control of Diarrhoea Diseases in Eritrea. WRD and UNICEF Asmara October 1995. 4. Water Tariff Study (Draft). Ministry of Land, Water and Environment. Department of Environment. October 1998 Asmara. 5. National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea. Government of Eritrea.1995. 6. Agricultural Sector Review and Project Identification. Report Prepared by FAO for the Government of Eritrea Vol. II Annex 1-7. Rome, 22 April 1994. 7. Dekadal Actual Rainfall Data (mm) 1992-1999 by Regions, Department of Early Warning Ministry of Agriculture. 8. Inventory of Dams by Regions Jan.1999. Ministry of Agriculture Department of Land Resources and Crop Development. 9. Water Supply and Sanitation Handbook. Vol. II: Social Manual. Eritrean Community Development Fund (ECDF). November 1997. 10. An Assessment of the PROFERI Program of Eritrea (1995-1997). UNDP. Asmara. 11. ERIWESP A Strategy Document Final Report. Water Resources Department (WRD) Ministry of Land, Water and Environment (MLWE) May 1999. 12. Environmental Health Policy and Guidelines. Ministry of Health, September 1998. 13. Study on Groundwater Development and Water Supply for Seven Towns in Southern Region of Eritrea. Draft Report Executive Summary. Government of Japan. Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). State of Eritrea Ministry of Land. Water and Environment November 1998. 14. Sector Study on National Water Resources and Irrigation Potential Stage I Report (Draft) Component 1 Report Surface Water Resources Vol.1, March 1998. 15. Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Questionnaire-1999 Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000. Part III General Sector Information. 16. Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Questionnaire-1999. Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000. Part I Core Indicators. 17. Eritrea- Options and Strategies for Growth. Vol. I. Document of World Bank. Nov. 10,1994. 18. National Water and Sanitation Sector Institutional Assessment and Capacity Building Needs (First Draft) Report II Status of Institutional Capacity of Key Water Sector Agencies. Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and Ministry of Land, Water and Environment. Asmara, Dec. 1999. 19. Management of Water Resources: Challenges of Rural Water Supply in Eritrea. UN Resident Co- ordinator System in Eritrea. November 1998. 20. National Report on the Implementation of the African and Global Platform for Action for The Advancement of Eritrean Women. N.U.E.W. Publication Nov. 1999. 21. ECDF Water Sector Capacity Building Assessment Strategy and Program. (Draft) ECDF 1999.

Sanitation

1. National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea. Government of Eritrea. Asmara 1995. 2. ERIWESP A Strategy Document Final Report. Water Resources Department (WRD) Ministry of Land, Water and Environment (MLWE) May 1999 Asmara. 3. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study Relating to Hygiene, Sanitation and Control of Diarrhoea Diseases in Eritrea. WRD and UNICEF. Asmara October 1995 4. An Assessment of the PROFERI Program of Eritrea (1995-1997). UNDP. Asmara. 5. Demographic and Health Survey 1995. National Statistics Office. March 1997. Evaluation Report Eritrean Rehabilitation Program ERT3-A: Alebu, September 1997.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 75 6. Survey Report on Rural Water Resources. Water Resource Department. Asmara, May 1994. 7. Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000. Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Questionnaire-1999. 8. Status of Institutional Capacity of Key Sanitation Sector Agencies. (First Draft). Ministry of Local Governments and MLWE (WRD). December 1999. 9. Environmental Health Policy and Guidelines Ministry of Health, September 1998.

Shelter

1. Proclamation No. 58/1994: A Proclamation to Reform the System of Land Tenure in Eritrea. The State of Eritrea. Asmara August 1994. 2. Legal Notice No. 31/1997 Regulations for the Distribution and Administration of Land. The State of Eritrea. Asmara May 1997. 3. National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea. Government of Eritrea. Asmara 1995. 4. Demographic and Health Survey 1995. National Statistics Office Department. March 1997. 5. Emergency Humanitarian Appeal to Assist War and Drought affected People in Eritrea in Year 2000 Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC) January 2000. 6. PROFERI PHASE I. Operation Plan. Government of Eritrea Commission for Eritrean Refugee Affairs (CERA) May 1995. 7. An Assessment of the PROFERI Program of Eritrea (1995-1997) UNDP. Asmara. 8. Evaluation Report. Eritrean Rehabilitation Program ERT3-A: Alebu. Asmara. September 1997: 9. Loan Requirements for Real Estate Loans. Housing and Commerce Bank : Construction Loans: Purchase Loans, Loans Classification by Purpose… Revised 02/2000, Loans Approved-1998, Loan Disbursement, Loan Collections, Loans Approved 1999, Loans Disbursement 1999, Loan Approved Residential Homes Summary 1998-1999 10. Environmental Health Policy and Guidelines. Ministry of Health. Asmara September 1998 11. Options and Strategies for Growth, World Bank Doc. Vol. I, November 10,1994.

Environment and Energy (3.7) Bojo, Jan, (n.d), Working Paper 1: Land Degradation and Rehabilitation in Eritrea, (mimeograph). Bristow, Stephen, (n.d.), Working Paper 2: Agroforestry and Community-Based Forestry in Eritrea, (mimeograph). CESSEN/ASNALDO/ENEC, 1986, Main Report, Rome Department of Energy and Lahmeyer International, 1995, Comprehensive Energy Survey in Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea. Department of Energy, 1998, The 1998 Data Base Update, Asmara, Eritrea Department of Environment, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, 1997, Pilot Report: State of the Environment -Eritrea (Environmental Information System project), Asmara, Eritrea. Department of Environment, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, 1998, Eritrea Bio-diversity: Economic Assessment, Asmara, Eritrea. Department of Environment, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, 1999A, National Environment Assessment Procedures and Guidelines: A Summary, Asmara, Eritrea. Department of Environment, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, 1999B, Assessment of National Policy, Legislative and Institutional Framework and its Implication for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use: Background Report, Asmara, Eritrea. Department of Environment, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, 1999C, Eritrea Biodiversity Stocktaking Assessment Report, Asmara, Eritrea. FAO, 1986, Highlands Reclamation Study: Ethiopia. Final Report (in two volumes), Addis Ababa.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 76 FAO, 1994, Agricultural Sector Review and Project Identification, (in three volumes), Report No. TCP/ERI/2353, in three volumes FAO Representation Office Eritrea, 2000, World Food Summit Horizon 2010, Agricultural Sector Strategy-Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea. Government of Eritrea, 1995, National Environmental Management Plan for Eritrea, Asmara: Eritrean Agency for the Environment. Government of Eritrea, UNDP and UNEP, 1997, The Eritrean Environmental Information System: A framework for managing environmental information, Nairobi, Kenya. Government of the Sate of Eritrea/European Union, 1998A, Sector Study on National Water Resources and irrigation Potential: Stage 1 Report (Draft), Component 1, Surface Water Resources, Vol.1. Government of the Sate of Eritrea/European Union, 1998B, Sector Study on National Water Resources and irrigation Potential: Stage 1 Report (Draft), Component 1, Surface Water Resources, Vol.2. Government of the Sate of Eritrea/European Union, 1998C, Sector Study on National Water Resources and Irrigation Potential: Stage 1 Report (revised), Component 2, Ground Water Resources, Vol. 3b. Government of the State of Eritrea/European Union, 1998D, Sector Study on National Water Resources and Irrigation Potential: Stage 1 Report (revised), Component 2, Ground Water Resources, Vol. 3a. Government of the State of Eritrea/European Union, 1998E, Sector Study on National Water Resources and Irrigation Potential: Stage 1 Report (revised), Component 5, Water Demand and Water Quality, vol. 6. The Republic of Uganda, National Environment Management Authority, 1998, State of Environment Report for Uganda, Kampala, Uganda. UNDP, 1998, Human Development Report, New York: Offord University Press.

Emergency and Recovery (3.8) Revised United Nations Country Team Appeal for Eritrea, July – Dec 2000, UN July 2000. Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment Results: Humanitarian Situation in Gash-Barka and Debub Zone, 30 June- 2 July 2000. Strategic Country Operations Plan, Eritrea: Voluntary Repatriation of Eritrea Refugees for the Sudan and Yemen and their Reintegration which is Eritrea, UNHCR/ ERRIC, 14 March 2000. When Eritreans Became Targets, ERREC (no date) ERREC Newsletter, Vol.4 Issue No 2, December 1999.

The Uprooted, Volumes I, II, III, by Professor Asmarom Legesse on behalf of the Citizens for Peace in Eritrea. Emergency Reconstruction Program for Eritrea, Appraisal Mission, September 4-14, 2000, World Bank. Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) Camps in Eritrea, ICC Briefing Paper, No 1, 25 September 2000. From ‘Border Dispute’ to Open Invasion: A report on Ethiopia’s aggression against Eritrea and its consequences, The Community of the University of Asmara, June 2000.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 77 Acronyms ANNEX 9

ACORD Agency for Co-operation of Research in Development AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ARI Acute Respiratory Tract Infection BMI Body Mass Index BOE Bank of Eritrea CCA Common Country Assessment CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CO2 Carbon dioxide CPA Central Personnel Agency CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CSN Country Strategy Note DANIDA Danish International Development Agency DE Dietary Energy DES Dietary Energy Supply DFID Department for International Development (UK) DHS Demographic and Health Survey DIA Dutch Interchurch Aid DoE Department of Environment DoW Department of Water DUD Department of Urban Development ECE Early Childhood Education EDHS Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey EEA Eritrean Environment Agency EFA World Conference on Education for All, Jomtien 1990 EIM Eritrean Institute of Management ERIWESP Eritrean Water and Environmental Sanitation Programme ERREC Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission EU European Union FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations FGM Female Genital Mutilation FWCW Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995 GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GEM Gender Empowerment Measure GIS Geographic Information System GNP Gross National Product GSE Government of the state of Eritrea HABITAT II Second UN Conference on Human Settlements, Istanbul 1996 HBE Housing Bank of Eritrea HDI Human Development Index HF High Frequency HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus ICC Information and Coordination Center ICMPEC International Cooperation Macro Policy Economic Coordination ICPD International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo 1994 IDA Iron Deficiency Anemia

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 78 IDD Iodine Deficiency Disorders IDPs Internally Displaced Persons IEC Information, Education and Communication IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development ILO International Labour Organization IMR Infant Mortality Rate IQ Intelligence Quotients Kcal Kilo Calories KWh Kilo watt per hour LDC Least Developed Countries LWF Lutheran World Federation MLHW Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare MLWE Ministry of Land, Water and Environment MMR Maternal Mortality Ratio MoA Ministry of Agriculture MoD Ministry of Defence MoE Ministry of Education MoFin Ministry of Finance MoFis Ministry of Fisheries MoH Ministry of Health MoI Ministry of Information MoJ Ministry of Justice MoLG Ministry of Local Government MoEM Ministry of Energy and Mines MoPW Ministry of Public Works MoT Ministry of Tourism MoTC Ministry of Transportation and Communication MoTI Ministry of Trade and Industry MSF Medecins Sans Frontiers MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield MTCT Mother to Child Transmission NACP National AIDS Control Programme NCA Norwegian Church Aid NCEW National Confederation of Eritrean Workers NEMPE National Environment Management Plan for Eritrea NER Net Enrolment Ratio NGO Non Governmental Organization NUEW National Union of Eritrean Women NUEYS National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OPD Out Patient Department PEM Pre-perential Trade Area PFDJ People’s Front for Democracy and Justice PTA Parent-Teacher Association RBCS Red Blood Cells RH Reproductive Health SCF-UK Save the Children Fund UK SEMISH State of Eritrean Management Information System for Health SEO Statistics and Evaluation Office SIDA Swedish International Development Agency STD Sexually Transmitted Disease

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 79 TSE Telecommunication Services of Eritrea TT Tetanus Toxoid UN United Nations UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro 92 UNCPCTO Ninth Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, Cairo 95 UNCT United Nations Country Team UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework UNDG United Nations Development Group UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNOPS United Nations UNSO United Nations Sudan-Sahelian Office UOA University of Asmara USAID United States Agency for International Development VAD Vitamin A Deficiency VHF Very High Frequency VPN Virtual Private Network VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal (Satellite System) WB World Bank WCHR World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna 1993 WES Water and Environmental Sanitation WFP World Food Programme WFS World Food Summit, Rome 1996 WHO World Health Organization WRD Water Resource Department WSC World Summit for Children, New York 1990 WSSD World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen 1995

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 80 Interlinkages ANNEX 10 Results of a written “brainstorming at the CCA/UNDAF workshop in Masssawa 29 and 30 January 2001

Participants responded to the following task: Please indicate at least 5 inter-linkages that exist between the issue you have covered in your group and any other theme or issue indicated in the matrix. (See examples)

The figures indicate how often links between certain areas where indicated. Many participants added an explanation, which can be found below.

t t y r n n h t e e i m m w

ecove op op th th l l s r d ow oups TD r n r n Nutrition Food security Gender Education Capacity Health Health Equity Water, Environment Environment Economic Economic Governance HIV/AIDS & S g deve shelter, Communicati o and Energy Population g a deve Emergency Emergency Data for Governance 2 10 0 3 3 3 6 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 2

HIV/AIDS & 7 1 0 2 4 0 6 0 0 1 0 8 3 2 STDs Economic growth 2 7 5 12 7 6 4 5 2 8 1 6 8

Nutrition 8 1 3 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 7 1

Food security 3 5 2 2 0 3 0 8 4 17 3

Gender 5 4 3 1 1 0 1 4 9 2

Education 9 3 4 5 2 4 4 8 3

Capacity 1 0 4 0 2 1 8 1 development Health 1 4 0 6 2 4 2

Equity 0 0 0 3 4 0

Water, shelter, 2 6 3 9 2 sanitation Communication 0 2 2 1

Environment and 0 5 3 Energy Population with 4 1 special needs Emergency and 4 recovery Data for development

Examples: 1 HIV/AIDS affects the potential workforce most 2 a) deforestation increases workload and prevents children from attending school b) Environmental Education 3 Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation cause diseases 4 a) Communication infrastructure facilitate private sector development

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 81 b) the privates sector has the potential to develop efficiently new communication infrastructure 5 Land mines contribute to food insecurity as people are not cultivating in insecure conditions

In the following interlinkages between thematic and cross-cutting areas are listed as they were indicated by the participants in the national CCA/UNDAF workshop in Massawa 29/30 January 2001. This list illustrates inter-linkages beyond those that could be covered in the presentation of the CCA. The listed linkages are indicative and by no means comprehensive.

1. Food Security/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Landmines contribute to food insecurity as people are not cultivating in insecure conditions. •= Socioeconomic information and data-gathering for mine action prioritization purposes is the same information that is required across many sections. (2x) •= Food security, means of livelihoods as well as food security safety nets are affected during chronic emergencies. •= Mine action facilitates food aid deliveries during emergencies.

2. Education/ Economic Growth and Development •= Importance of producing skilled workforce for economic growth •= Education has significant impact on speeding up Economic Growth and Development.

3. Governance/ Economic Growth and Development •= Good governance impacts on Economic Growth •= Need of a sound public management for economic growth and development •= Economic growth is function of governance.

4. Gender/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Emergencies such as wars affect men and women in different ways

5. Water, Sanitation and Shelter/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Utilities and services can not be built or repaired if the ground that they run over or under is not cleared of landmines •= Socio-economic information and data gathered for mine action prioritization purposes is the same information that is required across many sectors •= Water, sanitation and shelter are basic services to be provided in emergency situation.

6. Education/ Capacity Development •= MoE under staffed, under trained and under resourced •= Capacity building requires education.

7. HIV/AIDS/ Population with Special Needs •= Displaced, mobile populations and youth are most susceptible to HIV/AIDS/STDs •= Vulnerable groups such as widows, street children, orphans etc. are especially vulnerable to HIV infection (prostitution, use of drugs etc)

8. Economic Growth and Development/ Environment and Energy •= Energy services are essential for economic growth •= Economic growth could affect environmental resources unless there is proper national planning. •= Integration of environmental concerns (environment impact assessment) in economic development activities is needed to ensure sustainability. •= There is need of a growth strategy respectful of the environment to ensure adequate development of the country. •= Importance of energy sources for economic output •= Knowledge of the land/water/ massive degradation and conservation/management strategies would be a basis for the government in planning and implementing in poverty reduction strategies.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 82 9. Economic Growth and Development/ Data for Development •= Baseline data are an important requirement for measuring progress •= Adequate data for development planning and measurement is very essential.

10. Nutrition/ Food Security •= Quality of food is needed at all times and for all groups- including vulnerable

11. Food Security/ Environment and Energy •= Food Security cannot be achieved without proper utilization of environmental resources •= Assessment and causal analysis in degradation of land/water/massive resources and their management would enhance the visionary planning in meeting food security from subsistence farming, pastoralism, fishery farmers •= Land and water policy is needed to achieve food security.

12. Education/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Mines awareness training could be implemented in coordination with education system. •= Emergency usually negatively impacts on education as result of displacement.

13. Capacity Development/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Socioeconomic information and data gathered for mine action prioritization purposes is the same information that is required across many sectors •= Capacity building is severely affected by emergencies •= Bringing returnees from exile can contribute to capacity building

14. HIV/AIDS/ Economic Growth and Development •= HIV/AIDS affects the potential workforce most •= HIV/AIDS affects the potential workforce both male and female

15. Economic Growth and Development/ Capacity Building •= Capacity development is intrinsic to economic growth and development •= Capacity development for effective management of scarce resources

16. Nutrition/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Farming, fishery, industries including tourism all rely on successful mine action progress. •= Means of livelihood as well as food security safety nets are affected during chronic emergencies.

17. HIV/AIDS Vs Health •= HIV-AIDS takes a significant percentage of the health service budget

18. Economic Growth and Development/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Economic growth is adversely affected by emergencies as resources are shifted away from development to meet arising needs. •= Need for a stable environment for growth.

19. Health/ Environment and Energy •= The environmental and energy laws that are anticipated should include safety and health hazards •= Environmental health is an important element of general public health issues. •= Avoid environmental health hazards (contamination, toxic substances etc) at their source •= Environmental health hazards are linked to diseases. •= A healthy environment is essential in various preventive programmes including malaria control, diarrhea presentation etc.

20. Water, Sanitation and Shelter/ Environment and Energy •= Ensure basic needs in environmentally sustainable and efficient use of resources (eg. Energy) •= Contaminated water and improper sanitation causes diseases.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 83 •= Shelter and water are basic necessities highly influenced environment.

21. Economic Growth and Development/ Gender •= Economic growth requires gender equity and empowerment

22. Economic Growth and Development/ Water, Sanitation and Shelter •= Need for a strong public institutions able to draft and implement policies •= Strategic planning for water is very important for economic development. •= Availability of water is a pre-condition for economic and social development.

23. Nutrition/ Health •= Micronutrient supplementation and surveillance are included in the health delivery system •= Poor nutritional status affects the development of well being of children.

24. Food Security/ Education •=

25. Gender/ Education •= Girl students are “under-enrolled” and marginalized.

26. Education/ Water, Sanitation and Shelter •=

27. Environment and Energy/ Emergency, Recovery and Rehabilitation •= Land/water assessment /analysis provides a guide in planning in ‘rehabilitation’ of appropriate and environmentally friendly housing schemes for returning IDPs, refugees and deportees.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 84 ANNEX Mandates of the United Nations System 11 The UN system works in a variety of ways to promote economic and social goals. The mandates of the UN System organizations cover virtually all areas of economic and social endeavour. The agencies provide technical assistance and other forms of practical help to countries around the world, they help formulate policies, set standards and guidelines, foster support and mobilize funds.

THE UN PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS work under the authority of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to carry out the UN's economic and social mandate. To enhance overall cooperation, the Secretary-General in 1997 set up the UN Development Group, comprising the UN operational programmes and funds.

Contacts for resident agencies UNDP (UN Development Programme) in Eritrea is the UN's largest provider of grants for sustainable human development, it works in 174 countries and territories to facilitate technical cooperation and eradicate poverty. UNDP has narrowed its policy focus to six areas : pro-poor policies, democratic governance, sustainable energy and the environment, crisis prevention and recovery, the war against HIV/AIDS, and the drive to harness the power of information and communications technology for development.

UNICEF (UN Children's Fund) is the lead UN organization working for the long-term survival, protection and development of children. In some 150 countries, UNICEF's programmes focus on immunization, primary health care, nutrition and basic education.

WFP (World Food Programme) is the world's largest international food aid organization for both emergency relief and development.

UNFPA (UN Population Fund) is the largest international provider of population assistance.

UNEP (UN Environment Programme) works to encourage sound environmental practices everywhere.

Habitat (UN Centre for Human Settlements ) assists people living in health-threatening housing conditions.

UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development promotes international trade to increase the participation of developing countries in the global economy.

WTO (World Trade Organization) assists developing countries' exports through the International Trade Centre.

THE SPECIALIZED AGENCIES Autonomous organizations joined to the UN through special agreements:

ILO (International Labour Organization)

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 85 Formulates policies and programmes to improve working conditions and employment opportunities, and sets labour standards used by countries around the world.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) Works to improve agricultural productivity and food security, and to better the living standards of rural populations.

UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Promotes education for all, cultural development, protection of the world's natural and cultural heritage, international cooperation in science, press freedom and communication.

WHO (World Health Organization) Coordinates programmes aimed at solving health problems and the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health. It works in areas such as immunization, health education and the provision of essential drugs.

World Bank group Provides more than $25 billion in development assistance each year in loans and technical assistance to reduce poverty and advance sustainable economic growth. Developing countries use these loans to strengthen their economies and expand their markets. Although loans are available only to governments, the Bank also works with local communities, NGOs and, through the International Finance Corporation, private enterprise to encourage sustained growth.

IMF (International Monetary Fund) Facilitates international monetary cooperation and financial stability and provides a permanent forum for consultation, advice and assistance on financial issues.

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Sets international standards for the safety, security and efficiency of air transport and serves as the coordinator for international cooperation in all areas of civil aviation.

UPU (Universal Postal Union) Establishes international regulations for postal services, provides technical assistance and promotes cooperation in postal matters.

ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Fosters international cooperation to improve telecommunications of all kinds, coordinates usage of radio and TV frequencies, promotes safety measures and conducts research.

WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Promotes scientific research on the Earth's atmosphere and on climate change and facilitates the global exchange of meteorological data.

IMO (International Maritime Organization) Works to improve international shipping procedures, raise standards in marine safety and reduce marine pollution by ships.

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 86 Promotes international protection of intellectual property and fosters cooperation on copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs and patents.

IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Mobilizes financial resources to raise food production and nutrition levels among the poor in developing countries.

UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization) Promotes the industrial advancement of developing countries through technical assistance, advisory services and training.

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) An autonomous intergovernmental organization under the aegis of the UN, works for the safe and peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Eritrea Common Country Assessment page 87 ANNEX 12 Development database (in process)

Purpose of the database The purpose of establishing this database was to provide a foundation for the identification of key development challenges, as well as to support the analysis of priorities for future development interventions.

Contents of the development data base The following pages provide a summary of the data that was gathered by each of 8 thematic working groups. In total, 448 indictors were identified of which 74 have been suggested as “core” indicators. Of the 448 indicators, 103 have data reported for the entire period 1992-1999, and 203 have the source of data identified:

Thematic area Indicators Suggested Core Complete data Source Identified Indicators 1992-99 Identified Demographic 13 5 2 4 Governance 0 0 0 0 Economic Growth and Development 51 11 7 18 Food Security and Nutrition 115 20 69 16 Education 23 10 9 23 Health 169 12 0 142 Shelter, Water and sanitation 15 9 6 0 Environment 62 7 10 0 Emergency and Recovery 0 0 0 0 Total 448 74 103 203

Strengths and weaknesses of the data As can be seen, the completeness of the data varies, with a number of indicators having no data at all and the majority of indicators having less than complete data sets for the period of 1992-1999. However, a number of indicators are now being monitored routinely through line ministry information systems, and the completeness of data will continue to improve. During the collection of this information, the source was not always quoted and further work needs to be done so that the source of the data for every indicator is properly identified.

Development database: future direction As part of ongoing monitoring efforts of line ministries as well as development partners, it is envisaged that this development data-base can be kept up to date, and over time, the quality and completeness of data improved. Further discussions will be required to identify the most appropriate “institutional home” for this data, and a strategic dissemination mechanism to make certain that all partners have access to the same data for policy, planning monitoring and evaluation purposes.

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