ICC Humanitarian Update 28 May 2002


SUMMARY


PEACE PROCESS

The UN Security Council members reiterated the need for Eritrea and Ethiopia to cooperate closely with the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission and the UNMEE in the implementation of the boundary decision. This was stated in the press statement issued on 2 May 2002 by the President of the Council.

The Council members encouraged an early establishment of a common framework for the demarcation process. Council members agreed to keep the situation under review.

UN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK (UNDAF)

The Government of Eritrea and the UN Country Team in Eritrea launched a UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) document on 15 May 2002.

The document was launched in the presence of ministers, senior government officials, diplomats, heads and staff of UN agencies at the Hotel Intercontinental, Asmara. UNDAF highlights the UN system's five-year strategy to support Eritrea's immediate and long-term goals in recovery and development. UNDAF aims at increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of the UN system bringing greater coherence to its activities. The UNDAF is based on the Common Country Assessment (CCA) process, carried out in 2000, which identified the major development issues and challenges in Eritrea.

The UN Country Team in Eritrea, in close consultation with the Government and key stakeholders, has agreed upon three key strategic objectives for UN system support under the first UNDAF for Eritrea:


Part of the approved country programmes for the UN system's grant assistance is estimated at around USD 119.6 million for the 2002-2006 periods.

Dr. Woldai Futur, Economic Advisor of the Eritrean Government, Head of Macro Policy and International Cooperation said "the process by which the UNDAF document has been developed is exemplary of an effective and focused approach to development."

On behalf of the UN system the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Simon Nhongo, said, "Considering that Eritrea is just emerging from a complex emergency, today's launch of the UNDAF is a momentous achievement for both the Government of Eritrea and the UN system."

DONOR MISSION

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in collaboration with ERREC, UNMEE, and the UN agencies facilitated a donor mission to Gash Barka zone on 16 and 17 May 2002. The mission covered refugee returnees and IDP locations. The projects visited were examples of what the Government of Eritrea and UN agencies together with UNMEE and NGOs are working in various parts of the country. A similar mission was undertaken in Debub Zone in February 2002.

FIRST PHASE DEMOBILISATION PROGRAMME STARTED

Dr. Tekeste Fikadu Commissioner for the Eritrean Demobilization Commission said on 11 May 2002 that first phase of the pilot project of demobilization of the Army had started. "5,000 members of the Army will be demobilized in this pilot project," Dr. Tekeste added. Dr. Tekeste revealed that public and private sectors would take part in providing training to the demobilized soldiers to guarantee full reintegration.

POPULATION MOVEMENT

Repatriation of Nationals

The ICRC assisted the repatriation of 307 civilian Ethiopians to their country on 2 and 10 May 2002. Since the General Peace Agreement was signed between both countries on 12 December 2000, the ICRC has repatriated 3,151 civilian Eritreans and 23,195 civilian Ethiopians to their respective countries.

In addition, the ICRC on 15 May 2002 called on Eritrea and Ethiopia to expedite the repatriation of prisoners of war (POWs). It said it was concerned by a slowdown on the part of both countries in handing over POWs captured during the border war. So far, the ICRC has organized the repatriation of 939 Eritrean and 703 Ethiopian prisoners of war.

Repatriation from Sudan

UNHCR announced on 8 May 2002 that it was ending refugee status for all Eritreans who fled their country as a result of the war for independence or the recent border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Senior management from ERREC in collaboration with Eritrean local elders, Sudanese Commission for Refugee (COR) and UNHCR conducted information campaign in 16 refugee camps in Sudan from 8 - 21 May 2002. The Commissioner of COR and the UNHCR representative in Sudan were present during the first day of the information campaign.

The purpose of the information campaign was to raise the refugees' awareness about the voluntary repatriation and the cessation clause declared by UNHCR on 8 May 2002, which will take due effect on 31 December 2002. The campaign was undertaken based on the agreement reached in the sixth tri-partite commission meeting which was held from 26-27 March 2002 in Asmara, Eritrea.

Since the voluntary repatriation of Eritrean refugees from the Sudan started on 12 May 2001, UNHCR in collaboration with ERREC and COR has repatriated 46,894 Eritrean refugees as at 27 May 2002.

IDPs

There has been no reported IDP movement recently.

It was reported that preparation to resettle the expellees living in Shelab camp before the rainy season is underway.

SECTORAL WORKING GROUP (SWG) REPORT

Agriculture

The Food Security SWG in its meeting held on 30 April 2002, indicated that weather forecasts for ASMERA (little rains) seasons are promising. The Climatic Outlook Forum for March-May, predicted rainfall in Eritrea to be normal to above normal. Based on these predictions, necessary preparation should be made on the side of Ministry of Agrculture and NGOs.

The preparations include agricultural inputs such as improved seeds; tools, fertilisers, pesticides and human expertise must reach the beneficiaries on time and in adequate quantities.

The meeting noted that UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Concern World Wide had forwarded separate project proposals to MoA to help farmers with seeds and tools in Debub zone. The chairperson of the SWG, Mr. Mebrahtu Iyassu asked CONCERN and FAO to discuss the implementation modalities with the MoA, Debub zone in order to supplement or complement the existing efforts.

Food

The Food SWG in its recent meeting stated that there was 47,442 MT available food aid stock in the country. ERREC reported that the response to the 2002 appeal remained unchanged.

Due to shortages of food aid supply, distribution of food aid has been drastically cut down from an average of 15,000 MT per month during January and February to only 7,435 MT per month on average in March and April 2002.

According to ERREC the drying up of the food aid supply is of great concern. There are around 600,000 food-aid beneficiaries served under the prevailing food shortages.

Health and Nutrition

The SWG in its recent report stated that there was no epidemic of any kind. De-worming programme was conducted in selected schools as a continuation of the school-feeding programme, undertaken by WFP, Mercy Corps and other organisations.

Supplementary feeding guidelines were drafted and distributed for comments among members of the nutrition SWG.

Shelter and Non Food Item

In a meeting following the assessment made by the Information Co-ordination Center on the tent condition of the IDPs and expellees living in camps; ICRC pledged 4000 tents and 11,000 plastic sheeting.

Despite the pledge a lot remains to be done to cater for the shelter problem, which currently is affecting 11,961 households.

Water and Sanitation

The Water and Sanitation SWG in its recent meeting stated that despite the efforts made, the water situation is still critical in many areas of both war and drought affected areas. In addition, the SWG highlighted that sanitation conditions need more attention.

The Water Resource Department is looking for funds and an implementing partner for a project proposal initiated by the department to provide water to rural areas in Southern Red Sea zone.

For further information relating to the ICC Update please contact ICC Information Officer Sirak Gebrehiwot
Tel: 182923, 185154 or email: icc@gemel.com.er

Information Co-ordination Centre, a joint ERREC/UN venture to facilitate humanitarian interventions in Eritrea