Eritrea: ICC Weekly Humanitarian
Update 27 Nov 2000
SUMMARY
The situation remains stable. The Annual Needs Assessment field work has been concluded and zonal reports are under preparation. World Bank approval of the two-year multi-donor, multi-sectoral Emergency Reconstruction Programme for Eritrea brings new hope for recovery in Eritrea.
POPULATION MOVEMENTS
Repatriation from Sudan
Organised repatriation is ongoing. The numbers of returnees during November has been small as the majority of the 50,000 Eritrean refugees from the recent outbreak of hostilities have now returned.
IDPs
The only major IDP movement during the last three weeks has been the relocation of Jejah camp. The new site is in Shelab, in the sub zone of Mensura, approximately 15 km north of Agrodat. The move is to offer income generation initiatives and better agricultural opportunities.
The majority of IDPs (340) were relocated from Buya camp to Ghinda today, Monday 27 November. There have been concerns about the health of Buya residents and a recent visit by MSF-F led to the transfer of 12 malnourished children (10 under the age of five years) to their health centres in Harena camp. The remainder of the 452 residents have chosen to stay in Buya camp. For further details about Buya see the camp profile.
New Deportees Arrive In Eritrea
183 Eritreans arrived from Ethiopia on 18 November. They arrived via Adi Quala under the auspices of ICRC and were transferred to Mendefera. Deportees are from Addis Ababa and the surrounding environs.
ANA FIELD RESEARCH COMPLETED
Field research of the annual needs assessment (ANA) has now been completed. ERREC, line ministries, all UN agencies, 15 international NGOs and 3 national NGOs took part in the ANA, visiting each of the six Eritrean Administrative Zones to assess both the food and non-food situation.
Each of the 12 teams are now preparing their reports. Once all the reports are received, the information will be compiled into a country report outlining needs along sectoral lines.
Initial observations include:
The final report, which should be completed by mid December, will be the basis for the 2001 Appeal for Eritrea. Although details of the Appeal, including beneficiary numbers, locations and specific needs will be determined by the ANA, the basic strategy for humanitarian programmes in 2001 has already been prepared. The strategy recognises the need to respond to ongoing drought and war related needs but also recognises the shift from emergency relief to recovery and rehabilitation where possible.
Copies of the 'Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals Process Strategy Paper for Eritrea, 2001' are available at the ICC - Please bring a diskette - and on ReliefWeb
SENIOR UNMEE STAFF ARRIVE
The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), Mr Legweila Joseph Legweila, arrived in Eritrea on 21 November. The SRSG is the head of UNMEE and the senior most ranking UN official in Eritrea. Mr Legweila's deputy (D/SRSG) arrived, 23 November. Mr Ian Martin will be the focal point in UNMEE for humanitarian issues. The Force Commander, Major General Cammaent, also arrived along with the first Peacekeepers. There are now some 60 Military Observers (MILOBs) in Eritrea and advance peacekeeping teams from Italy, Jordan, Denmark, Canada, Slovakia and the Netherlands.
UNMEE ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER
Additional peacekeepers and supplies are expected to arrive during December including nine ships to Masawa. Civil and military co-ordination mechanisms (CIMIC) will be put in place during December to ensure co-ordination of all activities including humanitarian programmes in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ, which it should be remembered that the TSZ is yet to be established). CIMIC will work closely with the major humanitarian actors including ICC.
ERP APPROVED
The Board of the World Bank approved the Eritrean Emergency Reconstruction Programme (ERP) on 23 November 2000. The ERP is a two-year investment in response to the reconstruction needs arising from the recent outbreak of hostilities in May 2000. The ERP is valued at US$ 287 million, and although the World Bank is the major donor, it is a multi-donor, as well as multi-sectoral intervention.
The ICC is drafting a Briefing Paper outlining in more detail the ERP as well as the Umbrella Programme for Rehabilitation and Recovery (UNDP/Cooperazione Italiana) with specific reference to ongoing and planned emergency rehabilitation activities. The Briefing Paper should be available by 1 December.
UN SECRETARY GENERAL TO VISIT
Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, is due to visit Eritrea on 9-10 December. Mr. Annan will hold a number of high level meetings.
CPE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS REPORT
National NGO, Citizens for Peace in Eritrea (CPE) launched a report on human rights violations in Eritrea. The report focuses on human rights violations in Eritrean territories occupied by Ethiopian forces and the issue of deportations, focusing on women, children and the elderly.
Copies of the report are available at the ICC.
NGO NEWS
Danish Church Aid (ACT International) and Ockenden International recently registered with ERREC bringing the total number of international NGOs in Eritrea to 36.
Contact details are as follows:
DCA - contact person Christian Larssen, via the Danish Embassy.
Ockenden International - contact person: Graham Wood, tel.: 12-31-19,
E-mail <ockenden_africa@hotmail.com.er>
Concern have now opened an office in Eritrea - contact persons, Willa Addis and Colomba O'Dowd, Tel.: 12 2144
Premier Urgence completed their fact-finding mission to Eritrea and is now approaching donors in support of a rehabilitation programme for a number of schools and medical facilities.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN MEETING
A monthly Humanitarian Meeting, took place 24 November at which the new ERREC Commissioner, Ms Hiwot Zemicheal and DSRSG, Mr Ian Martin were introduced. The next meeting will take place on 22 December, Salem Hotel, 15.00 hours.
SECTORAL WORKING GROUPS (SWG)
Education
No updated information
Food
November distributions have been completed in Anseba, the Northern Red Sea and Debub (with the exception of distributions of salt) but only half completed in Gash-Barka. Currently, there are two food ships containing 46,000 MT of cereals anchored outside the port awaiting berthing space. The port is very busy with the arrival of numerous ships carrying relief aid, UNMEE troops and supplies as well as commercial ships. As yet, food distributions have not been affected by delays at the port. However, food stocks in country need to be replenished for upcoming distributions. A meeting has been held between ERREC, UNMEE and other concerned UN agencies, including WFP, to ensure that both peacekeeping and humanitarian priorities in country are reflected in port activities.
Health
There is concern about the health status of up to 5,000 IDPs scattered in southern sub zones (near the border) of the Northern Red Sea Zone. Assessments are planned for next week to assess their situation.
The MoH, in collaboration with UNICEF and Dutch Inter-Church Aid (DIA), has completed a rapid nutrition assessment in the Northern Red Sea Zone and is preparing their report. The nutritional status of 1,527 children was measured. Approximately 12% of the children were malnourished (1% severely). However, among some communities such as Tsabra (Nakfa), Karora, Digi-Ashagi and Maihimet (all in Karora sub-zone), Wekiro (Shieb) and Demas (Ghinda), the nutritional status is worse with above 15% of children malnourished.
Mine Action
The INSMA computer database is now installed at the MACC (Mine Action Centre). INSMA, a database used worldwide, will ensure that mine related data including mine sites and mine accidents countrywide are consolidated. In addition to deminers for the TSZ provided by UNMEE, international NGOs, Danish Church Aid, HALO Trust, InterSoS and Santa Barbara will provide a total of 680 personnel. Priorities for mine action in the TSZ will be determined at a meeting at MACC conference room, 29 November at 14.30 hours.
Shelter and non-food items (NFI)
Priorities (in descending order) remain
1. Clothing,
2. Blankets,
3. Cloth to make clothes, and
4. Kerosene, kerosene heaters and jerry cans
Shelter needs are met. A recent rapid assessment was conducted in Debub and a distribution of 3991 tents followed.
WatSan
No update available
BUYA CAMP PROFILE
Buya camp was established in August 2000 following looting and destruction by Ethiopian forces in Endeli, Alha and Badha environs. The camp was prepared to accommodate up to 3,000 persons. A total of 452 IDPs arrived in the camp where they received a three-month food ration. Italian NGO GVC provided water and sanitation support to the camp but there limited medical facilities. The camp is rather isolated and with the upcoming rains in the Northern Red Sea zone, there is fear that it will become inaccessible in December. On 20 November, MSF-F visited the camp, responding to rumours that the health situation of IDPs was poor. Twelve children, along with seven relatives were immediately transferred to Harena Camp, to MSF's therapeutic feeding centre and clinic for treatment (three patients are suspected of having TB). A survey of 60 under five year olds in Buya camp revealed an additional 14 children at risk. Common diseases among the IDP population include bloody diarrhoea, acute respiratory problems, anaemia and suspected TB. Given the conditions and difficulty of access, 340 camp residents decided to relocate to Ghinda camp where their needs can be accommodated. Relocation took place today, 27 November with MSF-F assisting in the transportation.
INFORMATION CO-ORDINATION CENTRE (ICC)
Yemane Tekleyohannes, ERREC
Tanya Power-Stevens, OCHA
Tel. 18 51 54
Fax. 18 26 44
E-mail: icc@gemel.com.er
ICC, a joint ERREC/UN venture to facilitate the humanitarian intervention in Eritrea