About us
The OCHA Country Office in Eritrea was established in 2000 following the 1998-2000 border conflict with Ethiopia. A main office was opened in Asmara along with two sub-offices which were later closed in 2006. Since then, OCHA carries out its mandate of coordination, advocacy, Information Management, Resource mobilization and policy dissemination for life saving and life sustaining activities in support of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) from its Country Office based in Asmara. The key drivers of vulnerability and needs in Eritrea remain largely unchanged. Harsh environmental conditions and climate change are having a negative impact on the socio-economic status of vulnerable Eritreans, largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Dry spells and desert locust infestation have also been contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. While access to improved drinking water has recently increased, a significant portion of the rural population in Eritrea does not have access to improved and safe water resources. Access to health services in remote and hard-to-reach areas is a cause for concern, mainly for maternal health, newborn health, immunization and non- communicable disease (NCDs). The COVID-19 pandemic has also emerged as a new driver of needs. Other needs include education support for out-of-school children and access to improved sanitation. Furthermore, a small caseload of urban refugees in Eritrea is reliant on assistance for their livelihoods and well-being.
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