Eritrea ready for "tangible solution" to dispute

The Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to finding a "tangible solution" to the dispute between it and its neighbour Ethiopia, Eritrean radio reported. He told a US delegation led by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that his country was prepared to see a ceasefire being observed and to "see the issue being resolved in order to continue with other issues of mutual interest." Albright for her part, reiterated the fact that the dispute between the two countries had been "predominant " over several disputes in the region, adding that, "finding a concrete solution to it would help in solving the other regional disputes." She said her government would work "relentlessly until this dispute was settled." SCF sets up a six-month emergency intervention in Eritrea The international NGO Save the Children Fund (SCF) has set up a six-month emergency health intervention programme to support the Eritrean governments' health and nutrition work, the organisation's bulletin said. It said about 200,000 people have been displaced by war including over 40,000 children. Many are living in harsh conditions in refugee camps where health and sanitation services are overstretched and there are some "cases of malnutrition." SCF says there are also fears that with the start of the rainy season, conditions will deteriorate further."Malaria already endemic in the country, is likely to become a big problem for people in the camps with onset of the rains," it said. SCF will supply 50,000 mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide and support some 20 health posts by supplying basic medicines including paediatric drugs, equipment and training. It is also setting up a surveillance system to monitor nutrition levels among children. Among other needs to be addressed are education, shelter and other healthcare concerns. SCF is working with other NGOs such as Oxfam.