![[Eritrea] Eritrea faces one of its worst droughts in years](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/2003584.jpg.webp?itok=DLA7YieO "Most parts of Eritrea received inadequate rains this year, according to the government")
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A food security watchdog has warned of a difficult humanitarian situation in Eritrea next year due to the lingering effects of the devastating drought which gripped the country for much of this year.
In its latest report, the US government's Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) noted that only just over half the food aid requirement for 2003 had been pledged. Furthermore deliveries had been slow.
"Slow deliveries have made it very difficult to intervene adequately in time," the report pointed out.
It added that access to sufficient water remained the most pressing non-food need affecting most of Eritrea's rural population.
"While average crop production in 2003 represents a significant improvement over production last year, Eritrea's recovery is incomplete," the report said. "The country may face yet another difficult humanitarian situation next year."
"Follow-up assessments need to be carried out at the end of the season to further evaluate the food security situation and identify food and non-food needs based on the performance of the kremti [spring] and bahri [winter] rains," it said.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
