OCHA report says dramatic deterioration in Eritrea

A report by Kevin Kennedy, OCHA Chief of the Emergency Liaison Branch, who visited Eritrea from 13 to 20 June said the humanitarian situation in the country had changed "dramatically for the worse" since 12 May. Estimates of the numbers of people affected ranged up to 1.5 million - including internally displaced persons (IDPs), impacted host communities and drought victims. In addition there were about 93,000 new refugees in Sudan. While population movements were fluid and it was difficult to obtain accurate estimates, it was clear that at least one third of Eritrea's population was affected.

Many were living without shelter, proper sanitation or regular access to food and water. Homes, farms and infrastructure had been destroyed by the fighting. The lack of planting opportunities meant that the need for sustained humanitarian assistance would continue well into 2001. The health implications of the crisis were particularly alarming, with diarrhoea, respiratory infections reported in all IDP camps. The Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC) had been overwhelmed by the crisis and would be seeking international staff to enhance its strength.

An Information and Coordination Centre had been recently set up - staffed jointly by ERREC and international staff - including OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR and NGOs to facilitate the response and planning efforts of the Eritrean government and international relief community.