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A field assessment mission conducted by UNICEF, the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this week that there was unlikely to be any significant harvest in the drought-stricken Anseba and Northern Red Sea Zones. In a report on Wednesday, OCHA said the mission had been conducted earlier this month.
“The primary conclusion of the assessment team was that there is little likelihood that there will be any significant harvest for this year in the areas visited as a result of the inadequate rains during this season,” it said. “While it is possible that what harvest there is may be suitable as animal fodder, according to those interviewed by the assessment team, there is little likelihood at this point that any significant harvest will be available for human consumption.”
It said the “obvious” implication was a continued need for humanitarian interventions in drought-affected areas well into next year. It said food assissistance would also be required. “It is important to note that health centres in the region have not reported any cases of starvation, according to the participants in a separate Health and Nutrition Assessment (performed by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and ERREC) but there are significant levels of malnutrition among children,” it added.
For the full report, see:
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/Rwb.nsf/UNID/0FE09006CA103AD6C125694B003FCB50?OpenDocument
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