Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 23:31:57 +0100
Eritrea: Development Operational Plan 2014
Report
from <http://reliefweb.int/organization/ifrc> International Federation of
Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Published on 28 Jan 2014
<http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MAAER002_14DOP.pdf
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1. Executive Summary
Eritrea is classified as a least developed country. In 2006 access to water
supply was estimated at 60% of the population, with the rural coverage of an
estimated 38%. Furthermore, improving the quality and sustainable management
of water resources in the country hampered by environmental degradation and
erratic rainfall is still a challenge. Eritrea one of the lowest sanitation
coverage in the world and far from meeting the MDG sanitation target of 54%
by 2015. This, combined with poor hygiene practices particularly in rural
areas, creates a high incidence of water and sanitation related disease
mostly prevalent among children. Based on the above context the government
of Eritrea has regard development efforts towards water supply and
sanitation at highest priority to which all humanitarian and development
partners are encouraged to support.
In early 2012, the Eritrean Government issued a directive to all non-state
development partners operating in Eritrea, to cease operating by end of
2012. Consequently Humanitarian agencies in Eritrea closed their offices
during the first half of 2012. The Red Crescent Society of Eritrea (RCSE)
was then informed and allowed to operate in country although prohibited to
receive any foreign aid but could pledge funds through the Government's
annual budgetary allocation. At the same time the RCSE was informed to only
focus on disaster management related activities rather than development
programs. In view of this development, all external support to RCSE ceased.
In the second half of 2012, however, new development emerged and the
Government agreed to revive its long term partnership with UN and EU and
thereby reversing the initial directive. Consequently the RCSE started to
engage with the Government to clarify its role amidst the latest
developments.
During this process, the IFRC maintained its presence in order to support
the NS management and other capacities and support its formal recognition by
the Government through visits by the IFRC Regional Delegation. Just before
the early 2012 directive by the Government, IFRC, after a rapid assessment
in Eritrea, had applied for an Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP -
EU) Water facility project for Eritrea, focusing on sanitation. During a
visit to Asmara by the IFRC Regional Representative an assurance from the
RCSE was given to go ahead with the project from 2013. IFRC has not got any
official confirmation from RCSE on the results of the dialogue between the
NS and the Government, However, the IFRC has, lately, been informed through
the EU Representative in Asmara that the Government has given a green light
for the implementation of the project. In the last quarter of 2013, the IFRC
revitalized its office in Asmara and based a Representative there to
actively restart the support to the NS.
The IFRC support to RCSE during 2014 will focus on the EU Wat/San project
(focusing on sanitation). However, the IFRC will continue to support the
RCSE management and other potential capacities within the NS, notably in the
framework of organization development and disaster management. A high
priority is to continue efforts to have the ERCS recognized by the
Government through a decree.
The timeframe of the EU Wat/San project is 48 months and will focus on
sanitation for 60,000 beneficiaries in 6 peri-urban zobas with an objective
to enhance the health and dignity of these communities by improved hygiene
and sanitation.This EU supported project specifically aims to improve
sanitation coverage of peri-urban areas through construction of latrines in
public areas and schools, extending water services to existing and health
centre latrines to allow them to function, encourage household latrine
construction, and above all promote hygiene behavior change. While the
project would include construction of infrastructure, the strategy followed
in the project relies on community-based approach (following the CLTS
guidance) which focuses on strengthening the capacity of communities and
local authorities, thus ensuring sustainability and that the whole
sanitation chain is addressed
The project will be implemented in a partnership arrangement, with close
coordination and collaboration of relevant stakeholders at different levels,
particularly national and municipal government authorities. The RCSE with
its branch offices in each of the 6 zobas will have the responsibility for
implementation. The Netherland and Swedish Red Cross are participating in
the financing of the project (25%) and will take part in the monitoring of
the project. IFRC will have the overall responsibility to the EU through its
Delegate in Eritrea, its Regional office in Nairobi and its headquarters in
Geneva.
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