UN seeks €162m to feed starving Eritrea
The UN today appealed for €162m to assist Eritrea where more than a third of the nation’s 3.5 million people are facing food shortages.
The appeal, which is for 2003, is nearly double the amount UN agencies requested for this year, mainly because the Horn of Africa nation is effected by severe drought.
The bulk of the appeal is for the World Food Programme which is asking for €104m to help feed 1.4 million drought-affected people.
Eritrea is also still suffering the affects of its near three year border war with Ethiopia.
Both sides spent €942,000 a day each on the conflict, which ended in December 2000, and lost tens of thousands of lives.
“This critical period when Eritrea is emerging from conflict and at the same time faced with a devastating drought is crucial for the destiny of the country,” said Simon Nhongo, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator said in Asmara, the capital. “It also presents a serious challenge for the international community.”
Nhongo said a lacklustre response from donors could seriously stifle Eritrea’s post-war rehabilitation.
UN officials blamed donor fatigue and similar appeals for drought-affected southern African countries for a poor response to the 2002 appeal.
At best, the United Nations expects to receive just half the €91m it requested for 2002.
