Action by Churches Together (ACT) appealed this week for more than $2,2-million to fund projects aimed at alleviating food and water shortages in Eritrea, caused by four years of drought.
According to an ACT press release, the Lutheran World Federation, an ACT member, intends to undertake various projects in four regions: Maekel, Anseba, Debub and Gash Barka. The statement said these projects would supply inhabitants with food, water and shelter, and restock their livestock.
Scarce rainfall has resulted in another poor harvest, and food reserves have been depleted and the coping mechanisms of the population are stretched to the limit, the statement said. Livestock has also migrated to more fertile grazing grounds.
Another affiliated body, the Norwegian Church AID (NCA-Eritrea), will provide communities in the Zoba Senafe and Zoba Debub sub-regions with much-needed drinking water, said ACT. NCA-Eritrea would also address the problem of HIV/Aids in those areas, which are located in the temporary security zone and host many displaced people.
As a result of chronic drought, more than 2,2-million Eritreans are unable to feed themselves and are dependent on food aid, ACT said. More than 66% of the total population is living in extreme poverty and have poor access to clean water, it went on to say.
Malnutrition continues to be a major problem, with 10% to 20% of chronic malnutrition cases reported among women and children, ACT said, as it appealed for a total of $2 255 562.
The organisation, a global alliance of churches and related agencies, estimates that current Eritrean crop production to be 108 000 tonnes — almost six times less than the total annual food requirement of 625 000 tonnes.
The alliance also warns that the scarcity of grain has caused its price to increase by 100%. – Irin