Eritrea

December 26, 2007 - Local development project: Making Infrastructures work for the poor.

Infrastructure is very broad concept which encompasses many features of development. But, more relevant to the goal of poverty reduction are infrastructure services which include the social and economic benefits associated with infrastructure by itself. Infrastructure can be huge and nation wide, but it can also be small and locally maintained and community based that can be translated to improve the lives of poor people and it can have an impact to achieve the MDGs.

As reducing poverty is a base to sustained self development, UNDP Eritrea CO is involved in supporting and strengthening the local communities to plan and implement projects in Anseba region. The Anseba Local Development Project (ALDP) is launched to support efforts to fight poverty and promote governance in that regional administration and the project can be a role model for the other regions of Eritrea. It is supported by UNDP and UNCDF with the Belgian Survival Fund being the main financial supporter.

Since the communities are participating in the planning, monitoring and implementation of the projects it will help the beneficiaries to develop sense of ownership as they are active participants in the in constructing roads, fords, micro-dams, ponds, schools and other social infrastructures.

Till now, eight schools, twelve water supply systems (including ponds and micro dams), seven roads and three health stations are constructed which cost US $ 1.7 million. The newly constructed dams and water supply stems alleviate problems of potable water supply in 12 villages of Anseba region. The rural communities like Edrba, Era-Tahtay, Adi-Deki Andu, Was Damba, Aretay, Kuruh, Era-laelay have already started to reap the benefits of these bottom-up projects.

Balwa-Era-Tahtay Feeder Road

Era is located in a very hilly area which is 22 K.m. long from Balwa (at the main high way of Asmara-Keren). As the road to Era cross two rivers it was inaccessible road mainly during the rainy seasons.

“We are very happy to see the completion of the ford that has been under construction before the rainy season starts. This road was inaccessible during the rainy season. Thanks to those who made efforts to help us, now we can take the pregnant mothers and sick persons to hospitals and can supply our horticultural products to local markets. This is really a social change for us. We will continue our efforts to ensure the sustainability of the projects”, said Mr. Kiflom Tesfaslassie representative of the communities of Era-Tahtay.

Era-Tahtay is inhabited by a population of 2,000 individuals. Before the construction of the road, the residents had to walk long distances to take their sick persons to a nearby sub town. Now, even tracks have started to use the new road transporting construction materials and food staffs.
“In short, this road is our vein. If it is stopped up every aspect of our life will be turned back to zero. To date, we are really observing a change in our livelihoods”, said the village administrator of Era-Tahatay.

After the completion of the road construction, villages like Edrba, Eral-Tahtay, Asneda Shekat and other districts of the region have currently accessible roads and the inhabitants are able to transport their products from their villages to the market areas of the nearby towns.
The ALDP project is a multidimensional phenomenon. The local communities are not only directly participate in the planning and implementation process, but they work also as daily laborers. This enabled the residents to generate income and gain work experiences.

“The participation of the communities not only leads to infrastructure development at local levels in which the poor people will reap the benefits of the services, but it will ensure also the sustainability of the project”, said the head of the infrastructure department of the Anseba region.

Halibmentel-Edrba road construction

This road is one of the hilliest, rocky and very sloppy roads in the Ela-bered sub region. Edrba village is located 20 Km East of Halib mentel sub town. The village was inaccessible and one of the most deprived areas of the region before the construction of the road. Villagers were in a very bad state of condition. They had two carry even the sick persons in their shoulders to take them to nearby hospitals. “Death incident happened three times in two months time only when we try to take a pregnant mother to a hospital”, said one of the villagers of Edrba. However, they can use public transport after the completion of the road.

Fana Elementary School

Fana village is located 5 k.m. North West of Hagaz town. The school has four class rooms which were built in 2003 and it is currently giving services to eight neighboring villages which comprise 385 house holds. Due to this new infrastructure the villages which were scattered in different locations will get together to form one community. Ignited by the project the local community of Fana has already started to mobilize resources for the construction of additional class rooms.

 

August 30, 2007 - UNDP Supports to Strengthening the Mining Sector in Eritrea.

To develop a foundation for future economic growth and thereby fight poverty, UNDP Eritrea is involved in supporting the mine sector of Eritrea. Taking in to account the potential contribution of mining sector to the overall economic growth and development of the nation, UNDP supports the capacity development of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Accordingly, it provides support in reviewing, evaluating and finalizing of the draft Bisha feasibility report. Recently, a sound model mining contract agreement has been developed. It is known that the government’s priority in the mine sector is focused on promoting both domestic and foreign direct investment.