Eritrea

Crises can stem from both natural causes such as droughts, floods and earthquakes, as well as from human causes, for instance wars. If there is to be sustainable human development, it is imperative that the United Nations helps countries prevent crises from arising, and plan their reaction in the event that they do happen.

Two types of crises affect Eritrea:

As a result of the combined effects of the recurrent drought and the recent border war with Ethiopia, the survival of 1.9 million people in 2004 depended on humanitarian assistance.

The challenges facing Eritrea since the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with Ethiopia on 12 December 2000 include:

With the support of the Italian Government, UNDP first responded to the crisis situation in Eritrea by a setting up the Recovery Programme Management Unit and beginning implementation of the Post War Eritrean Recovery Programme (PoWER) in 2000. In 2002 the Mine Action Capacity Building Programme joined PoWER and other programmes to become part of the UNDP Recovery Programme.

The UNDP Recovery Unit has also been closely involved in crisis prevention planning, and has participated and provided input in the development of: