Eritrea

UN System Coordination:

The United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) System aims at improving efficiency and effectiveness of the operational activities of UN Agencies, both resident and non-resident. Cooperation with the host governments rests on common platforms regarding developing and supporting implementation of national development policies and programmes. The RC system fosters collaboration with the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international financial institutions. The Resident Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the System’s operational activities for development at country level.

UN System Collaboration and Co-ordination in Eritrea:

The United Nations Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (R/HC) in Eritrea is the designated representative of the Secretary-General and is responsible for coordinating both UN developmental and humanitarian activities in Eritrea. This is achieved through forging unity and coherence of the UN Country Team in support of plans, priorities and strategies of the country. Collaboration with Government in the preparation of reports and key documents on national priorities fosters greater levels of effectiveness and efficiency, while harmonizing and simplifying the work of all UN agencies operating in that country.

In 2000 the UN Country Team together with the Government, donors and civil society partners prepared the CCA, which reviewed and analyzed the national development situation and identified key development issues and challenges, which reflect the joint vision of the UN, government and civil society.

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2002 - 2006) (UNDAF), which provides a common planning framework for development operations of the UN system at country level, emanated from the analytical work of the CCA. The UNDAF was formulated in close consultation with the government and other partners, and represents a collective, coherent and integrated UN System response to the national priorities and needs.

In 2005, UNCT Eritrea carried out the UN’s harmonized common country programming process: preparation of the second Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

As part of the UN harmonization Country Programming Process training on Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to programming and Results Based Management (RBM) were given to Senior Programme Officers from the UNCT and government side.

The UNCT jointly with the Government of the State of Eritrea conducted a three-day strategic planning retreat in October 2005. Based on national priorities and UN system’s comparative advantages, the strategic planning retreat agreed that the UN should focus on the following five strategic areas: food security; emergency/recovery; basic social services; capacity development; and gender.

The RC Report which is annually prepared by the UNCT highlights the major political, social and economic events that have taken place in the country also assesses the level of harmonization of programme cycles and simplification of procedures, employed by the UN agencies at the country level. In addition, It contains also reports on the year’s activities of the thematic groups and sub-groups.

Thematic Groups provide frameworks for joint planning by the UN agencies. They ensure that inter-agency joint programming opportunities are maximized and that agencies’ programme activities in each thematic area are coordinated. Four thematic groups and six sub-groups are established to provide theme-focused follow-up to UNDAF implementation.

At a retreat on Joint Programming, Simplification and Harmonization of Procedures, jointly held by the Government and the UN Country Team in 2003, a commitment was made to start implementing joint programmes.

Hence, UNDAF Integrated Work plan (2004 – 2006) was prepared and areas amenable to joint programming were identified. In implementing UNDAF objectives, UN agencies are giving priority to carry out joint programmes, particularly when there is a clear added value. One of the joint programmes involving seven UN agencies assisted the Government in the preparation of the First Millennium Development Goals Report (MDGR) in 2006.

Currently, five joint programmes are underway, while a similar number is being developed. The UNCT, in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Group Office (UNDGO), has undertaken a “Lessons Learned/Review of three Joint Programmes”. A report is prepared and could be a key input to the review of the Guidance Note on Joint Programming, in 2006.

UNDP's role in the UN Country Team in Eritrea

The United Nations Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (R/HC) in Eritrea is the designated representative of the Secretary-General and is responsible for coordinating both UN developmental and humanitarian activities in Eritrea. This is achieved through forging unity and coherence of the UN Country Team in support of plans, priorities and strategies of the country. Collaboration with Government in the preparation of reports and key documents on national priorities fosters greater levels of effectiveness and efficiency, while harmonizing and simplifying the work of all UN agencies operating in that country.

The agencies on the ground are: WHO; the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system, UNICEF; which undertakes activities pertaining to Child and Development, Basic Education and Gender Equality, Child Protection, and Policy Advocacy and Partnerships. The UNHCR; aims its activities at protecting refugees and finding out last solution of refugees in the country as well as worldwide, FAO; leads efforts to fight hunger, and finally the World Bank ; a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world.

UNDP Eritrea country office is a leading agency in five joint programmes. It holds joint activities and/or programmes with UN agencies working in Eritrea and ensures other agencies provide assistance to counterparts through UNDP’s own programmes. UNDP is jointly working with UNHHCR, UNFPA and UNICEF on Recovery programmes of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and in projects such as HIV/AIDS and Gender related matters with UNFPA.

All the UN events and observances are celebrated together with full participation of the Agencies on the ground. Activities are organized around specially selected themes and involve staff members form all agencies to ensure various aspects of development are tackled. All UN agencies also participate in the annual National Book Fair as one UN , where UN publications and flyers are made available to the general public.

The UN Country Team in Eritrea (UNCT)

The UN Country Team (UNCT) comprises the following heads of UN agencies present in the country under the leadership of the RC:

UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UN RHC
Ms. Josian Yagbou, OIC, UNFPA
Mr. Vedasto Joseph Mwesiga, Representative, UNHCR
Dr Hamid El-Bashir Ibrahim, Representative, UNICEF
Mr. Tesfai Aregai, Officer-in-charge, WFP
Mr. Moeketsi Mokati, Representative, FAO
Dr. Idrissa SOW, Representative, WHO
Mr. Samuel Zerom, Officer-in-charge, WB
Ms. Verity Nyagah, Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), UNDP
Ms. Tiblez Araia, Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), UNDP
Dr. Dan Odallo, Country Coordinator, UNAIDS
Mr. Stephen Lukudu, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, UNOCHA

All non-resident UN Agencies are represented by the R/HC. The UNCT holds monthly meetings for information sharing and decision-making purposes. The UNCT’ monthly meeting is chaired, on a rotational basis, by one of the Heads of Agencies. For his part, the R/HC chairs, both the monthly Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the quarterly Eritrean Development Partner’s Forum meetings, where donors bi-laterals and other international Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO) participate.

UN System in Eritrea is currently engaged in the Mid-Term Review of 2007-2011 UNDAF, where UNDP has played a very important role in providing administrative and logistical arrangements for the international and consultants hired to do the job.