Eritrea

UNDP in Eritrea:

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively and integrates information and communications technology for development into its work in democratic governance and poverty reduction. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a significant player in the field of international development for more than forty years. Its evolution in Eritrea started as a Liaison Office in March 1992. After a successful UN supervised referendum in 1993, the Liaison Office was upgraded into a fully-fledged country office in January 1994.

Mission

UNDP aims for a better life for all Eritreans, especially the poor, and upholds the overarching goal of poverty reduction, fosters good governance, protects the environment, combats HIV/AIDS and supports post-conflict recovery and reintegration.

What We aim to accomplish and what has been done so far.

UNDP programmes are closely aligned against the five key outcome areas of the UNDAF.

What does UNDP do in Eritrea?

Within a span of over 14 years, UNDP’ s support evolved with the need of the Government in the areas of capacity development, institutional strengthening, and resettlement of internally displaced persons and reintegration of returnee refugees. The total amount of money disbursed to finance projects and programmes amounts to more than US$ 100 million.  The areas supported by UNDP include governance, poverty reduction, energy, environment, and recovery.

Since 1992, UNDP Eritrea country office has had the following four cycles:

Emergency Cycle(1992-1993): focused on rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Bridging Programme(1994-1996):This programme aimed at supporting capacity development, the post war emergency programmes of rehabilitation and resettlement of returning refugees as well as demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.

Country Cooperation Framework, CCF1997-2001):It focused on capacity development and institution building.

First United Nations Development Assistance Framework, UNDAF (2002-2006): This was the first common planning framework for all UN agencies in Eritrea . The UNDP priorities were promotion of democratic governance, promotion of pro-poor economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.

Second UNDAF2007-2011):

UN agencies have identified 14 joint programmes under this common framework. UNDP supports the following priorities: capacity development, emergency and recovery, environment, food security and gender.

From where do the resources come?

UNDP has two main sources of funds: Core and non-core. The Core resources are allocated from UNDP HQs and they are the larger part (60%) of the resources disbursed during the past 14 years. The non-core resources are funds that UNDP country office directly raises from donors and other sources.

Where do the resources go?

During the past 14 years out of the actual budget delivered (US$ 100 million) more than 50% was dedicated to support projects in the areas of recovery. The remaining of the budget is dedicated to other Focus Areas such as Governance, Poverty Reduction, and Energy and Enviroment.