Common Country Assessment (CCA) - ECSS | Eritrean Center for ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. The United Nations’ Country Team and the Government of Eritrea (GOE) prepared the 2005 Common
Country Assessment (CCA) jointly in the sprit of co -ownership to update the 2001 CCA. The UN and
the Government co -chaired the Steering Committee and appointed a Task Force to guide the process
with technical inputs from nine thematic groups comprising: emergency and recovery; food security;
economic growth a nd development; education; health and nutrition; water, sanitation and shelter;
governance; HIV/AIDS; and environment and energy. A policy retreat further defined the strategic
focus of the final CCA.
2. Since the last CCA, the GOE is taking critical m easures in the areas of policy reform. The Interim
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I -PRSP), Education Sector Development Program (ESDP),
HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sexually transmitted diseases, and Tuberclosis (HAMSET) Project, Integrated
Recovery Program and the National Gender Policy, the National Water Supply Emergency Action Plan
and the Rural Electrification Fund are among some of the key policies, plans and programs formulated
to guide the country. The effort to implement the decentralization policy as a means towards greater
involvement of communities is underway. The country’s commitment to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and its ratification of international human rights’ instruments strengthens
the commitment of Eritrea to rebuild the nation through engagement in community and entrepreneurial
activities. Eritreans within the country and in the Diaspora remain a foundational socio -economic and
knowledge base for the recovery and reconstruction effort.
3. Since the end of the border war, the average annual growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has
been low, with an annual average of 1% (1998 – 2004). Combined with prevailing population
dynamics, the result has increased poverty incidence and vulnerabi lity. Two main factors provide a
context for these developments. The first is the border stalemate, entailing diversion of financial and
human resources to defense, which has made it difficult for the country to implement long -term policies.
The second is drought, which has led to poor crop harvests over the past five years.
4. Thus vulnerability has increased in the face of reduced economic opportunities and depletion of assets.
The main vulnerable groups are the disabled, internally displaced perso ns (IDPs - some of whom have
returned home and others are still in camps), deportees from Ethiopia, refugees who have been
repatriated to Eritrea, pastoralists, female -headed households (FHH), the urban poor, high -risk
HIV/AIDS groups and orphans.
5. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide a foundational point for assessment of the
situation and key challenges in each of the thematic areas. According to the first MDG report, Eritrea is
on track to achieve the MDGs dealing with gender equality at the primary school level, child health,
maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases, and access to safe water. But it is off -
track with respect to the eradication of extreme poverty and achievement of universal primary
education. More importantly, without the resumption of rapid economic growth the gains made so far to
achieve the MDGs are at risk.
6. Eritrea has a Constitution, ratified by a Constituent Assembly in May 1997. In order to effect its full
implementation, building capacity for accountable and efficient administration of justice is a top priority
of the Government.
7. Rapid economic growth, the foundation for poverty reduction, has eluded Eritrea since the end of the