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

CHAPTER 3: VULNERABILITY
30. After the period of 1993 -1997 when average income was rising in Eritrea, the situation changed with the
start of the border war. As a result of the war, the economy stagnated with poverty approaching 66%
(2003).
31. The stalemate over the demarcation of the border combined with recurring droughts and stagnation of
the economy have exacerbated the hardship and vulnerability of various population groups. The main
vulnerable groups are the disabled, IDPs (some of whom have returned home, whilst others are still in
camps), expellees from Ethiopia, refugees who h ave been repatriated to Eritrea and their host
communities, refugees and asylum seekers in Eritrea, pastoralists, FHHs, the urban poor, street
children and high -risk HIV/AIDS groups. Within these groups, women and children continue to be the
most disadvantaged, both socially and economically. Similarly for refugees and IDPs who are still in
camps, economic and self -reliance opportunities are reduced and vulnerability is high. There are
50,509 IDPs of which 42,821 are in c amps, 120,000 returnees since 2001, 18,464 rural expellees and a
number of refugees hosted in Eritrea.
32. Based on the 2002 Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), FHHs range from 38% to 52% of
all households across the zobas (r egions). Traditionally, Eritrean women and girls assume the
responsibilities of caring for their families and fulfilling domestic duties with an increase in intensity and
magnitude in times of hardship. One livelihood survey conducted in March 2002 showe d that one -half
of rural households headed by women were below the poverty index.
33. One of the main social problems resulting from years of war, drought and dislocation has been the high
number of orphans. A survey on the most vulnerable children con ducted in 1999 -2000 identified
51,000 orphans in need of urgent support. In recent years, 53,000 orphans have been provided with
assistance and reunified within the extended family system (UNICEF, WB & MLHW). The precise
number of AIDS orphans remains unk nown.
34. While some up -dated data are available, Eritrea still relies on the 1999 National Survey, which indicated
about 3,000 street children in the country. An update would be desirable if programs targeting street
children are to be develop ed.
35. A national survey on commercial sex workers conducted in 1999 reveals that out of the 4,579 sex
workers identified, 225 were between the ages of 14 and 17. These groups are vulnerable to
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/ AIDS, and suffer social stigmatization
affecting their development.
36. With regard to disabled children an assessment carried out through the Community -based
Rehabilitation Program (CBR) after 1994 put the number of disabled children nation -wide at 30,000.
Disabled children suffer from stigmatization and inadequate health services and little access to
education or recreational facilities.
37. The Government has been taking concrete initiatives to address some of the above issues. It has
developed an Integrated Recovery Program (2004) to especially address the issues of IDPs, deportees
and host communities . The sectoral plans being developed in social welfare, education, HIV/AIDS,
health and food security seek to address the needs of some of the vulnerable groups, with a conscious
attention to women and girls. School feeding, water and sanitation projects are ongoing in the drought
stricken areas with the support of the UN and other partners. The National Nutritional Surveillance that
is in place provides constant data on the situation and the trends. Traditional coping mechanisms and
societal safety net s within families and communities are functioning well within their own communities to
alleviate their situation.