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

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD
41. While the CCA analysis is thematic based, there are some common underlying and root causes that have an
impact and implication on all the sectors. UN support to Eritrea will aim to accelerate implementation o f
actions towards the achievement of the MDGs, while facilitating progressive realization of the provisions
contained in the national constitution and the ratified instruments. It is imperative, however, that strategic
choices be made in this regard. Suc h choices must be based on the need to ensure that there is a reduction
of vulnerabilities that undermine people’s potential to contribute to their country’s rapid recovery and
development, while nurturing the innovation, creativity and commitment of the c itizenry. Such choices must
also be based on a clear and objective assessment and appreciation of the internal capacities of the
institutions and the people, as well as acknowledging and affirming the on -going actions and initiatives. The
following are th e critical elements that are based on the common understanding that the Policy CCA Retreat
of May 31, provided guidance on:
42. Capacity Building: In and across all the sectors, the running theme and common message was the need to
enhance the in ternal capacities of Eritrea. These are critical for enabling the state and its institutions to
deliver effective services to the people. Such capacity building must be inclusive of the policy and legal
frameworks across all sectors to ensure a p ositive and facilitative environment for various actions and
responses. Secondly, a critical mass of expertise for planning, information managing, communication, policy
analysis and advocacy is required. This will ensure that the country has an internal me ans to analyze,
respond to an ever -evolving situation and to strategically position and advocate for the best interests of its
people grounded on sound technical knowledge within the sector. Thirdly, a human resource base with skills
and competencies to de liver services to the people and especially to the most vulnerable is critical. Such
capacity among the front line turns policy commitments to direct benefits for the people, the poor and those
at the margins. The last, but vital, dimension relates to capa city building to ensure effective participation of
citizens in the recovery and development effort and especially women’s representation in decision making in
all sectors and at all levels. Civic education, legal and economic literacy as well as support to wealth
creation/income generating opportunities for the people is central.
43. Availability of Data and Information for Evidence Based Planning : The country’s recent efforts to generate
data through EDHS, to have macro and sector based analysis i.e. thro ugh the I-PRSP and Education Sector
Plan, are critical building blocks for sustaining the country’s efforts to build a solid data platform for planning,
policy development, service delivery and advocacy. The population and demographic data appropriately
disaggregated by gender, age and livelihood is critical in informing the country’s long -term perspectives to
addressing poverty through wealth creation and rapid recovery, as well as adequate disaster preparedness.
44. Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, M itigation and Response : Disaster and drought -induced famine, will
continue to exist in Eritrea well into the foreseeable future. Implementation of continuous and successful
development policies and initiatives would eventually prevent food shorta ges. For such objectives to be
realized, establishment and development of a specific structure and a national policy on disaster
management would ensure implementation of disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response.
To run such a scheme ef fectively, development of capability at the local and national levels will entail
establishing an early warning unit responsible for data collection, analysis and communication functions for
preparedness, mitigation and response. These units would produce an early warning system based on
reliable and valid information and a rigorous method for monitoring and documenting the use of disaster
commodity assistance, both of which are fundamental to disaster assistance capability. Consistent
methodologies need t o be applied to provide credible information based on local realities that would be
acceptable by all stakeholders.
45. In conclusion, it is important to stress that the country remains stretched and people’s vulnerabilities cont inue