RETURN VISIT OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO ERITREA

RETURN VISIT OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO ERITREA

ASMARA, Eritrea, 30 March (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -– Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa, arrives in Asmara, Eritrea, on 31 March 2004 for a two-day visit.  Mr. Ahtisaari’s mandate was recently extended for six months.

The purpose of the Special Envoy’s visit is to be updated on the humanitarian situation and highlight any gaps in assistance.  He will also discuss the progress made in the implementation of recovery and food security strategies that can reduce the region’s vulnerability to drought.

A number of strategies have been developed towards recovery and development, most notably, the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP), the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS), and the recently approved Integrated Recovery Programme (IRP).

The Special Envoy was last in Eritrea in November when he raised the profile of the Consolidated Appeal Process (cap) and the IRP for 2004.

An estimated 1.9 million people are unlikely to be able to feed themselves in Eritrea this year.  The need for a timely and adequate response to avert a humanitarian catastrophe is a priority.  The country has suffered four years of drought with rains in 2003 below average, resulting in crop failure and loss of livestock.  Compounding this is the continuing border conflict with Ethiopia.  Household coping mechanisms and safety nets that would normally prevent starvation are being eroded.

Mr. Ahtisaari has highlighted the challenges facing Eritrea and the region since his appointment as Special Envoy in June 2003.  On his previous two missions to Eritrea, he held discussions with UN agencies, donors, the Government, non-governmental organizations and other partners.  He has contributed significantly to raising awareness of the situation among the international community resulting in an improved response from the donors.

Mr. Ahtisaari served as President of Finland from 1994 to 2000.  His most recent appointment was chairing the Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq.

After concluding his visit to Eritrea, the Special Envoy will depart for Ethiopia.

Mr. Ahtisaari will be accompanied by his Adviser, Meeri-Maria Jaarva; Eric Laroche, Deputy Director, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Emergencies Division, Geneva; Daniela Owen, World Food Programme (WFP) Headquarters, Rome; and Olla Hassan, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

For further information, please contact:  UN-OCHA Asmara, Eritrea, tel.: (291-1) 151666, fax: 291 -1 151999

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