Eritrea is characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions. In 2015, the country experienced an even shorter than usual rainfall season,1 as well as the effects of El Niño and pre-existing stressors related to household food and livelihood security. Together, these factors have exacerbated women and children’s vulnerability to food insecurity, leading to high levels of malnutrition among children under 5 years and pregnant or lactating women, especially in the lowlands. Trend analysis from the Nutrition Sentinel Site Surveillance system2, 3 indicates an increase in malnutrition rates over the last three years in four out of the country’s six regions (Anseba, Gash-Barka, Maekel and Southern Red Sea). The country also remains highly contaminated by landmines, with only 25 per cent of minefields cleared to date. More than 650,000 people currently live in areas impacted by landmines and explosive remnants of war, which significantly impact both their safety and livelihoods. Seventy per cent of reported casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war are children, primarily boys. – See more at: http://www.unicef.org/appeals/eritrea.html#sthash.rgce31dD.dpuf

 

 

Total affected population: 1.5 million
Total affected children (under 18): 725,000

Total people to be reached in 2016: 545,000
Total children to be reached in 2016: 445,000

– See more at: http://www.unicef.org/appeals/eritrea.html#sthash.fQTa6KOW.dpuf