Copy of HIS-20021-XF101 Worldviews Committee Brief Third Submission 9

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HIS-20021-XF101 Worldviews Committee Brief Minnie L. Thompson-Jordan September 12, 2022 HIS-20021-XF101 Worldviews - Committee Brief Third Submission Minnie L. Thompson-Jordan Page 1 of 6
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has awarded Agua Sin Fronteras (ASF) funding to expand our services into new countries. Eritrea was one of the possible countries to be considered for this expansion as a committee member responsible for making recommendations. Despite the challenges faced by nonprofits operating in Eritrea, the programs of ASF are critical. This country is located in East Africa, a strategically important region of the Horn of Africa. It covers an area of 101,000 square miles, ranging from mountains to coastal plains. Droughts are common in this arid country. Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti share the borders of Eritrea. (BBC News, 2018). Eritrea has over 600 miles of coastline, which also borders the Red Sea (Splinter, n.d.). A significant part of the country's history and culture can be traced to its coastline. There were many valuable trade routes accessible from the coast's ports. Through the Red Sea, Islam and Christianity were introduced to the region. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Eritrea became an Italian colony (Markakis, J. et al., 2020). Significant growth and modernization took place in Eritrea during this period of colonialism. Several new towns have been formed, and ports have been improved. However, Eritreans benefited little from this growth, mainly benefiting the Italian colonizers (Markakis, J. et al., 2020). During World War II, Italian rule in Eritrea ended, and Britain administered the country for the next decade. A federation was formed between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1952, allowing Eritrea to maintain its government. Despite this, the union lasted only a short time. Annexed by Ethiopia in 1962, Eritrea gradually fell under Ethiopian control (Markakis, J. et al., 2020). During Ethiopia's predominantly Christian rule, Eritrean Muslims suffered the most. An almost 30-year- long war for Eritrean independence began in the 1960s with the creation of the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). In the 1960s, Eritrean Christians also joined the ELF significantly due to Eritrea's economic and political conditions. Eritrea achieved independence in 1993 following three decades of war (Markakis, J. et al., 2020). Peace did not come to Eritrea after independence. On the contrary, conflicts occurred with surrounding states, including one with Ethiopia that began in 1998 and was declared over only in 2018. HIS-20021-XF101 Worldviews - Committee Brief Third Submission Minnie L. Thompson-Jordan Page 2 of 6
As a result of Eritrea's independence, the leader of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) became president of a transitional government. Despite this, President Isaias Afwerki's government is still in place. Per the law, the EPLF was renamed the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. The national press was closed by the government. Public officials are often also military officers, resulting in a highly militarized society (Markakis et al., 2020). The government has been accused of violating the human rights of its citizens. Citizens are often conscripted into national service for indefinite periods by the government. (Markakis et al., 2020). Eritrea has suffered a devastating economic impact due to decades of conflict. The number of primary school-aged children enrolled in school is only 39%. It is estimated that 73% of those enrolled will finish primary school. Approximately 25% of the population eligible for secondary education enrolls. On average, secondary school students can expect to spend five point two out of seven years of schooling. More than 40% of the population is under 15 years old. The number of people fleeing the country for a better life has increased significantly over the last few years. (BBC News, 2018). The agriculture sector accounts for the majority of the economy. Crops are mostly grown on small scales, or livestock is herded. Farmers use most of the product for their own subsistence, with little left for trade. The climate, soil erosion, and rough terrain limit the amount of land suitable for cultivation (Knoema, n.d.). In the last year for which data is available, the poverty rate was 69%. It seems unlikely that the number has significantly improved with over twenty years of conflict since then. Only 11.9% of Eritrea's population has access to basic sanitation and only 22% of its urban population. At least 51.8% of the population has access to essential water. Surface water is the only water source for 17.1% of the population. (Knoema, n.d.) Eritrea has a limited number of healthcare resources. For every 100,000 people in Eritrea, there are approximately six doctors and 75 midwives. Most of Eritrea's healthcare providers are located in urban areas, but 80% of its residents live in rural areas that are often excluded from healthcare. Malaria is one of the most severe public health concerns. Nevertheless, life expectancy is increasing, and infant HIS-20021-XF101 Worldviews - Committee Brief Third Submission Minnie L. Thompson-Jordan Page 3 of 6
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