ERITREA AT A GLANCE - Shabait.com - Eritrea

ERITREA AT A GLANCE
Written by shabait Administrator
Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
ERITREA AT A GLANCE
Did you know that Eritrea is one of the newest countries in the world? Yet, historically privileged
to be one of the earliest African countries to be introduced to modern technology? Or that it was
a centre for commercial activities in the Horn of Africa in the early 1900s? Or that its people
struggled for more than thirty years to secure their independence? Or that one of the great
Russian literary figures, Alexander Pushkin has his roots in Eritrea? Indeed, Eritrea is land of
diverse and fascinating history that many people don't know much about. So join us as we
briefly explore the remarkable aspects of a remarkable land in a series titled "Eritrea At A
Glance
".
Part I
MAJOR OUTLINES
The country
State Hagere (State of) Eritrea
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
Written by shabait Administrator
Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
Capital city Asmara
Current president His Excellency President Isaias Afewerki
National flag Eritrea’s flag is a rectangle divided into three triangles: a red isosceles triangle
based on the hoist side, and a green upper and
blue lower right
triangle. A gold wreath encircling a gold olive
branch is centred on
the hoist side of the red triangle.
Emblem Camel
State holidays May 24 (Independence Day), June 20 (martyrs day), 1st September (starting of
the struggle for independence).
Currency Nakfa (one Nakfa=100 cents)
Phone dial code 291
Internet domain .er
Working languages Tigrinya, English, Arab (all Eri- trean languages are equal)
Other languages Afar, Bilen, Hedareb, Kunama,
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Nara, Saho, Tigre
Geography
Location Horn of Africa
Area 124,300 sq. km.
Red sea Coastlines 1,151 km.
Neighboring states Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Yemen
Lowest area Kobar Sink, -75 meters
Highest Point Amba Soira, 3,013 meters
Capital city Asmara
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Other cities and towns Massawa, Assab, Keren, Dekamare,
Mendefera
Climate lowland area from 25-40centigrades
Highland area from 10-30 degree centi-
grade
Time zone +3GMT
Main seaports Massawa, Assab
Population
Population size: 3.56 million (2002)
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
Religion: Christianity ( Greek Orthodx, Catholic and Protestant Churches), Muslim
Ethnic groups: Nine ethnic groups
Way of life: 60% lives in rural areas,
40% lives in urban areas
Major economic sectors
Agriculture: Agriculture about 20% of
GDP
Infrastructure : 14,560kms road, 10 international and local airports, airstrips,15 massive bridge
infrastructure
Free Zone area: 200,000 square meters of coast lines for use of industrial areas with better
opportunity for investors.
Mining: 14,000 kilograms of potential gold reserves: others include base metal deposits,
indus-trial minerals, construction materials and geothermal potentials.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
Written by shabait Administrator
Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
Fisheries: Virgin territory in the richest part of Red Sea.
Tourism: Historical and archaeological sites that are comparable with Egypt and other east
African ancient civilizations
Communication:
Newspapers: Hadas Eritrea, Eritrea Profile,
Eritrea Alhadisa
Magazines: Irregular publications of different governmental and Nongovernmental
organizations
Television channel: Two channels (Eri-TV, Channel II)
Radio: Dimtsi Hafash (AM), Radio
Bana (AM), Radio Zara
(FM), Radio Sawa (FM).
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Internet: 6 service providers
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Eritrea is a land of striking contrasts in terrain, climate and culture. Situated along the
southeastern coast of the Red Sea in Northeast Africa, it is borders on the east with Djibouti, on
the south with Ethiopia and the west with Sudan. Its capital and largest city is Asmara with
Massawa and Assab as the primary port cities.
The Eritrean mainland stretches more than 1,000 kilometres along the Red Sea coast, one of
the world’s busiest and most strategic shipping lines. The temperate central plateau rises over
two kilometres above sea level, while the scorched south-eastern Danakil Depression is one of
the lowest levels of land on earth. A lush green belt lies northeast of the capital. To the west are
the fertile lowlands Barka and Gash plains.
The Eritrean nation is made up of nine ethno-linguistic groups that embrace two of the world’s
major religions, Islam and Christianity, as well as some indigenous faiths. Eritrea celebrates its
social and cultural diversity with a sense of harmony and unity that is rare to most parts of the
world.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Though small in size, Eritrea includes the varied topography and climate variations of an entire
continent. It is said that one can experience three seasons within two hours.
The three main geographical zones are the eastern slope and coastal plains, the central
highlands, and the western lowlands. Each has a distinctive physical and cultural character.
The low-lying coastal areas are mostly arid but get light winter rains and are crossed by the
run-off from the summer rainy season in the highland plateau. The inhabitants of the area are
mainly nomadic herders or seasonal farmers and artisan fishers. Highlanders from the central
plateau also often bring their herds here during the winter.
The slopes along the coastal escarpment in the north and west have long been the focus of
intensive cropping for domestic consumption and export. This area holds strong potential for
future development.
The temperate, mountainous interior is densely populated and extensively and intensively
cultivated by sedentary farming communities. This is also where much of Eritrea’s light industry
is situated.
The relatively less densely populated western lowlands receive run-off rains from the high-lands
and have underground water resources of their own, while the Gash region receives substantial
summer rains. As such, the Gash–Barka region has considerable untapped agricultural
potential.
Eritrea’s highest point is the peak of Amba Soira, in the Debub region and the lowest level of
land is the Kobar Sink, located in the arid semi-desert of south-central Dankalia.
More than 350 islands dot the Eritrean waters in the Red Sea, most of which are concentrated
around the Dahlak archipelago, east of Massawa. The largest of these, Dahlak Kebir, is
643sq.km.with a population of about 1500 scattered in nine villages.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
Written by shabait Administrator
Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
The country’s only year-round river is the Setit in the southwestern area, though many others
flow from the plateau to the Red Sea and to Sudan during the summer rains. And the Gash, the
Barka and the Anseba rivers are some of the biggest water sources in the country, which are
often used for cultivation.
Climate
The highest temperatures in coastal areas occur from June to August and range from 25 degree
Celsius (80 degree-F) to as high as 40-45 degree-C (110 degree-F.). Temperatures here rarely
fall below 18 degree Celsius (64 degree-F), though sea breezes provide some relief, especially
in the islands. The rainy season along the northern Red Sea coast comes in
December-February, when cloud cover is common. Rain is scarce along the southern Red Sea
coast.
In the central plateau, the hottest season comes in May, reaching 30 degree-C (84 degree-F). H
owever, temperatures can fall as low as the freezing point at night during the winter months of
December and January. The short rains in this area come in April and May,
and the rainy season begins in earnest around the end of June and continues till early
September. Even then, it is common for the sun to shine part of each day.
The hottest season in the western lowlands comes in April to June with temperatures reaching
40 degree-C (100 degree-F). December is the coldest month, as temperatures drop to 10-12
degree-C. (50 to 55 degree-F), but there are dramatic temperature differences here between
day and night through out the year. The rainy season is similar to that of the central plateau,
though lighter and less frequent out side the Gash region, but the flooding from highland run-off
is common in July and August.
Nature
Plant Life: The eastern lowlands offer rolling acacia woodland, brush land and thicket,
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
semi-desert vegetation and mangrove swamp. Kassod and flame trees line the roads to many
coastal towns.
The central highlands are dominated by juniper and wild olive as well as several species of
acacia. East African laburnum, native hops and eucalyptus are common along the roadsides
and on steeply terraced hillsides.
The Semenawi Bahri(Eritrea’s Green Belt) slopes northeast of Asmara are the most thickly
forested in Eritrea and have remnants of dense evergreen and tropical woodland. Southeast of
Asmara, one finds majestic sycamores, such as that pictured on the five Nakfa note.
The western slopes are doted with baobab, brush and tamarisk trees. This gives way to
woodland savanna, brush land and thicket in the Barka and Gash plains, which are broken up
by dense groves of doum palm along the seasonal river beds.
Mammals and reptiles: Eritrea was once home to a broad array of animal life, but war, colonial
land seizures and the destruction of much of the forest cover drove many animals away.
However, there has been resurgence in the wild life population since independence, helped by
strict prohibitions on hunting.
Common sightings today include vervet monkeys, baboon, gazelle, hare, fox, mongoose, wild
cat, squirrel and warthog. Dikdiks and Dorcas gazelle are often seen along the coast. Less
frequently observed but present are elephant caracal, serval, oryx, crocodile, greater kudu and
hartebeast. The endangered wild African ass can also be found, though rarely.
Birds: Eritrea hosts an abundance of bird life with its varied habitats, some resident year-round,
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
others seasonal. A total of 537 species have been identified, including the rare blue saw-wing.
The mostly uninhabited Dahlak islands, with their rich feeding grounds attract osprey, gulls,
tern, boobies, ibis and wild flamingo, among many other endemic and transient species.
The moist forests of the Semenawi Bahri slops are home to bush shrikes, francolins, sunbirds,
tropical boubou and crimson toraco, as well as canaries, trogon, catbirds and hornbills, among
scores of others. One small lake near Asmara is frequented by blue-winged goose, Rouget’s rail
and the Abyssinian longclaw.Ostrich are increasingly common along the coast and in the
western plains, as are African firefinch, scrub robin and spotted sand grouse, among others.
Hundreds of species of birds also migrate through Eritrea in the autumn and spring.
Marine Life: Marine ecosystems include coral reefs, sea-grass beds and mangrove forests.
Patch coral extends around many of the islands and can be found in rich concentrations along
the northern coastline.
Five species of marine turtle have been identified (green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead
and Ridley), and several species of dolphin are common, especially around the Dahlak islands.
Whales have also been seen, along with the endangered dugong, or sea cow, which can be
found in island waters and along the northern coast.
Natural Resources: Eritrea has many natural resources on the land and in the sea. The mix of
climates supports a wide range of crops including millet, sorghum, taff, wheat, barley, flax,
cotton, coffee, papaya, citrus fruits, banana, mangos beans and lentils, potatoes, various
vegetables and fish and dairy products.
Live stock includes sheep, goats, cattle and camels. The red sea supports a wide range of
edible fish, lobster, crab and shrimp, while coastal areas show promise for intensive salt water
fish and shrimp farming.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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The geological mosaic of pre-Cambrian, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks holds extensive
reserves of metallic, non-metallic and fossil minerals. Potentially profitable deposits of gold,
copper, zinc, potash, iron ore and other minerals have been confirmed, while exploration
continues off shore for oil and gas. There are also significant concentrations of high quality
marble, granite, slate, limestone for construction purpose.
Protecting the environment: Following independence, Eritrea set out with a badly damaged
environment in much of the interior, where large areas had been stripped of forest cover, wild
life and water recourses. However, the country is endowed with more than 1000 kms of
unpolluted coastline and more than 3500 islands not yet seriously affected by conflict or
commerce. Even before independence, Eritrean had always taken a firm stand in the protection
and preserving of the environment as a result of which many places in the country are
beginning to bud with new revived life.
The Eritrean government banned the hunting and trapping of wild animals and the cutting of
live trees. After liberation, hundreds of kilometers of hillside terraces were constructed to halt
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
erosion, and tens of millions of tree seedlings were planted through organised summer camps.
Large areas of the Red Sea coast were declared marine reserves, and spear-fishing and the
collection of live coral were prohibited. Land was also identified for national parks.
Though pollution is not yet a significant problem, the government has acceded to the UN
Convention on Biodiversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The People
Eritrea’s nation-building strategy is built upon a fundamental building block of internal human
resources. The government is firmly committed to policies of religious and cultural freedom and
tolerates no discrimination or favouritism on any such bases.
The country’s most precious resource-and that which holds the most promise for Eritrea’s
future–is its people. For this reason, the government invests heavily in health, social welfare,
education and skill development sectors. It provides access to these services for all its citizens,
regardless of their ethnic or religious back ground, their geographical locations, their gender,
age or other social categories.Though there is no single official language Tigrinya, Arabic and
English are predominantly used in commerce and government affairs. The use and
development of all nine of Eritrean languages are encouraged at the local level and children
attend primary school through the fifth grade in their mother tongue.
The Nationalities – Unity In Diversity
The nine Eritrea ethnic groups are the Tigrinya, Bilen, Afar, Saho, Rashaida, Tigre, Kunama,
Nara and Hidarib.Eritrean Afars, also known as Dankalis, live mainly along the south-eastern
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Thursday, 01 October 2009 00:00
sea coast and on the offshore islands in a highly-segmented, patrilineal society. Afars inhabit
one of the least hospitable terrains on earth and are renowned for their prowess in battle. They
have a long history of independent sultanates and strong warrior traditions. Many of their songs
and much of their oral literature is built on this, and it is still common to see afar men wearing
jile
or curved knife. Today, most are herders, traders or artisanal fishers.
Pastoral Afar families typically live in large hemispherical houses of hides and woven mats
stretched across a framework of wooden poles that can be carried by camel over long
distances. In the few oases in Afar territory, the people cultivate maize and tobacco. Traders
carry slabs of salt on their camels to the highlands from long-dried salt pans by the sea.
The Cushitic-speaking Bilen live in and around the city of Keren. Among them are Muslim and
Christian (mostly Catholic) herders and farmers. Theirs is a traditional society organized in to
kinship groups. Bilen women are known for their brightly colored clothes, their gold, copper or
silver nose rings, and henna tattoos that resemble diamond necklaces.
The Hedareb, also known as T’badwe live in a wide arc stretching from western Barka across
the north-western valleys of the arid, volcanic Sahel region, where the liberation front had its
fortified rear bases throughout much of the independence war. Their ancestral roots are among
the Nilotic Beja peoples, whose territory stretches from Eritrea across the north-eastern Sudan
to southern Egypt and who have lived along the sea coast for thousands of years. Their Muslim
society is patrilineal.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Most Hedareb are semi-nomadic pastoralists. Many travel over long distances in search of
pasture for their animals, which can include large camel herds as well as goats and sheep. The
Hedareb are known as highly skilled camel drivers.
The Kunama live in south-western Eritrea around the town of Barentu and close to the border
with Ethiopia. Some are Christian, some Muslim, but many follow their own faith, centred
around worship of the creator,
Anna, and veneration of ancestral heroes. Their
society is strongly egalitarian with distinctive matrilineal elements. Historically, most were
hunters and farmers, tilling the soil with hand-held hoes to grow a variety of grains and
vegetables. Today, they tend to be farmers and herders, whose cattle are also important
sources of wealth and prestige.
The Kunama, thought to be among the aboriginal inhabitants of the region, were one of the
Eritrea’s largest nationalities until the late 1800s, when repeated assaults and slave-raiding by
Tigrayan warlords sharply reduced their population and impoverished the society. Many of their
dances are re-enactments of historical events.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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The Nara live in the western slopes and Barka plains. Like their neighbors, the Kunama, with
whom they share some customs, the Nara are mainly sedentary farmers with a marked interest
in cattle. However, their matrilineal family structure was transformed into a patrilineal one-and
their traditional religion forcibly supplanted by Islam during the Egyptian occupation of their
homelands in the 1850s.
The Rashaida are the country’s only ethnic Arabs. Mainly pastoralists and traders, the
Rashaida migrated to northeast Africa in the 19th century from the hejaz. They are
Arabic-speaking Muslims, living along the northern coast and along the Sudan border in
tightly-knit, patrilineal clans. Rashaida women are noted for their red-and-black patterned
dresses and their long heavy veils, often embroidered with silver, beads and seed pearls.
The Saho inhabit the coast and hinterland south of Asmara and Massawa and the highlands as
far inland as the Hazemo valley. Most are Muslim. Some are seasonal farmers and herders,
though a growing number are sedentary farmers living in the southeastern highlands. Among
them are skilled beekeepers, widely known for their high quality honey. The Saho live in
patrilineal descent groups, each of which has a traditional warrior leader, the
Rezanto
, who is accountable to an all-made public assembly.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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The mostly Muslim Tigre people extend from the western lowlands across the northern
mountains to the coastal plains. Most are herders and seasonal farmers, cultivating maize,
durra (sorghum) and other cereals during the rainy season before moving with their herds and
their families. Household goods, as well as sick or aging family members, are transported long
distances by camel and donkey.
The Tigre have a rich oral literature of fairy tales, fables riddles, poetry and stories of war and
the supernatural. They are also known for their singing and dancing, which is usually
accompanied by a drum and a mesenko (a stringed instrument, plucked like a guitar). Theirs is
a highly stratified society traditionally ruled by a hereditary village leader.
Most Tigrinya-speakers are sedentary farmers living in the densely populated central and
southern highlands of Eritrea. Currently they spread from this ancestral farmland over much of
Eritrea today. The overwhelming majority are orthodox Christians, though there is a small
minority of Muslims, known as jeberti, and there are significant minorities of Catholics and
Protestants. Like all Eritreans, they are deeply attached to their land, but Tigrinya speakers also
makeup a large portion of urban traders and operators of small business, restaurants and other
services throughout the country.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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Religion and Society
Eritrean society is roughly divided among Muslims and Christians, with most Christians affiliated
to the orthodox (Coptic) church. A small number of Eritreans practice traditional African
religions.
Islam: followers of the prophet Mohammed came to Eritrean coast in 615 to establish relations
with Adulate authorities and seek protection for the new faith, making this one of the earliest
non-Arabian sites in contact with Islam. Among the many important historical sites in Eritrea is
the 500-year-old sheikh Hanafi mosque in Massawa.
Today, nearly all Eritrean Muslims are Sunnis, the largest sect in Islam. Their highest religious
authority is the Dar-Al Ifta, headquartered in Asmara. The ninth month of Islamic calendar is
Ramadan, a period of obligatory fasting in commemoration of Mohammed’s receipt of God’s
revelation. A festive meal breaks the daily fast and inaugurates a night of feasting and
celebration. Because the months of the lunar year revolve through the solar year, Ramadan
falls at various seasons in different years.
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ERITREA AT A GLANCE
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The
most
safe
largest
hospitable
and
of
spotless
these
cities
is
streets,
the
in
capital
the
Nearly
Eritrean
expanding
social
areas,
African
and
has
all
cities.
government
of
architectural
many
prevented
Eritrea’s
urban
revised
major
the
centres
character
emergence
towns
and
after
developed
of
and
the
liberation.
of
cities
cities.
the
slum
were
these
This,
Strict
belts
originally
master
coupled
zoning
and
plans
shantytowns
built
standards
with
in
according
sustained
reconstructing
have
that
to
aid
preserved
encircle
urban
to
and
poorer
plans.
many
the
rural
The
Civil
Society
The
people’s
before
laws,
enables
jeopardizing
Eritrean
giving
the
them
unity
scramble
them
either
society
to
and
selectively
a
their
their
firm
for
is
one
Africa
ability
integrity
foundation
of
draw
the
to
era.
or
organize
upon
most
They
dynamism.
for
internally
the
unified
have
themselves
experiences
highly
societies
generated
sophisticated
can
and
in
the
be
growth
achievements
traced
world.
and
and
back
The
documented
development
strength
to
of
the
others
ancient
of
customary
without
the
that
times
During
religiously
most
adverse
the
and
colonial
of
ideologically.
times.
period
the
But
colonizers
the
Eritrean
sought
people
to
divide
continued
the
society
to
prevail
regionally,
in
their
tribally,
unity
even
I on
the
Women:
show
brilliantly.
today
political
their
they
life.
Eritrean
They
potential
continue
fought
women
during
to
side
be
active
can
the
by
boast
side
independence
participants
with
of
a
their
unique
in
male
struggle
the
history
compatriots
frontlines
period,
in
that
of
which
they
during
the
country’s
found
they
the
pulled
armed
an
economic
opportunity
it
struggle
off
quite
and
to
and
Because
has
experience
taken
sought
so
far
of
in
to
the
include:
marriage,
ensure
important
their
separation,
role
full
women
and
equal
divorce,
play
participation
in
inheritance
the
society
while
and
and
eliminating
access
economy,
to
property.
the
the
disadvantages
Eritrean
Measures
government
many
*Reserving
a
minimum
of
30
percent
of
seats
in
the
national
assembly
for
women.
*Appointing
women
to
high
political
positions,
including
ministerial
positions.
*Promoting
economic
empowerment
through
education
and
skills
training.
promotion
*Encouraging
and
women’s
job
retention.
employment
in
the
civil
services
and
acting
to
ensure
equal
treatment
in
public
*Establishing
policy
and
institutional
resource
mechanisms
allocation.
(including
educational)
to
ad-dress
women’s
issues
in
Some
the
productive
which
this
households
too
is
45%
is
comprised
steadily
assets
of
households
headed
and
changing.
of
women).
partly
by
are
men.
because
headed
Though
This
is
they
by
women
partly
women,
participate
because
are
though
still
actively
women
less
as
likely
a
in
group,
have
the
to
labour
be
access
they
more
are
force
to
literate
not
land
(47
poorer
and
than
percent
other
than
men,
of
The
struggle
organization
are
building
lobbying
securing
National
with
awareness
for
government
independence
in
women
women’s
Union
1992.
of
throughout
bodies
Now
Eritrean
discrimination
participation
it
period,
has
for
Women
an
Eritrea
more
the
improvement
in
against
land
NUEW
than
(NUEW)
and
reform
200,000
in
women,
became
the
is
in
policies,
Diaspora.
the
women’s
members.
operating
an
main
autonomous,
organizing
nongovernmental
Founded
role
Among
a
within
rural
literacy
in
credit
its
non-governmental
society.
1979
main
program
campaigns,
organization
during
achievements
the
and
Youth:
organization.
national
working
eighteen
240,000
It
is
actively
the
in
affairs
(with
they
agricultural
National
engaged
The
about144000
join
with
vision
the
responsibility
Union
in
eighteen
and
several
of
other
of
this
males
Eritrean
organization
months
programs
development
and
and
Youth
dedication.
99,000
national
such
is
and
programs
to
females)
as;
service
build
Students
High
a
school
program.
members
strong
across
is
also
students
youth
the
The
a
from
non-governmental
nation.
that
organization
the
spend
participates
At
6
regions
the
their
age
has
summers
in
of
in
Eritrea.
about
all
Education:
itfoster
awards
the
“Zagre
Awards”
toand
those
who
score
full grades
in
their
matriculation
exams
and
motivates
and
provides
skill
enhancing
courses…etc.
••untary
Health:
execute
programs
such
as
first
aid,
HIV
and
FGM
awareness,
volblood
testing
and
counselling
service,
hot-line
phone
..etc
Youth
empowerment:
to
improve
the
life
standard
the
org.
gives
microcredit
loans,
HIV
careers,
vocational
leadership
training.
Gender:
ensuring
women’s
equality,
campaigns
against
underage
marriage…etc.
Club
and
media
activities;
organizing
clubs
for
youth
to
exercise
their
talents,
publicizes
a
magazine
in
three
languages,
produce
youth
and
children
programs
in
thetheir
national
media
with
the
cooperation
of for
the
Ministry
of
tocountry,
update
the
youth
on
current
issues
Information,parts
and of
goes
(www.eriyouth.org)
•online
ideas
Providing
and
infrastructure;
builds
or
renovates
buildings
youth
fordisadvantages
entertainment,
exchange
views,
internet
cafes,
friendly
clinics…etc.
society,
Communal
participate
activities;
inNUEW
communal
help
the
families
hygiene
of
and
fallen
plant
heroes
seed
and
other
lings
activities.
Diaspora
youth;
helps
them
to
organize
participate
in
national
affairs
and
contribute
role.
Conserve
their
culture,
update
current
situations
in
their
organize
tours
for
them
to
come
to
their
homeland…etc.
involves
The
organization
the
Eritrean
is
one
youth
of
all
the
over
largest
the
Non-Governmental-Organization
world.
in
Eritrea,
which
Workers:
launched
banned
workers
marked
union,
the
soon
and
in
Eritrea’s
Ethiopian
effective
1952,
as
afterward,
Eritreans.
the
first
troops
end
year
trade
but
of
In
opened
legal
its
1958,
union,
members
UN
trade
federated
during
fire,
the
union
United
killing
continued
the
the
organization
largest
and
Eritrean
country
wounding
to
of
meet
Workers
several
with
for
and
many
the
Ethiopia.
mass
protest
for
next
Independence-was
demonstrations
three
The
for
their
organization
decades.
These
rights
events
staged
as
was
by
independence.
within
was
to
National
transformed
EPLF
establishment
Ethiopian-controlled
Confederation
organized
The
into
of
a
the
five
formal
of
National
Eritrean
towns
mobilized
industrial
trade
and
Union
Workers
union
federations.
Eritrean
cities
of
structure,
in
Eritrean
with
Eritrea.
workers
20,000
In
September
Workers
starting
Between
abroad
members.
with
in
and
1991
1979
1994
“base
itworkers.
functioned
and
to
these
unions”
support
1993,
unions
and
clandestinely
the
the
launched
organization
proceeding
war
for
the
By
the
through
structures
in
producers
the
the
confederation
unions
end
through
into
of
trade
through
the
cooperatives
decade,
union
began
a
shop
confederation-wide
education
to
steward
with
look
and
most
at
other
program;
training
such
of
new
the
issues
project;
industrial
forms
Women’s
how
as:
to
of
how
build
self
and
Committee;
to
the
organization.
shop
semi
engage
upgrade
industrial
floor
and
working
democracy
the
how
workforce
skills
to
women
mobilize
of
into
organized,
more
the
workforce
peasant
unions’
actively
Other
civic
organizations:
emerged
lawyers,
where
world.
Eritrean
more
engineers
fresh
Studies
than
vigor.
150
and
Association
Among
papers
architects,
In
them
were
the
hosted
years
are
pharmacists
presented
associations
the
since
first
by
liberation,
and
international
researchers
of
chemists.
teachers,
many
conference
and
In
professional
nurses,
2001,
scholars
the
medical
on
from
Asmara
Eritrean
organizations
around
doctors,
branch
Studies
the
have
of
Private
Others
organizations.
National
designed
like
charitable
Association
to
Rotary
meet
Still
specific
organizations
International,
others,
for
the
needs.
such
Blind
as
are
function
and
the
also
Health
Eritrean
thriving.
as
local
Association,
War
branches
Some
Disabled
are
are
of
affiliated
Fighters
non-religious
the
product
with
Association,
religious
of
international
local
initiatives
institutions.
the
Eritrean
Association
numerous
the
The
built
national,
Cultural
environment,
community
helps
regional
Assets
communities
Rehabilitation
and
based
while
local
also
sports
levels.
across
supporting
Project
federations,
Eritrea
works
living
to
arts
expand
to
cultures.
conserve
groups,
and
The
and
develop
monuments,
Library
cultural
public
and
associations
heritage
Information
libraries.
sites,
And
flourish
Studies
and
The
the
Eritrean
country.
government
The
proclamation
has
established
includes
points
a
proclamation
such
as:
145/2005
concerning
NGO’s
emerging
•in
Relief
includes
the
provision
of
food,
water,
sanitary
materials,
emergency
supplies
to
the
victims
of
shelter
and
other
natural
or
man-made
disaster
or
displaced
people.
Rehabilitation
means
enabling
activities
carried
out
to
restore
dam
man-made
disasters
and
includes
construction,
reparation
and
maintenance.
age
caused
by
natural
or at
This
efficiently
focus
micro-dams,
awareness
will
on
help
environmental
and
of
drilling
the
HIV,
effectively.
NGOs
FGM
wells,
conservation
go
and
Currently
set
infor
Gender
line
water-drip
with
there
Equality
activities,
the
and
are
government’s
farm
about
in
assist
the
irrigation,
ten
society.
in
NGO’s
the
developmental
food
seed
functioning
security
multiplication…etc.)
activities
strategy
in
Eritrea
so
(building
with
as
and
function
their
Eritreans
In
The
Diaspora:
integrated
material
into
support.
in
Eritrea’s
the
Middle
quest
East,
During
for
Europe,
self-determination
the
early
North
period
America
and
of
the
and
national
armed
as
far
viability,
struggle,
away
as
as
Eritrean
Australia
source
of
had
moral
the
and
outflows
communities
At
first
Middle
instability
such
when
East
communities
a
fed
political
more
in
athe
complex,
1950s
repression
were
exodus
and
multi-layered
mainly
to
was
of
North
others
particularly
comprised
America
character.
from
this
of
intense
and
students
period
Europe
in
the
onward-punctuated
sent
in
urban
the
abroad
1960s
centres-giving
on
and
scholarships
by
1970s.
large
these
War
to
Students,
liberation
another,
social
events
as
struggle.
workers
well
and
as
mobilizing
and
Community
asteady
venue
women
resources
organized
centres
sharing
developed
for
news,
themselves
the
acculturating
homeland.
to
give
into
people
popular
children,
amedicines,
associations
reference
organizing
point
to
cultural
support
for
one
and
the
19 / 19