Humanitarian overview
Decades of conflict and severe drought have affected Eritrea's agriculture-based economy. The country is one of the least developed countries in the world and ranked 182 out of 189 countries on UNDPs Human Development Index.
The signing of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship by the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia on 9 July 2018 brought 18 years of a "no war, no peace" situation with neighbouring Ethiopia to an end. Consequently, diplomatic relationships were restored, with missions opened in the two capitals. The has allowed air travel to resume between the two countries. Additionally, Eritrea restored diplomatic ties with Somalia and Djibouti, while the United Nations Security Council voted to lift sanctions against Eritrea which had affected the social and economic structure of the Eritrean society.
Despite efforts to provide education to its citizens since independence, school enrolment rates are still very low. As a result, there is a significantly large and growing population of Eritrean youth who are uneducated, unemployed and lack relevant job skills and training that can enable them to engage in productive work to earn a living.
NRC's operation
We work with marginalised people, out-of-school youth and vulnerable female headed households from remote areas. Due to the high number of uneducated youth and the lack of NGO partners, we have launched an extensive vocational skills training programme and economic support to women.
To provide alternative options for Eritrean youth, we work to increase opportunities for better and more diverse jobs, improved self-reliance and reliable livelihoods.
Education
We provide education opportunities for children and youth to improve their chances of employment in Eritrea. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, we:
- provide vocational training in pottery, weaving, hairdressing, electrical installation, masonry, plumbing and irrigation skills, fishery and net making, computer, photography and video editing
- train students in business management and provide them with kits after graduation to help them start their own businesses
- provide on the job training for teachers
- equip vocational training centres with relevant machinery, tools and supplies
- Support in the development of training curriculum
