About Eritrea
Land is almost the sole income for more than 80% of the Eritrean population (estimated at 3.6 - 4 million people). Poverty is concentrated in the rural areas threatening the livelihoods of subsistence farmers and pastoralists. The country has been consistently affected by severe droughts. On average, in good years, the country produces only about 60-70% of its total food needs and in poor years, not more than 25%. Once every ten years, the country is threatened with famine and faces a major challenge in meeting national food requirements.
Vita in Eritrea
Vita has a representative office in the Eritrean capital Asmara. The principal areas of operation where Vita’s Country Director Designate in Eritrea, Richard McQuillen
and his team of 15 local staff work are the Anseba, Gash Barka and Debub regions.
In recent years Vita and partners have been one of the principal implementers of programmes for Irish Aid and the EU in Eritrea. Vita works in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, Local Governments, the National Union of Eritrean Women and local communities.
Currently Vita are working on a number of sustainable livelihood and food security projects in Eritrea. Projects are diverse in nature and include small, medium and large scope interventions.
Vita are working to install drip irrigation to increase the local food supply. Vita support rural communities to improve their crop and animal husbandry, conserve soils and the natural environment as well as adapt to the impacts of climate change. We support income generating projects such as weaving and beekeeping. Vita also support the installation of fuel efficient stoves which have enormous livelihood and environmental benefits. Vita in Eritrea place a strong emphasis on supporting women and in particular female headed households. Gender and HIV/AIDS are cross cutting issues in all our projects.
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| Vita currently has a number of programmes underway in Eritrea: |
• Hagaz and Hamelmalo Sustainable Livelihoods project in Anseba Region
• Fuel Wood Efficiency and Forestry Nutrition project in Anseba and Gash Baraka Regions
• Sustainable Livelihoods development in Adi Quala, Debub Region |
| Read More about Vita’s work in Eritrea: |
| If you wish to contact our Eritrea Office directly please find the relevant details below: |
Contac: Mr Iyassu
Address: Vita/RTI, Raza Building, 5th Floor, Bdho Street, Asmara, Eritrea.
Telephone: 00 291 – 1 – 125185 |
