In Eritrea, UN deputy relief chief urges support for vulnerable communities
Photo: OCHA/Laila Bourhil
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Kyung-wha Kang (centre) pays a visit to a mobile dental school bus in the Maekel region of Eritrea. Photo: OCHA/Laila Bourhil
27 January 2016 鈥� The 51吃瓜 Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Kyung-wha Kang, wrapped up a three-day visit to Eritrea today, where she urged broader support for the Government鈥檚 efforts to meet basic needs and build resilience of the country鈥檚 most vulnerable communities.
In a听听from the capital, Asmara, Ms. Kang also welcomed the growing opportunities for engagement between the Government and UN partners and fruitful collaboration in implementing the听.
Thanking the authorities for their warm welcome and hospitality, Ms. Kang reiterated the readiness of UN development and humanitarian actors to work together with the Government towards the speedy conclusion of the SPCF for 2017-2020.
During her visit, Ms. Kang met with Osman Saleh, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs of the People鈥檚 Front for Democracy and Justice and Presidential Advisor; Yemane Gebremeskel, Minister for Information; Arfaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture; Amna Nurhusein, Minister of Health; Semere Russom, Minister of Education; and Kahsay Gerehiwet, Minister of Labour and Human Welfare. She also met with humanitarian, development and donor representatives.
The discussion dealt with the full range of challenges facing Eritrea, including human rights and the implementation of the UN Human Rights Council鈥檚 Universal Periodic Review recommendations (UPR), and the role of the UN and international actors in support of Government endeavours to meet basic needs and build the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Together with the Minister of Health, Ms. Kang visited Serejeka and Gashnashm in the Maekel region, where she saw Government-led nutrition and basic health programmes that help thousands of children and mothers with the support of UN agencies.
鈥淧rogrammes that provide supplementary feeding, immunization and nutrition surveillance are vital to reducing malnutrition and building resilience,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ritrea has made significant progress in improving child and maternal health, and I urge partners to continue supporting national and international efforts,鈥� she added.
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