Today Eritrea is an impoverished nation and one that has yet to recover from its thirty year war of independence from neighbouring Ethiopia. Around 80% of its population is reliant upon subsistence farming however poor rainfalls and regular droughts mean Eritrea is unable to grow enough foods to meet its populations needs.

Abject poverty, drought, famine and instability are the conditions into which children in Eritrea are born. Despite this there has been some progress in Eritrea. Some 40,000 orphans have been placed back within their extended families from institutionalised orphanages.

Eight thousand disabled children have left institutions to be cared for at home whilst a further 3,500 children have been integrated into mainstream schools. Over 16,000 street children have been brought within the educational framework and the deaths rates of children from malnutrition have halved in recent years.

www.selfhelpafrica.org
www.saveachildsheart.org
www.oxfam.org.uk

If you work with children in Eritrea tell us about your work here.