STRATEGIC DIRECTION
The priorities for Anseba Development are established through consultation with our advisory group in the Anseba region.
Target 1 In relation to water
The problem: The lack of water in the region and particularly in the towns is a serious matter. The only source of water is ground water from deep wells. Wells supply the water needs for people, livestock and for irrigation. However, the quantity of the ground water has never been surveyed, nor is there adequate water supply management. These two factors make water supply even more precarious.
Target 2 In relation to education and skill development
It is clear that education will play an essential role in the development of the region. There are only five high schools in the whole region of Anseba: 4 state-run, 1 church affiliated high school; 2 Agro-technical colleges (these have a nation-wide catchment area). Nor do all villages have junior schools and those that have are not well equipped (Furthermore, equipping school remains problematic). In Keren a library has been opened recently however the book stock so far consists mainly those books shipped from UK.
Target 3 In relation to farming
Over 80% of the people in the Anseba region are subsistence farmers and their livelihood has always depended wholly on the region’s erratic rainfall. Over the years the rainfall in the region has been decreasing gradually and has been changing the climate and environment drastically. Hope has been lost in agriculture and with it the standard of living of typical villages. This calls for new methods of agricultural production to be considered that can be sustainable in the harsher environment. The work of the two agricultural colleges in the Anseba that provide training and agro-science programmes are vitally important in this context.
Drip irrigation has been identified as one of the most effective methods of farming for the Anseba region but most of the farmers have no access to this technology and the expertise required to operate it.
The region is infested with land mines and unexploded ordnance from the time of the Second World War to the latest war with Ethiopia. Many farmers are unable to use their field for cultivation or grazing for their livestock.
Target 4 In relation to general health and post conflict trauma:
The health of many people in the Anseba region is of serious concern to Anseba Development. Years of war and lack of access to basic health service provisions have affected many people. The region has inadequate infrastructures to deliver appropriate health services. For example, it has only one hospital located in Keren to serve the whole population as well as people from the neighbouring regions. The very few health clinics doted around are on the whole ill equipped to respond to the challenges they face.
The region is prone to severe malaria epidemic, particularly during the rainy season, usually causing serious harm to people’s ability to nurture and harvest their crops. Maternal and child mortality is very high. There are a large number of orphans and children abandoned by parents who are vulnerable themselves to look after them. Many villages and towns suffer from avoidable transmitted diseases due to lack of access to hygienic sanitation, and in recent times HIV/AIDS has become a matter of serious concern to many people.
The Anseba region has been affected continuously by war for over 60 years and was the hub of the 30 years war for independence from Ethiopia. Virtually every family in the region has been affected by the conflicts ensued during this period resulting into mental anguish and trauma for many people. Post conflict trauma is now prevalent and services to deal with it do not exist. The region has no counsellors, psychiatrists or any other mental health professionals working for it.
Target 5 In relation to Capacity Building & Technical Assistance:
We will promote and assist in-country training programmes for humane resource development. We believe it is very cost-effective and the best way of making communities self-reliant. Together with our local partners we will plan and facilitate programmes for locally identified capacity development needs. Programmes will be monitored and evaluated continuously so that improvements can be made in future initiatives. Priority areas of capacity building and training are : water & sanitation, health awareness, waste management, wood work & carpentry skills, metal work, information technology and specific skills for women empowerment.
We have a detailed and clear Business and Strategic plan in response to the above targets. Charitable organisations, Trusts, Companies and individuals who would like to support us to achieve our objectives and need further information please contact us at ansebauk@yahoo.co.uk
To achieve these tasks Anseba Development will:
- Establish and strengthen the management of local NGOs, and assess needs, work out priorities of the region with them.
- Establish working groups to address the tasks identified in the target areas
- Enable and encourage Eritreans in the UK to participate in specific tasks within our five targets
- Advocate on behalf of the Anseba region to encourage established development agencies to allocate resources to the region
- Establish partnerships with international development agencies and initiate joint work to assess needs, to plan and implement programmes in response to regional priorities and requirements.
- Explore the feasibility of harnessing trans-national support from Eritreans in Europe and elsewhere on behalf of Anseba region
- Implement active fundraising initiatives towards supporting viable projects in the region.
