no. 62 saturday , 23 january, 2021 pages 5 news brief...

No. 62 Saturday, 23 January, 2021 Pages 5

Specia

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ion

Stressing the significance of soil and water conservation activities in the development of agricultural projects, the Cartography and Information Center reported that substantial investment is being made with the objective of constructing dams of various sizes,.

According to the report, a total of 945 dams including 345 big dams have been constructed in line with the effort being made to develop

Tropical fruits cultivated through irrigation in Senafe sub-zone including apple, guava and olive trees are in promising condition.

According to farmers, apple trees have already reached harvest stage, and call is made on other farmers and individuals to introduce and cultivate the

Financial support has been extended to families of martyrs in Afabet sub-zone. According to report, over 100 thousand Nakfa contributed by the community and government employees in the sub-zone was disbursed to 61 families of martyrs and disadvantaged citizens.

Indicating that the contribution is a part of the ongoing support the nationals are extending, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed-nur Rejib, administrator of the sub-zone, called for reinforced contribution in support of the families of martyrs and disadvantaged citizens.

The head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the Southern Red Sea region, Mr. Osman Abdulkadir, reported that the youth are making praiseworthy participation in the implementation of development programs in the region.

Mr. Osman went on to say that the union branch for the past several years has been exerting to organize the youth in various clubs and encouraging them reinforce participate in development programs.

According to report, the youth in the region are participating in raising the awareness of the public on various health issues in general and that of COVID-19 pandemic in particular.

Supporting the families of martyrs is one of the main missions of the youth; Mr. Osman said that the youth workers in the region have contributed 165 thousand Nakfa in support of families of martyrs.

Mr. Osman also said that the youth has also assumed responsibility to support 50 families of martyrs and called on the public to follow the noble example.

Praiseworthy ParticiPation in de-veloPment

Financial suPPort to Families oF martyrs

investment on soil and water conservation activities

troPical Fruits Farming activities

announcement From the ministry oF healthTwenty-seven patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19

in tests carried out yesterday at Quarantine Centers in Asmara (19), Central Region; and Mendefera (8), Southern Region respectively.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has accordingly risen to 1940.

The total number of recovered patients to-date stands at 1304 while the number of deaths is 6.

Ministry of HealthAsmara

22 January 2021

agricultural projects around the dams aimed at ensuring food security.

Pointing out that over the last 17 years a number of big dams including Gerset, Fanko-Tsimu, Fanko-Rawi, Bademit and Kerkebet in Gash Barka Region, Mslam and Logo in the Southern Region as well as Gahtelay in the Northern Red Sea Region have been constructed, the Center reported that beyond ensuring potable water

supply the dams are expected to develop agricultural projects.

The report further pointed out that around Kerekebet Dam, which can conserve 330 million cubic meters of water, over 26 thousand hectares of land can be cultivated and that so far agricultural infrastructure has been put in place on about 10 thousand hectares.

Similarly, the Cartography and Information Center revealed a plan to build a dam with the capacity of 40 million cubic meters water in Gibdo, Southern Red Sea Region and with the completion of the construction potable water supply shortage of the port city of Assab is expected to be resolved.

news brieF

tropical fruit trees in their farming and households.

The farmers said that dairy farming activities are being carried out and vegetable, oil crops and animal fodder such as alfalfa are being cultivated at the tropical fruits farming areas, and added that the Ministry of Agriculture and other concerned

institutions need to support them for better outcome.

Vegetables farming expert, Mr. Zeresenay Gebrezgiabiher on his part indicating that olive trees and guava trees that are being cultivated in Senafe sub zone, have not reached at the fruition stage.

Field expert Mr. Neber Gebrehiwet on his part called on farmers to properly use pesticides where necessary.

Documents of the Ministry of Agriculture branch in Senafe sub-zone indicate that in 2012, tropical fruit trees were distributed to farmers, individuals and government and educational institutions in the sub-zone.

The head of health facilities in Afabet sub-zone, Mr. Asrat Amine, reported that as a result of the integrated efforts on the part of health practitioners and stakeholders, including the public, the prevalence of malaria in the sub-zone has significantly been reduced.

Noting that the area is prone to malaria, Mr. Asrat said that the prevalence of malaria has declined to 5% and strong effort is being made to bring it down to zero.

Mr. Asrat added that 96 thousand impregnated bed nets have been distributed to the public in addition to the persistent environmental sanitation activities and spraying pesticides.

Prevalence oF malaria declining

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Aida Joharcontinued on page 4

Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion

Several weeks ago, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, which is the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide) officially announced that it had delivered over 100 Yamaha motorcycles to the Department of Finance and Administration of Eritrea’s Ministry of Health (MoH). According to a press release, the motorcycles were procured for the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health, with funding coming from several sources, including the Global Sanitation Fund through the Water Supply Sanitation Collaborative Council, in Geneva, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the report went on to state that the “motorcycles will be used by public health officers of the Ministry of Health at the Zoba and sub-Zoba level to support the promotion and monitoring of the Roadmap to make Eritrea Open Defecation Free by 2022, which will contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).”

The recent announcement provides several interesting points for further discussion. First, it helps shine light on a very

Towards Better Health and Dignityimportant – albeit often neglected and frequently overlooked – rights and development issue: basic sanitation. Open defecation, which refers to when people defecate in the open (for example, in fields, forests, bushes, lakes, rivers, etc., rather than using a toilet), is something that has been practiced in many parts of the world for centuries. Notably, although there has been significant progress and improvement in recent years, estimates from different international health and development organizations suggest that around the world about 2.3 billion people live without access to a basic sanitation service today, while nearly a billion people practice open defecation (with the vast majority living in rural areas).

According to a large body of research, as well as years involving countless initiatives conducted by governments and international health or development organizations (including UNICEF and the World Health Organization [WHO]), there are numerous significant benefits associated with improved access to basic sanitation. For instance, in terms of health, work has demonstrated that improved sanitation leads to lower disease burden and transmission, improved nutrition, reduced stunting and under-nutrition, improved quality of life, reduce gender-based violence, healthier living environments, and better environmental stewardship. Furthermore, in regard to economic growth and development, the WHO estimates that every USD1 invested in improving sanitation returns approximately an average

of USD4 in saved medical costs, averted deaths, and increased productivity. With improved sanitation there is also an increase in girls’ school attendance, more job opportunities and higher wages in society, improved competitiveness of cities, and a number of other economic and social gains to society.

Of course, in addition to these considerable socio-economic benefits, improving access to

sanitation is something that is extremely important and worthwhile in and of itself. This is because it helps to ensure the realization of a broad array of fundamental and basic human rights, including the right to water and sanitation, as well as the right to health, work, adequate standard of living, non-discrimination, human dignity, protection, information, and participation.

Since independence, Eritrea has

2 No.62Eritrea Profile, Saturday, 23 January, 2021

made significant investments in building and rehabilitating water supply systems, including solar powered systems that provide clean drinking water for households and communities. Furthermore, the “Community Led Total Sanitation” (CLTS) approach, first implemented years ago, has helped contribute to a large number of communities achieving open defecation free status. The CLTS approach involves community groups and leaders working closely with residents to raise awareness of the importance of remaining free of open defecation and adopting better hygiene practices. Popular campaigns have also been conducted to construct and refurbish toilets, latrines, and other vital hygiene infrastructure in communities and villages across the country, while more and more schools, offices, and other spaces have installed or dramatically improved water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities over recent years. It is also worth noting that just a few months ago, Tesfai Ghebreslassie, Eritrea’s Minister of Land, Water, and Environment, along with officials from several other national ministries in Eritrea, participated in a large meeting organized by the regional Sanitation and Water for All Committee. At the meeting, Minister Tesfai expressed Eritrea’s commitment to ensuring the availability of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services to all its citizens by 2030.

While this overall progress has certainly been promising, and led to important and significant changes and benefits in numerous communities, there is still room for growth. Thus, the recently received motorcycles can play a positive role in building on Eritrea’s progress to date in improving access to basic sanitation, promoting dignity, and providing a healthy living environment for all.

The second interesting point raised by the recently announced receipt of materials from UNICEF is that it serves as another useful example of Eritrea’s unique, yet often misunderstood, approach toward development and foreign assistance. The recently delivered material support helps to fill a

Abrahaley Habte

In rural highland Eritrea, when a woman gives birth, another woman passes titiqo (boiled beans, wheat, or chickpeas) door to door throughout the village. Through this act the family announces the birth of their baby to the village. As a result, everyone in the village comes to know about it on that day. In some places, the titiqo is passed only to the neighbours and the family’s close relatives.

I had no idea why such a custom is necessary. After all, if its purpose is to inform the village of the birth of a baby, sooner or later the village will come to know about it. So, why waste food and trouble someone and send her on an errand to inform the village? I didn’t see the reason behind it until a friend, an older man, explained it.

“You see,” he said. “People were not well-off in the past. And a woman who has a child needs many things. One is milk. Most probably many women’s families had no sheep, goats, or cows. In short, no animal that could give them milk.”

“Ok?”

“The woman that has cows,” he explained, “understands the lactating woman’s needs, and also knows who can provide milk and who can’t. In a village everyone knows everyone, and few things remain secret.”

At nightfall, carrying a jug of milk the woman (who owns cows, sheep, or goats) visits the woman who had a baby. She delivers the milk and returns to her house secretly. No one knows about this except the receiver of the gift and her family. Neither does the benefactor’s husband; and if he does, he doesn’t say anything against her action. She doesn’t talk about it to anyone, not even to her close friends. She understands this as her obligation, and not as something to crow about. It is a taboo for Eritreans to speak about their good deeds, including their bravery, their intelligence, and even the favour they do other people. It is thought

Birth R elated Customs in Eritrea

indecent. Other families offer injera, yoghurt, or whatever they think is useful to the woman.

The birth attendants welcome the baby with ululations. If the woman had her baby in a hospital, neighbours welcome her and her baby in the same way when she comes home. In the Tigrigna, the baby-boy is more preferred, and is welcomed with seven rounds of ululations. Baby-girls get only three rounds.

Girls experience such prejudice at birth, which continues throughout their lives. (Incidentally, in the Kunama culture, which treats its females with respect, males and females are treated equally.)

These days, the custom is being challenged as women are practically demonstrating they are not dependent on men, and they don’t need to be males to serve the society. Now, they take responsibilities reserved in the past for males and accomplish them successfully. However, as customs do not die so easily, and they can’t be decreed away, this and other customs, such as female genital mutilation, though weakened considerably, still continue to be practised.

After the birth of her first baby, the woman doesn’t return to her house from the hospital but goes straight away to her parents’. Immediately, she assumes a number of new and difficult responsibilities. She has to learn how to wash the baby, which is not an easy feat for a woman who had her first baby. She has to fathom what ails him and be his doctor, until she takes him to a doctor, if he is sick. She has to breastfeed him and look after his other needs. And she is expected to learn all these immediately after delivery, because the baby’s needs cannot wait.

In addition, she has to meet her needs, which are not few and not easy to meet taking her circumstances into account. In these circumstances, the presence of her mother is indispensable. She becomes the baby’s maid and nurse, and her daughter’s tutor about baby-care during the first few months. The mother’s knowledge, experience, and the role she plays during these days is so big that if young people try to reverse the order of things and acted as if they are more experienced than their elders, they are admonished with a saying related with this circumstance: “This is the daughter teaching the

mother about labour.”

Of course, the woman’s mother-in-law can assist if she lives with her in-laws, a circumstance not uncommon in Eritrea. In fact, in rural highlands the newlyweds start their married lives in the compound of the groom’s parents. The parents build the couple a hut or a small hidmo in the parents’ compound, and they live there until they have a house of their own. However, despite the parents’ goodwill to the newlyweds, the bride and the mother-in-law develop mutual ill-feelings to each other. This happens partly because the groom shifts his love from his mother to his wife. Moreover, now that he is married, his parents do not have access to his services, a loss his mother keenly feels. A Tigrigna saying explains this feeling best: When is a child loved best? When he starts talking. When is he disliked? When he starts a family.

It becomes all the more necessary for a woman to have her first baby in her parents’ house if she lives alone, or in a compound with ‘complete strangers’ and, therefore, do not want to be bothered by the worries and problems of other ‘complete

strangers’. Many Eritreans in towns live in such places though their neighbours can hardly be called complete strangers, as some become their best friends, though a few also become their worst enemies.

Child-birth is a difficult time for a woman, a time when she wishes to have relatives, especially her mother, close beside her. (Ironically, the closest person to a woman during this time, her husband, is not wanted. Neither does the culture encourage him to be beside her bed, as she gives birth to their child. According to the culture, child-birth is a women’s business. The man is told the news, whether it is good or bad, after it has transpired.) Psychologically, due to the uncertainty of how it would unfold, coupled with the pain and lack of experience, the circumstances leave the woman tense and very worried. If unassisted medically, it could go wrong and may even cost the woman her life. For these and other reasons, she needs someone that reassures and encourages her so that all her troubles would be over soon.

Therefore, a woman has her first child at her parents’, as the custom requires. As the custom also requires, the husband should buy a sheep and have it slaughtered, for her benefit. Such food, it is believed, helps her replace the blood she lost during child birth. In fact, this food is specifically hers, and she is not supposed to share it with others.

He also makes sure that his wife has butter and flour to make porridge, the food served to visitors. Often she is fed porridge, which is believed to help her regain her strength because porridge is carbohydrate-rich food.

The rationale behind many birth-related customs is not apparent. Some do not seem to serve any real purpose. But, if one digs a little, one sees the needs they fill, and how they serve a useful purpose. In fact, some pass some useful knowledge to the young generation, which young women (could not in the past) get in any other way.



The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Asmara invites qualified applicants (Eritrean) for the following vacant post:

Job Code Title: Programme Analyst, ISDU

Classified Grade: NOB

Duty Station: Asmara

Organizational Context Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes environmental, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP Food Security, Environment and Energy programme implementation.

Summary of key functions:

Ensures implementation of programme strategies. 1. Ensures effective management of the CO programme within 2. the thematic/sectoral areas assigned e.g. Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Livelihoods focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme.

Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation 3. of knowledge building and management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Natural resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience: 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language: Fluency in the English language

Other considerations: For more details please collect the Terms of Reference from the UNDP Reception Desk. Interested applicants should submit duly filled P11 form (available at the UNDP Reception Desk, UN Office in Asmara) and a detailed CV with supporting documents. Copy of document indicating exemption from/completion of national service should be sent to UNDP Reception Desk, and UN offices, Asmara, Eritrea.

UNDP will contact those who are considered Potential candidates. Closing date for the application is 10 days from the date of announcement.

“UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns”

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT VA/03/2020

Mr. Kiberom Misgina, head of water resource in the Southern Region reported that 10 potable water projects worth about 11 million Nakfa have been put in place in the region in 2020.

Indicating that potable water projects in the villages of Shaha, Kisad-Daero, Kodo-Zibi, Belesto and Senafe town have become operational and the remaining projects are being finalized.

Pointing out that 72% of the population in the Southern Region have become beneficiaries of potable water supply, Mr. Kibrom said that training programs have also been organized related to the sustainability of the projects.

Mr. Kibrom went on to say that in the Southern region 404 potable water projects working with water pumps and 15 with solar system have been maintained a cost 0f 800 thousand Nakfa and have become operational.

According to report, in the Southern region there are 404 potable water projects working with manual water pumps, 171 with solar system, 85 with water pumps and 58 with electricity power.

Potable water Projects Put in PlacelOCAl NEwS

locally-identified gap and it complements, rather than hinders, local efforts.

As I and others have written on numerous occasions over the years, Eritrea has wrongly been labeled as “isolationist”. One of the main driving factors, in addition to attempts to ostracize the country, has been the total lack of understanding about the country’s unconventional approach to development and foreign assistance. In its interactions with other governments, international development organizations, global financial institutions, and other potential donors, the Eritrean government has historically insisted on establishing genuine partnerships and retaining firm control of its development agenda and implementation. However, this has put it at stark odds with potential donors and partners, who have long been accustomed

to monopolizing control over resources, imposing suffocating conditionalities, and possessing inordinate influence over strategy in developing countries.

As well, Eritrea tends to turn down foreign aid when it does not fit the country’s needs or its capacity to use effectively. It does not reject external support – it actively welcomes it, but only when it complements the country’s own efforts. In fact, the Eritrean government has encouraged aid and assistance that addresses specific needs which cannot be met internally, which is designed to minimize continued external support, and which complements and strengthens, instead of replacing, Eritrea’s own institutional capacity to implement projects. This approach is rooted in a strong desire to avoid crippling dependence and to foster a clear sense of responsibility for the country’s future among all citizens.

Towards Better Health . . .continued from page 2

Would you, please, introduce yourself?

Ok, thank you. My name is Dr. Lidya Habtegergish Gebrebrhan. I was born and raised in Asmara and am a dentist at Medefera Referral Hospital.

What is dentistry to you, Doctor?

Dentistry is a field which

always keeps me excited as it’s a field that uniquely harmonizes science and fine arts. It’s what I love to do for the rest of my life.

You graduated with distinction

from the class of 2020; so how did it feel, winning a medal?

Winning a medal is not really a new thing for me, but it feels so amazing and great to see myself on that day after all the hard work and sacrifice I made. At the same time that day reminded me that I have started my duty of repaying my people and country.

Tell us a little bit about your educational background?

I did my elementary school at Idris Awate, my junior high at Bahti Meskerem and my secondary school at Denden, all in Asmara. Throughout my school years, I was a prize winner. In the 8th grade general exam, as one of the girls who scored high marks, I was given a “high performance achievement award” by the National Union of Eritrean Women. Similarly, when I was in secondary school, I was given high performance achievement awards every year on the occasion of 8th March, International Women’s Day.

What was life like in Sawa?

Despite all the challenges, Sawa for me was a place where I found myself. I gained a lot of experience from the social life that I shared with students of different ethnic backgrounds who came from different parts of Eritrea. I focused on my studies and managed to do my studies along with the other activities in the camp. Then I took the matriculation exam and


“My success is an outcome of everyone who has supported me”, Dr. Lidya

Luwam Kahsay

The school of dental medicine is producing young and professional dentists every year. I had a chat with one

of the dentists, Dr. Lidya, who loves her profession and works hard to develop her skills.

got awarded ‘’Zagre” for my academic excellence.

Why did you want to join t h e

school o f medicine?

F r o m childhood I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I’ve always wanted to help people, so there was no doubt that my first choice in college was going to be medicine. When I got back from Sawa, I joined the College of health sciences in Asmara. When I studied pre-medicine at the college, I realized I hadn’t had sufficient knowledge about internal medicine and dental medicine. So, I did research about both fields and decided to join dental medicine.

How did you feel about the seven long years in college?

No matter how many years it takes to graduate, I convinced myself to work hard and realize my dream. As a dental medicine student, in addition to the dental

medicine courses I also had to take

c o m m o n c o u r s e s

a l o n g w i t h

t h e

o t h e r medica l

s t u d e n t s . The types of

courses given and the way marks were given

were different and required a lot of effort to succeed. I attended all my classes regularly and referred to a variety of books to deepen my knowledge and develop my skills. I needed to push myself hard to reach my destination because I believe that’s the only way to be successful.

Do you have a role model?

There were so many successful people who inspired me. My husband, Dr. Senay Amanuel, is one of the good dentists. I also see Dr. Lainesh, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, as my mentor. But to tell you the truth I am the role model of myself.

Do you believe that your

success has an influence on our society?

In our society, people think that medicine takes very long for a girl to learn. But my success shows them that everything is possible if you are patient and hard-working.

I heard that you went to quarantine sites to take samples during your internship. I would love to hear more about that.

You’re right. It was really a

good experience. Practice is different from theory because we start to make contact with patients. I was always eager to perform on a patient’s teeth. And Covid -19 pandemic made my internship really memorable. There was a survey in Asmara, Teseney, Adibara and Sawa, where I participated in taking samples.

Tell us something about the teeth and how to care for it, Doctor.

Well, everyone should start taking care of their teeth at a young age. The teeth are important not only to chew food with but also for the face structure and are helpful to get the variety of nutritious food for our body.

Our teeth are linked with the food we eat. If they are not cleaned after meals, we give opportunities for bacteria to grow in our mouth, and these can be harmful and damage our teeth permanently.

People start worrying about and taking care of their teeth after damages are done. This is absolutely not good. Nothing can replace our natural teeth; artificial teeth aren’t as good as the natural ones. People usually go to a dentist’s whenever they have a toothache. If the pain stops, they tend to stop taking care of their tooth, but it doesn’t mean that it is cured.

Generally, a person should visit a dentist at least every six months for checkups, and brushing is the only way to save our teeth from getting completely ruined.

What do you do in your leisure time; do you have any hobbies?

It’s not really a big thing but I write poems, both in English and Tigrigna. I also love to read psychology books. Speaking different languages is one the things that makes me happy, so I took French classes at the Alliance Françoise.

Tell us about your personal life. Are you married?

Yes. I got married before my graduation, at the end of August. My husband and I are both dentists and support each other in our career.

What do you think is the secret to success?

I believe making limitless endeavor and showing persistent commitment towards your goal is the secret to success.

Anything that you want to add at last…

I thank my family that has always been there for me. My success is an outcome of everyone who has supported me in any way they could. I am really grateful to all my teachers and friends. My future plan is to specialize in one area of dentistry.

Thank you, Dr. Lidya, for your time. I wish you all the best in your career.