The Eritrean Refugee and Relief Commission (ERREC) and the UN have launched appeals to the international donor community to support humanitarian activities in 2001. According to an OCHA press release, the ERREC appeal is for more than US $223 million. The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal, which includes project proposals from nine UN agencies, totals over US $157 million.

The appeals have been made in the light of ongoing humanitarian needs in Eritrea, related to the cumulative effects of conflict with neighbouring Ethiopia and drought. Over 200,000 IDPs are still accommodated in camps and require assistance, while up to 150,000 additional IDPs are living outside the camps, the release said. Agriculture was severely disrupted last year, and the conflict has left large tracts of land inaccessible due to land mines.