Update on Famine Situation

 The conditions in Wi’a concentration/training camp in the past 7- 9 months have worsened more than any other time. Food rations were reduced further to 3 pieces of sorghum bread per person per day without any supplements such as sauce except limited ration of tea. The shortage of food is compounded by the closure of the camp for family visits which used to facilitate the supply of food from families and relatives to the prisoners/trainees. The shortage of food combined with the very poor sanitation conditions, harsh environmental conditions, fatigue resulting from training exercises and almost non-existent health facilities and health care services in the camp has lead to sustained outbreaks of meningitis, typhoid and scabies resulting in alarming mass deaths.
                    
Most of the deaths are mainly attributed to meningitis. Meningitis has been in the camp even before three years and had killed many but it has never been in this scale before. The death rate increased from June onwards and continued at alarming rate until the camp was closed in September. After hesitating for long, the government has finally decided to close the camp as an emergency measure after many (estimated to be in hundreds) have died. It is difficult to know how many have exactly died but sources from the camp tell that initially 37 people have died in the spot without being transferred to the Gedem military hospital near Massawa. Hundreds were transferred to Gedem hospital but the majority of them have not survived indicating that the death toll is in hundreds.
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EU takes on Eritrea by the horn

The Eritrean regime is as famous for its appalling democratic and human rights abuses as it is for its sardonic provocations. While these infringements are a topic for an extensive discussion at an EU-US led conference in Brussels next week (November 9 - 10), Eritrea has refused to participate claiming it is the “most stable and peaceful” among its African neighbors.

The Eritrean leadership was not expected to embrace an international gathering devoted to exposing and denouncing its roguish and violent policies. This impoverished state maintains over 350-thousand strong-army ready to provoke or attack any neighboring country for the flimsiest possible reason without the permission of the people. The regime is also believed to be training, arming, harboring and financing foreign opposition groups, insurgents and terrorists with the aim of destabilizing and stirring up bloodshed in neighboring countries.

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Authoritarian Eritrea President overseeing a troubled nation – Interview with Seyoum Tesfaye, EGS Chairman

The news blackout on the drought/famine situation reportedly afflicting millions of Eritreans has frustrated both emergency aid agencies and press and human rights advocates. This comes as no surprise especially to members of the media since independent reporting is outlawed in Eritrea. The government is known to be the world’s worst violator of press freedom. US based, Seyoum Tesfaye, is Chairman of the Eritrean Global Solidarity and has been following recent Eritrean developments. Here, he discusses the underlying issues behind Eritrea’s troubles.

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Media Sustainability Index (MSI) Africa 2008

The state of media in Eritrea is not at all comparable to any Sub-Saharan African country. One panelist wrote that it can only be put on par with North Korea. There is not a semblance of an independent media. Media in Eritrea have become a tool for government propaganda. In short, journalists—even those working for government media—are a liability and potential threat to “national security.”

Indeed, last year Eritrea scored the lowest of all countries studied by the MSI, not only in Africa but when compared to the countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe studies as well. One panelist wrote, “…the first MSI Eritrea report of last year was an eye opener for Eritreans. A lot of people didn’t know or didn’t want to admit it was that bad. Everyone understands the importance of strong media sector to support governance and development—particularly in Africa.” Eritrea again scored the lowest of all countries studied in 2008.

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Helping Refugees Find a New Life

"If you're going to sponsor a family, it means you're willing to guide them, provide transportation, help set up their apartments," says Duhamel.

Duhamel attends Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg, which is where she learned about the opportunity to help. Several people from the church are involved helping the refugees.

"We were assuming we were going to get an Iraqi family, perhaps an Afghan family. And instead we found out on June 18 that our family was coming from Eritrea," says Duhamel.

Eritrea sits north of Ethiopia. The two countries have fought off and on for decades. Even when the countries aren't fighting, there's still tension.

Selam Gebregziabher has lived in both places. She's on a journey with her sister, Helen.

"They had to flee their own country and find refuge within Ethiopia, which was the enemy because their country has had such a dictatorial government that forces people into national service. So, it's like forced military training even for young girls," says Duhamel.

Selam says, "[Eritrea] was not safe, especially for women, children. They were abused there physically, psychologically. In general

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ERITREA MEDIA WATCH

Eritrea’s Lingering Malnutrition

Awate.com’s Divisive Publications

The only leader who thinks it is o.k. to preside over a nation with the worst record in press freedom is Eritrea’s strongman Isayas Afewerki. He argues there is no such thing as “free press”. Of course there isn’t. But the rest of humanity agrees it is vital to have systems which enable people to freely express ideas and exchange information. “Free press” is not an absolute standard but is meant to serve as a guideline in the establishment of free and united communities. Even Denmark at the top of the list of 175 countries does not have a perfect “free press”. But it is striving towards that goal. And it is never too late for Eritrea to join the civilized world in the fight against darkness. Repression and ruthless censorship create intellectual retardation and hinder progress.

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Nevsun completes C$32.775 mln private placement for Bisha gold-copper project, Eritrea

Nevsun Resources Ltd (TSX/AMEX: NSU) said it has  completed its non-brokered private placement financing of 11.5 million common shares at C$2.85 announced last week, raising C$32.775 million.

The net proceeds from the offering will be used for general working capital purposes, including exploration and development of the Bisha high grade gold, copper and zinc project in Eritrea.

The project is developed with the Eritrean government as a partner. The project has 27.2 million tonnes of measured and indicated resource and 11.7 million tonnes of inferred resource , 43-101 compliant. The mine is expected to start producing gold in Q3 2010, with a 10 year mine life.

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Happy 12th Year Anniversary, Asmarino!

But the war, and the crisis in its aftermath, radically altered this three-pronged approach. First, the community-oriented feature of the website, although not totally abandoned, came to suffer as a result of the deep fracture within the Eritrean community that took place after the war. Second, Eritrea itself became off limits; and the dream of joining the Eritrean people in building the nation was indefinitely deferred. And third, as a result of the poisoned climate that came to prevail after the war, the idea of a greater community in the Horn and East Africa was abandoned. Instead, as is the case with most Eritreans, the political, humanitarian and existential crisis in Eritrea came to dominate the dialog in Asmarino – a debate that is still raging on. Read more...