Irish charity Concern ordered out of Eritrea

The Irish charity Concern is one of three international charities that have been ordered to immediately stop their aid work by the Eritrean government.

The Irish charity Concern is one of three international charities that have been ordered to immediately stop their aid work by the Eritrean government.

A letter, dated March 20th, told the charities that: "The Ministry kindly officially informs you that the registration certificate is recalled and requests the termination of your activities". The letter was sent by the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare.

Angela O'Neill de Guilo, the regional director for the Horn of Africa, said a meeting had been sought with the Eritrean government to find out what the problem is.

She said Concern has about 100 mainly local staff working on a series of water management and nutrition projects across the country. This work was being funded by about €3 million per annum from Concern.

"There has been a severe drought across the Horn of Africa and this has obviously affected Eritrea. Large numbers of people are now finding it very difficult to survive," she said.

The Eritrean government claims the charities "had not met requirements" for permits to operate in the country.

In the last year Eritrea has ejected the US government's international aid agency USAID, at least eight other international charities, scores of Western UN peacekeepers, and an Italian diplomat.

Two other agencies, Mercy Corps and ACORD, also received the letter.

Ms O'Neill de Guilo says if all the aid agencies were asked to leave, Eritrea would face a serious aid situation. "At the moment international assistance is required," she said.

The Eritrean government of former rebel leader President Isaias Afwerki believes foreign powers have long favoured the Horn of Africa region's big power Ethiopia.

Aid workers warn that pockets of hunger exist throughout Eritrea, but food distributions are restricted by the government.