INTRODUCTION

Recurrent drought following several poor rainy seasons has led to food insecurity and widespread malnutrition in the countries of the Horn of Africa region (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan). The public health and food security situation is poor. Poor nutrition, a rising number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and increasing incidence of other infectious diseases all contribute to high levels of morbidity

SIGNIFICANCE: The region in 2008 will continue to be one of the world's most active sites for emergency relief operations, international peace-keeping, and diplomatic efforts to broker and maintain peace.

ANALYSIS: Existing conflict in Somalia is likely to persist or worsen in 2008, while new crises -- in particular the possibility of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea -- could plunge the region into new levels of armed violence and humanitarian crisis.

The Team Site and Indbatt post patrol could not go to the scene due to permanent restriction access to the area. UNMEE has been in contact with both parties - Eritrea and Ethiopia regarding the incident and both parties have recognised that the incident has occurred.

The Force is in the process of investigating

The 10-meter high and 30-meter wide water reservoir would play a major role in providing potable water to the local inhabitants and facilitating irrigation farming, in addition to enriching underground water resources.

Terraces and embankments have also been put in place alongside the water reservoir so as to protect it from excessive

The Administrator of the sub-zone, Mr. Mohammed Hamid, said that the inhabitants of Areza now have access to potable water supply thanks to the project.

Also speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the potable water supply project, the Administrator of the Southern region, Mr. Mustafa Nurhusein, noted that it is part of the on-going

Current context

The eastern Africa region continues to experience major disasters, which claim many lives, destroy property and erode the already weak livelihoods of the affected communities. Among the disasters that have been experienced in the recent past within this region, the most common are floods, heavy rains and land slides as well as drought. Similarly, epidemics including RVF, cholera, meningitis, avian flu and malaria are frequent across the divide.

Tensions rose along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea during the year in advance of a November 30 settlement deadline set by an international boundary commission. At year's end, the Horn of Africa rivals had a combined total of nearly a quarter of a million troops facing each other across the disputed frontier. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the boundary commission deadline passed without incident, but the danger of war remains high.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

This number includes a former prisoner of war who recently requested to be repatriated. In the same operation, 10 civilians were repatriated from Ethiopia to Eritrea.

Acting in its capacity as a neutral and independent intermediary, the ICRC carried out the repatriation based on the consent of each individual, and with the cooperation of the authorities on both sides of the border. ICRC delegates based in Eritrea and an ambulance

Speaking at an annual assessment meeting concerning the situation of the IDPs and Eritrean deportees from Ethiopia, Mr. Macleod noted that the rehabilitation program has produced fruitful