Asmara, 23 August 2005 - President Isaias Afwerki today recived and held talks with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa, Mr. Martti Ahtisaari.
The talks focused on efforts Eritrea is making to attain food security and the response of the international community to emergency relief aid as well as the Eritrea's policy on the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
President Isaias said that Eritrea is exerting coordinated efforts towards attaining food security and that the international aid has to back up this goal through the on-going endeavors to promote soil and water conservation. He further informed Mr. Ahtisaari that the aid Eritrea received from the world community in fighting drought has not only been not commensurate with the desired amount but did not also reach on time.
As regards the Eritrea government's policy on NGOs, the President said that the policy proclaimed in 1994 ensures accountability and transparency to both donor and recipient.
Earlier, Mr. Ahtisarri met and held similar talks with Foreign Minister Ali Seid Abdalla, the Minister of National Development, Dr. Woldai Futur, the Minister of Labor and Human Welfare, Ms. Askalu Menkorios as well as heads of the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC).
The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa is making the current visit to observe the prevailing situation of the rainy season.