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Story
09 February 2023
Fostering aspiration with the new Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center Cisco Academy
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Story
07 February 2023
Ukubu's journey of empowerment - riding through the pandemic
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Story
07 February 2023
Eritrea launched Strategic Plan for the Implementation of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health – Nutrition and Health Aging (RMNCAH - NUT & HAA) 2022-2026
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Eritrea
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Eritrea:
Story
09 February 2023
Fostering aspiration with the new Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center Cisco Academy
In line with its improvement-oriented innovation vision, UNDP was engaged in creating a partnership with Cisco and the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW), conforming to its Corporate Social Responsibility to support initiating the timely and valuable Cisco IT and networking certification training that would enhance the connectivity of the country’s development institution free of charge.
This initiative was triggered thanks to the Massawa Workers’ Vocational Training Centre (MWVTC) teachers` exchange visit sponsored by the UNDP to Rwanda and Uganda on 09-12 March 2020, where the value of Cisco training was recognized.
Furthermore, the fostering aspiration of the MWVTC to acquire such an advanced technological skill was realized by enrolling six of its teachers in the CISCO distance learning academy. The UNDP Eritrea office partnered with the NCEW to sponsor the training, launched on July 26th, 2021.
The MWVTC has now been equipped with competent instructors required to establish its own CISCO network academy; therefore, the NCEW-MWVTC re-established the academy under the name of “Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center Cisco Academy.”
The establishment of the Cisco Network academy requires qualified instructors trained and certified in the Cisco networking program.
Therefore, training was arranged for six Instructors of MWVTC and included the following courses:
1. ITE (IT Essentials)
2. CCNA v7 (Cisco Certified Network Assistant)
3. DevNet Associate
4. CyberOps Associate
The six instructors who participated in the CISCO courses have had prior qualifications as engineers graduating from the Mai Nefhi Eritrea Institute of Technology (EIT). Out of the six instructors who took the CISCO CCNA courses, four passed, one deferred the exam for technical reasons, and one failed the certification exam. Nonetheless, the undertaking was generally a successful endeavor.
It is to be recalled that the Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center has seven available workshops, namely Electricity, Electronics, Woodwork, Metal Work, Computer Application, Computer Networking, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R).
The Cisco Network Academy, established, adds value to the Massawa Workers Vocational training by providing the center the opportunity to connect to the world with its workshops.
Furthermore, the Cisco Network Academy excels in creating a new learning platform for Eritrean youth with its capabilities to train people in many different aspects of Computer Technology (Networking) and empower youth to become competent professionals in the global job market.
Aside from partnering with the NCEW in providing CISCO training, UNDP and Cisco also played a vital role in establishing the Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center cisco academy by providing equipment and other necessary facilities that strengthened its capacity.
Dedication and hardworking have been critical components invested so far for the advancement of the Massawa Workers Vocational Training Center.
The management and staff of the MWVTC expressed their deep appreciation for the support and consultations accorded by the UNDP leadership and staff, as well as the relentless contribution and support made by CISCO international marketing director Mr. David Andemichael.
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Story
07 February 2023
Ukubu's journey of empowerment - riding through the pandemic
Ukubu Tekele lives with her daughter Frewaini and her two children, Daniel (16) and Yonas (13). This extended family is one of the beneficiaries of the income-generating activities from sub-zoba Assab, the most remote and marginalized zoba in the country. In 2021, this women-headed household received cash transfers in the form of income-generating activities to run a small retail shop. The family had no means of income before receiving the cash transfer that aimed at starting a small family business.
Hence, Freweini has been engaging in some informal income-generating activities, including Daniel and Yonas who worked as street vendors, which in return prohibited them from attending school. During the COVID-19 outbreak, all informal sector activities closed and the family became exposed to extreme economic vulnerability.
However, with the support of community-based social workers, Ukubu’s family was designated for social cash transfer support to start a retail shop, thus her daughter stepped in to support. This one-time grant comprised NKF 10,000 (about USD 666) to initiate the income-generating activity (shop).
Ukubu says, “Together with my family, we received this support during the pandemic. It crucially supported us to ensure our livelihood and enabled my grandchildren to continue their education. They were about to drop out of school due to the challenges. Today, my grandchildren are attending school regularly”. Furthermore, Ukubu adds that she is profiting from the business while her family has access to health services, including improved food consumption in terms of availability and nutrition.
Ukubu thanks the donors for this support who played a crucial role in ensuring her family's survival during the pandemic. Through generous Italian funding, 499 families have been supported with various income-generating activities that are improving the resilience of such vulnerable families.
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Story
07 February 2023
Eritrea launched Strategic Plan for the Implementation of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health – Nutrition and Health Aging (RMNCAH - NUT & HAA) 2022-2026
On 13 January 2023 the Ministry of Health, Eritrea, launched the Strategic Plan for the Implementation of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health – Nutrition and Health Aging (RMNCAH - NUT & HAA) 2022-2026. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of Honourable Minister of Health, Mrs. Amina Nurhussien s at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers. The Ministry of Health led the development of the strategic plan and the UN Agencies : WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNAIDS jointly supported the process both technically and financially.
The RMNCAH & HA Strategic Plan 2022–2026 aims to guide the implementation of high-impact evidence-based interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and older people outcomes towards attainment of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good health and well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender equality). Ensuring universal access to comprehensive, high-impact, quality, cost-effective and culturally sensitive reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and healthy ageing services to all Eritreans along the continuum of care in an equitable and efficient manner is the main mission of this document.
The Ministry of Health called for accelerated action and increased investments in line with the costed strategic plan to meet the SDG targets by 2030. This will aid accelerated progress towards ending all preventable deaths of women, newborns, children and realization of the health and wellbeing of adolescents and elders in Eritrea.
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Story
07 February 2023
16 Days of Activism Against GBV
UNFPA in collaboration with the NUEW and other UN Agencies organized this year’s 16 Days Commemoration event which was held under the themes “Unite to End Violence Against Women” & “Unite to a Sustained Peace”. Among the attendees, Mr. Tesfai Gebresalasie, Minister of Land Water & Environment and Ms. Fawzia Hashim, Minister of Justice.
Mrs. Senait Mehari who stood in for Mrs. Tekea Tesfamichael (NUEW President) started off the commemoration event by thanking the health personnel who have been working through the COVID-19 pandemic and by taking a moment to remember those who lost their lives to it. Mrs. Senait highlighted some of the work the Government of the State of Eritrea has mandated NUEW with to deal with issues of women through principled documents such as the National Charter and National Gender Policy and Action Plan which aim to achieve equal opportunity and capability for women, men, girls and boys. Mrs. Senait went on to explain the social, physical, health and psychological effects of harmful traditional practices, stating that if we are to improve prospects for the next generation this society must all contribute to empowering women. Mrs. Senait concluded by acknowledging the different stakeholders’ efforts in establishing committees to raising the level of awareness of the community on the issue of Gender Based Violence, and to actively participating in campaigns against GBV.
Mr. Ohashi (UNFPA Representative) followed by thanking NUEW (National Union of Eritrean Women) for their work towards the advancement of women and girls in Eritrea under the country’s leadership, as well as the work done towards improving the health outcomes and well-being of women and girls alongside the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor & Social Welfare. He then went on to highlighting the cycle of events that follow FGM and under-age marriage, and the discrimination of women that is rooted within society. Mr. Ohashi concluded that this is everyone’s responsibility and commended the Government of the State of Eritrea on their hard work ensuring equal opportunities for men and women, girls and boys.
Mr. Ohashi’s speech was followed by Solidarity messages from the NCEW (National Confederation of Eritrean Workers), NUEYS (National Union of Eritrean Youths & Students), UNAIDS, UNDP & UNICEF.
Following this a Classical Live Music Performance by a group of talented young students opening up for the legendary Mrs. Birkti Weldesalassie. They did more than hold their own against her powerful musical show titled “Break the Chain”.
Afterwards an in depth Panel Discussion was held by a group Young Professional Women on “How to get united to end Violence Against Women” leaving us with something to think about as we went into our first break. After the break an informative Two-part Presentation Contest took part between High School Students who were tested in their oratory, knowledge and persuasion to name a few of the criteria. Several poems were also performed by different students which took us to the final event, the results of the contest and rewarding of the contestants.
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Story
08 December 2022
Eritrea: Commemoration of World AIDS Day 2022
06 December 2022
WHO Eritrea joined the World in commemorating World AIDS Day 2022 under the theme “Equalize” at Orotta Conference Hall in Asmara on 1st December 2022.
The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day sought to highlight ongoing inequalities holding back the end of HIV/AIDS and for countries to address these inequalities.
The national commemoration of World AIDS Day was attended by MOH staff, UN Agencies, and civil organizations, including the National Union of Eritrean Women representatives; National Union of Youth and Students representatives, People living with HIV/AIDS and Students
Giving the key address on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael, Head of the National HIV/AIDS control program said that Eritrea had made considerable progress towards reducing the number of people living with HIV/AIDS though the country still has several cases of People living with HIV. She called for enhanced collaboration and continual work between MOH and health partners to prevent the further spread of the disease as one of the strategies to achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (EMTCT). She highlighted that Eritrea has embarked on a systematic journey to validate its progress to achieve EMTCT using WHO guidelines.
Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael further indicated that Eritrea’s outstanding success in the fight against the HIV / AIDS epidemic has to be documented and shared good practice with other countries. She called on all the participants to work harder to maintain the achievement and to go far to end HIV/AIDS epidemic in Eritrea.
The country has achieved consistently high coverage of ANC (above 95%) and HIV testing in pregnant women (above 95%) between 2019 and 2021. The HIV treatment coverage in HIV-positive women was also above 95% in the same reporting period. The population case rate due to vertical transmission per 100 000 live births and the HIV MTCT rate has been zero (0) between 2019 and 2021 in the country with breastfeeding. The number of HIV-exposed infants tested positive at 18 months (Final Infant Diagnosis) born from HIV-positive women has been decreasing from 1 in 2019 to 1 in 2020 and zero in 2021. Recently, the country established a National Validation Committee (NVC) to provide oversight in preparing for the validation process of EMTCT. Furthermore, four thematic technical working groups (data, programs, laboratory and gender equality, human rights and community engagement) have also been established and are operational and reporting to the NVC. The NVC played a critical in the pre-validation assessment and has identified some gaps that the country must close in order to be validated. UN and other development partners should therefore work closely with the Ministry of Health to close the identified gaps.
UNAIDS Representative for Eritrea, Poirier Thérèse highlighted the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the HIV/AIDS response at the national and local levels. She congratulated Eritrea on the achievements registered so far and affirm that Eritrea’s continued effort to achieve an HIV Free Generation and end HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child by 2030, will become a reality very soon. “Let us keep joining our efforts to make Eritrea free from HIV and please keep in mind that: to keep everyone safe, to protect everyone’s health, we must rise, we must equalize for all people!” She added.
The commemoration involved different educational and entertaining activities; some of it was general knowledge competitions among students. Testimonials from people living with HIV/AIDS were also delivered which received a big appreciation from the participants.
World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day sought to highlight ongoing inequalities holding back the end of HIV/AIDS and for countries to address these inequalities.
The national commemoration of World AIDS Day was attended by MOH staff, UN Agencies, and civil organizations, including the National Union of Eritrean Women representatives; National Union of Youth and Students representatives, People living with HIV/AIDS and Students
Giving the key address on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael, Head of the National HIV/AIDS control program said that Eritrea had made considerable progress towards reducing the number of people living with HIV/AIDS though the country still has several cases of People living with HIV. She called for enhanced collaboration and continual work between MOH and health partners to prevent the further spread of the disease as one of the strategies to achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (EMTCT). She highlighted that Eritrea has embarked on a systematic journey to validate its progress to achieve EMTCT using WHO guidelines.
Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael further indicated that Eritrea’s outstanding success in the fight against the HIV / AIDS epidemic has to be documented and shared good practice with other countries. She called on all the participants to work harder to maintain the achievement and to go far to end HIV/AIDS epidemic in Eritrea.
The country has achieved consistently high coverage of ANC (above 95%) and HIV testing in pregnant women (above 95%) between 2019 and 2021. The HIV treatment coverage in HIV-positive women was also above 95% in the same reporting period. The population case rate due to vertical transmission per 100 000 live births and the HIV MTCT rate has been zero (0) between 2019 and 2021 in the country with breastfeeding. The number of HIV-exposed infants tested positive at 18 months (Final Infant Diagnosis) born from HIV-positive women has been decreasing from 1 in 2019 to 1 in 2020 and zero in 2021. Recently, the country established a National Validation Committee (NVC) to provide oversight in preparing for the validation process of EMTCT. Furthermore, four thematic technical working groups (data, programs, laboratory and gender equality, human rights and community engagement) have also been established and are operational and reporting to the NVC. The NVC played a critical in the pre-validation assessment and has identified some gaps that the country must close in order to be validated. UN and other development partners should therefore work closely with the Ministry of Health to close the identified gaps.
UNAIDS Representative for Eritrea, Poirier Thérèse highlighted the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the HIV/AIDS response at the national and local levels. She congratulated Eritrea on the achievements registered so far and affirm that Eritrea’s continued effort to achieve an HIV Free Generation and end HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child by 2030, will become a reality very soon. “Let us keep joining our efforts to make Eritrea free from HIV and please keep in mind that: to keep everyone safe, to protect everyone’s health, we must rise, we must equalize for all people!” She added.
The commemoration involved different educational and entertaining activities; some of it was general knowledge competitions among students. Testimonials from people living with HIV/AIDS were also delivered which received a big appreciation from the participants.
World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
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Press Release
04 May 2022
OHCHR Regional Representative and Director of UNOHCHR-EARO begins three-day working tour of Eritrea
ASMARA, Eritrea – The Regional Representative, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, East Africa Regional Office (OHCHR-EARO), and Representative to African Union, Mr. Marcel C. Akpovo has begun a three-day official visit of the State of Eritrea. He is accompanied by the Deputy Regional Director Ms. Maymuchka Lauriston and Mr. Anganile Mwenifumbo, Human Rights Officer of UNOHCHR-Geneva.
During the visit, the delegation will hold high-level technical talks with Senior Government Officials and UN Development Partners, on strengthening the justice sector reforms.
This visit comes four months after the high-level visit by Regional Directors in January 2022, during which, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework was launched.
#Ends
Notes to Editors
This Press Release has been drafted joint by the United Nations Development System in Eritrea and the UNOHCHR-EARO. The UN in Eritrea is committed to working in close partnership with the Government of the State of Eritrea and Development Partners to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
If you would like to keep up to date with news and information about this high-level visit and the work of the UN in Eritrea, you can follow the UN in Eritrea Twitter account @UNinEritrea, @OHCHR_EARO and that of the Resident Coordinator in Eritrea @AmaSande
Media Contacts
William Silamawia, Communications Officer
UNDP and Resident Coordinator’s Office
William.silamawia@undp.org
Paa Kwesi A. Cudjoe
Human Rights Specialist
OHCHR Regional Office for East Africa Paa.cudjoe@un.org
Human Rights Specialist
OHCHR Regional Office for East Africa Paa.cudjoe@un.org
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Press Release
23 April 2022
UNHCR Regional Delegation concludes two-day working tour of Eritrea
ASMARA, Eritrea – UNHCR’s Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes (EHAGL), Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami has concluded her two-day official visit to the State of Eritrea. She was accompanied during the mission by the Head of the Protection Services for the EHAGL Regional Bureau, Mr Charles Mballa.
During the visit, the UNHCR delegation held high-level talks with Eritrea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Osman Saleh Mohammed, Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel and the Head of Political Affairs and Presidential Adviser, Mr. Yemane Gebreab. They also had the opportunity to meet with development partners in Eritrea and the UN Country Team.
“I welcome and appreciate the cordial and frank discussions held throughout our visit. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of the State of Eritrea on various issues of mutual concern,” said Nkweta-Salami.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The United Nations Development System in Eritrea is committed to working in close partnership with the Government of the State of Eritrea and Development Partners to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
If you would like to keep up to date with news and information about this high-level visit and the work of the UN in Eritrea, you can follow the UN in Eritrea Twitter account @UNinEritrea and that of the Resident Coordinator in Eritrea @AmaSande
Media Contacts
William Silamawia, Communications Officer
UNDP and Resident Coordinator’s Office
William.silamawia@undp.org
Tina Ghelli
Senior Communications Advisor
UNHCR
ghelli@unhcr.org
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Press Release
20 April 2022
UNHCR Regional Director begins two-day working tour of Eritrea
20 April 2022
ASMARA, Eritrea – The UNHCR Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes (EHAGL) Ms. Awu Nkweta Salami has begun a two-day official visit of the State of Eritrea. She is accompanied by the Head of the Protection Services for the EHAGL Mr. Charles Mballa.
During the two-day visit, the UNHCR delegation will hold high-level talks with Senior Government Officials and UN Development Partners.
This visit comes three months after the high-level visit by Regional Directors who were led by the Regional Director for the UN Development Coordination Office, Mr. Yacoub Ali El-Hillo, during which, the Cooperation Framework was launched.
Speaking after her arrival, head of delegation Ms. Nkweta said this visit helps to build on dialogue on various issues of mutual interest for both Government and the United Nations.
#Ends
Notes to Editors
The United Nations Development System in Eritrea is committed to working in close partnership with the Government of the State of Eritrea and Development Partners to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
If you would like to keep up to date with news and information about this high-level visit and the work of the UN in Eritrea, you can follow the UN in Eritrea Twitter account @UNinEritrea and that of the Resident Coordinator in Eritrea @AmaSande
Media Contacts
William Silamawia, Communications Officer
UNDP and Resident Coordinator’s Office
William.silamawia@undp.org
Tina Ghelli
Senior Communications Advisor
UNHCR
ghelli@unhcr.org
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Press Release
31 January 2022
A new era of cooperation to kick off as UN Regional Directors conclude their mission to Eritrea
ASMARA, Eritrea – The Government of Eritrea and the United Nations have hailed a new era of strategic partnership that will advance their shared aspirations for the people of Eritrea, as a high-level delegation of UN Regional Directors concluded its week-long visit. 24 senior officials from UN regional offices across Africa, including six Regional Directors and two Deputy Regional Directors, participated in a series of high-level engagements between 24 and 28 January.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation on 25 January at the launch of the new Eritrea-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022 – 2026), Yacoub El-Hilo, Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office, extended the UN’s appreciation to the Government of the State of Eritrea for its active leadership throughout the development of the new framework which adopted a whole-of-government approach, leading to a robust document that reflects both Government priorities and the SDGs. “It is our hope that we are ushering in a new era of an effective and efficient strategic partnership between the Government of Eritrea and the UN,” said Mr. El-Hilo.
Speaking during the launch of the Cooperation Framework on Tuesday, Minister of Finance and National Development Mr. Georgis Teklemichael shared on the historical context of Eritrea which has informed its development trajectory.
During the five-day mission, UN officials discussed a wide range of issues with government and development partners. These included fully utilizing the UN’s resources to ensure optimal delivery in the new cooperation framework’s priority areas; COVID-19 vaccinations; regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the role Eritrea could play in fostering peace and security; regional trade integration and Eritrea’s perspectives on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement; human rights issues; climate action; and data for development.
On 27 January, the delegation traveled to southern Eritrea, where they met with with regional government partners and communities. They visited key institutions such as the National Agricultural Research Institute, the Mendefera Hospital (which hosts the national fistula treatment centre), the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS Zoba Debub branch); the Dubarwa and Areza Community Health Centres, Areza solar photovoltaic grid, the Azeib Dairy Farm, Logo and Misilam Dams.
Members of the visiting mission were unanimous in their view that they had gained a better understanding of Eritrea’s context, its unique development perspectives and Eritrea’s expectations of a re-invigorated partnership with the UN in this new era of cooperation. The delegation members said they were better placed to be “ambassadors” of Eritrea’s development achievements. The government, in turn, agreed to address resource absorption issues and to scale up the implementation of programmes in the new cooperation framework era in line with the call for accelerated progress in the Decade of Action with eight years left to achieve the SDGs.
This high-level visit builds on an earlier one by the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa last month (following an exchange of letters between H. E President Isaias Afwerki and the United Nations Secretary General H.E António Guterres) and it signals a reinvigoration of the partnership between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the United Nations.
###
Notes for correspondents
The high-level mission to Eritrea, led by the UN Development Coordination Office’s Regional Director for Africa, included five other Regional Directors representing the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Economic Commission for Africa, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Population Fund and the World Food Programme. The Deputy Regional Directors from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and UN Office on Drugs and Crime are also among the participants. Other Regional Directors sent their senior representatives.
The new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework comprises of four outcomes:
Outcome 1: By 2026, more people have benefited from equitable access to and use of inclusive high quality essential social services.
Outcome 2: By 2026, Eritrea’s public sector institutions are more accountable and efficient, and more people enjoy the right to development.
Outcome 3: By 2026, people in Eritrea, especially the disadvantaged population, have increased livelihoods as economic growth becomes more inclusive and diversified
Outcome 4: By 2026, people in Eritrea have benefited from climate resilient, sustainable environment and natural resources management.
Media Contacts
William Silamawia, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer
UNDP/Resident Coordinator Office in Eritrea
william.silamawia@undp.org
Daisy Diamante Leoncio, Regional Communication Adviser
United Nations Population Fund – Johannesburg
leoncio@unfpa.org
Hiroyuki Saito, Regional Communications Officer
Regional Office for Africa, UN Development Coordination Office – Addis Ababa
saitoh@un.org
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