Eritrea — humanitarian situation

Eritrea is experiencing significant climate-related stress as persistent rainfall deficits affect the northern sector of Eastern Africa. Analysis indicates that dry conditions have extended from May through July, with widespread soil moisture deficits and vegetation stress observed across the region IGAD. These drought conditions coincide with forecasts of a very strong El Niño event expected during the October–December rainy season, which may be amplified by a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, creating risks of both continued drought and severe flooding OCHA. Seasonal precipitation forecasts indicate wet conditions are expected to develop across the Horn of Africa in September, though uncertainties persist regarding the timing and intensity of these changes FAO. The livestock sector has faced additional pressures from disease outbreaks, prompting emergency interventions. Lumpy skin disease has affected pastoral and agropastoral communities in the Gash Barka, Debub, Anseba, and Maekel regions. In response, approximately 530,000 cattle—representing more than 25 percent of the national livestock population—have been vaccinated through targeted campaigns in hotspot and riverine areas, supported by the procurement of 500,000 vaccine doses FAO. These interventions aim to strengthen the resilience of pastoralist and agropastoralist livelihoods through vaccination, enhanced surveillance, and community awareness activities. Eritrean refugees continue to constitute a significant displaced population across the region. Eritreans remain among the primary refugee populations hosted in Yemen, alongside Somalis, Ethiopians, Syrians, Iraqis, and Sudanese, with Yemen hosting over 64,000 refugees and asylum seekers overall UNHCR. Eritrean refugees are also documented in Sudan, though specific population figures for this location were not detailed in the available sources. Regional population monitoring systems continue to track movements and presence of Eritrean nationals across neighboring countries UNHCR.