Vol. 26 No. 23 Saturday, May 18, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00...

Vol. 26 No. 23 Saturday, May 18, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

King Salman bin Abdulaziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, King Carl Gustave of Sweden, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey, President Michael Higgins of Ireland, President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea, King Felipe VI of Spain, as well as Mr. Asad Qaiser, Chairman of the National Assembly of Pakistan sent messages of congratulations to the people and Government of Eritrea in connection with the 28th

Independence Day Anniversary.

In their messages, the leaders wished good health to President Isaias Afwerki and peace and prosperity to the Eritrean people.

Various Leaders send Messages of congratuLations

A Cultural troupe from the Republic of Egypt staged musical performance in connection with the 28th

Independence Day Anniversary on 16 May at Cinema Roma depicting the culture and tradition of the people of Egypt.

The musical performance that was organized by the Commission of Culture and Sports and the Embassy of the Republic of Egypt was attended by Ministers, senior Eritrean Government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps as well as other invited guests.

The cultural troupe is composed of 12 artists including one female and the second performance will be staged tomorrow, 18 May at Cinema Roma and will be broadcast live on Eritrean Television.

egyptian cuLturaL troupe staged MusicaL perforMance in asMara

The Eritrean Television Department and Russia Today Information Network signed cooperation agreement on 13 May in Asmara.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Mr. Asmelash Abraha, Director General of the Eritrean Television and Mr. Azim Yarakhmedov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Eritrea.

The agreement includes exchange of programs for rebroadcast, training of staff members, as well as using RT as alternative sources of information for Eritrean Television.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, Minister of Information, said that the signing of the agreement is being made at a time in which the Ministry of Information is working to expand

eritrean teLeVision and russia today (rt) sign cooperation agreeMent

The National Forestation Day was observed on May 15 with various programs reflecting the importance of forestation under the theme “Let’s Bequeath Our Children a Safe Environment”.

During the ceremony held at the Expo compound, Mr. Fitsum Hagos, coordinator of ‘Green Campaign’ indicated that currently deforestation activities and poaching of wild animals are among the main challenges. Mr. Fistum also commended the exemplary initiatives of safeguarding the preserved areas by members of the defense forces as well as the establishment and management of nurseries by various government and public institutions.

nationaL forestation day obserVed

The National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) organized an art exhibition in connection with the 28th Independence Day Anniversary. The exhibition was officially opened by Mr. Al-Amin Mohammed Seid, Secretary of the PFDJ.

The head of Administration and Finance at the NUEW, Ms. Zaid Mesfin, said that the exhibition is being staged for the fourth consecutive time in connection with

nueW organizes art exhibitionsource of information and that the three pillars agreement is a significant step.

Ambassador Azim Yarakhmedov on his part said that the agreement will have important contribution in

strengthening the existing relations between Eritrea and Russia.

Russia Today owned by the Russian Government is one of the big information networks worldwide.

Mr. Abraha Garza, General Director of Forestry and Wild Life Authority, on his part called for tough measures against those engaged in deforestation and poaching activities.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture called for nurturing generations with the culture of forestation, big events to be accompanied with forestation programs as well as encourage public institutions and individuals engaged in forestation activities.

At the event 83 exemplary individuals and institutions were awarded with agricultural tools and solar energy panels.

the Independence Day and that this year’s exhibition reflects the national theme of the Independence Day “Resilience for Higher Progress”.

Ms. Zaid further said that the exhibition also includes innovative and creative materials prepared by female youth.

The exhibition that is staged at the Central Office of the NUEW will stay open to the public until 20 May.

The people and Government of Eritrea condemn, in the strongest terms, the senseless attacks perpetrated against Saudi Arabia and that are aimed at stoking and exacerbating regional and international tension.

In this respect, the people and Government of Eritrea express their solidarity with the people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ministry of Information15 May 2019

goe Message of soLidarity

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Aida Johar

2Vol. 26 No. 23Eritrea Profile, Saturday, May 18, 2019

Habtom Tesfamichael

We depend on the environment for everything. That is why we have to preserve it. Since the industrial revolution the earth has experienced pollution, deforestation and extinction of a number of species. In the developing world, especially with the emergence of colonialism, colonizers exploited the natural resources of the occupied territories for use in their industries, which created unrecoverable situations in some places. In pre-colonial Eritrea, for instance, 30% of the land was covered with forest and there were a good number of wild animals. Upon independence, following colonization and successive wars, the area covered with forest was reduced to below 2% and wild animals virtually disappeared.

Since then, the Government of Eritrea has taken the initiative to enhance the biodiversity of the country. The Forest and Wildlife Authority, under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), is now in charge of this task.

In Eritrea the national greening day is remembered on 15th May. On that day, last Wednesday, the MOA convened a one-day conference to remember the 13th anniversary of the launching of the campaign. The Day was celebrated this year colorfully in Asmara under the theme “let’s ensure a green environment for our children” at the Expo ground.

National Greening Campaign Day RememberedAround 350 participants attended the conference which included ministers, higher PFDJ officials, regional administrators, army commanders, religious leaders and experts.

Cultural and artistic works were shown aimed at raising our awareness of the impact of deforestation and the forestation on the environment. The national greening campaign was launched in 2006 under the theme “Vigorous Effort to Greening Campaign”. It started with

the objectives of planting trees, establishing and administering national parks, forming green clubs in schools, religious places and other institutions, introducing Adhanet (energy saving stove) as well as conserving soil and water through the participation of local communities.

Each branch of the Authority and the regional administrations presented annual reports on their work progress.

Mr. Fitsum Hagos, chairman of the greening campaign committee presented details on the works accomplished by the regional administrations. He said that the unfulfilled alternative energy supply to much of our society has continued to be a major problem and is posing a threat to the greening efforts. As a result, as always, the cutting down of trees was difficult to control in the last year. Mr. Fistum explained that an effort will be made to provide a balance of the reforested and afforested areas in comparison to the deforested areas in the coming year. He underscored that there remains much to be done to reclaim the deforested areas. Some of the encouraging results of the greening campaign carried out last year include the founding and administering of nursery areas by members of the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF), the protection of enclosure areas by members of the EDF, increasing the

number of villages that do so well in conserving their environment, and the overall increase of the communal planting of trees in different places. But efforts towards setting up enclosures, expanding the distribution of energy-saving-stoves and founding of new green clubs was reported to be low.

This year, 83 institutions and individuals that did exemplar works were given awards and certificates of appreciation. Mr. Fitsum thanked all those who contributed toward the

campaign for green environment. General Manager of the Forestry

and Wildlife Authority, Mr. Abraha Garza, said that in the last 13 years, though the afforestation and reforestation progress made did not meet their expectation, much has still been done so far. The recent challenge to the greening campaign has been the unpredictable climate changes. Mr. Abraha added that despite the challenge the authority believes that it needs to grow trees more than ever to combat desertification, and this requires a concerted effort.

Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of agriculture, said on the occasion that an alternative idea is much needed, as is an alternative source of energy, to curb the effects of deforestation.

He underscored that we should plant trees to mark any event as a culture. This may be on public holidays and occasions such as weddings as was done on 12th May by a couple who planted more than 500 seedlings on their wedding day.

He also said that trees are being cut down not by the sharp axes but due to the blunt understanding of those who are engaged in illegal cutting and transporting of tress. To change this attitude much remains to be done to increase the collective awareness of our society.

Mr. Mussie Robel, head of the Greening Campaign projects, said that they have developed a map that

shows areas where intervention is being made in collaboration with the National Center of Maps and Information.

He said that management of nursery stations and developing seedlings, terracing and preparing the areas planned to be planted, founding and managing reserved areas, giving legal licenses to businessmen to move forest by-products, conducting studies and preparing projects and planning on the job training were some of the tasks accomplished by the authority last year. For example, more than 4.5 million seedlings were transplanted this year, of which 41% include indigenous plants, a 5% increase from the previous year.

In 2018/19 more than 3.5 million seedlings were planted in the six regions of our country in places such as religious sites, schools, governmental and non-governmental institutions, residential areas and water drainage areas, which is a 4.2% increase from 2017.

This year, 3556 hectares of land was reserved and this has increased the total enclosure area to more than 372,895 hectares of land and is under the authority’s administration. This covers only 18.6 % of the potential enclosure area all over the country. One of the challenges that were identified as the major setback is improper administration and supervision of enclosure areas. For example, in the Debub region more than 16 thousand hectares of land was endangered due to improper management, lack of control and incursion of domestic animals and people.

As far as green clubs 12 new have been set up this year, and this has increased the total number of green clubs to about 571 throughout the country. The establishment of green clubs has reached only 51%; therefore, the number of green clubs should be increased.

The major causes of deforestation are still persisting. These include the use of trees as a source of energy, the expansion of agriculture, illegal commercial use of tree by-products and erosion. For many people fire wood is the primary source of energy, which leads to massive cutting of trees. To limit the damage to trees, spreading the energy-saving stove is one of the major targets of the greening campaign. Distribution of the energy-saving stoves is increasing. In the year 2018/19,

162,123 energy-saving stoves have been in use. This number covers only 36.3%.

The Forestry and Wildlife Authority penalizes individuals engaged in the illegal cutting and transporting of trees. The Authority always strives to raise the awareness of the society through campaigns and community meetings to control the irresponsible individuals.

Work is underway to set a final format of the national reserve areas of the Northern and Southern Red Sea. The draft plan of the enclosure areas proposed by the Ministry of Regional Administration was approved by the Authority. The condition of wild animals in all the forest areas is improving from time to time.

However, seven elephants were reported to have died, and there are traces of ivory theft in some places. To avoid such problems the Forest and Wild life Authority is on the way of creating protected area management systems. Mr. Mussie stated that the status of Wild Ass in the Southern Red Sea region is in a good condition despite some instances of conflicts with the local people due to the lack of reserved areas provided for them.

Last year, the MOA concluded that the diversity of bird species in the nation remained undiscovered and unexploited. But this year, more bird species are being registered in the checklist, raising the number.

According to Mr. Mussie shortage of facilities and budget, hunting and deforestation of the habitat’s wildlife, killing of wild animals by drivers, and unregulated use of toxic materials were some of the major problems faced in the past year.

The participants of the annual workshop gave these recommendations: making energy- saving stoves widely accessible to everyone; imposing severe penalty on those who are engaged in illegal activities so as to discourage the cutting down of trees; and cutting dry grass and woods to reduce the incidence of wild fires. The Ministry plans to plant six million new seedlings, work on five more projects, establish and secure new enclosures, set up new green clubs, create an environment for sharing experiences among regions, organize training for experts and increase awareness campaigns.


International Museum Day (IMD)

National Museum of Eritrea, Asmara

Northern Red Sea Regional Museum, Massawa

Tsegai Medin

Every year since 1977, ICOM has organized International Museum Day (IMD), which represents a unique moment for the international museum community. On this day, participating museums plan events and activities related to the International Museum Day’s theme, engage with their public and highlight the importance of the role of museums as institutions that serve society and its development.

The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that “Museums are important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” Organized on and around 18 May each year, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend or a whole week.

Participation in International Museum Day is growing among museums all over the world. In 2018, more than 40,000 museums participated in the event in some 158 countries.

This year the International Museum Day (IMD), under the supervision of ICOM, is celebrated on the 18th of May. This day is an occasion to raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society. Hence, each year ICOM selects a theme for the International Museum Day that is at the heart of the concern of society. Hence, this year’s theme is “Museums as Cultural Hubs: The future of tradition.”

The role of museums in society is changing. Museums keep reinventing themselves in their quest to become more interactive, audience-focused, community-oriented, flexible, adaptable and mobile. They have become cultural hubs functioning as platforms where creativity combines with knowledge and where visitors can also co-create, share and interact.

While preserving their primary missions – collecting, conservation, communication, research, exhibition – museums have transformed their practices to remain closer to the communities they serve. Today, they look for innovative ways to

tackle contemporary social issues and conflict. By acting locally, museums can also advocate and mitigate global problems, striving to meet the challenges of today’s society proactively. As institutions at the heart of society, museums have the power to establish dialogue between cultures, to build bridges for a peaceful world and to define a sustainable future.

As museums increasingly grow into their roles as cultural hubs, they are also finding new ways to honour their collections, their histories and their legacies, creating traditions that will have new meaning for future generations and relevance for an increasingly diverse contemporary audience at a global level. This transformation, which will have a profound impact on museum theory and practice, also forces us to rethink the value of museums and to question the ethical boundaries that define the very nature of our work as museum professionals.

At once a focal point for the community and an integral part of a global network, museums offer a platform for translating local communities’ needs and views into a global context.

In Eritrea, given its huge heritage resources, there are two museums. These are the National Museum in Asmara and the Northern Red Sea Regional Museum at the port city of Massawa. The National Museum was established in 1992 while the Northern Red Sea Regional Museum opened eight years later, in the year 2000. These museums have different sections and include collections of archaeological relics, arts, the military, as well as natural collections of marine and terrestrial animals. The sections generally exhibit remnants of cultural, ecological and fossil artifacts.

Both museums have similar mandates and range of activities. They are responsible for the storage, exhibition and conservation of Eritrea`s cultural heritage. Moreover, they engage in documentation, restoration, and inspection of heritage-related activities. Outreach activities are another fundamental mandate of these museums. However, so far, very little work has been done related to this activity.

Museums are not just buildings

and collections. They are institutions that serve as cultural

hubs, determined to realize their full potential for society. They bear out a relationship with the past that attaches value to tangible traces left by our ancestors and, therefore,

play a key role in fostering social cohesion. They improve people’s lives by stimulating inspiration, learning and enjoyment. Museums

have two-way relationship with society, drawing a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and networks. They also create relationships by welcoming people as active participants.

The relations between museums and society are explicitly earned through handwork and successive awareness activities because society benefits from museums and museums work with communities to collect and represent a place’s diverse and collective history and heritage. For example, this year, the International Museum Day (IMD) has devised a timely theme for the establishment of a favorable ground that permits interaction with the communities and celebrate traditions world-wide. These plans

can be, for example, achieved by organizing seminars, regular site and museum visits, publications, etc. Such activities are essential in creating a strong bond between museums and society.Museums play a decisive role in consolidating national identity and stewardship. Hence, like all museums in the world and following this year’s theme of ICOM, the two Eritrean museums are expected to commemorate the 2019 International Museum Day (IMD) through community-based celebrations. Eritrea’s priceless traditions must be preserved and disseminated on a regular basis. Our museums should actively serve as learning, economic, and cultural hubs, not merely buildings and collections.


What makes the city of Asmara look different during the Independence Day from all other days? One may say the shimmering bright lights that adorn the city and make it look aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Another one may be delighted because he will get time off from a rather busy class or work schedule all in the name of a public holiday. There are also people who get joyous watching the carnival and other various live shows that are displayed on the streets and the great stadium or may be the special television programmes that represent the commemoration of the precious day.

Most of the time the day falls on a cold and rainy season and every citizen is supposed to be in a huge jacket to protect themselves. The months prior to the month of May are characterized by the prevalence of scorching weather.

It was May 23rd. That specific day was a day full of fogs and dews. The city of Asmara looked like a paradise more than an ordinary city. There were countless people in the streets walking together while others were sitting on the stairs of the Cathedral watching around as they chatted. More than a few people chose to seek the warm shelter of a cafe and drink something hot that could keep them warm. The owners of cafeterias and restaurants must have missed the cold month to death, as they will generate large dimes from the cappuccino, macchiato, coffee and tea that they would sell.

The heart of every Eritrean beats one rhythm in the mystery of the beauty of the day, because its beauty is not only credited to the coldness of the weather, or the aesthetics of the decorations of the town, or the live and television shows. But the precious cost paid to bring the long-awaited independence home sweet home, rightly where it belongs.

When the topic of independence is raised in every home the first thing to be recalled and raised is the life of many Eritrean martyrs who were lost in the bloody war to safeguard our sovereignty. Those who could have married and created a family, those who could have touched many hearts and reached many souls, those who could have changed the world and put their

Our month of May, Our Independence, Our Country

marks on it had just passed away and will never come back again. I wish I could change the law of nature and bring them back to life just for an hour so as to see their faces, to kiss them and to feel their hugs. They were born Eritreans who had to rescue their mother land, a land with untold natural and societal resources, a land that was subjected to injustice and biased judgments of international laws, with the world’s deaf ears falling on its cries.

They [Tegadelti] were hungry and thirsty, but they were dynamic enough to carry guns across the mountains of Sahel. Others came from abroad and joined the struggle. They chose to be remembered by their heroic deeds and gave up their comfortable lives and treasures to fight alongside their people. They threw away McDonald and chose to eat ‘wedi aker’; they left their sofas behind and opted for roughness and stones, all to free their disadvantaged people.

They had a strong and passionate belief that it isn’t the furniture that makes the big difference but the building. To this end they gave away their blood, flesh and bones to build Eritrea instead of buying their own lives and decorate theirs. Their bones were crushed, their blood was sucked and their fleshes were beaten. They were unclothed and uncovered to the extent that the hotness and coldness of the wilderness were crossing their nerves deep inside. The war blew wide open, taking the life of so many Eritreans to the burial ground

huddled together in Eritrea, the land of diversity that embraces the white and black, the farmers and traders, the workers and students, the nine ethnic groups as a whole in one basket.

During the war times Eritreans ached for the arrival of independence and pined for peace. Every citizen wanted to release all the latent discomfort that had been locked in his mind and heart. But they could not because they were under the bondage of cold-blooded colonialists.

The Eritrean armed struggle officially started in 1961 by Hamd Idris Awate. He was the first person to struggle against the enemies courageously. After Hamid many fellow Eritreans carried on with

the struggle. Some held guns, some formed national organizations. The struggle was carried out in different forms, some individually and some collectively, some within Eritrea and some outside of the country. Prior to the start of the struggle the most outspoken and prominent forefathers like Ibrahim Sultan, Woldeab Woldemariam and Shek Abdelkadr Kebire contributed a lot to the cause, starting from enlightening and organizing people to conducting meetings and delivering speeches at the United Nations for Eritrea’s rights. With time a bloody war of 30 years broke out. The freedom fighters had a strong desire to get rid of colonialism and oppression and bring about a new dawn of the liberation of Eritrea. They came from every corner of the world to join the

struggle. Those who couldn’t join supported and contributed to the cause through various means. After having paid thousands of precious Eritrean lives, 1991 independence was achieved.

It came at a cost; a mother of five children was left handless, as the war took her children to their burial grounds. Important infrastructure was torn apart, many people in the cities and villages were murdered in coldblooded act of cowardice, the economy was devastated and left in ruins, the population was emotionally demoralized and psychologically traumatized. But Independence comforted and enabled Eritreans to come as a collective unit and rejoice for free Eritrea. Those who sought death in order to bring independence but were lucky enough to see a free Eritrea buried their dead and foresaw the bright and golden future of Eritrea. Since then the Eritrean people and government have focused their attention on the reconstruction of the country and ensuring social justice based on the all-important policy of self-reliance which was the backbone of the 30-year struggle that culminated in the achievement of independence. Since then the Month of May has been commemorated by every Eritrean as a Month of freedom, deliverance from the bondage of emperors and oppressors. The Month of May holds a special place in the hearts of every Eritrean.

Written by Stella Amanuel


By Randa Osman

A shift of gears in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) is expected after modern technologies capable of changing the game for TB were introduced and distributed nation-wide in 2018. The introduction of 28 Gene X-pert machines and over 20 LED microscopes in all six administrative zones and all levels of the three-tier health system are suggestive of the country’s support to ending the global TB epidemic by 2035, set forth by the WHO’s End TB Strategy in 2014. In addition to that, this innovatory step is also in line with the Sustainable Development target for 2030 of Universal Health Coverage among others (NTP 2018 and GTR 2018).

These state-of-the-art technologies will help increase the national detection rates of TB cases, promote early and accurate diagnosis of patients, decrease case-fatality and transmission rates as well as improve patient outcomes and treatment delays (WHO implementation manual, 2014). According to the WHO’s implementation manual, the Gene X-pert machine is a molecular test capable of the simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosisbacilli and resistance to rifampicin. Thus, this innovation comes in handy in the timely context of the alarming global rise of Multi-Drug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB) and the very scant treatment successes of people with MDR-TB. Furthermore, the Gene X-pert machine is capable of producing results for samples in less than 2 hours, contrary to other diagnostic methods which take days or even months in some instances to confirm the disease giving TB a chance to spread even more (WHO implementation manual, 2014).

Game-changer technologies in eritrea to Control tb

Before its substitution with new technology, smear-sputum microscopy was the most widely used traditional laboratory test for TB in Eritrea, which, albeit being time-tested and very cost-effective, proved to have many limitations such as lack of sensitivity, dependence on proficiency of personnel and incapability to identify drug resistance (WHO implementation manual, 2014). Cases of treatment failures used to be empirically diagnosed as MDR-TB and treated accordingly, incurring harm and losses due to provisions of unnecessary, incorrect or suboptimal treatment. Afterwards, culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli was introduced for diagnostic purposes. Although a gold standard method, culture was demonstrated to be virtually impossible for routine diagnostic tests in resource-constrained countries like Eritrea as it demands highly skilled personnel, costly infrastructure and complex procedures not to mention the tremendous amount of time it consumes. Thus, the adoption of the Gene X-pert alleviates many of these restrictions by offering the most advantageous qualities of both laboratory tests. That is, the X-pert machine has the same infrastructure and skilled personnel requirements of smear-sputum microscopy while having a sensitivity close to the culture method.

Although Eritrea, along with other countries, is phasing out the use of smear-microscopy for diagnostic purposes, microscopy is still necessary in treatment monitoring for patient follow-up. However, Eritrea has also pioneered this area of TB control by introducing LED microscopes, which have higher sensitivity and specificity than the traditional light

microscopes (NTP, 2018). Hence, better results in patient follow-up will be expected, which will further imply better treatment outcomes, improved detection of treatment failures as well as decreased transmission rates.

Training courses for the operational functioning of Gene X-pert machines and LED microscopes have been given to interested health cadres in all six zones of the country under the auspices of the National Health Laboratory in the year of 2018 and are still continuing in 2019, as stated by the National TB Program.

The synergistic effect of these two modern diagnostic tests will aid Eritrea in turning the tables in the fight against one of the all-time killer diseases in the world. According to the WHO Global TB Report of 2018, TB ranked as one of the top 10 causes of death in the world as well as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent (above HIV/AIDS) in 2017. About 10 million people developed TB and over 1 million deaths have been recorded in 2017 (GTR, WHO 2018). One of the regions greatly contributing to this global burden is the Sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated incidence rate of 150-300 cases per 100,000 people (NTP 2018). As a matter of fact, TB is also called “the disease of the poor”, as it usually prevails in middle and low-income countries such as those characterizing this region. Different forms of poverty including lack of knowledge, inappropriate housing, low income and poor nutrition facilitate the spread of this disease. Therefore, controlling TB doesn’t just rely on breakthroughs in laboratories but a multisectoral approach.

Eritrea is aware of this fact and has, in fact, instituted guideline changes in the criteria for patients to undergo a Gene X-pert test. According to the Ministry of Health, anyone with a cough of 2 weeks or beyond is eligible to a Gene X-pert test as of the year 2019. Health facilities lacking this kind of technology have been furnished with vehicles for transportation, cold boxes for the storage of sputum and drivers (MoH, 2018). Moreover, Eritrea

The commission of Culture and Sports of the state of Eritrea in collaboration with Embassy of the People’s Republic of Chine in Eritrea begins a three month Elite volley-ball players course here in the capital.

At the official opening ceremony held on 11th of May 2019 at the

indoor sport hall of Denden Camp commissioner of culture and sports Amb. Zemede Tekle, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Chine in Eritrea Yang Zigang and various Sport officials were attended. At their opening remarks Amb. Zemede and Amb. Zigang pointed out that organizing such important courses will strengths the bilateral relations of the countries and will boost the level of volley-ball activities in Eritrea. 42 trainees represented from various military sport clubs of whom are 18 females will attend the course to be conducted by Chinese national Level coach Niu Guogang.

At the closing ceremony of the occasion a memorandum of volleyball

items donation were signed between the Commission of Culture and sports and Embassy of the people’s Republic of China.

Public Relations OfficeCommission of Culture and Sports

elite Volley-ball players course Kicked-off

local news

allows access to these high-quality diagnosis and treatments without incurring catastrophic costs to patients and families, which is in tune with the End TB Strategy. In fact, it delivers TB diagnostic and treatment services free of charge or with a nominal fee in addition to providing an allowance of 1,500 Nakfa every month to families of MDR-TB in-patients in the process of treatment at Merhano Hospital as reported by the Ministry of Health.

The world as a whole has been battling this disease for over a century now, but TB’s persistent

nature has helped it to persevere to date. The war against TB, however, is on-going and will not abate until the vision endorsed by the world in 2014 of “zero deaths, disease and suffering due to TB”is ensured.


The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Asmara invites qualified applicants (Eritrean) for the following vacant post:

Post title: Executive AssociateCondition of employment: ICS-7Type of Contract Temporary Appointment for one yearSupervisor: Resident Representative and direct supervisor

Organizational Context Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative & Deputy Resident Representative, the Executive Associate ensures effective and efficient functioning of the office, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, maintenance of protocol procedures, programme and operations support services, management of information flow and follow-up on deadlines and commitments made.

The Executive Associate works in close collaboration with UNDP staff, UN Agencies and national authorities to ensure efficient flow of information, actions on instructions, agendas.

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensures effective and efficient functioning of the Resident •Representative & Deputy Resident Representative office. Ensures provision of effective communications support to the office •Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management •

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education• : Secondary Education with specialized secretarial training. University Degree or equivalent would be desirable, but it is not a requirement. Experience• : 7 years of progressively responsible secretarial, administrative, finance, M&E, programme experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language requirements: Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage. Other Information: For more details, please collect the Terms of Reference from the UNDP Reception Desk. Interested applicants should submit duly filled P11 form (available at the UNDP Reception Desk, UN Office in Asmara) and a detailed CV with supporting documents. Copy of document indicating exemption from/completion of national service should be sent to UNDP Reception Desk, UN offices, Asmara, Eritrea.UNDP will contact those who are considered potential candidates. Closing date for the application is 10 days from the date of announcement.

“UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns”.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Asmara invites qualified applicants (Eritrean) for the following vacant post:

Job Code Title: Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting

Classified Grade: NOC Duty Station: Asmara Type of Contract Fixed Term Appointment (One-year

renewable subject to funding availability)

Organizational Context The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Eritrea and typically reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting will be responsible of the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Development Coordination Officers, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting.) Summary of key functions:

Provides substantive support for the development and implementation 1. of UN Country Team (UNCT) data and research strategiesDevelops and expands strategic research and data partnerships 2. Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results3. Supports knowledge management and capacity development4.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to research and data analysis, knowledge management or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

Language: Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Other considerations: For more details please collect the Terms of Reference from the UNDP Reception Desk. Interested applicants should submit duly filled P11 form (available at the UNDP Reception Desk, UN Office in Asmara) and a detailed CV with supporting documents. Copy of document indicating exemption from/completion of national service should be sent to UNDP Reception Desk, P.O. Box 5366, and UN offices, Asmara, Eritrea.UNDP will contact those who are considered Potential candidates. Closing date for the application is 10 days from the date of announcement.“UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns”

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Va/06/2019

United Nations Development Programme United Nations Development Programme

United NationsCORE VALUES: INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

VacancY annoUnceMenT Va/04/2019Re- advertismnet


Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following position for Bisha site project. Position: Driver TrainerDepartment: Employee Services – Training and Development Number required: One (01)Contract Type: Indefinite

Primary PurposeProvide Defensive Driving training to all BMSC and contractors drivers in order to promote high safety & operational performances. Conduct new drivers’ training and assessment in accordance to Eritrean standards and BMSC Safety & health procedures. Main Functions

Planning and Scheduling the Driving Training Programs

Prepare weekly and quarterly schedule for all levels of driving •training.Schedule and introduce any necessary changes related driving •competency training & assessments.Notify and remind Department Supervisors of training •schedules.Conduct Training Needs assessment. •

Conducting Actual Training and Assessments

Check all training accessories, supplies and training aids are •readily available for training.Conduct new drivers’ theoretical & practical training in •accordance to the department of land transport requirements.Provide’ theoretical & practical defensive driving training to all •BMSC & Contactor drivers.Identify & Set up safe practical training areas for all grades of •driving training. Maintain driving training vehicle always clean and safe for •operation. Conduct periodic and need based defensive driving refresher •training. Conduct Driver’s competency assessment as per approved •standards.

Evaluation and follow-upEvaluate the actual course contents and update based on •feedbacks when needed.Evaluate delegate training, both Theory & practical Notify •delegates and Supervisor.Evaluate the new drivers’ readiness prior to the Department of •land transport final competency assessment. Ensure safety and health standards are reflected during •assessment process.

ReportingPrepare weekly reports including KPI achievements.•Generate and maintain all trainees’ documentations to fulfil •necessary requirements of the ministry of transport and communications including registration form, medical check-ups on timely basis.

Unique requirements / other information

Good verbal and written communication in local language.•Good understanding of English language.•Ability to work in multicultural work environment.•Produce and maintain effective training results.•Conducting training evaluation & effectiveness assessment. •Assessment, Coaching and mentoring skills.•Facilitation skills.•

Qualifications:

Formal education, certifications of equivalents. Eritrean Driving license Grade 3 and above.•High school certificate.•Certified by Department of Land transport as Driver Trainer.•

Knowledge and Experience:Minimum of 05 years’ experience as driver and 2 years’ •experience as trainer. Understanding of Mining Operations is an advantage.•Knowledge of relevant government legislation. •Good English language skills.•Basic computer skills. •

Technical Skills Behavioural Skills

Computer Literacy (MS Office) Communication (English + local language)

Attention to detail Assertiveness

Analytical skill Interpersonal RelationsProblem solving skill Integrity

Planning and scheduling Conflict resolutionCompetency based driving training

Ability to work towards strict deadlinesHigh level of accuracyDiscretion and confidentiality

GENERAL INFORMATION

Place of Work: Bisha Site• Salary:As per company salary scale•

Additional Requirement for Nationals

Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and •provide evidence for release paper from Ministry of defense.Present clearance paper from current/last employee.•Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience •crediancials, a copy of your national Identity Card etc).Only shortlisted applicants would be considered as potential •candidates for an interview.Application documents will not be returned back to •sender. All Applications should be sent though the post office.•Deadline for application; 10 days from the day of publication •in the Newspaper.

Address: Please mail your applications to;Bisha Mining Share Company.•P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea•

Note to Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application. •Aliens Employment permits Affairs.•P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea.•

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Thank you for making the time, Kibrom. Would you please share with our readers something about yourself?

It is a pleasure to be here. I was born in the Southern Region, in a village called Guila. After suffering from blindness due to measles, I joined the Abraha Bahta School for the Blind in Asmara. Joining Abraha Bahta was what gave me the bases for my success. I then went to a high school that wasn’t for the blind, which was a bit challenging at the time before I took my matriculation exam that turned out to be a success. I joined Asmara University with a 3.2 grade point and studied history. I am currently working at the Research and Documentation Center.

If you don’t mind, I would like to take you back to your childhood years at Abraha Bahta….

It was a place where we all created our own world. We played like the kids with sight and

The Geez Reading Jaws, new improved software for the BlindAsmait Futsumbrhan

As life throws many challenges, it makes it even harder to face it with some form of disability, especially for those who live visually impaired. However, disability doesn’t mean hardship and many have proven to be inspirations to live life fully and be successful despite their disabilities. One of them, Kibrom Ghebreab, is here with us today. Kibrom is successful in his education and career. He came up with improved jaws software (assistive software, screen reader) to help address the challenges members of the Society of visually-impaired Eritreans face every day. Many Eritreans living with blindness lack sufficient supply of the assistive technologies that cause them to depend on family and friends. Kibrom improved the screen reader technology to narrate the native language which puts on great help for the users.

nothing was challenging for us. We participated in various activities and those activities made us grow closer. It was an environment that made us forget our challenges and concentrate on the future. The school meant the world to us. I don’t recall any kind of impediments as we were supplied with brails to write and read.

I am going to be honest; it was a bit difficult when we had to go to a different high school with the sighted students at the beginning. Although the reason for us to join an all-sighted high school was for a good cause. It was simply meant to help us socialize in the real world; we had to learn how to deal with challenges financially and physically. It was hard to us to cope with the students since the way we took notes was different. We had to find students to read out for us so that we could write with brail. We also had the difficulties of finding reference books, which wasn’t a problem when we were in Abraha Bahta. All in all, life became a

little bit hard by the time we were out of Abraha Bahta. However, I consider myself so lucky that I belong to an ever-giving society. Our society has given us all the help and assistance we need unconditionally. For instance, when I joined the University, I had all the help I could ever need from everyone. I even managed to get life-time friends out of Asmara University. My success is the outcome of everyone who stood by me during my academic years.

The new improved Jaws software, what is it for and what stirred you to work on it?

It is software that reads what is on computer screen. It was created by a big company called Freedom Scientific. It is an important assistive technology which helps a visually-impaired person to use the computer. I started thinking about improving the software when it became difficult for me to prepare my reports and documents

in Tigrigna. Even though I didn’t have the knowledge on how to create computer software, I was determined to come up with it, which I believed would be a great help for the users.

How were you able to get in to designing software and succeed though by training you are a historian and are now working as a researcher?

If there is anything I learned from this experience, it is that anything is possible if you are keen on it. From the start, I was interested in and amazingly good at math. It was my favorite subject. However, since there aren’t enough educational supplies for the blind in every field, it puts a limit to how many fields we choose to get in to. That is one of the few regrets I have, which is not being able to join the Maths department. So, since software designing is all about coding and numbering it wasn’t that much challenging. I read about basic computer

language from different sources and had additional knowledge and ideas about software from the inclusive planet.com, a website administrated by Indian blind professionals. This group has given me enough ideas and information about how to write scripts and develop applications.

Regarding the making process, I was able to come up with codes that can dictate a Tigrigna language combined with English letters, making them sound a lot closer to geez pronunciation. I tried to find the right Hexodesimal value code for every geez letter. Of course it had its small difficulties such as finding an English letter for every geez one since there are almost 60 geez letters and only 26 English alphabets. That being said, the software surely has limitations such as the fact that some sounds are not very well pronounced. Although such sounds are not perfectly pronounced, they are still very well understood.

What was the repose you got from the users?

This software is going to maximize the professional ability of visually-impaired people. It is certainly going to make things easier and understandable for them since it is going to be in their native language. And the response I got from them was great.

Anything you would like to say before we part, Kibrom?

I would like to thank the Research and Documentation Center for opening many opportunities for me. I would also like to pass on my gratitude to Mr. Zemhret Yohanes for giving me all the help I needed, material-wise to help me finish my project. I would also like to thank the Eritrean Hearing and Vision Impairment Association in USA for all their support. Most of all, I don’t have enough words for my wife who has been there for me and has been like my back in my life. Thank you all for everything.

Vol. 26 No. 23 Saturday, May 18, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00...

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Transcript of Vol. 26 No. 23 Saturday, May 18, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00...