Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA363
2008-07-22 05:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
COOKING FUEL SHORTAGES MET WITH RATIONING
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000363
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: ECON PGOV ENRG ER
SUBJECT: COOKING FUEL SHORTAGES MET WITH RATIONING
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000363
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: ECON PGOV ENRG ER
SUBJECT: COOKING FUEL SHORTAGES MET WITH RATIONING
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Kerosene, used extensively for cooking in Eritrea,
was distributed at market prices until April, but is now
available only with a ration card. This is similar to other
commodities, such as food staples, automotive diesel, and
liquid propane. Families are limited to one gallon per
month, which lasts about one week. Kerosene stocks,
according to some reports, would last about 15 days at normal
levels of use. Rationing will extend the current supply to
six to eight weeks.
2. (C) A large shipment of liquid propane was trucked into
Eritrea from Sudan in early July, and distribution began
during the week of July 7. Propane, the primary cooking fuel
in Eritrea, is available only by a ration card. Each family
receives a single three and one-half gallon canister every
three months.
3. (C) Fuel shortages led to an increase in the use of
charcoal for cooking. When cooking fuel became unavailable
in June, charcoal prices soared from $.25/pound to
$1.25/pound. The Eritrean government subsequently closed all
charcoal distributors for price gouging, and will reportedly
allow them to reopen if they charge $.33/pound. Because the
government-imposed price is far below the market price, it is
likely charcoal will be rationed in the future.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: ECON PGOV ENRG ER
SUBJECT: COOKING FUEL SHORTAGES MET WITH RATIONING
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Kerosene, used extensively for cooking in Eritrea,
was distributed at market prices until April, but is now
available only with a ration card. This is similar to other
commodities, such as food staples, automotive diesel, and
liquid propane. Families are limited to one gallon per
month, which lasts about one week. Kerosene stocks,
according to some reports, would last about 15 days at normal
levels of use. Rationing will extend the current supply to
six to eight weeks.
2. (C) A large shipment of liquid propane was trucked into
Eritrea from Sudan in early July, and distribution began
during the week of July 7. Propane, the primary cooking fuel
in Eritrea, is available only by a ration card. Each family
receives a single three and one-half gallon canister every
three months.
3. (C) Fuel shortages led to an increase in the use of
charcoal for cooking. When cooking fuel became unavailable
in June, charcoal prices soared from $.25/pound to
$1.25/pound. The Eritrean government subsequently closed all
charcoal distributors for price gouging, and will reportedly
allow them to reopen if they charge $.33/pound. Because the
government-imposed price is far below the market price, it is
likely charcoal will be rationed in the future.
MCMULLEN