EARLY SIGNS OF FOOD INSECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000438 DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E, INR, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, NAIROBI FOR USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2028 TAGS: ASEC ER PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: EARLY SIGNS OF FOOD INSECURITY Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Eritreans are starting to manifest signs of malnutrition in villages surrounding Asmara. RSO met with a reliable Embassy source who had visited villages approximately 30 km. NW of Asmara on the road to Keren. The villagers showed signs of malnutrition including visible loss of hair and distended stomachs. The villagers said their livestock were dying from hunger and that the farmers were slaughtering the animals and selling the meat at a financial loss rather than have the animals die of starvation. Cattle are used as draft animals so their slaughter means a loss of their utility in the fields. Embassy source also stated she was told by farmers that Eritrean soldiers had seized the crops of some farmers as well. ¶2. (C) The villagers stated they had no food and with the low levels of rain this year they are expecting a worse than usual crop. Many villagers said they wanted to flee Eritrea. When prompted, the villagers said they felt it was futile to even contemplate challenging the Eritrean government, that any conspiracy would be compromised and reported to the Eritrean government before it could even start. All conspirators would then be arrested and jailed. ¶3. (C) The Embassy source also told RSO that up to three ships arrived in Massawa last week filled with grain. The ships were offloadedQaQd the grain wQsQtaken to supply depots where it is believed to be used to feed Eritrean soldiers or to be distributed in 2009. NFI. NOTE: Wheat and barley is usually planted in late June and harvested in September. Lentils and chickpeas are planted in September and harvested in December. With the lack of decent rains, these harvests are in jeopardy as is grazing land for cattle. END NOTE. ¶4. (C) POST COMMENTS: This source has provided reliable information in the past. The lack of rain this rainy season has been evident and many Eritreans are visibly scared about the lack of a good harvest and possible shortages of food. TABLER-STONE