Eritrea

Eritrea continued to make notable progress in 2024 toward expanding access to essential services, including healthcare, education, water, and sanitation, with growing efforts to strengthen social protection and resilience.

The country’s strategic role in the Horn of Africa gained visibility through its leadership in the Egyptian-Somali-Eritrean alliance, a development seen as a positive force for regional stability and economic cooperation. While economic challenges persist, compounded by global shocks and climate impacts, there is growing interest in fostering development opportunities, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the population resides.

In response to the Sudan crisis, Eritrea welcomed those fleeing conflict, providing shelter and access to basic services in host communities, particularly in the Gash Barka region. 

UNHCR continues to seek pathways for constructive engagement with national counterparts, building on improved collaboration with the UN Country Team and the support of regional partners. Despite remaining challenges in asylum governance, there is renewed momentum to strengthen protection frameworks and re-establish partnerships that support the needs of displaced populations and host communities alike.