Infrastructure & Social Services Program

The Irob and Saho people have a long history of linguistic and cultural affinity, but they have been cut off from each other by the creation of Eritrea as a country. This was further worsened due to the fact that there is no road network to connect them and due to the border dispute and armed conflict between Ethiopia during the post-Eritrean independence from Ethiopia. The main obstacle to their communication and cooperation is the absence of a road link between their respective regions. This is not a problem of their own making, but a result of the political decisions of their governments. Therefore, they deserve to be reconnected.

 A feasible and cost-effective solution is to build a road network that connects Alitena, the administrative center of Irob with Hirgigo or Arafali, the coastal towns of Saho people, through Saho territory. This would enable them to restore and enhance their social and cultural relations, as well as to access new economic opportunities and markets. This would also create sea access for the landlocked Irob region.