It is estimated that Eritrea will take years to recover fully from the devastation. A huge swathe of territory in western, central and eastern parts of the country has been laid waste. While it appears that Eritrea has borne the brunt of the conflict, Ethiopia, too, has suffered terrible pain. Currently, severe drought has parched the eastern third of the country. The people desperately need at least 800,000 tons of food aid.
Famine stalks the land.
Eight million are on the verge of starvation, but precious resources have been diverted to wage war. The entire international community urges the two sides to resolve their differences and end this senseless conflict. The current Algiers peace talks, sponsored by the Organisation of African Unity, must be given a chance to succeed.