Warsai-Yikeaalo program and its impact in post war Eritrea – A development perspective

The Warsai-Yikeaalo Program (WYP) has been introduced in Eritrea with an objective of constructing and reconstructing the infrastructure in the country. It has been under implementation since May 2002. The present study has been carried out to assess the impact of WYP in Eritrea in the infrastructure and economic development of the country. The defense personnel who are in the national service and the permanent staff as well are carrying out all the works under this program. It is to be noted that infrastructure created for the last four years of the program helped to improve the economic development of Eritrea in the post war period. The construction of roads, railway, airports, and ports greatly helped movement of people and goods and services for the betterment of the people in the country. The study covers different sectors agriculture, industry, education, health, tourism services etc., of the economy. The study also revealed that the people are happy to see the infrastructure in different areas of rural Eritrea. The study was carried out during the period 2002 to 2005. This study has limitations in that it is confined to the impact of Warsai-Yikeaalo Campaign in the development of Eritrea. However, various other developments under this program have not been discussed in detail. The broader issues of the economics, cultural, and political aspects that related to Eritrean economic development are beyond the scope of the paper.