In the face of a national health emergency caused by a severe shortage of blood supplies, the Ministry of Health in Eritrea launched a strategic, nationwide blood donation campaign to address the growing demands of medical operations. Recognising the urgency and importance of this effort, ERA UK was invited to partner in the campaign, providing technical support and public education tools to help expand blood bank capacity and foster a culture of voluntary blood donation across the country.
At the time, Eritrea faced an acute shortage of both blood banks and available blood for critical medical procedures, putting countless lives at risk. Compounding this crisis was a widespread lack of public awareness regarding the importance of blood donation, which led to minimal participation and a general reluctance among the population.
To build a resilient supply system, it became clear that a coordinated national effort was needed not just to mobilise donors, but to shift public attitudes, promote behavioural change, and encourage consistent engagement from all regions of the country.
ERA UK responded by partnering with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the national campaign through targeted public engagement strategies. The organisation developed and distributed a range of awareness-raising materials including posters, brochures, and other educational content designed to inform, inspire, and activate community members to become regular blood donors.
The initial phase of ERA UK’s involvement focused on building public trust and awareness, laying the groundwork for sustainable behaviour change. This included supporting the campaign’s rollout in both urban and rural areas, promoting inclusive participation, and aligning messaging with cultural sensitivities to ensure broad public resonance.
