Nubian Ibex
This sure-footed wild goat climbs the steep cliffs of Eritrea's highlands with remarkable confidence, using hooves that grip rock almost like rubber.
Flag of Eritrea
Field Report
Eritrea is a small country in the Horn of Africa, tucked along the western shore of the Red Sea just above Ethiopia and Djibouti. It has highlands where farmers grow grain, dry lowland plains where nomads herd camels, and a long coastline dotted with coral reefs and remote islands. Most people in Eritrea have never had a chance to read a Bible or hear about Jesus, which is exactly why Christians around the world pray for them.
From the Field Notebook
Nubian Ibex
This sure-footed wild goat climbs the steep cliffs of Eritrea's highlands with remarkable confidence, using hooves that grip rock almost like rubber.
Green Sea Turtle
Green sea turtles nest along Eritrea's Red Sea coast and the Dahlak Islands, returning to the same beaches year after year to lay their eggs in the warm sand.
Hamadryas Baboon
Troops of Hamadryas baboons roam Eritrea's rocky escarpments, and the males are easy to spot by the thick silver-grey capes of fur around their shoulders.
Injera
Injera is a spongy, slightly sour flatbread made from teff grain that serves as both plate and utensil — you tear off pieces and use them to scoop up stew.
Zigni
Zigni is a slow-cooked spiced beef stew rich with berbere chili paste, and its deep red color hints at just how bold and warming the flavor is.
Shiro
Shiro is a thick, savory paste made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, eaten almost every day by many Eritrean families, especially during fasting seasons.
Eritrea only became an independent country in 1993, which means it is younger than many of your parents.
The Dahlak Archipelago off Eritrea's Red Sea coast contains over 200 islands, most of them completely uninhabited.
Eritrea has nine officially recognized ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language and many with their own customs and music.
The city of Asmara, Eritrea's capital, is filled with well-preserved Italian Art Deco buildings from the early 1900s, earning it a UNESCO World Heritage designation.
Eritrea sits along one of the world's most ancient trade routes — the Red Sea coast has been used by merchants, explorers, and travelers for over three thousand years.
Daily Life
69
Years life expectancy
65%
Can read and write
51%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Eritrea is home to 15 distinct people groups — 10 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
About half of Eritrea's people follow Islam (50.1%). Evangelical Christians make up about 2.4% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Tigre, Eritrean
738,000 people
Afar
285,000 people
Beja, Beni Amer
283,000 people
Beja, Hadendoa
85,000 people
Nara, Nialetic
56,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.