Freedom for non-government organisations and aid agencies to operate within Eritrea is limited due to constraints put in place by the Government of Eritrea. The Government of Eritrea does not consider these organisations to have a significant role to play in either the development of the country or in addressing relief needs. After agreeing a limited travel itinerary with the Eritrean authorities, Department for International Development (DFID) officials were able to visit partner agencies in Eritrea in August of this year.