199. The involvement of Eritrean communities inside the country is significant. Eritrean communities through their local level structures, networks and associations support the martyr‟s families in their agricultural activities, harvesting and other social affairs. The participation of the youth in supporting martyr‟s families is significant. Various government employees, members of the army, police and students also participate in this endeavor. 200. Eritreans in the Diaspora are also involved in a project aimed at contributing financial support to the martyr‟s families. Each Eritrean volunteer supports one or more families at the rate of USD 360 per year for at least two years. There are more than 15,000 families supported through this important scheme and demonstrates the significant contribution of Eritreans in the Diaspora in development and social security projects. The project has also served and contributed in establishing family links and relationship which is also characteristic in the family values of the Eritrean society. It is a relationship which goes beyond kinship and the extended family relations and very vital in dealing with challenges and problems collectively. Pension Scheme 201. The MoLHW has been working to set up governance mechanism and to identify efficient system for the collection of contributions, as well as a eventual management of the pension scheme fund once collected. The pension scheme for employees in the public services is the only program currently at hand. The scheme for the civil service is so far running but it requires further efforts for full implementation.The contributions paid by the employers and the employees are collected on the basic salary of the employee. The basic requirement in the administration of the fund is that the amount of due payments shall not exceed the available amount of disbursement and the fund is meant to regenerate itself. The vision of the ministry is to make sure that the pension scheme should cover all workers both in the public and private sectors. 202. After the outbreak of the border war with Ethiopia, the Eritrea government has been burdened with the task of continuing the benefit entitlement of the former civil servants and members of the army and police of the ex- Ethiopian government in Eritrea. The established scheme bestows the Ethiopian government to shoulder its responsibility and guarantee the entitlement of these 27,406 regular pensioners and survivors. Considering the prevailing situation of war, belligerence and hostilities, the Eritrean Government has continued their benefits that amount to about ERN 24 million/year (equivalent to about USD 1.6 million/year). So far the Eritrean Government has covered this benefit expenditure amounting to ERN 432 million (equivalent to USD 28.8 million). Addressing Effects of war, disasters and drought 203. Both human made effects and natural calamities have also played a role to exacerbate the livelihoods of the Eritrean people. The 1998-2000 war with Ethiopia caused several Page 48 of 100