monthly subsistence allowance that covers monthly pocket money, free medical service and additional social and administrative services for those who are not accommodated in IBRP (Asmara). Over 5,457 war veterans (out of which 900 are females) with severe disability are beneficiaries of this scheme. In total, the Government spends over Nfa 70 million annually to the PWDs under care in the camp and to those outside the camp. 351. One of the special measures of the last few years includes the steady growth in the use of sign language. The use of the sign language in public activities, court hearing, etc. is emerging. The Eritrean Deaf Association (EDA) plays an important role in supporting the deaf during court hearing and in helping the court and the deaf to communicate better with the help of an interpreter. Efforts have also been made to improve the deaf-doctor communication in hospitals, especially for pregnant deaf mothers. Furthermore, the first Sign Language Dictionary in the country has been published by the MoLHW in cooperation with the National Association for the Deaf. So far 5,000 copies have been disseminated to schools, public libraries and book-stores and stationeries throughout the country. The sign language dictionary is also translated into Arabic and English from the Tigrigna version. (iii) Community Based Rights Approach and support Promoted 352. The extended family system in Eritrea is an important basis of responsibility in the provision of care and support to persons with disability. Accordingly, the Eritrean community structure for centuries has prevailed as a safety net for its members, in particular for Persons with Disability. This positive caring attitude is based on collective responsibility and solidarity and has been maintained as a basis for all other levels of interventions. 353. The Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) for persons with disabilities was established as a national strategy in 1994 and has since evolved as an important part of the overall system. Note is made of the following aspects:-       About 90% of the CBRP is implemented in rural and semi-Urban areas. The programme is functional in all the six regional administrations. Presently the CBRPs are functional in 52 sub-regions (out of 58), 123 locality level administrations and 1,234 villages. There are 2,785 CBR volunteer workers nationwide of whom 836 (30%) are women. The programme functioned to safeguard equal rights and full participation of PWDs and carries out various rehabilitation tasks, public awareness campaigns, and health, education, economic, social and environmental services. It is successful and compared to other approaches, is less costly but more effective as it also mobilizes local resources. PWDs have also asserted their rights by integrating in all activities, meetings and administrative affairs and leadership. Though still at its infancy, the CBR has contributed to the employment and improvement of the economic livelihood and social life of the PWDs. PWDs (both ex-fighters and civilians) have access to interest-free credit program. Except few all the beneficiaries Page 91 of 100