hundreds of thousands of people to be driven out of their homes to take safe haven in areas safer from the Ethiopian invasion. Assessments made by researchers from the University of Asmara in 2001- 2002 showed the impact of the wanton destruction made by Ethiopian aggression. The damage on 304 schools (254 of them primary schools) disrupted the schooling of 140,365 children at the time. 90 health centers and six hospitals were completely or partially destroyed. Places of worship, communications facilities, roads, water supply and distribution systems and energy facilities were bombed or looted. Entire herds of livestock were either killed or driven away across the border by the Ethiopia army. The report estimated the total monetary value of the damage at USD 717.5 million. The worst humanitarian effect was the internal displacement of over 90,000 citizens (60% children). 204. The Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC) in cooperation with all stakeholders thus organised temporary make shift camps and organized humanitarian support to the more than 90,000 IDPs. This was further exacerbated by the 1999 –m 2004 drought in some parts of the country. In the event, the Eritrean people shouldered responsibility and cooperated in hosting the displaced citizens by sharing community resources and healing of the displaced population. This was historic and of paramount importance reflecting the culture of cooperation in the social fabrics of the Eritrean society. After the agreement for the cessation of hostilities was signed, most IDPS returned home. However, IDPs whose villages are still occupied by Ethiopia have been temporarily resettled in nearby communities of their preferences. They are provided with social services including education, health, transportation, communication and clean water supply. In as much as possible efforts are also made to incorporate their rehabilitation into the development priorities at national and local levels. 205. The Ethiopian Government also expelled over 85,000 Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin during the 1998-2000 border war. This was mostly done along the dangerous route of the war frontlines. Most of the expelled citizens were reintegrated into urban areas. About 28,350 of these volunteered to be resettled in rural agricultural areas and all the needed support and services was provided by the Government and the succeeded in becoming self-sufficient. Tracing and reunifying dismembered families and restoration of livelihoods to normalcy also was another major effort. Only 239 of the thousands of children left behind when their parents were expelled were eventually reunified with their families. In spite of the challenges, significant programmes of recovery and reintegration continued during the reporting period to support the victims. 206. In an attempt to heal the displaced and deportee children, the MoLHW, MoE and the NUEYS conducted concerted efforts on psychosocial support and promoted recreational activities. All displaced and expelled children were supplied with necessary school materials as well uniforms. Psychosocial programmes such as counseling were provided and cultural activities including music, dance, storytelling and community theaters as well as sport were organized. Furthermore, NUEYS also developed and implemented landmine risk awareness raising education in the affected areas. Page 49 of 100