207. The clearance of landmines also occupied a center stage in ensuring the safety and protection of the population in the areas affected by the border war. A National Demining Authority (NDA) responsible for all mine action policies and a National Demining Organization (NDO) with the responsibility for the physical removal/clearance of landmines and unexploded ordinance have been established and rendered invaluable services in alleviating the grave threat posed to the lives of our people. 208. During the border war and the aftermath, some parts of Eritrea were hit by drought, exposing citizens to shortages of food and other basic supplies. Therefore, the Government, of Eritrea appealed for international support but the response was short of the needs and mobilization of available resources was made to address the critical problems and areas. In 2011, Eritrea also experienced volcanic eruption in the south eastern part. The volcanic ash and earth quake caused some damage to livestock and property in the affected communities. The Government responded to this natural calamity by moving the communities to safer places and providing them with emergency supplies. Moreover, the flood that displaced communities in the Foro sub region in 2015 was also addressed by availing the emergency needs as well as moving the affected population to a safer place. In general, the humanitarian situations were contained mainly by mobilizing and organizing the available local resources. 209. Despite the strenuous conditions that resulted from the conflict and drought years, the Government of the State of Eritrea also heavily invested in the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of the Eritrean refugees from Sudan. The effort encompassed those who had stayed extended periods of years since the liberation struggle and those who fled during the recent border war with Ethiopia. In the course of 2001-2004, about 81,712 (41,877 females) voluntarily returned from the Sudan to their areas of their choices in the six regional administration in Eritrea through the repatriation program of the Government and continues up to this date. The host communities also welcome and share their resources with the returnees. Protection of Family as a Social institution 210. The family has always been the basic social institution critical to the stability of the social fabrics and the overall development of the Eritrean society. In particular, the role of the family in the upbringing of the new generation and the transfer of values as a cultural heritage have been of paramount importance. Hence, protection of the family has assumed a center place. All institutional and legal provisions pertaining to the family relations have been implemented and monitored to ensure that men and women of full legal age enjoyed the right, upon their consent, to marry and to establish a family freely without any discrimination and to shoulder equal rights and duties in all family affairs. In particular, the Transitional Civil Code has protected the right to succession irrespective of gender, age with all family members involved in inheritance without distinction. Even though legislation provides for equal rights and opportunities, attitudes and cultural practices still constitute Page 50 of 100