A/HRC/23/53 They are subjected to extrajudicial killings, death in custody, arbitrary arrests and detention, expropriation leading to destruction of their traditional way of life, and displacement. 82. During the border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Government of Eritrea accused the Kunama of being sympathetic to the Ethiopians, and persecuted them. As a result, some 4,000 crossed into Ethiopia in 2000, while others sought refuge in other parts of Eritrea. The numbers have since increased; today, the Kunama are scattered throughout Eritrea and in refugee camps in Ethiopia. They hope that a significant change in the political and human rights environment in the country would allow them to return to their homelands. L. Economic, social and cultural rights 83. As mentioned above, Eritrea is experiencing difficulties in meeting the Millennium Development Goal 1 target of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty. The reality of the difficult socioeconomic conditions was regularly noted during the field mission. Interlocutors referred to regular power cuts and severe shortages of fuel and of other basic commodities, including water. 84. Eritrea is one of the few countries in Africa that is making steady progress towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 (namely, reductions in child mortality, reductions in maternal mortality, and combating HIV and AIDS).10 85. The United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund and UNDP worked with the State of Eritrea to improve women’s health in an initiative targeting the reduction of maternal mortality rate.11 Maternal mortality was reduced from 998/100,000 live births in 1995 to 486/100,000 live births in 2010.12 86. Medical facilities have nonetheless deteriorated over the years, with hospitals generally understaffed and underequipped. Despite the decision by the Government to launch a programme to decentralize health care and health-care facilities, the challenges of providing adequate staff and equipment continue, especially in rural areas. 87. Eritrea experiences food production shortages owing to recurrent drought and the country’s exclusive dependence on unpredictable rainfall. Nearly two thirds of the population rely on rain-fed agriculture or are pastoralists. While the Government maintains there is no food shortage, market food prices have reportedly soared, making even basic commodities unaffordable and food rationing widespread. At the same time, farmers may sell their produce only to the Government, and at a very low price. 88. Several interviewees referred to a coupon system that was the only means of access to basic food items and which, they claimed, also served as yet another measure to control the population. In many villages, those fit for farming were serving in the military, which further contributed to food insecurity. In addition, as a result of the self-reliance policy, humanitarian aid organizations are not allowed to operate in Eritrea. 10 11 12 16 Eritrea is now quoted as one of only four countries (together with Cape Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles) of 46 in sub-Saharan Africa currently on track to attain Millennium Development Goal 4 (to reduce child mortality) by 2015; see Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (see footnote 8), pp.7-8. See UNDP, Reducing maternal death in Eritrea, available fromwww.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/womenempowerment/successstories/eritrea_redu cingmaternaldeath/. Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (see footnote 8), p. 11.