There has been what the Land Claims Commission describes as a “breakthrough” in settling land restitution claims in the Eastern Cape. According to the commission, there were 6 771 outstanding land restitution claims in the Eastern Cape at the end of March, with 7 979 having been settled in the last financial year involving 9 700 households and more than 17 160 hectares of land. Most of the outstanding claims (3 287) are in the western region, followed by Amatole (2 283). There are 737 in Chris Hani and Ukwahlamba and 464 in OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo. The Eastern Cape Region of the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights has prioritised 2 123 claims to be settled over the next 12 months. Some of the "significant" claims included are: East Bank 2; Guba; Dyantyi; Appiesdraai; Keiskammahoek, Hankey, Somerset East, Kabah Langa, Pelcra 2, Graaff-Reinet, Mkambathi, North Pondoland, Queenstown (Mlungisi) and Umgwalana Nek. In its annual report the Commission says that the part financial year was a "breakthrough year for the Eastern Cape with the settlement of two major claims, East Bank and Makhoba . Both claims have a developmental component that underlines the integrated developmental approach to restitution. While the Department’s core function is to ensure equitable redress and access to land, it is imperative to ensure that our settlements address the problems of poverty and sustainable development."