ID :
172527
Fri, 04/01/2011 - 16:32
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http://m.oananews.org//node/172527
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International mine awareness day
Islamabad, April 01, 2011 (PPI): United Nations' International day for mine awareness, assistance in mine action to be observed on April 04 across the globe in order to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication.
Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to impact the lives of thousands of people each year in more than 65 countries. In 2009, nearly 4,000 new casualties were recorded from mines, explosive remnants of war, and victim activated improvised explosive devices. One third of the victims were children.
This year's commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April) will highlight the work of the mine action sector to save lives and protect livelihoods and celebrate the vigorous movement towards the United Nations vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
The battle against landmines is being won, with some countries already achieving mine-free status. But victory will depend on the unflagging commitment of the governments of those countries where mines still exist and on the sustained support of the international community, according to Max Gaylard, director of the United Nations Mine Action Service.
"The task of eliminating landmines is enormous, but it can be completed in years, rather than decades, as long as mine-affected countries do everything in their power to become mine-free, and donor countries and organizations maintain their interest and financial support," Gaylard adds. "Unlike so many of the global problems of our day, this one can be solved. 4 April is an opportunity to remind the world that there is light at the end of the tunnel."
In addition to tackling the landmine problem, the international community must also tackle the problem of explosive remnants of war, which in some countries, are an even greater threat, Gaylard says. Explosive remnants of war include unexploded ordnance (such as cluster munitions that did not detonate on impact) and abandoned explosive ordnance (such as grenades and missiles that were left behind by retreating armed forces). 4 April provides an opportunity to raise awareness about this problem too.
According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2010. Last year, according to the report, 3,956 deaths and maiming of civilians were recorded around the world -- the lowest total since it was first published in 1999 and nearly 30 percent down on the 2008 total.
"Mine action" refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas. It also includes assisting victims, teaching people how to remain safe in a mine-affected environment, advocating for universal participation in international treaties related to landmines, explosive remnants of war and their victims, and destroying landmines stockpiled by governments and non-state armed groups.
Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to impact the lives of thousands of people each year in more than 65 countries. In 2009, nearly 4,000 new casualties were recorded from mines, explosive remnants of war, and victim activated improvised explosive devices. One third of the victims were children.
This year's commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April) will highlight the work of the mine action sector to save lives and protect livelihoods and celebrate the vigorous movement towards the United Nations vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
The battle against landmines is being won, with some countries already achieving mine-free status. But victory will depend on the unflagging commitment of the governments of those countries where mines still exist and on the sustained support of the international community, according to Max Gaylard, director of the United Nations Mine Action Service.
"The task of eliminating landmines is enormous, but it can be completed in years, rather than decades, as long as mine-affected countries do everything in their power to become mine-free, and donor countries and organizations maintain their interest and financial support," Gaylard adds. "Unlike so many of the global problems of our day, this one can be solved. 4 April is an opportunity to remind the world that there is light at the end of the tunnel."
In addition to tackling the landmine problem, the international community must also tackle the problem of explosive remnants of war, which in some countries, are an even greater threat, Gaylard says. Explosive remnants of war include unexploded ordnance (such as cluster munitions that did not detonate on impact) and abandoned explosive ordnance (such as grenades and missiles that were left behind by retreating armed forces). 4 April provides an opportunity to raise awareness about this problem too.
According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2010. Last year, according to the report, 3,956 deaths and maiming of civilians were recorded around the world -- the lowest total since it was first published in 1999 and nearly 30 percent down on the 2008 total.
"Mine action" refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas. It also includes assisting victims, teaching people how to remain safe in a mine-affected environment, advocating for universal participation in international treaties related to landmines, explosive remnants of war and their victims, and destroying landmines stockpiled by governments and non-state armed groups.
