NDC holds meeting with representatives of donor countries over NMAP

SANA'A, Feb. 08 (Saba)-The National Demining Committee (NDC) held a
meeting with representatives of donor countries on Sunday over the
achievements of the committee during the pervious period and its
future plans.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International
Cooperation Abdul-Kareem al-Arhabi highlighted the National Mine
Action Program (NMAP)of the committee as the member countries of
Ottawa agreement agreed to extend the program for six years until
2014.

Al-Arhabi confirmed support of the government for the program in
cooperation with the donor countries.

The director of the center of program Mansor al-Azi reviewed content
of the program and its achievements in the ground, showing pictures
of victims of the landmines including workers in the program.

Some eight persons were killed in 2008 due to landmines, he said.

Al-Azi made it clear that the program needs for around $ 31 million
for period between 2009-2014 to carry out its activities. The Yemeni
government would offer $ 18 million and rest of would be based on
support of the donors.

The resident representative of the UNDP in Yemen Pratibha Mehta said
that cost of mine action program in Yemen is low, pointing out to
the decrease in number of the landmine victims.

She confirmed support of the UNDP for the program in Yemen.

The German ambassador to Sana'a Michael Klor-Berchtold also
confirmed support of his country for the program in field of
training the workers in the program.

The NMA was established on 17 June 1998. It is the overall policy
and decision-making body concerning all mine action in Yemen and is
headed by the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.

In 1997, Yemen signed the Mine Ban Treaty and ratified it on 1
September 1998. It entered into force for Yemen on 1 March 1999.
There is no domestic law implementing the treaty. AH