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APRIL 4 IS THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MINE AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE IN MINE ACTION
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[05:18 pm] 03 April, 2006
On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each
year shall be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day
for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (resolution 60/97). It
called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the
United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment
and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where
mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the
safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment
to social and economic development at the national and local levels.
"A single landmine - or even the fear of its presence - can hold an
entire community hostage. It can prevent farmers from growing crops,
refugees from returning home, even children from playing," says UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his message issued especially for the
day. "It blocks the delivery of humanitarian relief and impedes the
deployment of peacekeepers. In post-conflict societies landmines remain
one of the greatest impediments to rebuilding and renewal", he adds.
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. April 4 is an opportunity to remind the world that
there is light at the end of the tunnel."
According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2005, 84 countries are
affected to some extent by landmines and unexploded ordnance, which
together kill or maim between 15,000 and 20,000 adults and children
annually, down from an estimated 26,000 in the late 1990s. Fourteen
United Nations agencies, programmes, departments and funds are together
helping find and destroy these devices and providing other mine-action
services in 30 countries and three territories.
"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.
Landmine facts & figures:
- Number of countries thought to be affected to some extent by
landmines and explosive remnants of war: 82
- Number of landmines still buried in the ground worldwide: Unknown
(what's more important than the quantity is their impact on lives
and livelihoods)
- Number of governments reported to have used landmines as of 2005: 3
- Number of countries that are producing or capable of producing
landmines: 13
- Number of countries confirmed to have traded or exported landmines
in 2005: 0
- Number of countries participating in the antipersonnel mine-ban
treaty: 149
- Landmines still stockpiled worldwide: 167 million
- Number of countries reporting new victims of landmines and explosive
remnants of war in 2004-2005: 58
- Estimated number of new casualties each year: 15,000 to 20,000
- International funding for mine action in 2004: $399 million
- World's top donor for mine action in 2004: USA ($96.5 million)
- Country receiving the largest amount of mine action funding in 2004:
Afghanistan ($91.8 million)
- Number of countries where mine risk education services were provided
in 2004-2005: 61
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
A1+
[05:18 pm] 03 April, 2006
On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each
year shall be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day
for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (resolution 60/97). It
called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the
United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment
and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where
mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the
safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment
to social and economic development at the national and local levels.
"A single landmine - or even the fear of its presence - can hold an
entire community hostage. It can prevent farmers from growing crops,
refugees from returning home, even children from playing," says UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his message issued especially for the
day. "It blocks the delivery of humanitarian relief and impedes the
deployment of peacekeepers. In post-conflict societies landmines remain
one of the greatest impediments to rebuilding and renewal", he adds.
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. April 4 is an opportunity to remind the world that
there is light at the end of the tunnel."
According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2005, 84 countries are
affected to some extent by landmines and unexploded ordnance, which
together kill or maim between 15,000 and 20,000 adults and children
annually, down from an estimated 26,000 in the late 1990s. Fourteen
United Nations agencies, programmes, departments and funds are together
helping find and destroy these devices and providing other mine-action
services in 30 countries and three territories.
"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.
Landmine facts & figures:
- Number of countries thought to be affected to some extent by
landmines and explosive remnants of war: 82
- Number of landmines still buried in the ground worldwide: Unknown
(what's more important than the quantity is their impact on lives
and livelihoods)
- Number of governments reported to have used landmines as of 2005: 3
- Number of countries that are producing or capable of producing
landmines: 13
- Number of countries confirmed to have traded or exported landmines
in 2005: 0
- Number of countries participating in the antipersonnel mine-ban
treaty: 149
- Landmines still stockpiled worldwide: 167 million
- Number of countries reporting new victims of landmines and explosive
remnants of war in 2004-2005: 58
- Estimated number of new casualties each year: 15,000 to 20,000
- International funding for mine action in 2004: $399 million
- World's top donor for mine action in 2004: USA ($96.5 million)
- Country receiving the largest amount of mine action funding in 2004:
Afghanistan ($91.8 million)
- Number of countries where mine risk education services were provided
in 2004-2005: 61
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress