International Mine Awareness Day

April 4th is the International Mine Awareness Day. The General Assembly of the United Nations named this day on December 2005. April 4th was cherished first in 2006. During these years, the General Assembly has required states to confront the mine-related problems by assisting the UN and relevant organizations.

Landmines remain in the locations after fights and continue killing civilians. Out of every 10 landmine victims, 7 are civilians. Moreover, landmines hinder local people to access pastures, ways and water. Plus they prevent them to rebuild and develop the war-affected areas.

Experts believe that the best way to confront the landmines is to clear the minefields.

However, clearing minefields is very costly and prolonged and might take several years. Therefore, as long as the clearing is not finished, the only ways to confront this issue are “Mine Risk Education” and “Reduction of the Risk Level”.

In Mine Risk Education, it has been emphasized that all the local population of hazardous areas as well as the passenger visiting such places, must take these trainings.

Although it has been slightly over ten years since this day has been registered, the training to the populations living in affected areas has revealed positive results in the world-level, as the number of the landmine victims has reduced from 15 thousand in 90s to currently 4 thousand annually.

Mine Risk Education in Iran

According to the statistics, Iran is the second landmine affected country having 16 million landmines and explosive war remnants in 5 western provinces (West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Ilam and Khuzestan). These landmines have killed and injured more than ten thousand Iranians.

Although Mine Risk Education has been started late (officially since 2007) by Red Crescent and Welfare Organization, actions taken during this very period have caused a reduction of losses among the citizens of affected areas. The statics shows 90% reduction in deaths.

Hoping for a world free of landmines

Theme 2017: NEEDS DIVEN. PEOPLE CENTRED.

نوشته شده توسط بهنام صادقی در سه شنبه ۱۵ فروردین ۱۳۹۶ |