Two agreements worth $4.1 million have been signed to combat mines and explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan.
The agreements between Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the Danish Refugee Council’s Mine Action Programme were signed during a meeting between the authority’s Director General, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, and the Danish program’s Director General, J. Opreti.
The most dangerous areas will be prioritized
Under the agreements, mine-clearance projects will be carried out, areas contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war will be cleared, awareness of mine-related risks will be increased, and work will be conducted to address survivors’ needs.
Mullah Nooruddin Turabi expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with the Danish program and called for clearance operations in contaminated areas to be accelerated. Turabi also called for effective coordination between Afghanistan’s disaster management authority and the Mine Action Coordination Directorate, and for priority to be given to areas posing the greatest threat to people’s lives and safety.
J. Opreti also provided information about the organization’s new projects. Opreti said cooperation and coordination must continue to reduce the risks posed by mines and explosive remnants of war.
At least 92 people were killed last year
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Afghanistan ranks third worldwide in casualties caused by land mines and unexploded ordnance. Following decades of war, millions of explosive remnants of war were scattered across the country’s villages, mountains and fields.
Mines and other explosives killed at least 92 people and injured 379 in Afghanistan last year. The United Nations mission said more than two-thirds of the victims were children.
According to data from the United Nations Mine Action Service, more than 45,000 civilians have been killed or injured in Afghanistan by mines and explosive remnants of war since 1989.
