More than 100 million people worldwide are living under the threat of landmines, as warned by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, celebrated on April 4th. This alarming figure includes communities in regions such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine, Syria, and the Palestinian territories, where the threat of these explosives persists even after conflicts have ended. Guterres emphasized that landmines continue to pose a danger to innocent civilians, putting their lives and well-being at risk.
The Secretary-General stressed the importance of this year’s theme: “Safe Ground, Safe Home.” This call to action aims to highlight the crucial work carried out by UN mine clearance personnel, who tirelessly work to identify and remove mines and other explosives, as well as educate communities about the associated risks. The goal of these efforts is to enable people to live, work, and travel without fear of becoming victims of these lethal weapons.
According to UN data, one person dies or is injured by explosives every hour, with children being one of the most affected populations. Guterres made an urgent appeal for countries that have not yet done so to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, which has been accepted by 164 nations since its approval in 1997. He also urged the ratification of other conventions that prohibit cluster munitions and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has been working for over two decades to mitigate the dangers posed by these artifacts, adapting to the needs of affected communities. A concerning example of the situation is seen in Somalia, where last year 597 explosive devices were recorded, causing over 1,400 casualties. James Swan, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, emphasized the importance of supporting the country’s security institutions to address the risks associated with these mines.
The UN continues to collaborate with the Federal Government of Somalia to strengthen the capacity of its security forces and improve the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected, while also promoting national participation in demining initiatives.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
