KABUL, Apr 7 (NNN-ANA) – Landmines have continued to kill or maim more than 120 people every month in Afghanistan, one of the most landmine contaminated countries, Nooruddin Rustamkhil from the State Ministry for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs said, at an event marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The day is observed annually on Apr 4.
“We are marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Marking this special day gives us opportunities to study and observe all challenges and problems ahead of mine clearing programme in Afghanistan,” Rustamkhil, said.
The official noted that, the Afghan caretaker government has speeded up its efforts to clear the country from mines. However, he acknowledged that “it was impossible to have Afghanistan free of mine without international support.”
“During the past four decades of war, Afghanistan has been contaminated by millions of mines. During the past 30 years, about 3,323 square km of land has been cleared from millions of mines and explosive remnants of war. However, some 606 square km of Afghan land is still contaminated by landmines,” he said.
The official said, it would take seven to eight years to have the mountainous country completely free from the menace of mines.
The Mine Action Programme has cleaned some 26 square km from landmines and explosive ordnance in 21 of the country’s 34 provinces since Aug last year.– NNN-ANA
