GENEVA, 6 February 2017 (UNMAS): The latest United Nations Portfolio of Mine Action projects shows a sharp increase in the need for humanitarian mine action, including landmine clearance, risk education and victim assistance, in conflict and post-conflict settings around the world.
The online Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2017 presents an overall requirement for USD 511 million (3,6 mia kroner, red.), a 50% increase from last year’s USD 347 million (2,4 mia. kroner, red.) consolidated appeal.
Minerydning i 22 lande og områder
The 2017 Portfolio presents a consolidated picture of the needs and strategies of twenty-two countries and territories contaminated with landmines and other explosive hazards such as unexploded cluster munitions, rockets and improvised explosive devices across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America.
The Portfolio presents over 200 projects that have been developed by the Mine Action Coordination groups at the country level in line with national mine action strategies.
Ms. Agnès Marcaillou, Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service and Chair of the United Nations Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action, said:
“Across the world the conflicts tearing countries, communities and lives apart cause a tragic increase in the number of casualties due to landmines and other explosive hazards. There is an absolute necessity for a humanitarian mine action response. The knowledge and willingness to help are there – it is adequate funding that is missing.”
Afghanistan ligger øverst
The highest funding requirements are found in the active conflict zones of Afghanistan (USD 124 million), Iraq (USD 75 million), Syria (USD 52 million) and Yemen (USD 17 million).
In addition, needs remain in countries which have extensive residual contamination, such as Cambodia (USD 23 million) and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (USD 26 million).
The user-friendly online portfolio is available at http://www.mineaction.org/resources/portfolios and includes interactive options, such as graphs and charts summarising the needs according to country, region and area of work.
