Mogadishu – Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the United Nations today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia in the fight against explosive hazards for a safe and secure future for all Somalis.
“Landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDS) have disproportionately affected civilian populations. Today, we honour those who have lost their lives to these deadly devices, and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the Somali government and our partners to reduce this lethal threat,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“Together, we are developing the capacity of the Somali security forces to mitigate the threats posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and IEDs,” he added.
Across Somalia, IEDs continue to pose a significant threat to peace and security, with 597 devices resulting in more than 1,400 casualties last year.
The United Nations has long supported and continues to support Somali security institutions in mitigating the risks associated with IEDs and explosive remnants of war. Significant progress has been made in building national capacities through training and the provision of specialized equipment – in February this year, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) handed over an assortment of life-saving equipment to counter IED threats.
The United Nations also works closely with the Federal Government of Somalia and its partners to address the humanitarian needs of those impacted by explosive hazards and to promote national ownership of mine action efforts.
The theme of this year’s observance – ‘Safe Futures Start Here - Ban Stigma - Take Action’ – calls for global action to reduce the stigma faced by survivors of explosive ordnances.
In 2005, the UN General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action to raise awareness of the need for continued efforts to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to civilian populations, or an impediment to social and economic development.
