The United Nations (UN) will celebrate the Mine Action Awareness Day on Tuesday, calling for the continuation of efforts made by States with the assistance of the UN and relevant organizations to participate in mine action.
Mine action must be developed in countries where landmines and explosive remnants of war pose a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of local civilian populations, the organization said in a statement posted on its official website on Monday. The mines are an impediment to social and economic development efforts at the national and local levels, it said.
“Mine action is a humanitarian action, including the finding of landmines and the dangers of explosive materials in war-torn areas, and then the destruction of these mines and materials,” it said, noting the need to clear roads and runways from explosive materials, as well as train local residents in mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal.
The UN General Assembly, by its resolution 97/60 of 8 December 2005, officially declared 4 April as the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
