Seven New Locations to Be De-mined Across BiH

UNDP

10 August 2005

Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Safet Halilovic, together with the Ambassador of the Netherlands in BiH, H.E. Mr. Karel Vosskuhler, cut the ribbon in Ugorsko, a village in the Sarajevo Municipality of Vogosca, marking the commencement of this year�s mine clearance activities within UNDP Integrated Mine Action Programme. The targeted mine clearance area is of vital importance to the citizens of Ugorsko, due that the mine fields are located around houses, yards and water and electricity objects. The mine action will enable improvement of power line network and water supply to the entire village.

Minister Halilovic and Ambassador Vosskuhler cut the ribbon at Ugorsko.

The Ugorsko site is one of seven locations to be cleared of mines within this year�s IMAP mine clearance activities, supported by the Government of Netherlands. Other 6 sites include locations in Teocak, Celic, Banovici, Vogosca and Srebrenica municipalities.

�The 7 sites that will be cleared of mines were chosen in accordance with the Government�s priorities and the findings of the recent Landmine Impact Survey that specifically focuses on the socio-economic impact of mines on people�s lives. Upon the completion of IMAP�s current phase of mine clearance operations, over 128,000 m2 of land that is currently mine affected will be restored for activities related to agriculture, reconstruction, tourism and returns�, said Mr. Stefan Priesner, UNDP BiH Resident Representative a.i.

Ambassador of the Netherlands in BiH, H.E. Mr. Vosskuhler added that the Dutch Government is willing to support Bosnia and Herzegovina along the path towards reducing the mine danger throughout the country. �The Dutch Government, through provision of financial assistance, is involved in Mine Action activities in BiH since 1996, with current annual contributions of more than 500.000 Euros�, said Mr. Vosskuhler. For the IMAP mine clearance in 2005, the Dutch Government contributed 300.000 US Dollars.

Minister Halilovic expressed his appreciation to the Dutch Government and UNDP for mine action efforts that are being conducted in various parts of the country. He added that, besides the Mine Action Strategy, existing at the state level in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the key issue for final completion of the mine clearance activities is the awareness of the local public and government that solving the mine problem is the main precondition for economic development of the country.

The start of mine clearance operations in Ugorsko and another 6 locations across the country is part of the second year of IMAP�s mine clearance activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The threat of mines in BiH today is bigger than in any other country in Europe. It is estimated that 4% of the BiH territory is mine contaminated, while up to one million mines, mostly anti-personnel, and many types of unexploded ordnance still take a toll on innocent victims in BiH.

The Landmine Impact Survey undertaken in 2003 shows that over 1.3 million of BiH population is, in one way or another, affected by the mine threat. In light of the impact these mines have on human security, economic development and the recovery of this country, UNDP plans, over the next years, to continue its mine clearance efforts with the support of donor governments.