KABUL (SW) – CEO Abdullah Abdullah has said much more serious efforts are needed to tackle the threats caused by landmines in Afghanistan.
Addressing a gathering in connection with the International Mine Awareness Day 4, Adbullah said up to 80 per cent of work is done in this regard and 20 per cent more needs equally focused and dedicated efforts. He added a number of international backers of Afghanistan have helped clear mines in Afghanistan, and now the Afghan government and private sector should also play their parts.
Abdullah suggested the families of martyred and injured mine cleaners should be provided with similar services and residential homes that are provided to the families of the security forces. He promised efforts would be made to have a dedicated budget for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, representatives of the UNAMA and the U.S. Embassy vowed to cooperate with the demining missions. They urged the warring sides not to use landmines that inflict devastating impacts on the lives of civilians.
The moot was told up to 1700 km of land in Afghanistan is still littered with mines. Officials said 1300 km of land has been cleared of some 19 million mines so far.
Laal Mohammad Aryubi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs and Disabled, said on the occasion up to 310,000 mine victims are registered with them which include 160,000 disabled persons and 150,000 heirs of the martyrs.
ENDS
