"The NA demining platoon, with support from the UN Mine Action Team (UNMAT), have cleared 26 out of the 53 minefields so far with plans to complete clearance of the remaining half by the end of 2011," said a statement issued by the government Sunday. [break]
The Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction issued the statement amid a function organized to mark the fifth International Day of Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The work done by the government, the United Nations and civil society actors in eliminating the threat of landmines and explosives remnants of war (ERW) was highlighted at the function.
An unknown number of IEDs were also laid by the Maoists during the insurgency and they continue to pose a threat to public life across the country.
The government, with support from UNMAT, is working to prevent further harm from unexploded ordnances.
In December 2009, UNMAT carried out the final demolition of explosive items stored at Maoist cantonments in coordination with the Maoist army and UNMIN.
"A total of 52,617 IEDs and other dangerous items have been destroyed by UNMAT in the cantonments since the beginning of these demolitions in 2007," the statement said.
Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Representative to Nepal, said since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, more than 262 casualties have been reported and 33 people have been killed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. "Out of this number, 143 were children, 19 of whom were killed," she said.
Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong said mine action constitutes one of the priority areas in the government´s peace building process.
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