ITF Attended the Mine Awareness Day in Colombia

05/04/2017

In Colombia, 4 April, International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was organised with the focus on mine victims.

The victims of anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance, which today amount to 11,479, are the engine to build a sustainable and lasting peace in Colombia. Colombia’s Vice President General Óscar Naranjo, stressed that only lasting peace will contribute to prosperity and the reduction of mine victims.

According to the Landmine Monitor data (2015), Colombia went from 2nd to 6th place regarding the overall number of mine victims. In 2016, there were 84 new victims of anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance, a 62% less than compared to the previous year 2015.

Rafael Pardo, High Councilor for the Post-Conflict, stated that the goal is to clear 23 million square meters in the next two years, 47% of the total estimated mine contamination in Colombia. He said that the mine projects are currently being implemented in 203 municipalities and 14 departments.