ITF Concluded Demining Programme in Serbia, 2003-2009

21/12/2009

On Monday, 21 December 2009, a Celebration on the Completion of Demining Programme in Serbia was held in the border area with Croatia near Morović town, Municipality of Šid. The event was hosted by Mine Action Centre of Serbia (MACS) and the Embassy of Un

On Monday, 21 December 2009, a Celebration on the Completion of Demining Programme in Serbia was held in the border area with Croatia near Morovi? town, Municipality of Šid. The event was hosted by Mine Action Centre of Serbia (MACS) and the Embassy of Unites States of America in Serbia.

International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) started with activities already in 2001 by supporting the establishment of MACS. The actual demining operations started in 2003. In seven years of activities, 44 projects were executed and over 5.7 km2 of land demined and returned to the use of the local population.

Demining programme in Serbia was supported with donations of Germany, USA, Spain, EU, Norway, Czech Republic, Canada and Slovenia, donating more than 8.4 million USD.

Beside ITF, MACS and US Embassy representatives presentations, a gratitude speech was given also by the Minister of Interior of Republic of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Da?i?, thus confirming the commitment of the Government of Serbia to contiue with activities of cluster clearance, stockpile and SALW destruction.

Over the past 9 years of Mine-Action programme in Serbia, ITF managed to raise and implement more than 12,2 million USD (including battle area/cluster clearance, trainings, equipment and structure support).