2016-03-07

AFRICA

Somalia
EU and UN Donate Equipment to Somalia Police Force

[UNSOM] The European Union Delegation to Somalia and UNMAS have today donated an assortment of equipment to the Somalia Police Force to help them in areas of bomb disposal and maritime and inland security which will assist the police in better performing their work and generally help to improve security.

South Sudan
UNMAS Demolishes Unexploded Ordnances in Bentiu

[UNMISS] UNMAS recently conducted controlled demolition of mines and unexploded ordnance which were left behind by warring parties in Bentiu and surrounding areas.During the exercise conducted on 13 February and 27 February, UNMAS demolished over 150 kilogrammes of explosive remnants of war including anti-tank mines, rocket propelled grenades and unexploded ordnance.

Sudan
Japan Contributes to UN Mine Action Work in Sudan Enabling Clearance, Risk Education and Victim Assistance Work

[UN in Sudan] The Government of Japan has decided to contribute USD 2.1 million  to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for humanitarian mine action work, in coordination with the Sudan National Mine Action Center, in the Republic of Sudan. Aimed at reducing suffering and saving lives, this contribution will enable UNMAS to survey and clear landmines and explosive hazards in the States of Kassala, Red Sea, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Sudan: Japan Donates 2.1 Million Dollars for Combating Land Mines in Sudan

[All Africa - Sudan News Agency] A press conference was held Thursday at the National Centre for Combating Land Mines in Sudan to declare the donation of Japan to 2.1 million dollars for removing land mines.

ASIA

Afghanistan
Herat District Cleared of Mines, Remnants of War with UN Support

[UNAMA] The UN-backed demining work in Afghanistan has passed another milestone by declaring the Adraskan district of western Herat province free of all types of mines and explosive remnants of war.

Cambodia
Deminers Dig out 38 UXO in Battambang

[Phnom Penh Post] Authorities have recovered some 38 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the site of a former government military base in Battambang province, police said yesterday.

Myanmar
Senior UN Relief Official Calls for End to Discrimination Against Displaced Muslims in Myanmar

[UN News Centre] Many of the Muslims displaced by inter-communal violence in Myanmar are still prevented from moving freely and often denied access to local hospitals, a senior United Nations humanitarian official said today, calling for an end to such discriminatory practices.

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Decides to Join Mine Ban Treaty

[ICBL] On 2 March 2016 Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva H.E. Ravinatha Pandukabhaya Aryasinha announced that the Sri Lankan cabinet of ministers has approved accession to the Mine Ban Treaty.

SL Becomes 163rd State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

[The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka] Sri Lanka on Wednesday (March 02) pledged to accede to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention expressing hope that the international community will support its ongoing landmine clearance program.

Japan to extend over US$ 1.2 million for demining in Northern Sri Lanka

[Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka] The Government of Japan has decided to provide a total sum of US$ 1,238,003 (approximately Rs.177 million) as grant aid to two organizations for humanitarian demining in Northern Sri Lanka under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).

Yemen
UN Reports Sharp Rise in Civilian Casualties in Yemen

[VOA] The United Nations human rights office says civilian casualties are mounting in conflict-ridden Yemen. The new reports also says more than 3,000 men, women and children have been killed and nearly 6,000 wounded since the Saudi-led coalition began its bombing campaign against the Houthi rebels nearly one year ago.

EUROPE

Denmark
Denmark Annunces $4.4 Million Contribution to Boost Humanitarian Mine Action Response in Iraq and Syria

[UNMAS]  Denmark has announced a contribution of USD 4.4 million (DKK 30 million) to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action. This contribution will support UNMAS humanitarian mine action response in Syria and Iraq, where landmines and other explosive hazards pose a deadly threat to civilians and inhibit access for other humanitarian actors.

GLOBAL

Kofi Annan on the Vision of a World free of Landmines

[Kofi Annan Foundation] Kofi Annan delivered these remarks at the High Level Pledging conference on the landmine convention in Geneva on 2 March 2016.

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