MOGADISHU, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) on Thursday vowed to sustain efforts to make Somalia free of explosive remnants of war (ERW).
UNMAS said it will enhance the capacity of the Somalia Explosive Management Authority (SEMA), in charge of oversight and operational coordination in these areas, noting that landmines and ERW continue to endanger the lives of the Somali people, causing severe accidents and injuries.
"The explosive contamination not only impacts the safety of communities but also hampers economic development as they restrict access to land and resources and prevent socio-economic activities," UNMAS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
It said humanitarian mine action partners have recorded 1,390 civilian casualties due to landmines and ERW incidents since 2004.
UNMAS said it has secured 240,000 U.S. dollars which will go toward its "humanitarian mine action to promote peace and safety in Somalia" project.
It said the funds will contribute to further enhancing the protection of civilians from the impact of explosive ordnance by supporting the government to effectively manage the mine action sector through capacity-building of SEMA, the authority responsible for managing the mine action sector.
UNMAS Chief of Mine Action in Somalia Justin Smith said: "National mine action capacity development is an essential component of UNMAS' work in Somalia, contributing to the overarching goal of creating a safer, more stable environment for all."
UNMAS said the national capacity is crucial to monitor the effectiveness of mine action interventions in Somalia and to contribute to enhancing the safety and security of communities.
It said that due to recent military operations, vast areas of Somalia may be exposed to new explosive contamination and as a result, the government will need to ensure an effective humanitarian mine action response that protects civilians and reduces the dangers posed by newly contaminated areas.
The UN body said it will conduct activities to support SEMA to strengthen and sustain its technical and management capability to effectively coordinate humanitarian mine action interventions in Somalia.
Somalia, which has been a state party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention since 2012, was granted a five-year extension of applicable mine clearance obligations to 2027. ■
