MOGADISHU, April 4 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations envoy in Somalia on Thursday reaffirmed the world body's support to Mogadishu in protecting the lives of civilians from the explosive hazards.
Catriona Laing, the UN special representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, said the UN will also help the country build peace through the development of national explosive threat mitigation capacity.
"The threat posed to the people of Somalia undermines stability and the right to a life without fear," Laing said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
According to the UN, 135 explosive ordnance-related accidents, including improvised explosive device incidents, resulted in 676 civilian casualties in 2023.
"The UN commemorates those who have lost their lives due to explosive ordnance in Somalia in 2023 and honor the courage and determination of mine action personnel," Laing said.
She said the UN in Somalia works closely with national and international mine action specialists, at both federal and federal member state levels, in responding to explosive threats faced by communities.
"We also continue to work on enhancing the capacity of Somalis to lead and coordinate the mine action response," Laing said. ■
