UN anti-mine programme faces cuts

Landmine clearing projects in 27 countries to face major budget shortfalls in 2010.

About five per cent, or $24m, of the total proposed budget has been secured to date. Delegates at the review conference are urging aid donors to match their contributions made last year to fund future projects.

Clearance needs

Last year $518m was spent on mine action, with the bulk of funding allocated to mine clearance operations. The European Union, the US and Japan are the world’s biggest donors to anti-mine programmes.

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Afghanistan, home to the world’s highest rate of annual landmine casualties, receives the largest share of international mine action aid, over $100m last year, followed by Sudan.

“Full donor support for these programmes will contribute to ongoing efforts to consolidate peace initiatives and facilitate post-conflict reconstruction,” Kerley said.

He added that with the right levels of funding and security in place, significant progress can be made in clearing mines in Afghanistan within six years.

Last year, landmines and explosive remnants of war claimed nearly 5,200 casualties across 70 countries.

Source: News Agencies