The UN calls for joint efforts to eliminate the threat of explosive hazards in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The UN on Sunday called for joint efforts to eradicate threats from the growing use of explosive hazards in Somalia.
Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, Program Director of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Somalia, said the greatest impact of explosive hazards is on civilians and especially on children.
“Together, we must push to strengthen the development of national mine action capabilities and continue to support Somalia and ensure the protection of civilians as well as social and economic development,” Sadozai said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu to mark the International. Day for mine awareness and help with mine actions.
According to statistics from the UNMAS program in Somalia, there were 1,140 civilian casualties due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in 2019.
The number dropped to 454 in 2020. There were also 59 civilian casualties in 2019 due to explosive war remnants (ERW), and the number dropped to 53 in 2020.
While there has been a welcome drop in the number of victims, they are still a major concern that requires dedicated attention, according to UNMAS in Somalia.
Sadozai said UNMAS is working with the Somali government and federal member states together with partners to support Somalia’s transition plan.
“This includes removing explosive hazards, providing explosive education risk education, raising awareness at the local level, improving national capabilities for mine action and supporting government efforts to earn survivors from landmines and explosive remnants of war and people with disabilities,” UNMAS said.
James Swan, UN Secretary – General’s Special Representative for Somalia, highlighted this year’s theme “Perseverance, Partnership, Progress” in the work to eliminate the threat of explosive dangers to Somalis.
“As the country improves to prevent explosive dangers, we must continue to work together to free Somalia from this plague that not only kills and harms so many innocent civilians every year, but also slows the country’s development,” Swan said.
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