Europe & CIS

The new centre will provide training in mine clearance, raise awareness of mine risks and assist victims of landmine explosions. With the help of the UNDP, the centre will also train people from countries plagued by mines. Already, eight sappers, or military engineers, from Tajikistan and 10 from Afghanistan are expected to train for several months at a base in the Goygol region. Sappers from Georgia are also expected to travel to the base for training soon. The Azerbaijan government funded most of the cost of the US $6.6 million centre, with the UNDP contributing $640,000.

 

The International Centre for Mine Action will build on past successes in Azerbaijan. So far, nearly half a million mines and unexploded ordinances have been neutralized in the country.

 

ANAMA, the Azerbaijan mine agency, and the UNDP first partnered in 1999 to develop an action plan for de-mining the country. Since, ANAMA has successfully made removing landmines and unexploded ordinances a key governmental priority. Along the way, the project has surveyed, mapped and cleared mines in Tartar, Agdam, Fuzuli, Tovuz, Agjabadi, Agstafa and Samukh.

 

Despite the successes, landmines and unexploded ordinance-both a legacy of a 15-year old war- remain a threat in Azerbaijan. According to ANAMA, there are still 268 km2 mine-affected areas in Azerbaijan. In 2009, the agency expects to de-mine 30km2 areas.

 

In addition to helping safeguard Azerbaijan, the UNDP also says mine-clearance is crucial for future development.

 

“The organization’s overall goal is to eliminate the impact of mines/UXOs in the economy, health and environment of the population in affected areas,” UNDP Azerbaijan resident representative, Bruno Pouezat, said. “Mine action is also about allowing people to live in an environment that is safe and brings about economic and social well-being.”

 

In addition to the UNDP, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy and Japan have also provided financial and technical assistance to ANAMA. Globally, more than 80 countries are affected by landmine and unexploded ordinance hazards.

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