THE RECENT landmine-related accidents in Cyprus are a tragic reminder of the need to continue de-mining efforts in the buffer zone, said the head of the Mine Action Centre Cyprus (MAC) Raine yesterday.
“Landmines continue to maim and can kill in Cyprus, almost 35 years after they were first laid,” said Michael Raine, Programme Manager of the MAC, who also warned that funding for demining was running out.
“Much progress has been made, but the three accidents in December serve as a tragic reminder that de-mining work is not done,” he added, according to an UNFICYP press release.
The first accident, on December 5, involved a group of seven people believed to have crossed from the occupied north. A man stepped on a landmine that blew off part of his right foot. Fragments from the explosion injured his four-year-old son, his wife and one other child.
The second accident involved an experienced de-miner whose right hand was seriously injured when a small anti-personnel mine he was attempting to excavate exploded close to Skouriotissa village.
The third accident occurred on December 20, involving a family of three asylum seekers. The location of the accident is not known. It is believed the family was attempting to cross from the north. A man stepped on a landmine and lost his right foot.
Raine highlighted that de-mining work in 2008 was responsible for returning over six million square metres of land to productive use and clearing 9,163 land mines (5,666 anti-personnel and 3,497 anti-tank mines). The task of delivering a mine-free buffer zone is 80 per cent complete.
However, he underlined that the work risks coming to a halt at the end of January 2009 if more funding is not found soon.
The current de-mining project implemented by MAC is part of a humanitarian programme made possible with a nine million euro contribution from the European Union, and is slated to end in January. A further two million euros are needed to continue until the end of 2009 and five million in total to rid the buffer zone of landmines by 2010.
“I believe this humanitarian work is of fundamental importance for the future of Cyprus,” Raine said, calling for financial support to complete de-mining activities.
“It would be very unfortunate to let it lapse because of lack of money when we are so close to the goal of a mine-free buffer zone,” he added.
