UN demining team deployed to Mammari

The UN force in Cyprus UNFICYP said on Monday it would deploy a demining team to a mine hazard area in the buffer zone north of Mammari village, west of Nicosia.

The deployment follows an initial assessment by the United Nations Mine Action Service in February 2015 and a further survey in April 2015, which showed that mines have been displaced into this part of the buffer zone by winter floods.

Through constructive military cooperation on the ground, a 20-strong team of Cambodian deminers will conduct a final technical survey and mine clearance of the affected area, set to be completed by the end of August.

With UNMAS support, UNFICYP has conducted mine safety outreach to the Mammari community, and continues to cooperate closely with the village authorities.

Members of the public continue to be urged to maintain a safe distance from the hazard area, to obey the mine warning signs, and comply with UNFICYP’s instructions.

Throughout this period, UNFICYP will continue to conduct patrols to ensure safety and security around the hazard area.

Between late 2004 and early 2011, teams of deminers associated with the UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprusworked to rid the 180-km-long buffer zone of landmines originally laid by military forces in 1974.

Thanks to this project, over 27,000 landmines were cleared and destroyed, taking a major step towards a mine-free buffer zone and ultimately a mine-free Cyprus.

CNA

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