International Mine Awareness Day and Assistance in Mine Action 2019

International Mine Awareness Day and Assistance in Mine Action 2019 was observed on April 4 with the theme ‘United Nations Promotes SDGs – Safe Ground – Safe Home’.

The Theme ‘United Nations Promotes SDGs – Safe Ground – Safe Home’ highlights the fact that “All people have the right to live in security, and not fear their next step” and calls for mine action, which “clears paths and creates safe ground on which homes can be built or rebuilt” and “changes mindsets so that people know how to protect themselves”. The theme links mine action, sport and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by showing how clearing minefields, bring communities together and raises awareness about mine victims, and survivors of armed conflict.

Further, the United Nations has launched “Safe Ground”, a new strategy and campaign to “ensure that no one, no State, and no war zone is left behind”.

Genesis

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 8 December 2005 declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

The day calls for the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2019