|
|
|
Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 4.32 GMT |
|
UNICEF
assistance for mine risk education |
|
|
|
The UNICEF, in a ceremony held at Galle Face Green yesterday (Nov 3) handed over Rs.30 million supplies and equipment to the Economic Development Ministry to strengthen the Mine Risk Education (MRE) activities of the Economic Development Ministry’s Humanitarian De-mining Unit (HDU).
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that UNICEF donations will help expedite the mine risk education activities and ensure zero mine related casualties. The Minister thanked UNICEF for their collaboration and support.
"Mine Risk Education remains critical as communities rebuild their lives both in the North and East of the country," said UNICEF Representative Desiree Jongsma.
"Through this important partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, children and their families will be able to live, work and go to school in safety," she said.
The Rs 30 million donation from UNICEF includes four Toyota Land Cruisers, six motor bikes and a range of multi-media equipment including lap top computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, TVs and DVD players, digital cameras and generators.
UNICEF has also provided MRE training for 64 HDU staff.
The National Mine Action Program set-up under the Economic Development Ministry consists of five pillars; mine clearance, mine risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stock pile destruction.
Recently, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that Landmine injuries have been minimal in the North of Sri Lanka, as a consequence of Mine Risk Education (MRE) aimed at the tens of thousands of civilians returning home to the former combat zone.
"There is very good awareness among the people about mines and the dangers they pose because they have participated in these programmes," Philippa Copland, community liaison officer for the Mine Action Group (MAG), said.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Information:: Send
mail to