The number of mine victims in Azerbaijan is twice higher than those in other South Caucasus countries, said director of “Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmine” Public Union Hafiz Safikhanov during the presentation of Landmine Monitor Report 2014.
According to him, in recent years, the number of mine and UXO victims among schoolchildren has reduced to zero thanks to the Mine Risk Education Program implemented in frontal zone. Mine victims are mainly recorded among servicemen, as well as middle-aged rural workers.
Safikhanov noted that though Azerbaijan, taking into consideration its current military and political situation, does not join the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, it observes the requirements of the documents. According to the report, Azerbaijan conducts mine-clearance operations, implements mine risk education programs, takes measures for solution of problems related to mine victims and holds trainings for employees of relevant organizations of the neighboring states. Budget expenditures in this regard are increasing every year.
He said as a result of the investigations, in Azerbaijan there are about 3 000 victims of mines and UXOs. (most aged at 18-39).
Safikhanov said the project “Increasing the capacity of the network of the victims of mines and cluster munitions and their involvement in the conventions to ban mines and cluster munitions” implemented by the Public Union, as well as the project “Creating a small business for mine victims” have already been implemented.
/Apa/
