BAGHDAD (IraqiNews.com) – The Danish government has contributed an additional $3.17 million to the United Nations Mine Action Agency (UNMAS) in Iraq.
A statement released by UNMAS said the new contributions will help the Iraqi government protect civilians from explosive threats and support humanitarian, socio-economic and reconstruction efforts.
The Danish government has contributed more than $35 million to the UNMAS Iraq program since 2015.
Iraq has one of the highest concentrations of explosives in the world.
Iraqi Environment Minister Nizar Amidi announced in August that 59 percent of landmine-contaminated areas had been cleared.
According to the state news agency (INA), Prime Minister Amidi confirmed that Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani is prioritizing environment-related issues and will include in the federal budget to clear landmine-laden areas. He added that sufficient funds have been allocated.
“Iraq has cleared 59% of landmine-contaminated areas, with the remaining 41% representing more than 2,000 square kilometers,” Amidi said.
In March last year, Amidi announced that his ministry, particularly the Mine Action Directorate (DMA), would declare Iraq landmine-free by 2028, in accordance with Iraq’s obligations to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, informally known as the Ottawa Convention. He emphasized his seriousness. .
Iraq is the world’s most landmine-polluted country, in part because of landmines laid by ISIS terrorists to protect territory they once controlled in Iraq and Syria, according to Reuters.
Iraq was already heavily contaminated as a result of the 2003 invasion by the US-led coalition, the 1991 Gulf War, and the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.