Check International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action [4th April]
- Gk Section
- Posted on
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
More than 50 countries in the world still have multitudes of landmines, explosive war remnants, and other explosive devices that continue to kill or injure thousands of people every year, many of the victims being children.
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 4 April as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The day will be used to raise mine awareness, assist in mine action, and help the countries where landmines and explosive remains of war are a serious threat to the lives of the people, their health and safety.
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action History
The General Assembly made the declaration that 4 April would annually be observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 8 December 2005.
UNMAS, or the United Nations Mine Action Service, has been working for as long as 20 years in countries where mines and war explosive remnants hinder the respective country’s economic and social development and repeatedly threaten the health and safety of the native humanitarians and peacekeepers.
In 1992, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) or the Mine Ban Convention was founded. Since then, more than 55 million mines have been destroyed, and over 30 countries have been declared mine-free by the UN, thus decreasing casualties.
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Significance
By coordinating with the United Nations mine action, the UNMAS has been working towards:
- Eliminating the danger caused by mines and explosive war remnants with the advanced and improved technology of explosive detecting devices.
- Protecting and saving the lives of civilians affected by mines and explosive remnants
- Deploying UN missions to countries requiring support
- Delivering humanitarian assistance
- Supporting the voluntary return of the internally displaced and refugees
- Advocating and facilitating humanitarian and recovery activities through international humanitarian and human rights law.
In line with the motive of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the UNMAS works in Colombia, Western Sahara, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Abyei, Libya, State of Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and others countries that need to clear the grounds from landmine and explosive contamination.
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed to raise awareness regarding these issues and create solutions.
Q. When is International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action observed?
The UN has proclaimed April 4 as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Q. Why was the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action launched?
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed to raise awareness about unexplored landmine explosions, assist countries in mine action with improved devices, and help the nations where mines and explosive war remnants threaten people’s lives.
Q. When was the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action adopted?
On December 8 2005, the General Assembly proclaimed April 4 as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Q. What is the objective of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action?
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action aims to free contaminated areas of explosives and unexploded mines and use new technology to remove explosive hazards safely.