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KYIV, 01 April. Members of the press are kindly invited to attend the Mine Awareness Day event, organized by the national and international mine action actors in Ukraine in commemoration of the International Mine Awareness Day, to be held:
on Thursday, 4 April 2019 in Taras Shevchenko Park, Kyiv from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Ukraine is one of the most severely mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) affected places in the world, with the most recorded anti-vehicle mine incidents for three years in a row and the third globally for overall casualties, behind only Afghanistan and Syria.
Over 1,000 casualties have been recorded as a result of landmines and ERWs since April 2014, as land mines continue to be planted in the ongoing conflict. In 2018, 43% of civilian casualties were attributed to mine and ERW-related incidents, and mine-related incidents remained the leading cause of child casualties in 2018. Mine action activities are critical for Ukraine to protect civilians and raise their awareness about existing mine risks.
During the event in Taras Shevchenko Park, the mine action partners will organize Mine Risk Education (MRE) sessions and demonstrate samples of mines and explosive ordnance, demining equipment and simulate mine clearance operations. The event will also feature a photo exhibition covering such issues as mine risks, demining activities and impact on civilian population. The young participants will have an opportunity to participate in MRE sessions and watch short videos about mine risks and mine safety rules.
Speakers during the opening ceremony:
- Ms. Osnat Lubrani, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine
- Mr. Anatolii Petrenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration
- Mr. Ehor Bozhok, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
- H.E. Judith Gough, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ukraine
- H.E. Ole Terje Horpestad, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Ukraine
- Mr. Samuel Marie-Fanon, Head of Office, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
- Representative of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine
The United Nations’ General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year to be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It is aimed at raising awareness about mines and ERW and facilitating their eradication. Mine Awareness Day is observed to foster the development of national mine-action capacities in the countries where mines and ERW constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population.
Accreditation: Members of the press are kindly requested to send your name, the media outlet you as well as contact details by 3 April 2019 to: Ms. Olga Samoilova, Email: olga.samoilova@un.org, Mobile: +380 50 382 45 41.
For more information visit: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/ukraine/