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United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
UNFICYP
P.O. BOX 21642, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: 357-22-614700 Fax: 357-22-614753
PRESS RELEASE
UNFICYP announces demining project in the Buffer Zone
Nicosia 4 April, 2014 - Today, April 4th, marks the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Between late 2004 and early 2011, teams of deminers associated with the UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprus (UNMACC) worked to rid the 180-km-long buffer zone of landmines originally laid by military forces in 1974. The deminers cleared and destroyed over 25,000 landmines, taking a major step towards a mine-free buffer zone and ultimately a mine-free Cyprus.
UNFICYP is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached for the provision of demining support from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in order to clear two areas where mines may have inadvertently been displaced into the buffer zone through flooding. One area lies on the eastern coast of Cyprus near Deryneia, while another is located north of Mammari village, a few kilometres west of Nicosia. Within the framework of inter-mission cooperation a 21-strong Cambodian demining unit will commence work on 7 April and complete the required tasks by the end of May.
The United Nations Security Council through its resolution 2135 of 30 January 2014 has renewed its call on both sides to allow access to deminers and to facilitate the removal of the remaining mines in Cyprus within the buffer zone, and urged both sides to extend demining operations outside the buffer zone.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in this year’s statement on the observance of International Mine Awareness Day, highlighted the important role of women in eradicating the scourge of landmines. UNFICYP is proud to have a female military staff officer coordinate this renewed mine clearing effort in the buffer zone. The Secretary-General stated that: “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by landmines. They have different needs when it comes to education about risks. And they may face greater challenges when a family member is killed or injured. That is why the United Nations endeavours to listen to the views of women in our mine action work, incorporate their ideas and empower them to contribute even more to our global campaign.”
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Related links:
http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=3119&tt=graphic&lang=l1
