Albania observes the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance

TIRANA, April 4 – The Albanian Government and the United Nations in Albania on Wednesday observed the United Nations International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action to raise awareness of landmines and progress towards their eradication in the country. The event co-hosted by the Albanian Ministry of Defense and the UN at Tirana’s Military Cultural Centre, brought together state authorities, representatives of the donor community and mine survivors to draw renewed attention to the issue of landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) as a life threatening phenomenon and a clear obstacle to sustainable development. Mine survivors shared their testimonies, while a photo exhibition and information material about clearance, mine risk education and victim assistance were displayed in the lobby. Landmines emerged as an issue for Albania after the Kosovo crisis in 1999, when they were laid along the Kosovo/Albania border in the northeast of the country, directly affecting 39 Albanian villages. Since then, 210 mine accidents have occurred in the area, killing 34 people and injuring 238.
“Together with other international partners, the United Nations in Albania is working with the Government and the affected communities in their effort to declare Albania free from mines, a country where everyone has the right to develop in a safe environment,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Albania G