International Mine Awareness Day 4 April
Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/04/2022
All Day
Categories
International Mine Awareness Day on 4 April is a good day to remember that invading Russians are mining Ukraine, including apparently using them to block evacuation routes out of Mariupol.
Photo to show the scale of how small these mines are, Courtesy of The Red Alliance
Ukrainian officials claim that the Russians are using anti-personnel mines dropped from the air. Sometimes known as butterfly mines, these small plastic explosives weighing less than two ounces are scattered by the thousand over a wide area.
In 2022 the United Nations Mine Action Service will promote the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action under the theme “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home”. The campaign will highlight the impressive achievement of the mine action community, starting with the work of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL – founded in 1992, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997), the UN Member State achievements since the Mine Ban Convention came into force in 1999, and the work that remains to be completed.
“Safe Ground” is the name of the global campaign “turning minefields into playing fields” that was launched by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2019, and the concept of clearing the earth of landmines and other explosive hazards to make it safe for development.
“Safe Steps” brings attention to the trepidation that too many people experience when they move about not knowing if they will detonate an explosive that could maim or kill them at any moment. “Safe Steps” also describes the procedures that deminers use when approaching contaminated areas and includes application of new technology to safely removing explosive hazards.
“Safe Home” is about restoring personal security of individuals and communities in post-conflict settings. There is no place like home, and it is difficult to feel at home without security and community.
For more information about the International Day see www.un.org/en/observances/mine-awareness-day