United Nations Mine Action Service in Iraq Statement on World Humanitarian Day 2024
19 August 2024
World Humanitarian Day honours the brave humanitarian workers who risk their lives to serve others. It commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, a tragedy that underscored the dangers faced by those in the field and highlighted the urgent need to protect and support humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones and disaster areas.
On World Humanitarian Day 2024, we commemorate the unwavering dedication of the courageous women and men working in mine action in Iraq. Their diligent work, often in silence and unnoticed, is critical for the safety of humanitarians, IDPs and refugees as well, and effectively contributes to the stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction of communities affected by conflict.
Iraqi mine action professionals work tirelessly to clear explosive remnants of war, protect civilians, and restore safe access to land, infrastructure and resources while enabling safe and dignified returns for those displaced. Their efforts embody the very essence of humanitarianism: saving and protecting lives, providing the foundation for recovery, and empowering communities to rebuild their futures.
On 19 August, we honour the courage and resilience of those on the front lines of mine action. Despite the risks, they continue to operate in hazardous areas, striving to create a safer Iraq. Their work is not just about removing physical threats; it is about restoring hope to communities devastated by conflict.
Since the programme inception in 2015, UNMAS Iraq has together with its implementing partners, surveyed close to 380 million square metres (sqm) and cleared over 25 million sqm of contaminated land. In doing so 700,000 items of explosive ordnance have been detected and removed, including a total of 2,600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), providing vulnerable communities with crucial life-saving messages, has been delivered to close to 1.5 million Iraqis, including 200,206 women, 493,767 girls, 564,614 boys and 198,574 men, through over 73,000 EORE sessions across Iraq. UNMAS has also provided mine action related police training for 5,000 Iraqi police including 1,000 policewomen, and technical support and numerous training courses and workshops for Iraqi National Mine Action Authorities.
Today on this occasion, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Iraq and to all who are affected by conflict. No matter the danger, the hardship, or the obstacles, we stand united in our mission to create a world where every person can live free from the fear of mines and explosive remnants of war. #ActForHumanity.
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