The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is annually observed across the globe on 4th April to create awareness about landmines and work toward their eradication.
The day is annually observed by the United Nations Mine Action Service(UNMAS).
The UNMAS marks the 2022 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action day under the theme “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home”.
Significance:
Safe Ground- is a global campaign that aims to turn minefields into playing fields launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2019.
Safe Steps- focuses on the trepidation of the people living without knowing if they will detonate an explosive that could maim or kill them.
Safe steps also describe the procedures that deminers use when approaching contaminated areas.
Safe Home- is about restoring the personal security of individuals and communities in post-conflict settings.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/60/97 on 8th December 2005 and proclaimed the 4th April of every year as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
ii.The first-ever International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was observed on 4th April 2006.
2022 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action:
The observance of the 2022 international day focuses on the achievements of the global mine action community, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), founded in 1992 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for their work for the banning and clearing of anti-personnel mines and the achievements of UN Member States over the period since the Mine Ban Convention came into force in 1999.
United Nations Mine Action Service:
i.United Nations Mine Action Services is a service within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that specializes in coordinating and implementing activities to limit the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices.
ii.UNMAS also responds to specific requests for support from the UN Secretary-General or designated official.
Note:
In 2015, then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated actor Daniel Craig as the first UN Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards.
About United Nations Mine Action Service(UNMAS):
Acting Director– Ilene Cohn
Headquarters– New York, United States of America(USA)
Established in 1997
