This project will enable the Government of Japan to utilise the ITF principle of matching funds because this humanitarian organisation, that helps the countries of southeast Europe in their rehabilitation from landmines, will donate the same amount for the clearance of 380,000 square metres in a high risk area near the River Spreca.
“There is still a mine risk in BiH. The Government of Japan is aware of the importance of anti mines activities and has provided more than one billion Euro in the last 13 years for mine clearance and education programmes on mine risk”, said Motai.
The Ambassador of Japan promised that his country’s Government will continue to support BiH and mine clearance activities.
Gacnik said that the project is very important for Gracanica as more than 20 people have been killed by landmines.
“Besides 200,000 Euros for Gracanica, Government of Japan is wiling to support other countries in the region that are mine contaminated. I believe our cooperation will continue in the future with new projects for mine clearance in BiH and the region”, said Gacnik.
The Mayor of the Municipality of Gracanica, Nusret Helic, said that this donation is another step toward a decrease in the number of mine accidents and their consequences.
“Since 1996 nine people were killed in the Municipality of Gracanica. Nine people were severely injured and six people received minor injures. As per BHMAC data, more than 9.2 million square metres of land in Gracanica is mine contaminated, which is more than 4 percent of the total surface area of this municipality”, said Helic.
He also said that 19 projects have already been implemented resulting in 320,000 square metres of mine cleared land and that the changing point regarding the problem was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the ITF.
Helic said that, following the same principle, 114,000 square metres of land was demined last year.
The Director of the BHMAC, Dusan Gavran, said that the Government of Japan has funded BHMAC for many years and helped to purchase equipment and machines necessary for demining works.
He was very pleased that the funds are to be implemented through the ITF, which has very good cooperation with BHMAC.
“This donation is allocated to the right place since Gracanica is one of the most mine contaminated places in BiH, as well as River Spreca and its banks”, said Gavran.
He expects that the demining of sites in Gracanica will be completed in two months, commencing in the spring.
Source: ONASA