The Libyan Center for Mine Action announced its plans to develop a national strategy to combat landmines, in collaboration with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), represented by its Mine Action Service.
This announcement was made during an event organized by the Libyan Center for Mine Action in Tripoli, supported by the Mine Action Service of the mission and seven non-governmental organizations, to celebrate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance.
The event, themed “Protect Lives, Build Peace,” began with speeches from key stakeholders in the sector before moving on to a panel discussion and an exhibition about mine clearance efforts and raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance. Around 200 attendees were present, including representatives from the Presidential Council and the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Health, as well as mayors and several landmine and war remnants victims. The event was also attended by the Dutch ambassador to Libya and military attachés from Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
During the event, Fatma Zourrig, the Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service in Libya, provided an overview of how the mission, in its advisory role, supports Libyan institutions in clearing explosive ordnance to protect civilians and secure and manage weapon stockpiles to prevent their proliferation and unplanned explosions.
Zourrig highlighted that “Libya has managed to clear about 36 percent of the dangerous lands identified in the country, yet around 436 million square meters remain contaminated.”
She added that over the past five years, more than 400 people were injured or killed in incidents related to explosive ordnance. Thirty-five of these incidents occurred last year alone, with twenty-six children among the casualties.
“These figures not only highlight the grave challenges we face but also underscore the vital importance of international partnerships. Through collaboration, we can enhance the capabilities of the mine action sector and ensure a safer future for everyone,” Zourrig noted.
She explained that developing a mine action strategy for Libya “will help the country to clarify needs and priorities and identify opportunities and risks,” affirming that the strategy will provide a framework guiding collaboration between national and international governmental and non-governmental actors, “ultimately maximizing the impact of mine action efforts and reducing the risks faced by local communities.”
This strategic initiative demonstrates Libya’s commitment to addressing the pervasive threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, ensuring the safety of its population and the sustainable development of its communities.
