SOUTH KURDISTAN, — April 4th is recognised as an international day to support activities against anti-personal landmines. According to available data, South Kurdistan needs 25 years of work to free from mines, KNN reports.
Iraq is a second country on earth after Afghanistan on implanted mines. With this regard series of events were organised in the city of Silemani.
It is also indicated that Iraq including the Kurdistan region is the second country of the world for the proportion of implanted mines. More the 15000 people have died and disabled as result of mine explosions.
Experts also indicated that the current budget for this project is insufficient and a new law required for supporting victims and disabled people.
In 2006 the United Nations organisation recognised the 4th of April as international day for supporting such activities. A large area of Kurdistan region with 385 km is covered by deadly explosives and 20 million implanted mines.
So far only 25% of this volume is cleaned. In the past 20 years nearly 13 mine pickers were killed and 64 wounded and disabled.