Japan's Contribution to De-mining Activities in Afghanistan

January 18, 2002

1. Current Situation in Afghanistan

(1) It is estimated that more than 800 square meters of land is contaminated by millions of landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXO). Casualties can be as high as 50 to 100 per week.

(2) In 1989, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA) initiated the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA). Under this programme, the UN Mine Action Center for Afghanistan (MACA) has administered the de-mining activities and funding requests of the NGOs.

(3) Many de-mining tools and equipment of the NGOs were destroyed or plundered after the military operation since October 2001. Furthermore, additional mining activities have been also reported and the threat of UXO has increased thereafter.

(4) Urgent actions should be taken from the humanitarian point of view against landmines and UXO, which victimize a great number of people and hinder the repatriation of refugees. Besides, clearance of landmines and UXO is a prerequisite for the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.

2. Japan's Contribution

As a part of assistance for refugees and evacuees in Afghanistan, the Japanese Government decided on January 18 to extend a total of US$19 million to the UN and other international organizations for assistance in mine action. The amount of contribution and the activities to be funded are as follows:

(1) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Approximately $15.4 million for a full supply of the equipment urgently needed for de-mining.

(2) United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Approximately $2.82 million for mine clearance activities.

(3) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
$1 million for the supply of prosthesis to landmine victims and mine awareness activities.

Anti-Personnel Landmines