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Japan contributes to Humanitarian Mine Action in Syria

15 Apr 2019
UNMAS / The Embassy of Japan to Syria

UNMAS Syria Response launched the project “Humanitarian Mine Action Support to Syria (31 March 2019 – 31 March 2020)” to reduce the impact of explosive hazards in Syria, with the support from the Government of Japan (USD 1,401,785).  Since 2016, Japan’s overall contribution to UNMAS Syria Response has now reached more than USD 4.6 million, through which the UNMAS Syria Response has reached more than 105,000 Syrians including women and children, as well as humanitarian aid workers.

 

The new contribution from Japan will enable the UNMAS Syria Response to deliver risk education to 43,000 people in affected communities to increase their awareness of the threats of explosive hazards. The contamination impact surveys will be conducted in 85 communities to mark and fence off explosive hazards, reducing the risk of incidents to civilians and humanitarians in these areas, while 560 survivors of explosive incidents will receive necessary assistance.

 

Based upon the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview, 10.2 million men, women, boys, and girls live in 1,980 communities reporting explosive contamination. Explosive hazard accidents can result in serious injury and/or death, leading to long-term physical and psychological trauma for survivors and their families, severely impacting the lives and livelihoods of those affected. Explosive hazard contamination can have severe socio-economic implications on families and communities, depriving them of livelihoods and sources of income, increasing vulnerabilities as well as hampering the delivery of humanitarian support to vulnerable people.

 

The continuous contribution and support from Japan will save lives in Syria and reduce the impact that explosive hazards have on affected communities. Japan and UNMAS Syria Response will keep the commitment to support Syrian people through mine action activities in the country.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Ms. Yumiko Yoshioka, UNMAS Programme Officer, Beirut, Lebanon, yumikoy@unops.org

Mr. Lee Woodyear, UNMAS Global Communications Officer, New York, USA woodyear@un.org