ANAMA marks Mine Awareness Day with renewed call for global assistance

Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has called on the international community to unite efforts in addressing the ongoing mine threat, warning that the danger continues to obstruct reconstruction and endanger civilian lives across the country’s liberated territories.

In a statement issued on April 4 to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness, cited by Caliber.Az, ANAMA underscored the human and developmental toll of landmines and unexploded ordnance. According to the agency, since November 2020, Azerbaijan has recorded 259 mine explosions, resulting in 72 fatalities and 349 injuries.

The agency detailed the масштаб of its demining operations, stating that 261,551 hectares of land have been cleared of mines in areas liberated from occupation. During these efforts, specialists have detected and neutralised a total of 246,463 mines and unexploded ordnance.

ANAMA emphasised that demining operations are being carried out alongside preventive safety measures aimed at protecting civilians. High-risk areas are being preserved and cordoned off to minimize exposure to danger while clearance work continues.

Beyond physical clearance, the agency highlighted the critical role of public awareness in mitigating risks. “A mine is not just an explosive device buried in the ground; it is a threat to the future of a family, the dreams of a child, and the revival of a village,” the statement said, framing the issue as both a humanitarian and developmental challenge.

ANAMA stressed that the mine threat extends beyond national borders and should be regarded as a global concern. “The mine threat is not only a problem of a single country but of all humanity, and its elimination requires joint efforts,” the agency said.

Reiterating its appeal, ANAMA called on international partners to provide greater support for humanitarian demining initiatives and to strengthen collective efforts aimed at eliminating the threat posed by landmines.

By Tamilla Hasanova