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| Tuesday, 30 September 2003 |
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The Office of the Commissioner-General for Coordination of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation in a press release states the major event referred to at the 7th Meeting of the National Steering Committee on Mine Action was the signing of the UNDP project for 16 months ending December, 2004. As a result of a Technical Coorperation Programme between the Royal Thai and Sri Lanka Governments, a group of Thai Instructors consisting of ex-military personnel were in Kilinochchi, training deminers. Next training programme will be undertaken in Anuradhapura and thereafter in Trincomalee. Mobilisation of resources for the NGOo is another important matter. These NGOo who are actually clearing mines without sufficient funds will find it difficult to maintain the target to have a Mine-Free Sri Lanka by end of 2006. Funds needed are indicated in the Need Assessment Document prepared by the Govt. of Sri Lanka with the support of the ADB, World Bank and the UN system. Adequate Donor response will be effected by Sri Lanka on acceptance of the Ottawa Treaty. The Army brought to the notice of the meeting that the No Man's land in Welioya has some mine fields and indicated that mine clearance has to be done in consultation with the ICRC and LTTE. Action plans by different INGOo and local NGOo The Halo Trust reiterated and confirmed that they could complete the de-mining process and make the Jaffna district free of mines by end of 2006, provided sufficient funds are available. The Halo Trust further indicated that they would need about $1.5 million in 2004 and 12 more de-mining teams, 2 Bulldozers, 2 Excavators and 2 Tipper Trucks to complete de-mining by end of 2006. Equipment and machinery used in Eritrea is expected to be shifted to Sri Lanka for the use of Halo Trust. The donors of these equipment and machinery have already approved the transfer to Sri Lanka. Formal approval of the Govt. of Eritrea is needed to shift it to Sri Lanka. Donor Agencies including, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and European Union Humanitarian Office (Euho) pledged support for the de-mining process. Euho has already given over $800,000 to Halo Trust. Further support for 2004 is anticipated from this organization. Australian Aid has granted assistance to the Swiss Federation for de-mining through the UNDP. The UNICEF is involved in a big way in Mine Risk education. They are already working in Jaffna, Trincomalee and Mannar districts and will soon introduce a manual. Posters prepared by UNICEF are now being used in several areas warning the returnees of mine risk. An investment of over 20 million has been made by the INGOo during the last year for de-mining. The functions of the National Steering Committee involve, among others. * Monitoring the activities of physical removal of mines and unexploded shells by the 8 non-governmental organizations. * Creating public awareness of the risks that mines pose to civilians, especially women and children. * treatment of those wounded by mine accidents. * Building public support for banning the use of landmines as a method of warfare. (The Ottawa Treaty signed by 137 countries) |
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