The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that 35 people were killed or injured in explosive ordnance related accidents between April 2023 and April 2024. 26 of those were children.
The UNSMIL Mine Action Section Chief Fatma Zourrig said that in the last five years, more than 400 people have been injured or killed in explosive ordnance related accidents, 35 of those happened in the last year. 26 of those victims were children.
During her speech at an event organized by the Libyan Mine Action Center in Tripoli, Zourrig indicated that has managed to clean up about 36% of the hazardous land identified in Libya, about 436 million square meters remain contaminated.
“These figures not only highlight the grave challenges we face, but also underscore the vital importance of international partnerships,” she said. “By collaborating, we can strengthen the capacities of the mine action sector, ensuring a safer future for all, she said.
She also added that developing the Libya Mine Action Strategy will help the country to clarify needs and priorities and identify opportunities and risks, and will guide collaboration between national and international governmental and non-governmental actors, maximizing the impact of mine action efforts and minimizing the risks to communities.
