ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - Forty-three square kilometres of mined or believed to be mined terrain in Croatia were cleared of mines in this year's first ten months, as against a little over 13 square km demined last year, according to data
of the Mine Action Centre (HCR).
ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - Forty-three square kilometres of mined or
believed to be mined terrain in Croatia were cleared of mines in
this year's first ten months, as against a little over 13 square km
demined last year, according to data of the Mine Action Centre
(HCR). #L#
Currently there are 49 projects underway involving the demining or
inspection of terrain believed to be mined on five square km in all
14 of Croatia's mine-infested counties, HCR head Oto Jungwirth has
told Hina.
Due to the weather, most of the work is being carried out in the
southern Sibenik-Knin and Zadar counties. Demining in southernmost
Croatia's Dubrovnik-Neretva County is set to begin next month.
This year 23 persons were injured in 17 mine-caused incidents,
including five casualties. Since 1991 a total of 1,884 persons were
injured by mines, including 424 casualties, but excluding
soldiers.
Eighty-six percent of funds used for demining in this year's first
ten months, 225 million kuna (EUR30.41 million), was secured by the
state and the rest by foreign governments and humanitarian
associations via deeds of donations.
Jungwirth says that despite announcements of huge foreign
donations, foreign funds have not been significant. A new donor
conference for mine-clearing is not planned, but a demining plan
the government is set to adopt later this month will be presented to
all diplomatic offices in Croatia, he says.
In order to prevent tragedies, like the recent one in Skabrnja when
four children were injured, the HCR's special task is raising
awareness among people living close to mined areas who Jungwirth
says are the most frequent victims as with time they disregard the
danger posed by mines.
Despite the lack of funds and the fact that 1,700 square kilometres
of terrain is suspected to be infested with mines, of which 10-12
percent actually is mined, HCR believes the current pace of
demining will lead to the realisation of plans to clear Croatia of
mines by 2010.
(hina) ha