On the occasion of April 4th, the International Mine Awareness Day, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30 years after the end of the war, is still facing the problem of landmines. Mines and unexploded ordnance pose a great danger to the population.
The International Mine Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of mines and to highlight the progress made so far in efforts to eliminate them completely. Mines and unexploded ordnance cause suffering and fatalities, and represent a serious obstacle to economic development, hinder the return of refugees and displaced persons, and prevent the establishment of normal societal processes and a safe environment. Therefore, it is of great importance that the country is cleared of mines because without the safety of all citizens, further recovery and progress are impossible.
According to the data from the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center #BHMAC, the suspected dangerous area contaminated by mines in BiH currently covers 822.87 km², or 1.60% of the total area of the country. Areas contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance directly affect the safety of about 540,000 citizens, or around 15% of the total population of BiH.
The most heavily contaminated areas are those in Maglaj, Velika Kladuša, Orašje, Posavina, Tuzla, and Doboj regions, as well as Brod, Šamac, and Lopare. Statistics show that the majority of accidents occur in spring and autumn, and we once again emphasize that it is crucial not to risk your life and avoid entering unknown areas.
The Center reports that, according to estimates, around 170,000 mines and other unexploded ordnance from the war are still waiting to be found, and every mine removed is at least one life saved.
BiH signed the Mine Ban Treaty on December 3, 1997, and ratified it on September 8, 1998. States that are signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty, through their governments, must take responsibility and develop support programs for mine victims and their families, primarily in terms of economic empowerment for survivors and their family members, and ensure access to adequate orthopedic assistance. This is especially important because it is well-known that mine victims do not have equal access and treatment in society due to the prejudices related to their disabilities.
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