KISR hosts workshop on environmental impacts of landmines

Under the aegis of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Mustafa Al-Shimali a workshop on "the environmental impacts of landmines and mine action in Arab world," opened at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) here on Tuesday. The three-day event was co-organized by KISR, Kuwait National Focal Point (KNFP) and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Addressing the opening ceremony on behalf of Al-Shimali, KNFP Secretary-General Khaled Buhamra said the world suffers from the existence of at least 100 million landmines some of which date from World Wars I and II. These lethal weapons, including the anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, pose serious threat to both human life and flora and fauna life, he said. The impacts of these weapons continue to jeopardize people generation after another, which underlines the necessity of joint action for demining and removing all abandoned munitions, Buhamra pointed out. Many Arab countries suffer from the existence of explosive materials, left over after wars long decades ago, he said, noting that such hazardous materials endanger human, wild and marine lives in variant degrees. He urged doubling efforts on the national, regional and international levels to remove these materials in order to ensure safety of environment and biodiversity. He added that the Kuwaiti government, aware of the gravity of landmines left by the Iraqi army since the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, attaches great importance to the demining effort and works closely with regional and international agencies in this regard. A total of 1.65 million mines, including over one million anti-personnel mines, have been removed from various parts of Kuwait, Buhamra went on. He noted that the demining of a square kilometer costs up to USD 67,000. On his part, KISR Director-General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi said there are up to 400 million left explosives, including landmines and unexploded missiles and rounds around the globe. This large number of hidden munitions under the ground endangers the life of humans as well as wildlife, he said, noting that the desert nature of most Arab countries contributed to the hide of these hazardous materials. Meanwhile, GICHD Director Ambassador Stefano Toscano said the holding of this workshop is very relevant to the main mission of the Geneva Center which is to enhance regional collaboration in the demining action. The majority of Arab countries suffer the most severe impacts of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) impacts, he said, noting that landmine and ERW contamination does not only entail humanitarian or socio?economic impacts, but also environmental threats. He highlighted the need to promote public awareness about the dangers of landmines and enhancing cooperation in the demining action. On the sidelines of his participation in the workshop, Ambassador Toscano met with Board Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society Barjas Al-Bargas. In press statements after the meeting, the GICHD chief said he discussed with Al-Barjas ways to promote cooperation between their two organizations in promoting awareness about mines and changing individuals' behaviors in a way that could minimize exposure to mines. The GICHD is an international expert organization based in Switzerland that works to eliminate mines, explosive remnants of war and other explosive hazards. By undertaking research, developing standards and disseminating knowledge, the GICHD supports capacity development in mine-affected countries. It works with national and local authorities to help them plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate mine action programs