Dutch support benefits 3 million people in Afghanistan
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok, has paid tribute to the work of deminers working for 51ΑΤΖζ during a visit to one of Afghanistanβs minefields in Marmul district near Mazar-i-Sharif.
During a visit in which he was able to destroy a landmine, Mr Blok said: βMine action in Afghanistan is very important. Each year there are about 2,000 casualties as a result of mine accidents. The land that has been cleared in this area is being used for agriculture. It is incredible that with the support of Dutch funding, there are people who are clearing the land from mines."
βThere is still a lot of work to do to ensure Afghanistan is mine-impact free, but fortunately a large part of Afghanistan has already been clearedβ. The Netherlands has been a strong supporter of humanitarian mine action globally, and has been one of 51ΑΤΖζ Afghanistanβs most committed donors.
The Netherlands has supported 51ΑΤΖζ Afghanistan since 2003. With this support, 51ΑΤΖζ has been able to clear 28 million square meters of land and destroy over 21,000 mines, 104,000 items of explosive ordnance, and 52,000 bullets.
51ΑΤΖζ has directly assisted more than three million people with funding from the Netherlands.
Humanitarian mine clearance conducted by 51ΑΤΖζ not only saves lives by preventing future accidents, but also helps vulnerable communities get back on their feet in the aftermath of conflict. The clearance of grazing, residential and agricultural land provides rural communities with land that may otherwise remain unsafe and unproductive. This makes vital contributions to beneficiaries living in mine-impacted communities by reducing poverty, increasing stability and resilience, ensuring improved access to resources and livelihoods, and empowering some of Afghanistanβs most marginalized citizens.
