Saving Children from the Tragedy of Landmines

[b]Saving Children from the Tragedy of Landmines [/b]

[b]New York, 05 April 2006,(Asiantribune.com): [/b]Children and communities in 80 countries still face the threat from landmines. And of the 15,000 -- 20,000 that dies each year, 20 per cent are children, UNICEF said today on the first International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

But UNICEF added: Ridding the world of landmines and other explosive remnants of war could be accomplished in years instead of decades, saving thousands of children from devastating injuries and death,

UNICEF said recent progress has renewed hope that the threat of explosive devices can be eliminated sooner than previously thought. The number of new victims has been decreasing over the last decade, due largely to increasing efforts by governments and NGOs to destroy and clear mines and to educate communities about their dangers. UNICEF said the continued support of donors and the public is vital to these initiatives.

http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=17517