Bosnia and Herzegovina is still one of the most heavily mined countries in Europe. It is contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war from the 1992-1995 conflict. Landmines represent one of the biggest security, humanitarian, environmental, social, economic and development problems in BiH. Areas covered with mines cause direct and indirect threat on local communities, due to large number of casualties, danger for population’s health, losses in livestock, arable land, supplies, production and trade, but also constant fear and threat, distrust and intolerance. Total suspected area currently covers around 1.262,82 km2 or 2,5% of overall country size. Since September 2012 until today, 3 persons were killed in landmine accidents in BiH.
On the occasion of 4 April, the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Renzo Daviddi said: “Eliminating the threat of mines is a crucial endeavour that advances peace, enables development and saves lives. The European Union is strongly committed to help BiH eliminate this threat and has provided substantial financial assistance in Mine Action. Since 1996, 55 EU funded projects were implemented all over BiH, worth a total of almost 39 million EUR. This sum is a reflection of the importance the EU attaches to this issue. But more needs to be done in order to meet the goal of clearing the country of mines by 2019 and increasing the safety of BiH citizens. The EC’s Progress Report 2012 for Bosnia and Herzegovina states that some progress was made in the implementation of the Mine Action Strategy but some areas have still not been cleared. The Mine Action Strategy for 2009-2019 has to be revised and new Law on Anti-Mines Actions adopted in order to adequately address the issues of the fundraising responsibilities, administrative and management capacity and coordination of demining measures.”In addition, the project synergy with Land Release is also ensured with the planned ORTOPHOTO mapping project under the Land Administration sector that will provide specific support to the BH MAC in provision of necessary maps that are important for the reduction of the suspected areas.
