De-mining continued : IDPs has dropped to 35,510 out of the 300,000

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De-mining continued : IDPs has dropped to 35,510 out of the 300,000

'The de-mining programme is progressing well although it is a very tedious process, as land has to be cleared inch by inch,' Military Spokesperson Brigadier Ubaya Medawala said.
UNDP Senior Programme Manager for Mine Action, Wuria Karadaghy said the mine clearance remains one of the most important aspects with regard to resettlement.
As of yesterday (26 July), the number of IDPs has dropped to 35,510 IDPs out of the 300,000 who escaped from being kept as human shields by the LTTE during the battle last year. They have been resettled in lands certified as cleared of mines.
Karadaghy explained that the first step is to remove mines from the resettlement area, in order to facilitate the people returning to their homes. The next step would involve making it possible for them to carry on with their livelihoods.
Karadaghy observed that since most of the IDPs were fishermen, or farmers, in order to return to their jobs, agricultural land in the area, too, must be cleared of landmines and that de-mining of such land has only just begun.
The eastern part of A9, where the last battle against the LTTE took place, remains heavily contaminated, with the Mullaitivu area being most critical.
Courtesy - PRIU