Disarmament Diplomacy

UN Forced to Cut Back Demining in Afghanistan

On September 1, the UN announced that lack of funding was forcing it to halve its demining programme in Afghanistan. According to UN spokesperson Stephanie Bunker, donations amounting to $14 million had been received by the demining programme's regional office in Islamabad, some $11 million short of the required level. Estimates of the number of landmines in Afghanistan vary from 5-10 million. According to another UN spokesperson, Polly Brennan, at least 300 Afghan civilians are injured by mines each month, with new mines reportedly being laid in large numbers as fighting continues in the north of the country.

Report: UN to reduce mine clearing plans, Associated Press, September 1.

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