Tajikistan National Mine Action Programme Celebrates the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

An International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was officially announced by UN General Assembly resolution on 08 December 2005 and is celebrated in Tajikistan since 2006.
Mr.Rustam Shohmurod, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Deputy Head of the Commission on Implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (CIIHL) in the opening remarks thanked the UNDP, donor countries and all involved international organizations for their continuous support to Tajikistan Mine Action Programme during the last 14 years. He stated that the Government of Tajikistan will do its best to support the implementation of the Ottawa Convention by April 2020.  

Mr. Jan Harfst, the Country Director of the UNDP in Tajikistan, highlighted the role and involvement of UNDP in Mine Action on global and national levels. The Country Director presented the strategic achievements where UNDP support was crucial. He also mentioned that UNDP will continue its support to Tajikistan in fulfilment of the Ottawa Convention obligations.

Mr. George Brandon  Sherwood from the USA Embassy in Tajikistan mentioned about the USA contribution to Tajikistan Mine Action Programme. The USA is currently the main donor for Tajikistan and expressed its further support and commitments to make Tajikistan mine/ERW impact free. 

Ms.  Tuula Yrjölä, Ambassador and Head of OSCE in Tajikistan pointed its effective cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan, TNMAC and comprehensive support to the humanitarian demining team of the MoD. The OSCE’s strategy in Tajikistan is to support the development of national demining capacity and to foster regional cooperation in border management and security.
Mr. Murodjon Soliev, Head of the ICRC Cooperation Programme drew the attention of the participants to the sustainable collaboration between ICRC in the sphere of the landmines survivors’ assistance and support of the RCST National MRE Volunteers in Tajikistan.

Mr. Kurboniyon, the General Secretary of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST) highlighted the long-term and close cooperation to support Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Victim Assistance (VA) in the targeted communities before Tajikistan Mine Action was established.  The General Secretary highlighted the role of RCST national volunteers is preventing risks from mines/ERWs in the affected communities. In 2016, the RCST volunteers reached more than 50 000 number people in affected places.”

Major General Khushvakht  Mirovirov, deputy to the Head of General staff of the Ministry of Defense, aimed to strengthen the national mine action capacity within the Ministry of Defense, equipping present human resources with new assets and recruiting, training and deploying a new female demining team. The Ministry of Defense awarded the former deminers/soldiers which now became mine survivors with the proud charter for their services in humanitarian demining work in Tajikistan.

Ms. Sadafmo Rahmatova (mine survivor) and Mr. Mehrali Mullomurodov (ex. deminer) expressed their gratitude to UNDP, TNMAC and the Government of Tajikistan for their continuous support. In addition, the mother of former deminer who was killed during demining in 2004 thanked TNMAC for regular support to the family.

Last but not least, a 10 minutes theater performance demonstrated the importance of the safety behavior in mine/ERW affected areas.

The ceremony closed by the Director of TNMAC, media interviewed the responsible staff and photos were taken by supporting the campaign “Together Against Mines!”

Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre, 4th April 2017.