MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Australia's Special Representative for Mine Action, Mr Bruce Billson, has announced from Colombo, a $1.5 million boost to save lives and support mine action in Sri Lanka.
'Twenty years of civil conflict has devastated much of Sri Lanka, claiming over 64,000 lives, and leaving a deadly legacy of some 700,000 landmines planted, which are still taking lives and contaminating farmlands and roads,' Mr Billson said.
'This latest Australian mine action funding will be channelled through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD). Clearance operations and mine surveying conducted by FSD will receive $1 million which will also assist in assessing the impact of mines on local communities,' Mr Billson said.
'The UNDP's Mine Action Program will receive $550,000 from Australia to help Sri Lanka develop local skills to manage a mine action program. Australia will also provide funds for three UNDP Mine Action Field offices to help ensure the effectiveness of local surveying and mine removal operations.
'With the support of the Australian Government and other donors, the number of mine related incidents has come down from up to 20 per month immediately after the cease-fire in 2002, to about seven per month today,' Mr Billson said.
'Australia has also supported the clearance of landmines in Sri Lanka from more than 227,000 square metres of land, the equivalent of 35 soccer fields, and the removal of 6,656 anti personnel mines.
As one of the original signatories of the Ottawa Convention, Australia is a leading contributor to international mine action, through mine clearance, mine awareness, victim assistance, stockpile destruction activities and Treaty compliance. In the decade ending December 2005, Australia is providing more than $100 million towards mine action activities.
In 2004-05, the Australian Government, through AusAID, will provide $23 million to support peace and economic recovery in Sri Lanka, reflecting Australia's commitment to helping the world's most vulnerable people, including those affected by disaster and conflict,' Mr Billson said.
The Parliamentary Secretary is currently in Sri Lanka, seeing first hand the impact of Australian funded mine action programs. As Australia's Special Representative for Mine Action, Mr Billson will also attend the Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World 2-3 December.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126