View source for International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

{{Short description|Annual observance on 4 April}}
{{Infobox holiday|holiday_name = International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action|type = international|observedby = globally|frequency = annual|scheduling = same day each year|date = 4 April}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
The '''International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action''' was designed in 2005 by the [[United Nations General Assembly]] to raise awareness and seek assistance for [[mine action]] is observed every year on '''4 April'''. This day aims to highlight the dangers of [[land mine]]s and [[explosive remnants of war]], as well as to promote efforts to clear contaminated areas and assist [[Casualty (person)|victims]]. It underscores the importance of mine action in saving lives, protecting civilians, and enabling development in affected areas. The day also serves as a reminder of the [[international community]]'s commitment to addressing the threats posed by land mines and supporting mine action initiatives worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://www.un.org/en/delegate/international-day-mine-awareness-assistance-mine-action |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Secretary-General: Message for the International Day of Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2024/unissgsm1395.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=United Nations : Information Service Vienna |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day on 8 December 2005. The decision was made to raise public attention towards mine action activities, the threats posed by land mines, and how to work towards their elimination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2024 |title=International Day For Mine Awareness 2024: Theme, History and Significance |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/international-day-for-mine-awareness-2024-theme-history-and-significance-8836981.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The day was first observed on 4 April 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/international-day-mine-awareness-and-assistance-mine-action |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=United Nations Peacekeeping |language=en}}</ref>
Over the past almost 20 years, the [[United Nations Mine Action Service]]’s ([[UNMAS]]) work has encouraged the needs of affected individuals and adapted to the threat of risks faced by humanitarians. The service calls for the continuation of certain initiatives that promote the expansion of national-mine action capacity in areas where mines and explosives pose a threat to civilians’ lives.
The day is significant as it marks the establishment of the UN's accountability framework and the introduction to the UN's Theory of Change in mine action program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2024 |title=International Day For Mine Awareness 2024: Theme, History and Significance |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/international-day-for-mine-awareness-2024-theme-history-and-significance-8836981.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The day also aids peacekeepers to carry out patrols, help [[Humanitarianism|humanitarians]], raise awareness against mines among people living in dangerous atmospheres and educate them how to survive fearlessly and not worry about compromising their lives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsd |date=1 April 2024 |title=International Day for Landmine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2024: History, FAQs, Dates, Activities, and Facts About landmines |url=https://newsd.in/international-day-for-landmine-awareness-and-assistance-in-mine-action/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Newsd.in |language=en}}</ref>
The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action seeks to achieve a world free of land mines and explosive remnants of war. This is to help individuals and communities to survive in a safe environment where the victim's needs are taken care of.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protecting Lives. Building Peace. International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2024 |url=https://www.unmas.org/en/international-mine-awareness-day-2024}}</ref>
== The threat of mines ==
Mines, explosive remnants of war, and [[improvised explosive device]]s (IED) continue to cause death and injury, especially in situations of armed conflict. On average, one person is killed or injured every hour. Many children are among the victims. The use of improvised explosive devices has expanded, terrorizing civilians and threatening humanitarian and peacekeeping missions and personnel.<ref>{{Cite news |title=International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://www.unmas.org/en/international-mine-awareness-day-2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2019 |title=International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2024 |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/international-mine-awareness-day-and-assistance-in-mine-action-1522760806-1 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Jagranjosh.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Focus of  2024 Commemorations ==
The 2024 commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action focuses on disabled survivors of explosive hazards, and all people with disabilities living through conflicts. The United Nations has called for a greater responsiveness to the needs and rights of all people with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding settings.<ref>{{Cite news |title=International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://www.unmas.org/en/international-mine-awareness-day-2024}}</ref>
The 2024 campaign will bring attention to the five-year anniversary of [[Security Council]] resolution 2475, which calls upon Member States, and specifically Security Council members, to consider and protect persons with disabilities; to ensure they have access to assistance, and to include them in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mine action entails more than removing landmines from the ground |url=https://www.unmas.org/en/what-we-do}}</ref>
== Events and activities ==
Various events and activities are organized to mark this day. In 2024, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) opened a multi-media exhibition themed “Witnessing a Way Forward: Protecting Lives. Building Peace. The exhibition highlighted the need for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2475 (2019), which calls on all Member States and Council members to take into account the needs of persons with disabilities in conflict situations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2024 |title=International Day For Mine Awareness 2024: Theme, History and Significance |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/international-day-for-mine-awareness-2024-theme-history-and-significance-8836981.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
== Towards a mine-free world: the path forward ==
The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by mines and other explosive remnants of war. It is a call to action for the international community to work together to eliminate these threats and to ensure the safety and well-being of all people, particularly those living in conflict-affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Secretary-General: Message for the International Day of Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action |url=https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2024/unissgsm1395.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=United Nations : Information Service Vienna |language=en}}</ref>
==References==
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[[Category:Annual events]]