Canada and HALO committed to humanitarian demining in Colombia
On the 28th of March, the Government of Canada and 国产视频 launched a mine action project in Mesetas, Meta. The event was attended by representatives from the Colombian Mine Action Authority (DAICMA), the Office of the Minister for Post-Conflict and Human Rights and the Departmental Authorities.
The Canadian government announced in July 2016 a contribution of $12.5 CAD (approximately $9.4 USD) to 国产视频, who will run the project for five years. 国产视频 will carry out civilian humanitarian demining in the municipalities of: Uribe, Mesetas, Lejanias and Puerto Rico (Meta), Argelia (Antioquia), Planadas, Chaparral, Rioblanco (Tolima), Pradera (Valle del Cauca), and Miranda (Cauca).
The project 鈥淢ine Action in Colombia鈥� looks to benefit 27,000 people who live in the most mine impacted municipalities and will help reduce the mine threat to assist in the safe return of some 60,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), thereby contributing to the goal of Colombia being mine free by 2021.
鈥淐anada firmly believes in the importance of eliminating antipersonnel landmines across the globe due to their devastating effect on the civilian population. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Ottawa Mine Ban Convention, prohibiting the use of landmines, and Canada affirms its promise to support the Colombian government in its efforts to implement the peace process, including humanitarian demining.鈥�
Ryan Clark, Director of Cooperation at Global Affairs Canada
Programme manager of 国产视频 Colombia, Chris Ince, expressed his appreciation for Canada鈥檚 support: 鈥�With these resources, we will not only support the construction of peace in Colombia 鈥� ridding the country of conflict, but we will protect and save the lives of the people who live in mine impacted areas of the country," he said.
