Filenews 3 April 2023
In Cyprus there are still 47 areas classified as suspicious and dangerous for mines or active remnants of war (artillery shells, bombs, grenades) corresponding to an area of about 1.7 million square metres, according to data reported on UNFICYP's website.
According to the peacekeeping force, 199,783 square meters of land have been cleared in the occupied territories since August 2016 to eliminate the mine threat and as an action to facilitate confidence-building measures, agricultural and livelihood activities.
Seven anti-tank mines were destroyed and six mortars were removed. In the buffer zone, 121,891 square metres of land were cleared and unexploded ordnance was removed to ensure UNFICYP's operations both as CBMs and for agricultural activities.
UNFICYP data was updated in October 2018, as the last demining took place in 2017 in the Dénia area.
In addition to mine clearance and area clean-up, UNFICYP also provides technical advice and training to the CMP for the safe conduct of its excavations to locate missing persons.
A awareness-raising campaign is also being carried out for UNFICYP personnel to strengthen the protection of forces and facilitate operations in areas potentially riddled with mines or unexploded ordnance.
In July 2016, UNMAS, the UN Mine Action Agency, became an integral part of UNFICYP, providing specific expertise in action planning and demining in 2016-17.
UNMAS operations aim to reduce the threat of landmines and Explosive Remnants of War to help build CBMs and facilitate a return to normal living conditions.
For the 47 areas identified as suspected for mines, a thorough investigation is required to determine the need for clearance and proper coordination, data analysis and information management.
UNMAS Cyprus is funded from the evaluated UN peace budget for UNFICYP (the last funding was in the financial year ended 30 June 2019).
The resources cover technical planning and coordination capacity, awareness raising campaign for UNFICYP staff and data management.
In April 2019, 18 areas had been designated, nine in the free areas and nine in the occupied areas, which are suspected to be dangerous due to the presence of mines and where demining could take place, under the Confidence Building Measure agreed by Nikos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci.
