International Day for Mine Awareness: Speakers support mine risk education to avert accidents

Share stories of victims at ceremony held in Ekka Ghund.

GHALLANAI: International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was observed at Government Degree College Ekka Ghund, Mohmand Agency on Thursday. The day is observed every year on April 4 as designated by the United Nations.

The event was organised by Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) FATA, in collaboration with its national headquarters in Islamabad and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The theme for this year was ‘Safety is the Key – it’s up to you and me.’

Along with officials from relevant departments, amputees and their families from Ambar, Pandyali and Safi tehsilS also participated in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Mine Risk Education (MRE) Project Officer FATA Obaidullah said that the day is observed to help reduce the number of people who are disabled in accidents.

Mohmand Agency Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Naeem Khan attended the event as the chief guest along with officials of health and education departments, MRE project and elders of the areas where MRE activities are in progress. The agenda of the event included presentations on activities of PRCS, speeches and stories of amputees themselves.

Secretary PRCS Mohmand branch, Fauzee Khan, said their team is working on disaster preparedness, first aid trainings and emergency response required on the site of improvised explosive device (IED) blasts.

There are two agency disaster response teams (ADRT) already, whereas an emergency response team (ERT) has also been formed in the area, said Khan, adding first aid trainings were given to more than 350 levies and khasadar officials along with members of the community.

Speaking about the MRE project, Khan said the main objective of the project is to minimise injuries that occur due to explosions of landmines.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2014.