International Mine Awareness Day - 4 April

Tags: Important Days

International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on 4 April to raise awareness about the danger of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

An Overview of the News

• The day was first celebrated in 2006 after it was established by the United Nations General Assembly.

• The theme for 2023 International Mine Awareness Day is "Mine Action Can Not Wait".

• The theme was chosen by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to draw attention to the urgent need to address long-standing problems caused by explosive mines in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

• Explosive mines are a major humanitarian and security issue in these countries, where they have caused thousands of deaths and injuries over several decades.

• The "Mine Action Can Not Wait" campaign aims to emphasise the urgency of addressing these problems and encourage action to prevent further damage.

• The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) leads the mine action community and plays a key role in achieving the goals of mine action.

• The day is significant because it aims to create a world that is free of landmines and explosive remnants of war, thereby ensuring the safety of individuals and communities.

• On this day, 12 different departments and offices of the United Nations Secretariat, as well as specialised agencies, funds and programmes, come together to support mine action programs in 30 countries and 3 territories.

About United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

UNMAS is based at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Established - October 1997

Head - Ileen Cohn