The funds given to the United Nations Development
Programme will help with training and personnel to
support mine clearance and make contaminated land
safe for human use in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.
As a leading force for good in the region, the
UK was the
first country to announce humanitarian support
following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with £1
million donated to the International Committee of the
Red Cross to support those affected.
Now the UK is calling on other countries to support
the UN initiative to help thousands of people
affected by the conflict to rebuild their lives and
return to the region after being driven from their
homes by conflict or unexploded munitions.
Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the
Americas, ,
said:
The territories in and around Nagorno-Karabakh are
amongst some of the most heavily mined in the
world, with frequent reports of civilians losing
their lives or suffering life-changing injuries.
The UK’s donation will be used to harness the UN’s
expertise and reduce the risk to civilian life in
both Armenia and Azerbaijan through the provision
of training and technical demining support to those
helping make the area safer. But there’s more work
to be done. That’s why we’re calling on our
international partners to also support the
collective effort needed if we are to ensure the
safety of all people in the region.
The funding will be used by the UN to deliver support
with local and national de-mining organisations in
Armenia and Azerbaijan including through technical,
strategic and management support.
A significant number of landmines and unexploded
ordnance remains across the region which poses an
indiscriminate threat to life. The UK continues to
encourage both Armenia and Azerbaijan to commit to
sign the Ottawa Treaty that seeks to eliminate the
use of landmines around the world.
