BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 26. A press conference
dedicated to the results of the "Creating Economic Opportunities
for Mine Victims – Phase 3" project took place today, Trend reports.


Speaking at the event Hafiz Safikhanov, Chairman of the
Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines Public Union, noted that the
project, funded by the Government of South Korea, focuses on
boosting the socio-economic integration of landmine victims,
expanding their employment prospects, and securing sustainable
income streams.


He stated that the project, implemented across the Agjabadi and
Oghuz districts, provided small-business and income-generation
support. Regular monitoring confirmed that beneficiaries
capitalized effectively on these opportunities, with several
already generating revenue from local production sales. Safikhanov
emphasized the high volume of landmine casualties in Azerbaijan and
urged international donors to scale up financial support for future
phases.


Survivors at the event also shared personal testimonies
regarding how the initiative impacted their livelihoods.


Asaf Khudiyev, who lost his left leg in a landmine explosion,
praised state-backed support frameworks and noted that he currently
works at the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
(ANAMA), maintaining an active professional lifestyle.







Former police officer Ilham Salmanov, whose right leg was
partially amputated, received five sheep through the program to
establish a small livestock enterprise. He reminded citizens to
heed safety warnings, calling landmines an invisible enemy.


Arif Guliyev, who was injured in a 2021 blast while farming in
the Aghdam district, received ten head of sheep and cautioned the
public against entering uncleared territories.


Another survivor, Tamam Jafarova, who stepped on a landmine
while herding livestock in the Qosha village of the Tovuz district,
received a specialized embroidery machine to support her current
tailoring business. Jafarova, who is also a published poet, used
the platform to advocate for heightened public vigilance.


The event noted that the project has yielded significant results
in increasing the economic independence of mine victims, increasing
family incomes, and strengthening their integration into society.
Participants emphasized the importance of continuing such
initiatives on a larger scale in the future.