BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Mine
contamination slows down the recovery of areas in Azerbaijan,
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Azerbaijan
National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Samir Poladov said during
the panel discussion titled "Mine Action as Foundation for Urban
Recovery" at the 4th International Mine Action Conference on
"Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of
Excellence for Safe Settlements", Trend's correspondent reports from the
event.
According to him, this hinders urban development and housing
construction, the construction of roads, railways, and other
infrastructure, and at the same time prevents the use, cultivation,
and economic revival of agricultural land.
He noted that ANAMA encounters various types of munitions and
mines in its daily operations.
"The contamination consists of a mixture of anti-personnel and
anti-tank mines, as well as various types of ammunition, rockets,
grenades, shells, etc. All of which were used in unexpected places
during the conflict," Poladov explained.
He also said that, along with clearing and restoring land, part
of the agency's work is to raise awareness among the local
population about the potential dangers posed by mines and explosive
devices.
"That's why our risk reduction teams are there every time people
are relocated, new villages are built, and new families are
settled," the agency official added.
