The UK Government makes second contribution of £500,000 to support the clearance of landmines in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Baku/30.06.22/Turan: Funding will be enable the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help with training and expert advice in effective mine clearance. The UK’s contribution to demining in this region - one of the most contaminated with land mines and unexploded ordnance in the world - now totals over £1million.

The UK Government is today 30 June providing a further £500,000 to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support land mine clearance in Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

New funding will provide vital training and expert advice to make the area safe, prevent injuries and save lives.

Minister for Europe and North America, James Cleverly, said: “This UK contribution will harness the UN’s expertise, reduce the risks to civilian life in both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and allow people to rebuild their lives.

In the spirit of protecting all the peoples of the region, the UK urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign the UN conventions that seek to eliminate the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions.  We encourage the authorities to ensure the UN and other humanitarian agencies are able to contribute fully to supporting peace and development across all parts of the region.”

The latest contribution brings total UK funding for demining to over £1 million since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2020. It builds on the UK’s £1million donation to the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2020. 

The region is one of the most contaminated with land mines and unexploded ordnance in the world. -06B-