THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DONATE $ 4.5 MILLION USD TO SUPPORT UNITED NATIONS MINE ACTION ACTIVITIES IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (10 March, 2015) – The People of Japan contributed US $ 4.5 million to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action to support the UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service) Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) humanitarian programme in 2015.

The funds will enable UNMAS-DRC, working closely with the Government and the Centre Congolaise de Lutte Antimines (CCLAM), to survey and clear 30 suspected minefields in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Maniema. It will also support multiple risk education campaigns in the East of the country and give the United Nations an opportunity to continue developing the capacity and expertise of the CCLAM.

The Japanese Government has supported mine action work in DRC since 2010. In 2013, UNMAS-DRC completed a National Landmine Contamination Survey, which provided the baseline for current efforts towards declaring DRC free from contamination by 2020, with support from Japan.

“The continued support of the Government and People of Japan directly assists the humanitarian situation in the country. Explosive detritus of decades of conflict is being cleared, making it possible for the internally displaced to safely return to their homes. DRC continues on its path to compliance with the clearance obligations of the Mine Ban Convention. It allows for risk education to reach hundreds of schools and community centres in affected regions. This is real, practical, life-saving work,” stated Max Dyck, the UNMAS Programme Manager in DRC.

Since 2002, UNMAS-DRC has destroyed more than 3,700 landmines and 298,000 explosive remnants of war, and delivered risk education to more than 3.3 million people living in areas most affected by landmines and .

For more information please contact:

Ms. Cecilie Hahn Petersen, UNMAS DRC Programme Officer (New York)

Email: [email protected], Tel: +1 917 367 3572

Ms. Markella Mantika, UNMAS DRC Programme Officer (Goma)

Email: [email protected], Tel: +243 82 500 1864