The British government has offered an additional $5.5 million to help clear landmines in Mashonaland East and Central Provinces.
According to Newsday, Pete Vowles, British ambassador to Zimbabwe, told journalists during a site tour in Rushinga on Thursday that the money would be used to raise safety awareness in communities riddled with liberation war landmines.
“I want to salute the bravery and dedication of the deminers working to create safe and secure environments in Mashonaland East and Central,” he said.
“The UK remains committed in its determination to work towards a mine-free world and is delighted to award this extra funding to MAG and The HALO Trust so they can continue to protect lives and open up opportunities for economic development for affected communities.”
The funds, granted to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and The HALO Trust (HALO), are intended to save lives and greatly contribute to Zimbabwe’s aim of becoming landmine-free by 2025.
It will also create new job and career prospects in demining teams, particularly for women. In the 1970s, Zimbabwe’s colonial white minority government planted landmines.
Zimbabwe, one of the few countries aiming to achieve the 2025 clearance deadline under the Ottawa Convention, still has approximately 18.3 km² of contaminated land with a “medium” risk classification from the Mine Action Review.
