Bosnia and Herzegovina develops five-year action plan for mine action

Bosnia and Herzegovina has developed a five-year action plan in the field of mine action, a representative of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center, Tarik Serak, said at an international conference in Baku, according to Report.

He said the country's landmine contamination is a direct consequence of the 1992–1995 war.

"An action plan has been developed in the country for a period of up to five years, setting specific targets for the further clearance of territories from mines," he noted.

Serak noted that an initial assessment conducted in 1996 showed contamination across approximately 4,200 square kilometers of territory.

According to him, by 2025, more than 80% of this area had been cleared, though the issue remains serious.

He also stated that more than 1,800 people have been killed or injured as a result of mine incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"A particularly high number of such cases was recorded in the first five years after the conflict. In recent years, the situation has improved significantly: in some years no incidents were recorded at all, while in others only isolated cases were reported," he noted.

Serak emphasized the importance of international cooperation and support from the United States, the European Union, and other states.

According to him, one of the key focus areas is developing local infrastructure and securing its funding.

He also noted that public awareness and specialist training play a vital role in preventing new incidents.

Serak underscored the necessity of strengthening the institutional and human capacity of countries engaged in mine action.