US allocates $ 500,000 to Azerbaijan for demining operations in liberated areas

To promote regional peace and cooperation, the United States is pleased to announce $500,000 for humanitarian demining operations in areas affected by the fall 2020 intensive fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the South Caucasus, US Embassy in Azerbaijan told Report.

"Landmines and unexploded ordnance across the conflict zone continue to kill and maim civilians, block economic development, and impede the safe return of displaced communities.

"US funding will be aimed at building the technical capacity of demining organizations and clearing deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance. These efforts will play a critical role in bolstering human security and enabling displaced communities to return to their homes and rebuild their lives safely.

"The United States is the world's single largest financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction, investing over $4 billion in more than 100 countries since 1993 to promote international peace and security by addressing the threats that landmines and unexploded ordnance pose to civilians," the diplomatic mission said.

Erika Olson, the newly appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State, is traveling to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to promote regional cooperation and discuss bilateral issues.