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At UN centre, Pakistani students donate funds to help Afghan child mine victims

At UN centre, Pakistani students donate funds to help Afghan child mine victims

Peace and Security

Dozens of Pakistani students in Islamabad today donated funds to be channelled through the United Nations for Afghan children who have been victimized by landmines.

Following a five-hour bus journey, 30 students and teachers of La Salle High School in Faisalabad, Pakistan, arrived at the UN Information Centre in Islamabad bearing banners that read STOP PRODUCING LANDMINES, according to the UN Coordinator for Afghanistan.

The children's donation of 100,000 rupees ($1,600) will be channelled through the Comprehensive Disabled Afghans Programme of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The funds will help pay for artificial limbs for children injured by landmines in Afghanistan.

In his address to the gathering, the Principal of La Salle High School, Reverend Brother Christie Dorus pledged continued and unconditional support to the UN's efforts and saluted UN officials and other workers who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace.

In accepting the contribution, Dan Kelly, the Manager of the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan, highlighted the serious mine and unexploded ordnance problem affecting the country's people. He noted that the generous contribution would be used in some twelve orthopaedic workshops in Afghanistan and would provide at least 56 child mine victims with artificial limbs.

Mr. Kelly also welcomed the children's awareness-raising activities on the landmine issue and thanked the students for "their compassion, generosity and kindness."

In addition to bringing a check, the children presented a folder containing the names of 76 school staff and 1,497 students from nursery level up through tenth grade who were involved in the project.