mines

As 94 States sign cluster bomb ban, funds for overall UN de-mining languish

While 94 countries signed an historic United Nations-sponsored treaty renouncing the use of cluster bombs, the larger effort to rid the world of ordnance that kill and maim thousands of people years after they are laid is facing a gigantic shortfall, with less than 5 per cent of funding secured so far for 2009.

UN deminers in southern Lebanon to be honoured with top award

The United Nations refugee agency announced today that its top honour will go to the world body’s bomb disposal experts for their work in clearing explosives from southern Lebanon, which have been threatening the lives of civilians since the 2006 conflict with Israel.