2022-12-28T07:20:59.000000 The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes a restored contribution of NZD 2,490,000 (approximately USD 1,622,000) from the Government of New Zealand, increasing the total contribution from New Zealand to NZD 5,740,000 million (around USD 3,084,000) given that 2018.

The danger from explosive ordnance contamination throughout Iraq, consisting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the areas freed from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) along with tradition mines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) from previous dispute over the previous 4 decades, continues to endanger the lives of Iraqi people.

Explosive ordnance likewise hinders the safe return of displaced communities and avoids productive use of land for real estate and income activities.The additional financing from the Government of New Zealand will further enhance UNMAS Iraqs advisory and technical support to the national mine action authorities, particularly the Directorate for Mine Action and the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency.

Through continued technical assistance, the capability of the nationwide authorities to autonomously lead, handle and implement mine action reactions in Iraq will broaden.

In addition, the financing will support Iraqi nationwide NGOs through the UNMAS collaboration grant design where global NGOs transfer understanding and experience to national operators.On the occasion of restoring the contribution, Mr.

Sam OConnor, Charge dAffaires a.i., New Zealand Embassy to Iraq (Resident in Abu Dhabi) specified, New Zealand is pleased to continue supporting UNMAS efforts to assist Iraq rid itself of unexploded mines and other ordnance, and decrease the injuries and deaths that they cause.

It is extremely encouraging to hear that Iraqi organisations and authorities are significantly leading this work, and which UNMAS is on track to strengthen the national reaction to explosive ordnance.

The generous three-year contribution from the Government of New Zealand, will enable UNMAS Iraq to continue the required assistance to the Government of Iraq and national operators.

With continued assistance from New Zealand, UNMAS will continue to enhance the nationwide response to safeguard civilians from the tradition of explosive ordnance and will by extension allow humanitarian, stabilization and restoration efforts to move forward unhindered by the explosive ordnance hazard , said Mr.

Pehr Lodhammar, Chief Mine Action Programme, UNMAS Iraq.(UN authorities site)