IKMAA Continues to Raise Awareness Among the Public

The Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA) continues to provide warnings on a daily basis to villages throughout the Kurdistan Region. They provide advice to the villagers to stay away from hazardous minefields and explosive remains.

Jabbar Mustafa Rasul, the Director of IKMAA, stated that “unfortunately accidents continue to occur annually to members of the community due to non-compliance with IKMAA's guidelines.” To address this issue, Mr. Rasul highlighted that “IKMAA’s awareness teams are actively disseminating messages across the Kurdistan Region, particularly in rural areas and at tourist destinations due to their proximity to the minefields”. He added that “IKMAA has placed large warning signs in those areas to alert the public to potential hazards.”

IKMAA’s awareness teams in Slemani Governorate have conducted awareness inductions on landmines and explosives during a visit to Dashti Tele and Kele villages in Mawat, and to Gordem and Khemana village in Sharbazher. At the same time, the awareness teams in the Duhok Governorate have provided guidance and instructions at tourist sites. In Garmian, a football tournament sponsored by the ‘Spirit of Soccer’ organisation was organised by IKMAA for 10 local schools. During the tournament, IKMAA conducted an awareness course on the risks of mines and explosives. 

Due to the eight-year war between Iraq and Iran, large areas of the Kurdistan Region has been contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance placed by both countries, resulting in 14,000 casualties in the region. 
Since the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government, 65% of the contaminated areas have been cleared. However, 35% of the area still remains affected which IKMAA continues to clear and make safer through their awareness teams.