Land Mines Destruction Campaigns Continued [Archives:2001/09/Local News]

Between 19-22 Feb. 2001, a Workshop on the Design of Materials, Resources and Other Media in Mine Awareness Education Programs was held in Aden. 35 participants, 27 participants from Europe, Latin America, US, Asia, Africa and Australia and 8 Yemenis, took part in this workshop organized by Radda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden) in Aden. It was also attended by Mutaher al-Sa’adi, Cabinet Affairs Minister and chairman of the National Demining Program Committee. In the workshop, participants reviewed experiences gained and lessons learnt from the use of different mine awareness materials/resources in different contexts as documented in assessments and evaluations, and as recounted through the extensive experiences of participants. Participants also carried out a systematic analysis of lessons, in order to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of different contents, designs and strategies for the use and dissemination of mine awareness materials/resources to different target groups in different contexts and environments. Using the media means to promote awareness was also discussed. The workshop was considered to be the first of a series.
During the winding up ceremony, Mr. Mutaher al-Sa’adi made a speech in which he thanked all international organizations that had taken part in making the workshop a success, asserting that Yemen would make the best possible use of this workshop and he expressed his high estimation of the Swedish organization for choosing Yemen for holding this workshop. He asserted the importance of extending a helping hand to the victims of mines and the importance of citizens reporting any incidents to the demining program so as to help affected people.
Mrs. Kristina Nelke, Radda Barnen Regional Advisor, gave a few words commending the efforts and activities of the demining program. She noted that Yemen was the first Arab country to sign the International Ottawa agreement and was also among the first countries to endorse it, adding that Yemen was the first country to conduct a comprehensive mines survey.
At the end of the workshop delegations headed towards al-Wahat, Lahj governorate to destroy 4286 mines, with the support of the US government. The first destruction of mines was conducted last year on 14.2.2000.

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