Sahara Press Service (El Aaiun)

Western Sahara: Antipersonnel Mines - Western Sahara, Among Most Contaminated Territories in the World

Photo: John Charles Monua/UN
Discharge of mines.

Western Sahara is among the "most heavily mined" regions in the world, said in London Steven Smith, the head of the non-governmental organization "Action on Armed Violence".

"The Western Sahara is one the most heavily mined territories in the world with over 2,500 people killed in antipersonnel mine blasts," said Smith.

"We have to step up efforts in the Western Sahara to better address the needs of landmine survivors, 56 percent of them have lifelong after-effects," he added.

The NGO was invited by a British parliamentary group to talk about the landmines in Western Sahara during a meeting devoted to the NGO's experience in the destruction of mines in the territories liberated by the Polisario Front.

British MPs representing all political parties, members of the Foreign Office and British NGOs attended the meeting.

SPS

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