In Azerbaijan, we are facing one of the world's largest mine contamination problems. According to national estimates, approximately 11,667 square kilometers of territory have been contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance as a result of the occupation.
Modern.az reports that Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of ANAMA, stated this at an event titled "Reconstruction of cities after conflict: the crucial role of humanitarian mine clearance" within the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku.
According to him, more than one million mines remain in the liberated territories, which creates serious obstacles to restoration and reconstruction efforts.
“The impact of this large-scale contamination on people is also extremely severe. After the end of the conflict, 425 people became victims of mines and explosive ordnance. This fact shows that even though active military operations have ended, the danger to the civilian population continues.
At the same time, one truth is clear: restoration is not possible without mine clearance.”
The chairman reminded that after the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, Azerbaijan implemented large-scale measures to overcome this challenge:
“Since November 2020, more than 272,000 hectares of land have been cleared, and more than 252,000 mines and unexploded ordnance have been discovered and neutralized.
However, humanitarian mine clearance is not only a complex and time-consuming process, but also requires significant financial resources. Approximately 500 million US dollars have been allocated for mine action, 96 percent of which has been financed by the Azerbaijani government.”
V. Suleymanov added that this fact clearly demonstrates Azerbaijan's strong national potential and political will to ensure safe restoration, reconstruction, and return.
“Mine clearance not only saves human lives but also forms the basis for restoration and reconstruction. This process creates the necessary conditions for the construction of residential buildings, the restoration of infrastructure, the revival of agriculture and transport networks, and the provision of economic development.
Most importantly, mine action allows people to safely return to their homes and rebuild their lives.”
He also emphasized that in recent years, Azerbaijan has done extensive work to link humanitarian mine clearance activities with national restoration priorities:
“This activity has been fully integrated into the overall restoration, reconstruction, and development process within the framework of the state program.
As a result of parallel clearance and construction works, large-scale construction works are currently underway in eight cities and 33 villages, and more than 35,000 former internally displaced persons have already returned to safe settlements.”
