Zimbabwe is seeking funds to remove landmines. The the United States and Europe used to support these efforts but stopped after concerns about human rights issues.
While the Red Cross Zimbabwe have embarked on a landmine removal campaign, Zimbabwe's government is struggling to raise funds for demining, and people are being maimed or killed by old mines still in the ground.
Thirty-year-old Philemon Sibanda lost a limb while herding cattle in 1998.
“They have not even cleared the area of landmines. As for me, I have no life. I am just seated. If I had not been injured I would be tilling the land as others are doing. Those who are able-bodied are crossing into South Africa to look for employment,” he told Voice of America News.
The mines were originally laid in the 1970s during Zimbabwe's war for Independence. The country is still one of the densest landmine sites in the world, with about 5500 landmines per kilometer remaining unexploded.
It will take about $100 million to remove the mines. At the current rate, without outside help, demining the area will take another 30 years. It's been ongoing since 1982. The European Union should step in to help Zimbabwe in this important process to keep its citizens from being maimed and killed by 40-year-old landmines.
Rescinding funding due to President Robert Mugabe's human rights violations hurts not the President, but his citizens. Return funding to Zimbabwe now.
Dear President Van Rompuy,
We the undersigned ask that you help Zimbabwe clear life-threatening landmines from the country.
Zimbabwe is seeking funds to remove landmines. The the United States and Europe used to support these efforts but stopped after concerns about human rights issues.
While the Red Cross Zimbabwe have embarked on a landmine removal campaign, Zimbabwe's government is struggling to raise funds for demining, and people are being maimed or killed by old mines still in the ground.
Thirty-year-old Philemon Sibanda lost a limb while herding cattle in 1998.
“They have not even cleared the area of landmines. As for me, I have no life. I am just seated. If I had not been injured I would be tilling the land as others are doing. Those who are able-bodied are crossing into South Africa to look for employment,” he told Voice of America News.
The mines were originally laid in the 1970s during Zimbabwe's war for Independence. The country is still one of the densest landmine sites in the world, with about 5500 landmines per kilometer remaining unexploded.
It will take about $100 million to remove the mines. At the current rate, without outside help, demining the area will take another 30 years. It's been ongoing since 1982. The European Union should step in to help Zimbabwe in this important process to keep its citizens from being maimed and killed by 40-year-old landmines.
Rescinding funding due to President Robert Mugabe's human rights violations hurts not the President, but his citizens. Return funding to Zimbabwe now.
