On the occasion of the 4^th of April, the International Mine Action Day, Centre for Development and Support from Tuzla reminds the general public about enormous problem of mines and unexploded objects, as well as danger that the citizens within the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina are daily facing.

It is estimated that in BiH, there are over 200.000 mines and UXO, directly jeopardising lives of over 900.000 people in 163o mine-polluted communities.

Mine action strategy foresees that BiH will be completely be leaned from mines until 2019; however, with de-mining intensity so far, due to lack of funds and general interest in this issue, these goals and plans will hardly be achieved.

Due to the same or similar reasons, mine victims (7978 persons registered – source: BHMAC) suffer the consequences of too complicated administrative set-up of the country and lack of interest of the relevant institutions to devote more attention to this specific category of population. Mine victims, as well as other persons with disability are rather discriminated and at the margin of the social life.

The most obvious example of discrimination is noticed during employment, because due to the prejudices, such persons are put in an unequal position in comparison with other citizens.

To alleviate a bit these devastating data on the number of unemployed persons with disability, Centre for Development and Support designed a project titled „Economic and social reintegration of landmine survivors in BiH“ to support 60 beneficiaries.  This project will empower landmine survivors and their families from the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that they can increase competitiveness of their businesses within local business environment, through efficient management of existing and newly established businesses. This will enable them regain their dignity and strengthen their position in the society, focusing on their abilities, instead of disabilities.  

The programme, in the amount of 241.212,00 USD, is funded by the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victim Assistance - ITF, implemented by Centre for Development AND Support from Tuzla, in cooperation with Micro credit foundation Partner, and co-funded by the Federal Employment Institute.