Luanda – About 290, 242 anti-personal mines were removed and destroyed from 2006 up to the first quarter of 2010 in the country.

The information is part of the National Inter-Sector National De-mining Commission and Humanitarian Assistance (CNIDAH)’s information bulletin, entitled Mine Action National Summit “For an Angola free from landmines”, that ANGOP checked on Tuesday, in Luanda.

According to the bulletin, the work at the summit happens from Monday to Tuesdaya and will involve 40 demining operators, national and international NGOs and Angolan commercial companies that removed and destroyed also 43, 370 Unexploded ordnance (UXO).  

About 166 deaths, 313 people became injured and 38 machines and vehicles were destroyed as result of accidents with landmines and other explosive devices.

Besides the Angolan government that is the main sponsor, the European Union/European Commission, United States of America, Japan, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, Italy and The United Nations through their actions also invest in the country’s demining  process.

In the last five years, the Angolan government has made available over USD 500 millions for  “Action against Landmines”.

In the 2010 State Budget it is expected USD 140 million for demining works.