UNMAS Press Release
12 December 2023
The Republic of Korea commits US$300,000 to Mine Action Activities in Syria
SYRIA | UNMAS, the UN Mine Action Service, received a US$300,000 contribution from the Republic of Korea. This contribution will support life-saving mine action operations, including survey, clearance and community liaison in high priority areas across the country.
The head of the Mine Action Programme of UNMAS in Syria, Mr. Joseph McCartan, met with the Republic of Korea Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. IL Park. Mr. McCartan thanked the Ambassador and welcomed the contribution.
Ambassador Park said, "We are very pleased to be able to support mine action in Syria through UNMAS this year. The Government of the Republic of Korea has been involved in international humanitarian mine action since the 1990s and has given it a high foreign policy priority. Syria is also facing a severe landmine and explosive ordnance problem due to the ongoing crisis, which is why our government decided to support mine action this year."
Twelve years into the Syrian conflict, explosive ordnance contamination continues to have a devastating impact on people’s lives in the country. It threatens lives and hampers access to basic services, including medical facilities and schools, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need across all parts of Syria.
“This generous donation from the Republic of Korea will contribute to saving lives in Syria,” said Joe McCartan, UNMAS Chief of Mine Action Programme in Syria. “It will help protect vulnerable communities from explosive ordnance threats, and also facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and early recovery interventions by UN agencies, funds and programmes and their partners.”
Thanks to the Republic of Korea, UNMAS will enhance the work being done to protect civilians and make accessible critical lands. It will allow UNMAS to implement its strategic vision, “to ensure that the Syrian population benefits from safe access to basic services and livelihood opportunities”, by enabling humanitarian and early recovery partners to deliver humanitarian assistance throughout Syria.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Joseph McCartan, Chief of Mine Action Programme, Syria: joseph.mccartan@un.org
Sooyeon Kim, Senior Advisor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon: syekim22@mofa.go.kr