The Directorate for Mine Action , one of the formations of Ministry of Health and Environment, organized a field visit of UNMAS director, Mr. Pehr Lodhammer, to the southern area today, Wednesday. 

The Director General of DMA, Eng. Dhafir Mahmood, said that the field visit, which was supervised by RMAC-south in Basra governorate, is to find out the reality of contamination by mines and ERWs in the field, both in the southern area in general and in Shatt al-Arab district in particular.

Mahmood added, during this visit, a detailed presentation was given to Mr.Pehr on the extent of the impact of the dangerous and contaminated areas by mines which are about (1.570.805.125) square meter, on the population, infrastructure and agricultural communities with the increase of accident numbers resulting from these mines and ERWs. In addition to, it was clarified Iraq’s position on international conventions related to mine action, cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines.