Handicap International is increasing its operations on the ground in Libya and it is taking daily action to raise awareness among the populations who are at risk from landmines and unexploded weapons.
Landmines, used by military forces under the command of Col. Gaddafi in March, now pose a direct threat to the civilian population. The Libyan National Transitional Council has renounced the use of landmines(anti-personnel and anti-vehicle) and agreed to destroy the stockpile of these weapons. In a press release,the Council also expressed a desire to cooperate with demining, awareness and victim assistance activities. Handicap International welcomes these statements and hopes that Libya will sign the Ottawa anti-personnel mine ban convention as soon as possible.
Handicap International is also increasing its operations in Libya to raise awareness among populations who are at risk to the dangers posed by mines and unexploded remnants of war. The organization is distributing 20,000 brochures, 4,000 posters and 3,000 illustrated textbooks for children, to help people understand what to do when encountering these weapons or any unidentified object. The organization is also broadcasting radio advertisements in Benghazi in order to reach the largest possible number of people.
Twenty-three Libyan scouts, trained by Handicap International, are currently supporting our efforts in Benghazi, 20 of whom will travel to the border of Tunisia next week to inform displaced persons of the risks they run when encountering mines or unexploded remnants of war.