Western Sahara: SMACO sounds alarm and calls for urgent mobilization to support field efforts


The Sahrawi Mine Action Coordination Office (SMACO) and Sahrawi associations active in humanitarian mine action has sounded the alarm and called for urgent mobilization to support field efforts - to expand mine risk education programs, provide psychological and social assistance to victims, and enable local organizations to continue their vital role in protecting civilians and saving lives.

In a statement, SMACO affirmed, “since the resumption of hostilities in November 2020, the territory has witnessed a new wave of contamination, including remnants from Moroccan drone strikes causing more than 300 victims among civilians since 2020 - including herders, children, and women - as well as losses in livestock, and exacerbating the hardships of travelers and families living in high-risk areas. The potential expansion or recontamination of previously cleared areas is very high.”

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Source: Sahrawi News Agency


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