SARAJEVO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- More than 820 square km of land - approximately 1.6 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina's territory - remain contaminated with landmines, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) announced on Monday.
BHMAC Director Enis Horozovic noted that the country was heavily mined during the Bosnian War, with over 4,180 square km initially affected. To date, around 3,360 square km have been cleared.
Authorities acknowledged that demining progress over the past decade has fallen short of expectations.
An updated overview of demining activities and future plans was presented at a meeting of the Donor Committee for Mine Action on Monday. The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Civil Affairs with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was attended by representatives from embassies, international organizations, and domestic institutions.
Under its revised strategy for 2025-2027, BHMAC aims to clear 75 square km of suspected mine-contaminated areas annually.
The BiH Council of Ministers has tasked BHMAC and the Demining Commission with preparing a detailed action plan to complete mine clearance and establish a final deadline for achieving a mine-free country.
At the same time, the country is in the process of formulating a Mine Action Law. ■