Mine Risk Education in 25 Districts of Nepal

July-September, 2005

Nepal


Saptari District


Short Introduction to the Program:

It was decided on 22 Bhadra 2062 to hold a district level seminar on MRE on 30 Bhadra 2062. Chief of administration, chiefs of security agencies, chief…..(senani), District Education Officer, public health officer, human rights activists, leaders of political parties, and journalists participated in the program as expected. The program chaired by Sudhir Prasad Shah, NCBL facilitator, was participated in by human rights activist Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Tilak Ram Sharma, Chief District Officer as the chief guest. Sixty-one representatives from various sectors took part in the seminar.

Advocate Bhupendra Narayan Mandal presented a working paper on which discussion was held. Saroj Pratap Rana, …… displayed anti-personnel mines and gave information on them. In keeping with the necessity and importance of the program, all sectors suggested to make it comprehensive and expressed their commitment for supporting this program.

Mine Problem in the District:

As the confiscated weapons helped them achieving success one after another, they started using ultra-modern weapons. Nowadays, they use booby traps, ambush, mines, bombs made of bucket, pressure cooker, bag, banner, tin, socket and water pot. Landmine not only injures, maims and kills combatants, non-combatants, innocent children, firewood and fodder collectors, tillers and animals. These incidents are taking place in our society. It has caused great damage and pain the people.

Response to MRE:

As suggested by NCBL, in coordination with the human rights activists and local intellectuals, Mine Risk Education (MRE) was organised for 250 teachers and 15,000 students of 21 schools through gathering, acting and lecture, display of pictures and explosives and photo exhibition.

The entire people of Nepal have been terrorised and fearful. One may be killed at any place and any time in explosion. All are terrified. Such program helps in leaving a fearless life. Such programs:

  • Protects innocent children and women from the danger of explosives.
  • Informing the students and teachers can help raise massive awareness among the general public.
  • Reduces the loss of lives and property caused due to negligence.
  • Creates environment for the treatment of mine and explosives victims.

Suggestions on Future Programs:

With the growing use of mines and explosives in the country, more and more children have been victimised. Therefore, reducing the risks of mines and explosives to children is the main objective of this program. The United Nations, international organisations and International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) have been united and making efforts to put a complete ban on the production, transfer, stockpiling and use of landmines.

Putting a complete ban on landmines is the core objective of this program. MRE and awareness building program is necessary and contextual. Therefore, its demand from all sides is increasing. So it needs to be run massively. The targets and objectives of NCBL are important. Unless there is a complete ban on landmines and the risks associated with it are finished, we all need to carry out such programs in the future too.

Suggestions on School Program:

  • Organisation of such program frequently can protect lives and property from losses.
  • Gives information on protecting ourselves from explosives.
  • The number of facilitators should be raised to make publicity more effective.
  • Each student should be given such booklets.
  • Students and teachers can raise awareness among the villagers.
  • Daylong would have been better which could be organised on holiday.

Response to Distributed Publications:

  • The pictures help identifying explosives which in turn can help people protect from risks of explosives.
  • The picture depicting the security personnel awaring children and civilians could not be effective.
  • The pictures should depict urban and rural sectors clearly.
  • As posters were stuck on the walls of school building, even student absent on that day could learn something.


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Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL)
http://www.nepal.icbl.org