Bosnia and Herzegovina still has 1,417 minefields; we need 560 million KM to clear them

There are still 1,417 mined locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which collectively endanger the lives of more than half a million citizens, or about 15% of the total population of BiH.

This is general data provided to the BiH news agency Patria by the Mine Action Centre BiH (BH MAC).
However, experts warn that the number of mined locations in BiH could be even higher, as it is practically impossible to track every mine or other unexploded ordnance left over from the last conflicts in BiH from '92 to '95.

The most mine-contaminated areas in BiH are the areas of Maglaj, Kladuša, Posavina, Tuzla region, then Doboj region, the area of Brod, Šamac, Lopare, and Posavina.

After the end of the conflicts in BiH, experts identified as many as 9,185 mine-suspected microlocations, where it is estimated that about 120,000 mines/UXO remained. To this day, these mines have claimed 603 lives, and 1,129 people have been more or less seriously injured. Of the total number of victims, as many as 116 were deminers who were trying to clear mines and protect citizens. Of this number, almost 50 lost their lives after being wounded.

BH MAC explains that a strategy for mine action - Landmine-free by 2019 - was adopted in BiH six years ago, which planned for annual allocations of around 80 million KM for demining purposes and clearing about 35 square kilometers. However, only half of this strategy is adhered to annually, meaning only half of the planned funds are allocated for demining.

- During the six years of strategy implementation, about 50-55% of the planned amount was allocated annually. This means that about 12-15 km2 were demined annually, out of the planned 35 km2 - they explain to the Patria agency from BH MAC.

Of the total funds allocated for demining in BiH, foreigners have donated more than 60% of the funds, while the rest is domestic money (local communities and business entities). BH MAC claims that they have enough personnel and equipment for field work, but the pace of demining will depend exclusively on the inflow of funds. To clear BiH of mines, approximately 560 million KM more is needed.