On 20 January 2019 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Afghanistan was pleased to host a delegation from the German Embassy at our Kabul Headquarters. Chargé d‘Affaires Mr. Christoph Peleikis and First Secretary Ms. Inga Tessendorf visited ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in order to formally hand over three machines purchased with German funding for use by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in its demining and weapons and ammunition disposal activities. These machines, a front end loader, excavator and a telehandler, will greatly assist ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in carrying out its mission of protecting Afghan lives by clearing the country of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. During the visit, Mr. Peleikis gave a brief speech to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø staff emphasising the importance of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s work and pride at the support Germany has provided to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the Afghan people.
Since 2004 Germany has donated over €31million to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in Afghanistan. This funding has enabled ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to clear over 85,000,000 m2 of land contaminated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war directly or indirectly benefitting over 1,000,000 Afghans. Thanks to Germany’s support, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s clearance teams have found and destroyed 22,434 anti-personnel mines, 252 anti-vehicle mines, and over 750,000 items of explosive ordnance. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s German-funded weapons and ammunition disposal teams have disposed of a further 6,414 tons of mines and ammunition and destroyed or deactivated 3,224 light weapons and 613 heavy weapons.
This funding has allowed ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to employ Afghans from mine-affected communities all over the country providing livelihoods and a steady source of income to remote communities. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Afghanistan would like to extend its most sincere thanks to Germany for its continued commitment to saving lives and restoring livelihoods for the people of Afghanistan by removing the debris of war.