The final conference of the Project “Demining and Socio-Economic Integration” was held in Zagreb on Thursday, November 9, 2023, where the results of the Project and implemented activities were presented.
The conference, on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, was opened by the Director of the Directorate of Civil Protection Damir Trut PhD, who pointed out that this project includes two key pillars of Mine Action in general – Humanitarian demining and Assistance to Mine victims and their family members. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude for everything done through the Project, primarily to the Swiss Federal Council, as donors of significant funds, but also to all those who participated in the realization in any way.
Furthermore, Trut emphasized that “the Swiss Confederation is a significant donor to the Republic of Croatia, and since 1998 has donated over 1.5 million euros for demining, procurement of equipment, education of children about the dangers of mines, and if we add this project and its value of CHF 6 million, the Swiss Confederation is the fifth largest donor of Mine Action of the Republic of Croatia since 1998, with 7.8 million euros. In addition to donations, Croatia has exceptional cooperation with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and a partnership in the organization of several workshops and two large studies on residual risk after completing all demining and demining operations in demanding terrains.”
From the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, as the National Coordination Unit for the Project, the participants were welcomed by State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić who thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of this valuable project which achieved all the set goals and opened a new perspective to the demined area, and expressed satisfaction that the successful cooperation will continue within the framework of the second Swiss contribution for which preparations have already begun.
The ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, H. E. Urs Hammer has also addressed the participants. He said that Switzerland and Croatia have developed close cooperation over the years, including the one in the field of humanitarian demining. “We are proud that we had the opportunity to contribute to the elimination of mine danger in the Republic of Croatia and to provide a safe environment for the inhabitants of Sisak-Moslavina County. Following this successful cooperation, Croatia and Switzerland are now joining forces in the face of the enormous challenge of humanitarian demining in Ukraine,” said Ambassador Hammer.
As part of the Project Demining and Socio-Economic Integration, financed by the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Program financial resources were allocated to mine victims and their families. Namely, in addition to demining, the Project aimed at the socio-economic integration of mine victims and as part of this activity, in the amount of CHF 200,000.00, the launch of new and improvement of existing jobs for 15 mine victims and their immediate family members was financed.
Also, through the Project, a database of mine victims was established, various education programs, retraining and psychosocial support workshops for mine victims and their family members were implemented, and a brochure was created with unified information on the rights and possibilities of mine victims and their family members.
