KATHMANDU: The United Nations (UN) has unveiled a ‘portfolio of mine action project 2010’ to clear landmines in countries torn-apart by conflict and war. The project was announced yesterday by the UN amidst a function in

the capital.

The UN said it would support 27 countries, including Nepal - one of the countries vulnerable to leftover landmines, during the decade-long insurgency.

The project in Nepal include: mine clearance, multiple, mine risk education and victim assistance programme, the 13th edition of the publication — Annual Portfolio of Mine Action — has outlined this.

The 2010 portfolio of action include at least 277 projects, out of which Africa will receive 103 and Nepal seven.

A total of 95 appealing agencies including UN Mine Action Team (UNMAT), UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Himalayan Human Rights Monitor, Partnership Nepal, Handicap International, Nepal Red Cross Society and Sahara Group, had submitted their proposals, a statement from the UN stated. The 2010 project budget for Nepal stands at US $3,127, 278, stated the report. The combined budget of all the projects for the 2010 fiscal totals US $589 million. But Nepal has so far secured US $24 million . According to the report, clearance activities account for 68 percent of the funding shortfall-US $384 Afghanistan has requested the highest amount of funds-US $244 million-in this year’s portfolio. The smallest amount (US $327,000) was requested-by Thailand.