Himalayan News Service

Nepalgunj, March 11:

A risk mitigation campaign aimed to protect children from unclaimed explosives during the armed conflict has been launched in Nepalgunj for the first time on the initiation of the Sahara Group. The regional-level campaign began yesterday. During the campaign, children will be given information about bombs, landmines and ambushes left lying around by the warring parties. Director of the Sahara Group Tanka Sharma, said the programme, targetting school children, would be conducted in coordination with government and non-government organisations. Participants at a programme on ‘Risk mitigation of explosives campaign’ organised today said the campaign would be more effective if it is conducted by children themselves.

Saying the reckless disposal of such explosives by the warring parties had created the present situation, the speakers asked those responsible to refrain from such irresponsible acts. A district-level risk mitigation network has been formed to coordinate the campaign.

Child welfare officer Maheshwori Bista said the children should be spared from risks of any kind. He said support from all sectors would help in the success of the step taken by the Sahara Group. Banke District Education Officer Bishnu Thaiba said the drive to save children from unclaimed explosives should start from the educational sector. Jhalak Gaire, FNJ-Banke deputy chairman, asked the media to cooperate with the Sahara Group.