UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General has called for an end to the landmine "once and for all." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a concerted effort to eliminate landmines "forever."  "On this international day, let us build on past gains and finally rid the globe of the scourge of landmines," the UN Secretary-General said in a message commemorating the annual International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on April 4.

Despite the fact that more than 160 countries have signed a landmark convention prohibiting the use of landmines, Guterres believes that more action is needed to safeguard people from these "abhorrent weapons." "Thousands of people are killed or injured every year by mines, explosive leftovers of war, and improvised explosive devices, many of whom are children," he said.

UNICEF reported over the weekend that five children, a girl and four boys, were killed on Friday in Marjah district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when an explosive residue of conflict detonated. A second boy and girl were also hurt.

"In Afghanistan, 301 children have been killed or maimed by explosive remnants of war and landmines in the last seven months. The true figure is considered to be significantly higher "said UN Secretary-General.

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