U.S. senators request $2 million for Karabakh demining program

More than 30 members of the US Senate, led by Sen. Chris van Hollen and Todd Young, have sent a letter to Christopher Kuns, Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee, asking Lindsey Graham, a senior member, to provide funding for a number of demining projects. The senators, along with Afghanistan, Laos, Sri Lanka, Angola and Zimbabwe, are seeking r $ 2 million for a demining program in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The letter states that the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has led to the use of cluster munitions, missiles and other explosives, which still pose a threat to the civilian population, posing a serious humanitarian threat. In addition, according to senators, the removal of explosives is important for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged during the conflict.

The senators stressed that US funding for the demining program in Nagorno-Karabakh ended in March 2020, and that funding is currently not planned. Lawmakers estimate that $ 2 million in fiscal year 2022 will significantly increase demining efforts to ensure that civilians return home without fear.

Ongoing US leadership in demining will help advance effective, effective programs that save lives, boost economic development, promote stability, and expand American influence, US senators conclude.