April 4 is International Mine Awareness and Mine Action Day. Today was first announced at the UN General Assembly in 2005 and is celebrated annually. The initiative, with the help of the United Nations and international organisations, calls for the continuation of the fight against landmines, which pose a serious obstacle to development and reconstruction in countries affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
It should be noted that Azerbaijan is one of the 10 countries in the world most affected by landmines. In the First Karabakh War, 3,000 people have been killed, and in the Second Karabakh War, 200 people have been killed in the last year and a half.
On this eve, the mine problem was discussed at the international conference "Humanitarian Demining Activities and Sustainable Development Goals" in Baku from March 31 to April 1. Three mine victims also attended the conference, which was organized by ANAMA and the United Nations Development Programme and was attended by about 120 delegates from 30 countries. One of them was Tamam Jafarova, who lost her leg in a mine explosion in 1997. As someone who experienced the mine tragedy at her young age, she appealed to them because she believed that our women could also play a role in solving this problem in Azerbaijan.
A woman is life ... - A woman's life destroyed by a mine
Born in 1976 in Gosha village of Tovuz region, Tamam Jafarova is the second of 5 children in the family.
That day...
On July 7, 1997, Tamam's family celebrated her 21st birthday. The next day ...
“Armenians took the cattle of our village. We bought a cow, and my father worked as a craftsman to pay for it. While herding a cow with my little brother and sister, I accidentally stepped on and hit by a mine in a pasture. ”
At that moment, the mine took Tamam's left leg. The right leg and right arm burnt. Later, I had a bruise on my eye, and I still have injuries, large scars and shrapnel on my right arm. At school, I was the chairman of a children's organisation. I worked for a year after being hit by a mine, and then they took me out. My prosthesis is provided by the state, I am going to rehabilitation. I am not married, I live with my brother in the district after my parents passed away. Today, I also attended an international conference on mines, through which the most important task is to make our voice heard around the world".
"Heros never think of a destiny!"
Mine victim Tamam Jafarova made this statement for herself. Tamam's exhibitions are taking place in Baku. An exhibition was also held in Tovuz by the chief executive in connection with the Day of the Disabled. Although he is happy to exhibit various kinds of handicrafts, he has an incurable wound.
"Male or female are not different"
According to Ms. Tamam, at the international conference she attended last week, foreign guests and ambassadors touched upon the issue of women's support for demining. "Throughout history, we have made Turkish women famous for horseback riding, archery and swordsmanship. As a landmine victim, I call on Azerbaijani women to help our brothers and sisters in this field. We have a lot of knightly girls who managed to work in on the mine field, and even if I can't do it due to my health, I will go and cook there, I will tell you a poem and you will be inspired. This is a wish that has closed my heart. ”
Noting that the conference went well, Ms. Tamam said that the issue of landmines should always be kept in mind.
"The silence of the mine is like a viper. If you lift the stone lying on it, that snake must bite you, and so does mine. Anyone who says there are no mines is lying. A mine can be anywhere, no one is insured against it."
He also called on our people, our people living in the border area and visiting those areas. He called on them to be more careful.
"As someone who has lived through the mine tragedy, I say don't go to unfamiliar areas! One step destroys a life, cripples it. What if it kills a person?! I lost one leg, but all my relatives are suffering. Tears never leave brothers, sisters, mothers alone, it will be a tear for them for a lifetime. Throughout a person's life, a parent is embarrassed when a parent looks at his or her face. The landmine doesn't know anyone. It is a nightmare, it cares neither about a child or adult. How many of our people have been killed by a mine so far... Shortly after me, a soldier was hit by a mine. How many cattle have been hit by mines? This war has taken a heavy toll on most of our families. Everywhere in Azerbaijan, from the youngest to the oldest, Zahra in Fizuli, babies in Ganja, tearful mothers and parents have suffered from this war, and its consequences continue. We must make our voices heard in the world community. I call on the world to stop the production of mines! Don't ruin lives!”
In conclusion, Tamam Jafarova spoke about the IEPF's EORE project in the regions and its importance.
"In this case, the work of the International Eurasia Press Fund, its risk education work saves many lives, encourages them to be more careful and responsible in this work. I participate in these events as much as I can. I think I can support the IEPF in this area."
It should be noted that the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) project is implemented by the IEPF with the financial support of the European Union, with the support of the UNICEF Office in Azerbaijan and ANAMA. The purpose of the education project is to increase the awareness of residents affected by or likely to be affected by mines and other explosive ordnance, and to reduce risks by encouraging them to behave safely.
By Gulnar Salimova
Translated by Elnur Enveroglu
