Press centre

Media advisory

Bellamy to address World Summit on a Mine Free World

Joint Press Conference on landmines on 2 December, 2004

WHAT: Mr. Malloch Brown, Ms. Bellamy and Nikola will hold a joint press conference during the World Summit on a Mine Free World in Nairobi.

Mr. Malloch Brown will discuss the effect of landmines on social and economic development. Mine action is not so much about landmines as it is about people and their interactions with mine-affected environments. Its aim is humanitarian and developmental: to recreate an environment in which people can live safely; in which economic and social well-being can occur free from the constraints imposed by landmines; and in which victims' needs are addressed.

Ms. Bellamy will highlight the devastating impact of landmines on children. Over 80 per cent of the 15,000 – 20,000 landmine victims each year are civilians, and at least one in five are children, according to the International Campaign to ban Landmines. An estimated 85 per cent of child landmines victims die before reaching the hospital.

Nikola will tell his story of how he became the victim of a terrifying landmine accident at age 3. The explosion blew off three of his fingers, resulting in an amputation at the wrist. He likes to share his story in the hope that it will help other children to learn about the dangers of landmines and to spur action towards elimination of all landmines. 

WHEN:  Thursday, Dec 2; 09:30 am

WHERE: Press Center, UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.

For more information, contact:

David Maingi, UNDP, Nairobi, Kenya, +254 722 629 389; david.maingi@undp.org

Patricia Lone, UNICEF ESARO, Nairobi, +254 722 520 595; plone@unicef.org

Victor Chinyama, UNICEF ESARO, Nairobi, +254 722 701 505; vchinyama@unicef.org