The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the United Nations Development Program for the Northern Border Clearance Project, a key mine-clearance undertaking in Jordan. “The project is the single largest de-mining task remaining in Jordan and entails mine clearance of both anti-tank and anti-personnel mines on a 10- kilometer stretch along the northern border,” said UNDP Chief Technical Advisor Olaf Juergensen. The funding will cover the creation of a field office and the equipping, training and operation of two de-mining teams tasked to clear about 1,000 mines a month for one year. The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has been assigned to carry out the $10 million project, which aims to free seven million square meters of fertile land from landmines in the next two years. Aside from Canada, Norway, Germany and the European Commission also expressed interest in supporting the project. (Source: Canadian grant to support major mine-clearance project in northern region/Jordan Times)
