People in 3 cities in Serbia most at risk from unexploded bombs: Victims of minefields need help

Photo: Shutterstock, Milena Djordjevic

Almost a quarter of a century since the last conflicts in the territory of Serbia, the problem of unexploded mines and bombs has not been solved. Although they are being been removed since 2002, cluster bombs are still a threat to people in Bujanovac, Uzice, Tutin, and there are unexploded aerial bombs in more than 150 locations throughout Serbia. The victims of those explosive devices still need help, writes RTS.

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A minefield in Vukovar, more than three decades ago, completely changed the life of Milan Spasic. He lost an ankle joint and the lower right leg.

"At that time I was 28 years old and had two small children. Now they are adults, I try to think about it as little as possible, to endure it physically," says Spasic.

Dejan Ivanovic was in regular military service. He stepped on a landmine in the area of the Kosare outpost and that completely changed his life.

"It is impossible to forget. We amputees have this problem, because every night we have to take off the prosthesis, when we get up we put it on, the flashback always occurs," says Ivanovic.

Aid is slowed down by wars, but there is room for support

In order to help the victims of landmines and other explosive devices, even after several decades, both time and money are needed.

Although donor aid is slowed down by wars, primarily the one in Ukraine, there is room for support.

Bojan Glamoclija, director of the Demining Center, says that together with the international organization ITF from Slovenia, they started helping the victims.

"It is extremely important for us, because according to the Ottawa Convention, one of the articles is to help the victims. So far, one victim went to Slovenia for rehabilitation and prosthesis replacement. We are now continuing that trend," adds Glamoclija.

Unexploded mines from the 1990s, as well as devices from the Second World War and the First World War, represent a danger in Serbia.

Currently, the area where the national stadium that should be built in Surcin, a Belgrade municipality, is being cleared. Two grenades and three hand grenades have been found there.

(Telegraf.rs)