Mines!

Bosnia and Herzegovina is still one of the most mine contaminated countries in South East Europe.

You may well think then, that I am crazy, or even irresponsible, when I tell people how cool Bosnia and Herzegovina is, as a place to come and visit or explore.

That it is a country of adventure.

BUT.

It is one of the safest countries in the world, despite the mine legacy.

On the 8th of December 2005, the United Nation's General Assembly declared that the 4th of April each year would be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Today in BiH, the general assessment of the impact of mines and other unexploded munitions in 129 cities and municipalities, has identified 1,398 affected communities.

This directly affects the safety of 545,000 inhabitants or 15% of the total population of BiH.

Minefields are marked in the majority of cases, and sensible and common sense approaches when in remote areas, mean that the risk of a "mine strike" are minimised.

Where we live, there are no mined areas for at least 50km or so.

Most of the mined areas that still exist, are along what were the final "lines of confrontation" in 1995/96.

All the main routes and thoroughfares throughout the country were cleared decades ago.

So today, I have been thinking about the men and women who work in the Mine Action centres in the de-mining teams.

It's extremely dangerous work, and specialist skills, as well as immense courage and bravery are required.

Most of the team members weren't old enough to fight in the conflict that laid these evil weapons.

So I suppose they are clearing up the horror that their parents generation created.

Sad.

They are definitely the unsung heroes of this country, that rarely get the recognition deserved.