Children and adolescents informed about the danger of unexploded ammunition

CHISINAU, July 4, 2022 - The National Army`s engineering teams informed more than 1,800 students from schools and rest camps in the north, center, and south of the country about the danger of unexploded ordnance left into the ground during World War II or during actions to defend the integrity and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Igor Livitchi, head of the Engineering Service, the meetings took place between April and June, during the public awareness campaign with the slogan "A wrong step can cost you your life!". The purpose of the activities was to inform and increase the awareness of the risks to which children and adults are exposed in case of detecting explosive objects in the ground and their improper handling.

"We note, with regret, that the danger of unexploded ordnance persists, and children are the most affected. We hope, with the information in the campaign, to provide greater safety for children and citizens. At the same time, at the request of the Military-Territorial Centers and the local public authorities, the period of carrying out the information campaign was extended during the summer vacation. In the rest camps, the engineers of the National Army are asked to present educational-informative lessons to prevent dangers, cases of injury or death as a result of detecting explosive objects left in the ground", mentioned Lieutenant-Colonel Livitchi. Thus, the mobile teams of engineers of the Motorized Infantry Brigades "Moldova", "Dacia" and the Genius Battalion "Codru" organized information sessions in schools, gymnasiums, high schools, and rest camps in the localities of Balti, Falesti, Singerei, Straseni, Ialoveni, Criuleni and Cahul.

The source said that the campaign was launched in April, this year and takes place in two stages - spring and autumn - when the population starts agricultural work and increases the possibility of detecting explosive objects left into the ground.

It should be noted that, from 1992 until now, 24 people have died and another 29 have been injured as a result of incidents resulting in the explosion of various ammunition. Of the total number of those who suffered, eight children died, and six others were injured.