James Bond actor Daniel Craig released a statement on Monday calling for more funding for the United Nations anti-mine agency. The agency defuses mines and other unexploded weaponry.
In a report by Inquirer, Craig said the work that the agency does increases the chances of survival for people as well as aid workers in conflict zones all over the world. Craig has been appointed as the Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards last year by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The call for more funding comes when he spoke at the International Day for Mine Awareness, Herald Courier reported. He noted that the turmoil around the world created by the fighting in war-torn countries such as Iraq, Libya, Somalia, and Syria further proves that there should be more and continuous funding for the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
He also said that he is in awe of the people he works with at UNMAs saying the "energy and courage of the men and women in this organization is astounding," ABC News reported.
UNMAS recently released their annual report, which noted that nearly 3,680 people have been killed or injured by mines, cluster munitions, and other explosive devices like the ones that are improvised. It comes from the 2014 data, which is the most recent year that has data available about the matter. The 3,680 people shows a 12 percent increase from 2013.
However, despite the increase from 2013 to 2014, there was a $23 million decrease in the funding. Only $417 million was released by international funding for mine action in 2014.
UNMAS director Agnes Marcaillou said in a statement that the UN agency not only defuses bombs but also trains people about unexploded ordnance to minimize injury. They also provide victims with prosthetics and counseling.
UN's Secretary General said more than two million Syrians and half a million South Sudanese citizens have received training on reducing their exposure to unexploded ordnance in 2015.
