President Ilham Aliyev has been leading massive "Great Return" reconstruction efforts, rebuilding cities and infrastructure damaged during military conflicts. However, the republic still faces a daunting task of dealing with over a million landmines threatening lives and hindering recovery after years of conflict.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is grappling with one of the most severe landmine contamination crises in the world.
After nearly three decades of military occupation by Armenia, the country faces the daunting task of clearing more than a million landmines and countless explosive remnants of war (ERW) scattered across its liberated territories.
The scale of the problem is staggering: surveys show that 11,667 square kilometres – 13.4% of Azerbaijan’s total territory – remain contaminated. This contamination not only endangers lives but also obstructs socioeconomic development and the safe return of displaced populations.
The contaminated areas span diverse terrains: 60% flat agricultural lands, 30% grassy hills, and 10% mountainous regions. These lands are vital for agriculture and community life, yet they remain perilous.
