April 4 is the First International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

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On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (resolution 60/97). It called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels.

“A single landmine – or even the fear of its presence – can hold an entire community hostage. It can prevent farmers from growing crops, refugees from returning home, even children from playing,” says UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his message issued especially for the day. “It blocks the delivery of humanitarian relief and impedes the deployment of peacekeepers. In post-conflict societies landmines remain one of the greatest impediments to rebuilding and renewal”, he adds.

The battle against landmines is being won, with some countries already achieving mine-free status. But victory will depend on the unflagging commitment of the governments of those countries where mines still exist and on the sustained support of the international community, according to Max Gaylard, director of the United Nations Mine Action Service.

“The task of eliminating landmines is enormous, but it can be completed in years, rather than decades, as long as mine-affected countries do everything in their power to become mine-free, and donor countries and organizations maintain their interest and financial support,” Gaylard adds. “Unlike so many of the global problems of our day, this one can be solved. April 4 is an opportunity to remind the world that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2005, 84 countries are affected to some extent by landmines and unexploded ordnance, which together kill or maim between 15,000 and 20,000 adults and children annually, down from an estimated 26,000 in the late 1990s. Fourteen United Nations agencies, programmes, departments and funds are together helping find and destroy these devices and providing other mine-action services in 30 countries and three territories.

“Mine action” refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas. It also includes assisting victims, teaching people how to remain safe in a mine-affected environment, advocating for universal participation in international treaties related to landmines, explosive remnants of war and their victims, and destroying landmines stockpiled by governments and non-state armed groups.

Landmine facts & figures:

- Number of countries thought to be affected to some extent by landmines and explosive remnants of war: 82

- Number of landmines still buried in the ground worldwide: Unknown (what’s more important than the quantity is their impact on lives and livelihoods)

- Number of governments reported to have used landmines as of 2005: 3

- Number of countries that are producing or capable of producing landmines: 13

- Number of countries confirmed to have traded or exported landmines in 2005: 0

- Number of countries participating in the antipersonnel mine-ban treaty: 149

- Landmines still stockpiled worldwide: 167 million

- Number of countries reporting new victims of landmines and explosive remnants of war in 2004-2005: 58

- Estimated number of new casualties each year: 15,000 to 20,000

- International funding for mine action in 2004: $399 million

- World’s top donor for mine action in 2004: USA ($96.5 million)

- Country receiving the largest amount of mine action funding in 2004: Afghanistan ($91.8 million)

- Number of countries where mine risk education services were provided in 2004-2005: 61