Global Mine Problem
Death lurks beneath the ground: Even the step of a small child will unconditionally trigger this anti-personnel mine
This young boy not only lost his leg through an exploding mine, but all hopes of living a normal life. He will depend on the mercy of his fellow men for the rest of his life.
Our planet:
From a distance it looks peaceful and fascinating. Seen from up close it shows its flip side.
Since the dawn of time, wars have been erupting, bringing agony and misery to the innocent. Nowadays modern wars leave a devilish legacy behind - millions of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines as well as other explosive remnants of war. These explosive ordnance threaten the lives of people and animals in almost 60 countries on this planet. Wars have transformed thousands of square kilometres into death zones that nobody dares to enter. The relics of these wars, often long gone, and armed conflicts do kill, maim and mutilate the innocent on a daily basis. These mines and other remnants of war do hinder development, and do stop civilians from utilising valuable resources such as farm and grazing land, roads and water sources. Mines do not differentiate between the soldier and the civilian, the elderly, men, women, children or animals. Unlike other weapons of war, thought up by mankind, they are inadvertently triggered by the victims themselves.
To help put an end to this misery, the men and women of ‘People against Mines (MgM) work daily in those contaminated areas They are clearing mines and used ammunition lying around the war zones, while releasing land to returning and affected communities. Ultimately, they are creating a basis for a peaceful and humanitarian future for a population traumatized by war, pain and the fear of mines
Current figures on the landmine topic for 2014
The following figures are officially documented. The estimated number of unreported cases is probably much higher.
As of October 2014, 56 states and four other areas are mine-affected
- In Afghanistan, Cambodia and Croatia 75% of the recorded mine clearance was achieved (2013)
- In 2013, 3308 people became victims of landmines or other exploded remains of war. Most of the persons concerned came from Afganistan, Columbia and Pakistan.
- The major sponsors for demining programs are the United States, Japan, Norway, the EU, and the Netherlands. These five donors are responsible for 65% of all funding.
- All in all 47 states and three other areas received demining support from 31 donors
- Largest stocks of antipersonnel mines are found in Russia (with 26.5 million antipersonnel mines), Pakistan (estimated 6 million), India (estimated 4–5 million), China (“less than” 5 million) and the US (3 million).
- The Monitor (www.the-monitor.org) identifies 11 states as potential producers of antipersonnel mines: China, Cuba, India, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. Most of these countries are not actively producing mines but reserve the right to do so.
- Active production may be ongoing in as few as four countries: India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and South Korea.
- US stopped production of anti personnel mines in June 2014.
Figures based on Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor 2014 (www.the-monitor.org)
Overview "The global mine problem"
Need for Private Funding
There is an immediate need for Private Funding to drive forward an initiative MgM needs to push forward in Malanje Province. MgM has the equipment, resources and expertise to make this project a success, the demining huge piles of mine infested earth that present a definite threat to local communities, we just require money to start this emergency project.
Info - The global mine problem
An overview and current numbers on the land mine issue
Interview - Haller Da Silva
An interview with MgM Angola national manager Haller Da Silva talking about his job for People against landmines: Interview with Haller