The New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) is fundraising for Cambodian landmine survivors ahead of the Mine Ban Treaty’s annual meeting to be held in Phnom Penh in seven weeks time.

CALM is holding an online Trade Me auction of a dozen carry bags made from local materials by women landmine survivors in Kandal Province, Cambodia. Proceeds from the auction will be provided to Jesuit Service Cambodia for the construction of accessible housing for landmine survivors and mobility devices such as wheelchairs.

Cambodia is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. According to Landmine Monitor, there are approximately 44,000 survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Cambodia. In 2009, there were a total of 244 landmine and ERW casualties in the country.

The Mine Ban Treaty’s Eleventh Meeting of States Parties is due to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 28 November–2 December 2011. Representatives from more than 100 countries, including New Zealand, are expected to attend. A total of 157 countries have joined the Treaty, most recently Tuvalu on 13 September 2011. The Mine Ban Treaty comprehensively prohibits antipersonnel mines and requires their clearance.

The New Zealand Campaign to Ban Landmines is a long-standing member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. CALM is a sister campaign to the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition (ANZCMC).

For more information, see:

• CALM press release, 7 Oct. 2011
• Trade Me auctions for four bags in purple, green, red, and black (ends Thursday, 13 Oct)
• Photos of all the bags to be auctioned – http://bit.ly/ouO0NN
• Landmine Monitor 2011 Cambodia – http://bit.ly/ralBLU

About the Bags

Over the course of October 2011, the New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines is auctioning twelve unisex hand-made bags in variety of colours.  Typically worn at hip height, these Monk Bags are excellent for carrying textbooks and clothes. Handmade from local materials by women landmine survivors in Kandal Province, Cambodia, the proceeds from the one-off sale of these unique bags will be provided to Jesuit Service Cambodia in November 2011. The funds will be used for the construction of accessible housing for landmine survivors and locally-made mobility devices such as wheelchairs.

Bag specifications:

• 370mm across
• 320mm tall + 540mm-long strap
• 2 x roomy external pockets and 2 x internal pockets including one with a zipper
• Finely crafted with care and attention

Please note

• Starting bid is $15.00 NZ dollars
• Postage is $4.20 anywhere in New Zealand or they can be picked up from central Wellington
• Receipts will be issued by the New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) upon request
• Payment/contact must be made to CALM’s bank account within 5 working days of payment instructions being sent
• This auction is intended for New Zealand bidders, but overseas bids will be considered

Information for making a donation direct to CALM (by 20 November 2011)

Account Name:             Campaign Against Landmines NZ (CALM)

Bank Account:             Westpac A/c 030502 0185340 00