Global funding for mine action decreases for the first time

13 September 2006
Media release

Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World will be launched by the Minister for Disarmament, Hon Phil Goff, at Parliament today (13 September) to coincide with the international release of this year's report on the global landmine situation and the implementation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

The treaty comprehensively prohibits use, production, and trade of antipersonnel landmines. It requires clearance of mined areas within 10 years and the destruction of stockpiled antipersonnel mines within four years.

Along with release of the Landmine Monitor, CALM will launch a fundraising campaign to assist with the clearance of mines, cluster munition duds and other unexploded ordnance in Lebanon. The campaign involves the distribution of tomato sauce sachets with a young boy’s legs printed on the sachet. The perforated tearing section cuts across his right ankle. The back of the sachet invites Kiwis to donate $3 by texting the word, “CALM”, to 336.

David Zwartz, Convenor of the NZ Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) said, "In conflicts where cluster munitions are used, the devastation of civilians is predictable. This is why CALM is calling for New Zealanders to support its efforts to raise finds to clear the unexploded munitions left in Lebanon following the recent conflict there."

Latest figures show there have been 68 casualties from unexploded cluster munitions. There are 442 strike sites contaminated by unexploded cluster munitions and 3120 unexploded submunitions have been destroyed.

"The annual release of Landmine Monitor provides an important opportunity to assess progress under the Mine Ban Treaty. It highlights the great achievements possible when there is the political will to do so. (See Key Facts below)

"This year's report shows that more land was demined in 2005 than ever before. In 2005, mine action programs demined more than 740km2 of land, more than in any other year since the start of modern demining in the late 1980s. More than 470,000 landmines, including around 450,000 antipersonnel mines, and more than 3.75 million explosive devices were removed and destroyed.

"Sadly, this record level of mine clearance may be in jeopardy because global funding for mine action has decreased for the first time. This raises concerns about future progress in eradicating mines and efforts to meet the needs of the increasing number of survivors.

"With 78 countries and 7 additional territories affected by mines, sustained mine action funding is required for mine clearance, mine risk education, stockpile destruction, survivor assistance and promotion of the mine ban. Despite the continuing need, the European Commission, United States and eight other major donors decreased their support for mine action in 2005 by US $23 million. Drastic reductions in mine action funding occurred in Iraq (down $30.9 million, 53%), Afghanistan ($25 million, 27%) and Cambodia ($17.7 million, 43%).

"At the same time as this funding was cut, reported casualties Ð which are often less than half of the real number Ð totalled 7,328 in 2005, an increase of 11 percent from 2004. Over 80% of new casualties were civilians. The increase was largely due to intensified conflict in countries including Burma/Myanmar, India, Nepal and Pakistan, with Colombia having the highest number of recorded casualties Ð 1,110."

Mr Zwartz said, "These casualties are preventable if governments and civil society remain committed to the full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and the promise of a mine-free world.

"We need all states, large and small, to ratify the treaty including those of our Pacific neighbours who have not yet joined. The Mine Ban Treaty is our best hope for addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines and it is also our best example of how governments and non-governmental organisations can work effectively together," concluded Mr Zwartz.

KEY FACTS
Landmine Monitor 2006

Ban Policy

• Mine Ban Treaty: 151 States Parties, 3 signatories, 40 non-signatories.
• 4 countries ratified treaty since last report: Brunei, the Cook Islands, Haiti, Ukraine.
• No allegations of States Parties or signatories using antipersonnel mines.
• 3 non-signatories continued to use antipersonnel mines: Burma, Nepal, Russia.
• Non-state armed groups in 10 countries used antipersonnel mines: Burma, Burundi, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia/Chechnya, Somalia.
• 13 countries produce landmines: Burma, China, Cuba, India, Iran, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, United States, Vietnam.
• 4 States Parties completed stockpile destruction: Algeria, DR Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria. 700,000 stockpiled mines destroyed by States Parties in the past year, nearly 40 million in total.
• Non-States Parties stockpile over 160 million antipersonnel mines including: China (est. 110 million), Russia (26.5 million), US (10.4 million), Pakistan (est. 6 million), India (est. 4-5 million).

Mine Action

• At least 78 countries and 8 areas not internationally recognized as independent states are affected by landmines.
• Guatemala and Suriname reported clearance of all mined areas in 2005.
• More than 740 square kilometers demined in 2005.
• Over 470,000 landmines and more than 3.75 million explosive devices destroyed.
• At least 13 of 29 States Parties with mine clearance deadlines in 2009 or 2010 appear not to be on course to meet deadlines: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Croatia, Denmark, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Kingdom (Falkland Islands), Yemen, Zimbabwe.
• Mine risk education programs recorded in 60 countries and eight areas; activities reached 6.4 million people.

Landmine Casualties and Victim Assistance

• In 2005, 7,328 reported casualties in 58 countries and 7 areas, 11% more than in 2004; 81% civilians, 21% children. Many casualties go unreported.
• Estimated 15,000-20,000 new casualties each year; approximately 350,000 to 400,000 mine survivors in the world today.
• Efforts ongoing to improve data collection, needs-based planning, inter-ministerial coordination, national ownership and integration into development programs.
• Life-long needs of survivors remain largely unmet in all but 10 countries with new mine casualties. Problems include access to services, quality and variety of care, lack of funding.
• Disability legislation in place in more than 50 countries but remains largely unimplemented.

Mine Action Funding

• International mine action funding totalled US$376 million. This is the second highest funding to date, though it is $23 million less than 2004.
• Top four donors: United States ($81.9 million), European Commission ($51.5 million), Japan ($39.3 million), Norway ($36.5 million).
• Countries that received the most mine action funding in 2005: Afghanistan ($66.8 million), Sudan ($48.4 million), Angola ($35.8 million), Iraq ($27.8 million), Cambodia ($23.9 million).
• Drastic reductions in mine action funding occurred in Iraq (down $30.9 million, 53%), Afghanistan ($25 million, down 27%) and Cambodia ($17.7 million, 43%)

Note to Editors: This year's Landmine Monitor report is the eighth annual edition produced by an international team of researchers and coordinated by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (www.icbl.org). Landmine Monitor Report 2006 and related documents are available online from 09:00 GMT on 13 September, at www.icbl.org/lm/2006.

MAKE A DONATION TO BRING CALM TO LEBANON

The Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, the Hon Phil Goff, Launches Anti-Mine Appeal

Campaign Against Landmines, CALM, is appealing to New Zealanders to donate money to help clear landmines in Southern Lebanon.

On the 13th of September, Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, the Hon Phil Goff, will launch the appeal with a dinner, flavoured with a special sachet of ketchup. A young boy's legs are printed on the sachet with the perforated tearing section cutting across his right ankle. The back of the sachet invites Kiwis to donate $3 by texting the word, "CALM", to 336.

The shocking sachet is one of 20,000 which will be distributed throughout restaurants in the North and South island.

"We hope the sachet aptly illustrates the terrible injuries so many families are struggling with across the world," says Mr Goff. "Landmines and unexploded ordnance such as cluster bombs from past conflicts continue to take the lives of, and maim, hundreds of people every year."

The function, which will be held in Parliament, will also see the international launch of the 8th edition of The 2006 Landmine Monitor Report. The Hon Phil Goff will launch the report in New Zealand and the event will be chaired by CALM's Convenor, David Zwartz.

To combat the proliferation of landmines, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) publishes The Landmine Monitor Report, an annual report on progress towards a mine-free world.

The Report details clearing of mines, care for survivors, compliance by countries of 1997's Ottawa Anti-Mine Convention, and analysis of the international community's response to humanitarian crisis caused by mines.

"The Landmine Monitor Report was a great initiative originally developed by New Zealander, Mary Wareham," said Phil Goff. "We fully support its objective of illustrating and alleviating the plight of countries struggling with the legacy, and day-to-day reality, of landmines."

Launch of Landmine Monitor 2006

6 September 2006
Media release

On Wednesday 13 September, the major, global findings of Landmine Monitor Report 2006 will be released in wellington. A function hosted by Hon. Phil Goff, Minister for Disarmament and organized by the New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) will be held at Parliament Buildings.

At the event CALM will be presenting the global report findings and launch of a fundraising appeal to support Mines Advisory Group's mine action program in Lebanon.

CALM Convenor David Zwartz, Hon. Phil Goff, Minister of Disarmament and the Executive Officer of Publicis Mojo will be speaking at the event.

Cluster munition casualties in Lebanon highlight need for global moratorium

23 August 2006
Media release

Reports of deaths and injuries from unexploded cluster munitions used by Israel in the recent fighting in Lebanon underline the need for all governments to declare an immediate moratorium on the use of cluster munitions.

Early in the conflict, the New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) alerted government ministers to the use of cluster munitions and urged them to call for use of the weapons to stop. CALM joined international calls for Israel to refrain from using cluster munitions due to the unacceptable risk to civilians both during and after attacks. Israel has refused to heed the calls.

Israeli cluster munitions killed and injured civilians during attacks, as Human Rights Watch reported in the village of Blida last month, and now people devastated by war are being killed and injured as they return to their homes only to find unexploded cluster submunitions littering their houses and their land.

United Nations specialists have confirmed at least 51 places in Lebanon contaminated by deadly cluster submunition Òduds,Ó and believe the number will rise to more than 200. Bomb disposal teams destroyed 666 of these hazardous duds in their first four days of work (16-19 August). Over the same period, the UN has identified at least 22 cluster munition dud casualties thus far. Tekimiti Gilbert of the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre for South Lebanon said:

ÒThey need to be banned. They are so indiscriminate and have such a high failure rate, they cause huge problems when the fighting stops.Ó

Two children were injured when a cluster submunition exploded in the town of Ayta Alshaab on Friday 18 August 2006. The following day one child was killed and another injured by a cluster submunition in Ayan a Bil. Unfortunately, given the history of cluster munition contamination, more deaths and injuries are inevitable.

The CMC calls on Israel to provide detailed information on its use of cluster munitions to facilitate clearance and urges all countries to provide assistance to the efforts already underway to deal with the deadly threat from unexploded cluster munitions and other ordnance.

This predictable and avoidable harm to civilians that has again been tragically demonstrated in Lebanon makes it all the more urgent for countries to take action on cluster munitions. A growing number of countries now acknowledge the humanitarian problems of cluster munitions, with Belgium and Norway taking the lead in introducing a ban and moratorium, respectively, on their use. The CMC calls on all countries to declare a policy of no use of cluster munitions when they meet in Geneva next week to prepare the 5 year Review Conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). Furthermore the CMC calls on States Parties to the CCW to seize the opportunity of the Review Conference in November to launch new negotiations on a prohibition on these inaccurate and unreliable weapons.

Contacts: Deborah Morris-Travers, Deputy Convenor, NZ Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) and NZ representative for the Cluster Munitions Coalition 0274-544-299, calmdeborah@yahoo.com

Thomas Nash, Coordinator for the Cluster Munition Coalition on +44 (0)7711 926 730, thomas@stopclustermunitions.org or visit the website at www.stopclustermunitions.org

Write Group team helps fund Thai landmine survivor project.

9 August 2006
Media release

A team of staff from Write Group Limited in Wellington recently chose to support a landmine survivors' project based in Thailand. The project, which is managed by Handicap International, will assist people in the provinces of Sisaket and Ubonrachtani in the North Eastern region of Thailand. This region shares a border with Cambodia, so people living here face the ever-present danger of landmines laid during historical border disputes with the Khmer Rouge.

The team sent $1000 (New Zealand) to Handicap International to support self-help groups for landmine survivors and disabled children. The project has been running for about 18 months, but still needs more support to make sure they are well managed and able to operate independently. This on-going activity equips participants with vocational ideas and suggestions on how to improve accessibility in their living environment. A significant part of the project is community education aimed to reduce the stigma experienced by people injured by landmines. It is hoped this will improve the level of their acceptance, and increase their participation in the local community.

The Write Group team selected the project after their director decided to fund a company sponsorship programme. Staff teams selected for themselves a project or agency they could build an ongoing connection with during the year. The team said, 'when there are so many projects to choose from it is important to know that our contribution will make a real and practical difference for the people we want to help. We have regular contact with the programme coordinator and there by with the people the project is funded to assist.'

Details of this project, and others managed by Handicap International in Thailand can be seen on http://www.handicap-international.or.th.

Thai honour to Wellington anti-landmine campaigner

11 July 2006
Media release

Wellington long-time anti-landmine campaigner Brian Hayes has received an award as part of the King of Thailand's 60th anniversary celebration of his accession to the throne.

Brian has been actively involved in the anti land mine campaign for many years, but for the past 4 years he has been fundraising to assist landmine survivors on Thailand's borders. This effort is supported by the New Zealand anti-landmine campaign group CALM (Campaign Against Land Mines).

The funds raised have been sent to the Chiang Mai Prosthetic Foundation and have provided for the fitting of artificial limbs for more than 200 men, women and children. This enables the adults to continue working to support their families and the children to grow up without being disadvantaged because of a disability.

"My wife Leang told me that her relatives in Thailand saw the award ceremony on Thai TV," Brian said. "The award also recognizes the generosity of New Zealanders and their awareness of the problems that other countries face, especially from the scourge of landmines."

Brian and his wife are active members of the Wellington Marathon Clinic. Brian is organizing a 5-hour walk/run at Labour Weekend in Wellington as the next CALM fundraiser for the Chiang Mai Prosthetic Foundation. (It is said that 5 hours is about the average time it takes to get a person who steps on a landmine to appropriate medical assistance)

Brian's award, as a Companion of the Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, was presented by Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr.Kantathi Suphamongkhon, in the presence of NZ government representative Jim Sutton and the Ambassador of Thailand Mr Norachit Sinhaseni.

Multi-lateral cooperation delivers for disarmament

23 November 2005
Media release

Landmine Monitor 2005, the annual report on progress towards a mine free world, shows significant progress is being made to rid the world of these indiscriminate weapons.

The report will be released in Wellington on Friday 25 November at 12.30pm, in the Civic Square. The public will have an opportunity to cross a mock-minefield and experience the terror caused by the weapons.

"This year's report demonstrates that multi-lateral cooperation can deliver significant results on disarmament issues. Global use of antipersonnel mines and the number of reported mine casualties have fallen. International funding for mine action increased to US$399 million in 2004, and in the past year 135 square kilometers of mine-affected land were cleared. Afghanistan reported clearance of the largest amount of mined land, followed by Cambodia," said CALM Convenor, Deborah Morris-Travers.

"Given the scale of the humanitarian crisis caused by mines, it's vital that this good work continues. Governments must continue working in partnership and ensure their political commitments are supported by funding and action," she said.

At least 84 countries are affected by landmines and/or unexploded ordnance such as cluster munitions. It is estimated that over 200,000 square kilometers of land are contaminated. Among the worst affected nations are Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Bosnie and Herzgovina. The number of landmine survivors requiring ongoing assistance continues to increase. An estimated 300,000-400,000 people live with landmine injuries.

When the Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997, there were 51 countries producing mines. In 2005, just 13 countries produce, or retain the right to produce, mines.

2004/05 has also seen progress on the destruction of stockpiles of mines. Some 400,000 mines were destroyed in the past year and seventy-one states have completed the destruction of their stocks. States Parties have destroyed a total of 38.3 million mines, while non-signatories retain an estimated 160 million stockpiled anti-personnel landmines.

In the past year, progress towards universalisation of the Ottawa Convention has continued, with four more states committing themselves to the prohibition on the use, production, stockpiling and trade of the weapons. These were Ethiopia, Bhutan, Latvia and Vanuatu, bringing the number of full states parties to 147. However, some large and significant states remain outside the Convention, including the USA, Russia and China.

Ms Morris-Travers said, "It is concerning to see that three governments persist in their use of anti-personnel landmines: Myanmar, Nepal and Russia. In addition to these governments, non-state actors in thirteen countries have also laid mines in the past year. These activities put innocent civilians at risk of serious injury or death, and the presence of mines often leaves their land unproductive preventing economic development.

"Landmine Monitor 2005 confirms that the Ottawa Convention, and the political will that brought this treaty to life in the last 1990s, are delivering significant results.

"We urge the New Zealand government and other like-minded states to ensure this progress continues and that deadlines for mine clearance, mandated by the Convention, are met. This is essential to the integrity of the Ottawa process," concluded Ms Morris-Travers.

Today, the full Landmine Monitor report will be made available online at www.icbl.org/lm/2005 This year's Landmine Monitor is the seventh annual report produced by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

Donate to CALM CALM are running a new fundraising campaign. You can make a $3 donation by texting calm to 336. Donations will go to Mine Action (mine risk awareness, clearance and survivor assistance) in Lebanon.

Can you walk/run 50 km or 25 km?

50 km walk - 50 landmine survivors assisted

October 2005 - Event

GOAL: To raise funds for 50 new legs for landmine survivors on THAILAND's borders.

50 PEOPLE NEEDED: or a team of 2 persons completing 25 km each.

COURSE: Karori Swimming Pool to Porirua Aquatic Pool and return (Showers and drinks available at each pool).

DATE and TIMES:

Aim to arrive back at Karori Pool between 4.30.pm and 5.00 pm.

ACTIVITIES TO FOLLOW:

5.30 pm Complimentary drinks: View a Display of photos of Chiang Mai Prosthetic Centre - Enjoy live entertainment from a Thai Cultural dance group.

6.00 pm - 7.30pm Dinner: Formal Thai Dinner (free) compliments of Wellington Thai Community - Karori Hall

ENTRY REQUIREMENT:

Donation of $50.00 to Chiang Mai Prosthetic Foundation, which will obtain a new leg for a landmine victim. Payable on registration.

We encourage each entrant to obtain the $50 entry fee from 10 friends at $5.00 each (This will assist our aim to publicise the plight of Landmine survivors).

Entrants' family can attend the dinner on request -
(Koha welcome).

Questions/Registration

Brian Hayes, Treasurer, Campaign Against Landmines N.Z.(CALM)
Phone: 918 8331
Brian.hayes@justice.govt.nz

Or, Khun Nattaya (Leang) Payanon. Phone 476 8305 (evenings)

23 November 2004 - Media statement

2004 Landmine Monitor report signals big challenges ahead as governments head to Nairobi Summit

A special edition of the annual Landmine Monitor Report (to be released in Wellington tomorrow) illustrates the significant progress made under the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty in the past five years, but signals that some of the biggest challenges lie ahead.   The report will be presented to governments as they head to the Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World (29 November-3 December).

“The progress made since the MBT entered into force five years ago is a great example of what governments can achieve when they work cooperatively to increase human security under a multi-lateral process,” said Deborah Morris-Travers, Convenor of the NZ Campaign Against Landmines.

“Use of antipersonnel landmines has fallen, funding for mine action has increased by 80 percent, huge stockpiles of mines have been destroyed, more than 1,100 square kilometres of land has been cleared, and the number of new mine victims each year has decreased markedly.   However, there are big challenges remaining (see attached overview).

“There are 143 States Parties to the MBT, and another 9 governments which have signed but not yet ratified the treaty, including the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, and Vanuatu.  Other states in the Pacific have not yet signed up, including Micronesia, Palau, Tuvalu and Tonga.

“Currently, forty-two states remain outside the treaty, with a small number continuing to deploy and produce the weapon.  If we are to succeed in fully eradicating landmines and the misery these indiscriminate weapons cause to civilians in 83 mine-affected countries, we need all states – big and small - to support the MBT and pursue its full implementation.

“At the Nairobi Summit (the first review conference of the MBT), governments will be urged to restate their commitment to a plan of action that will progress the full implementation of the treaty.  With deadlines for mine clearance looming and large numbers of civilians, including children, continuing to be killed and maimed by mines it’s vital this important work continues,” Deborah Morris-Travers concluded. 

Contact: Deborah Morris-Travers
Convenor of NZ CALM and 2004 Landmine Monitor Researcher
Tel:     0274-544-299

Landmine Monitor is a global civil society initiative compiled by a network of 110 researchers in 93 countries.  It monitors and reports on the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.  The 2004 report shows:

Progress under the Mine Ban Treaty (since 1999):

• 65 states parties have completed the destruction of more than 60 million stockpiled mines and every State Party has so far met its mandated four-year deadline for stockpile destruction.
• 51 states are known to have produced anti-personnel landmines in the past, the number is now 15.
• Major progress has been made preventing landmines from being laid and in clearing mine fields.
• Since 1999, 1,100 square kilometres of land has been cleared, destroying more than 4 million antipersonnel landmines, nearly one million anti-vehicle mines, and many more millions of pieces of unexploded ordnance.  There is now consistent and reliable evidence showing that mine action is making a measurable difference in the lives of people living in mine-affected countries.
• The number of reported new mine casualties has dropped significantly in some heavily mine-affected countries.  In 1999, it was estimated that landmines claimed 26,000 new casualties every year; that number has dropped to between 15-20,000.

Challenges remaining:

• 42 states remain outside the treaty, including states such as the USA, China, Russia, most of the Middles East, many Asian states, and some of the small states in the Pacific.
• In the past year, Nepal, Myanmar, Georgia and Russia have used landmines. 
• 15 countries continue to produce, or retain the right to produce mines: Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, USA, and Vietnam.  
• Stockpiles of 200 million mines remain.
• Every year, thousands of people are injured by landmines: 86 percent are civilians, and 23 percent are children.  There are between 300-400,000 mine survivors living in at least 121 countries today.  Many of these people have inadequate health and rehabilitation services. 
• Resources for victim assistance as a percentage of total mine action funding have decreased significantly and steadily, from 14.9 percent in 1999 to 8.3 percent in 2003.
• In 13 states parties there were no mine clearance or mine risk education programmes in place, partially due to insufficient resources.

ACTION COUNTDOWN!
100 days until the Nairobi Summit!

23 August, 2004
Media Statement - NZ Campaign Against Landmines (CALM)