Prepared by the United States Department of State

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs

April 1999

THE SECRETARY OF STATE

WASHINGTON

The United States first became involved in humanitarian demining in 1988 when it sent a team to assess

the landmine situation in Afghanistan. Five years later, U.S. demining-related programs were underway

in Afghanistan and seven other countries. By the end of 1998, we had provided more than $250

million to 24 countries for various humanitarian demining efforts such as deminer training, mine

awareness, mine clearance, and orthopedic assistance to, and socio-economic reintegration programs

for, landmine accident survivors. Nearly $82 million of that amount was spent in Fiscal Year 1998, the

largest commitment of any nation involved in financing humanitarian demining activities. As a result of

our leadership, and with the assistance of other donor nations, the world is seeing positive results in

many mine-affected countries—reduced casualties, land returned to productive use, return of refugees to

their homes, reopened roads, schools, and markets, and other visible evidence of a return to normal life. 

Today, the United States is providing assistance to humanitarian demining programs in 26 countries, as

well as to demining projects in several others. The list of recipients of such assistance is expected to

grow this year and next. The goal of the U.S humanitarian demining program is simple and direct: to

assist mine-affected countries around the world in establishing a sustainable, indigenous demining

capacity, with the appropriate resources and skills to make their country mine-safe.

As the millennium approaches, we continue to face the challenges to rid the world of these hidden

killers. President Clinton’s Demining 2010 Initiative, announced in October 1997, aims to accelerate

and coordinate international participation in demining programs so that by the end of the next decade

these indiscriminate weapons of war will no longer threaten the lives of innocent people. 

To Walk the Earth in Safety tells the U.S. story, but not the whole story. Other governments, the United

Nations, other international and non-governmental organizations, and mine-affected countries

themselves also play a critical role supporting humanitarian demining programs. The impact of our

collective contributions is felt in many mine-affected nations. Indeed, in the not too distant future, we

expect to see several of these countries declare themselves mine-safe. 

The success stories in this brochure attest to President Clinton's and my determination to see that people

everywhere will once more be able to walk the earth in safety!

Madeleine K. Albright

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1
2
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of U.S. Humanitarian Demining Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

U.S. Humanitarian Demining Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Latin America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

The Middle East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4

OVERVIEW OF U.S. HUMANITARIAN DEMINING PROGRAMS

To Walk the Earth in Safety. The United States Commitment to Humanitarian Demining informs the

reader about the U.S. commitment to rid the world by the year 2010 of anti-personnel landmines (APL)

which pose a threat to civilians. The most recent U.S. Government survey identified 93 countries

affected with either an APL, or an unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem, or both. Although the

estimates regarding the number of mines implanted in each country vary widely among sources, the

U.S. estimate of APL infestation is approximately 60-70 million worldwide.1

The Secretary of State’s Office of Global Humanitarian Demining (S/GHD) promotes the President’s

Demining 2010 Initiative and coordinates with the international community to ensure effective and

complementary activities and initiatives worldwide. It also fosters public-private partnerships to

marshal resources from the public and private sectors. 

The objectives of the U.S. humanitarian demining program are to reduce the number of civilian

landmine casualties; to return to their homes refugees and internally displaced persons who have been

denied access to them by landmines; and to enhance the political and economic stability of nations

affected by landmines.

A U.S. Government Interagency Working Group (IWG), chaired by the Department of State (DOS) and

vice-chaired by the Department of Defense (DoD), is in charge of approving, developing, and

coordinating U.S. humanitarian demining programs. 

A typical U.S. program involves assisting in the establishment of a mine action center (MAC), a mine

awareness program, and a demining training program. As a country develops its mine clearance

abilities, the IWG will periodically evaluate the development of the program. When the program

reaches the point of being self-sustaining, the United States passes off its active role to the host nation,

although some U.S. funding may continue to sustain demining efforts.

The DoD funds a humanitarian demining program’s start-up costs, and the DOS provides the follow-on

funds to procure the necessary equipment for mine-affected nations to conduct mine clearance

operations. The components of the DoD humanitarian demining program are (1) mine awareness

education; (2) assistance in developing MACs; (3) civil-military cooperation; (4) victim assistance; and

(5) demining training – or “train the trainer”– which is the core program. More than 4,000 indigenous

trainers have benefited from this core program, which represents about 25 percent of deminers working

in the field today. From 1996 through 1998, the DoD spent approximately $55.1 million on training

programs in 21 countries, and $34.2 million have been appropriated for DoD-sponsored demining

operations in fiscal year (FY) 1999. The DoD’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency has program

management responsibility for humanitarian and civic assistance and humanitarian demining

programs, and the theater (regional) commanders-in-chief (CINCs) are responsible for managing and

carrying out these programs. 

The DOS, through its Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs

(PM/HDP), is the lead agency for coordinating U.S. humanitarian demining programs worldwide.

PM/HDP is charged with the day-to-day management of bilateral demining assistance programs. In

addition, the DOS’ Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration contributes to the multilateral

commitment to refugee needs through the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees.2 Finally,

the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) promotes sustainable development by

providing humanitarian services in post-conflict situations. USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian

Response, Office of Transition Initiatives, bridges the gap between emergency humanitarian assistance

and long-term development assistance by supporting organizations and people in emergency transition

in conflict-prone countries. USAID’s Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund (WVF) contributes to improving

the mobility, health, and social integration of the disabled, including landmine survivors. Typically,

although not exclusively, USAID works through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop a

country’s indigenous capacity of sustainable services for amputees. 

1 United States Department of State, Hidden Killers 1998, The Global Landmine Crisis, 1998, 16.

2 James B. Foley, “$82.7 Million for UNHCR’s General Program.” Press Statement, November 13, 1998. This pledge supports UNHCR’s 1999

General Program activities in Africa, East Asia, Europe, and the Near East.
In Fiscal Years 1993 - 1998, the combined expenditures of the DoD, DOS and USAID on demining

programs and projects totaled more than $200 million, and about $100 million has been appropriated

by the U.S. Congress to support demining-related programs this fiscal year.3 Demining support also

comes from other U.S. Government agencies. In October 1998, the U.S. Department of Education’s

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research awarded a five-year, $4.25 million grant to

the Physicians Against Landmines to establish a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center. The

Center will research and develop innovative prosthetic devices that can be affordably manufactured

and serviced in those countries with large numbers of landmine survivors. In cooperation with a

number of university and private sector organizations, the Center will also develop educational

materials and conduct surveys on rehabilitation services.

At present, the U.S. Government has approved programs to assist 26 landmine-affected countries, and

the list is expected to grow longer as the United States approves more applicant countries each year.

To Walk the Earth in Safety portrays the lengthy history of the U.S. commitment to, and program

priorities for, humanitarian demining in these 26 countries. Whether resources are used to establish a

country’s MAC, to issue a grant to an NGO to conduct mine awareness education, to initiate a U.S.

Army demining train-the-trainer course of instruction, or to produce prostheses, all U.S.-funded support

since FY93 to relieve human suffering through demining, and to promote our interests in peace,

prosperity, and regional stability is depicted in the following table.

History of U.S. Humanitarian Demining Funding (FY93-FY99 [est.])

Country FY93 FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 (est.) Total

Afghanistan

(UNOCHA) 3,000,000 5,400,000 3,800,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 2,200,000 2,000,000 21,400,000

Angola (UN/DHA) 6,524,000 7,624,000 2,600,000 2,400,000 19,148,000

Bosnia-Herzegovina 11,288,000 5,375,000 9,400,000 2,605,000 28,668,000

Cambodia 1,961,437 2,849,000 3,400,000 2,152,000 3,600,000 2,900,000 1,500,000 18,362,437

Chad 1,900,000 2,167,000 4,067,000

Ecuador 500,000 500,000

Egypt 1,500,000 1,500,000

Eritrea 600,000 3,250,000 1,437,000 718,000 2,025,000 1,400,000 9, 430,000

Estonia 1,335,000 1,335,000

Ethiopia 730,000 692,000 2,440,000 1,437,000 790,000 1,910,000 800,000 8,799,000

Jordan 300,000 400,000 500,000 2,700,000 3,900,000

Laos 80,000 1,840,000 4,100,000 4,630,000 3,300,000 13,950,000

Lebanon 400,000 1,330,000 1,730,000

Mauritania 350,000 350,000

Mozambique 4,000,000 5,965,000 1,825,000 215,000 2,684,000 2,600,000 2,600,000 19,889,000

Namibia 65,000 2,340.000 500,000 1,885,000 2,450,000 1,153,000 8,393,000

OAS/IADB

(Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras, and

Nicaragua) 500,000 360,000 713,000 500,000 1,335,000 3,120,000 4,500,000 11,028,000

Peru 500,000 500,000

Rwanda 4,880,000 475,000 4,210,000 2,500,000 2,200,000 14,265,000

Swaziland 210,000 1,500,000 1,710,000

Thailand 1,800,000 1,800,000

Yemen 78,000 2,900,000 1,700,000 4,678,000

Zimbabwe 2,300,000 743,000 3,043,000

Other4 524,400 3,846,000 4,370,400

RDT&E (DoD) 10,000,000 3,000,000 14,700,000 17,700,000 17,700,000 63,100,000

TOTAL 10,191,437 15,931,000 39,252,000 32,768,000 45,475,000 62,569,400 59,729,000 265,915,837

5

3 The planned apportionment is $35M for DOS-sponsored mine awareness, minefield mapping, and demining assistance; $34M for DoDsponsored deminer training and mine awareness; $10M for the Patrick J. Leahy WVF for landmine survivor assistance; and $18M for demining

technology research and development; additional funds will be earmarked for repatriation of refugees and internally displaced persons.

4 This table does not include $8,831,400 ($485,400 [FY98] and $8,346,000 [FY99 est.]) for humanitarian demining projects in 11other

landmine-affected countries.
6

U.S. HUMANITARIAN DEMINING PROGRAMS

The 26 country cameos are presented alphabetically by geographical region. Each cameo is divided

into two parts: a synopsis of the present threat that landmines and UXO pose, and what the United

States is doing to eliminate or mitigate the threat. 

AFRICA

Official 1998 reports from the African continent indicate that 27 countries have a landmine or a UXO problem. In

10 of these countries, the United States has an active program in mine action. The 10 countries are Angola, Chad,

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. A humanitarian

demining project in Somalia was funded in FY98 and follow-on funding has been requested for FY99.

ASIA

In Asia, a region that claims 16 mine-affected nations, the United States is providing demining-program support to

four of these countries, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. The United States is also funding a special

project to create a mine-awareness training center in Vietnam (FY98-99), along with country-specific projects

proposed for Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka in FY99. 

EUROPE

In Europe, 26 countries have reported landmine incidents or are aware that landmines are obstacles to postconflict reconstruction. Two countries, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Estonia, are part of the U.S. humanitarian

demining program. The United States will expend FY99 funds on humanitarian demining projects in six other

countries–Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Moldova.

LATIN AMERICA

Among the nations of Latin America, 13 are considered landmine- or UXO-affected. The United States is providing

both humanitarian assistance and humanitarian demining assistance to six Latin American republics, Costa Rica,

Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. 

THE MIDDLE EAST

In the region generally identified as the Middle East, 11 countries have reported that landmines and/or UXO have

corrupted their land. Of these 11, four nations—Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen—are receiving humanitarian

demining assistance. FY99 funds have been programmed for a special humanitarian project in Oman.
AFRICA

ANGOLA

The Landmine Problem

More than three decades of almost

constant internal conflict have left Angola

with one of the world’s most serious

landmine problems. The UN estimate of

10 to 15 million landmines is most often

cited, but 6 million appears to be a more

reasonable figure, although no

comprehensive national survey has been

completed to date. There are six to eight

heavily mined provinces covering roughly

50 percent of the country in a band from

the northwest border with the Congo to

the southeast border with Namibia.

Minefields were planted to destroy or

deny access to infrastructure and are

concentrated around roads, railways,

bridges, and public facilities such as

schools, churches, water supply points,

and health care facilities. 

United States Assistance

Since FY95, the United States has contributed more than $19 million to demining operations in Angola. The

Angolan Government established the National Institute for the Removal of Explosive Obstacles, and U.S. demining

assistance supports the UN Demining Program in Angola. U.S. funding augments that of other nations and NGOs

to continue demining efforts, such as training and equipping more than 800 deminers, medical technicians, and

supervisors, and the purchase of mine detectors, vehicles, safety, and communications equipment. Through the U.S.

Military Humanitarian Assistance Program, excess equipment has also been provided. In addition, the United

States has agreed to provide demining equipment to, and assist the UN by, funding construction of a “semipermanent” training facility in Viana. Assisted by USAID, various U.S. NGOs have conducted mine awareness and

demining programs. In addition, the DoD, in cooperation with DC Comics, is considering publishing and

distributing 250,000 copies of a Portuguese-language mine awareness comic book, Superman/Wonder Woman,

incorporating Angolan cultural elements. 

In Angola, where 1 in 334 inhabitants is an amputee, the United States has funded programs to assist the victims.

USAID contributed $1 million to support the International Committee of the Red Cross’ Prosthetic Production and

Fitting Operation, and more than $3 million to the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) to establish a

regional rehabilitation center in 1996 in southeastern Moxico Province to produce and fit orthopedic devices and

provide follow-up treatment. Thus far, the Center has fitted 520 Angolans with prostheses and provided gait training.

In 1997, USAID also funded the Landmine Survivors Network to conduct a feasibility study on mine victims in

Angola, and to examine the potential for launching a locally managed network of survivors to raise awareness of

activities to alleviate their suffering. With U.S. and international support, Angola has been making progress in

eliminating landmines as a major hindrance to the implementation of humanitarian aid programs, economic

reconstruction, and internal movement and resettlement. However, the resumption of hostilities in Angola,

including the relaying of landmines, has disrupted humanitarian demining efforts there. 

★ LUANDA

Cabinda

Soyo

Ambriz

Malanje

Moxico

Luena

Menongue

Namibia

Zambia

Democratic

Republic

of the Congo

Huambo

Namibe

Lubango

Benguela

Porto

Amboim

Lobito

Viana

7
CHAD

The Landmine Problem

During the occupation of the Aozou strip

in the 1980s, Libya deployed landmines

covering 45,000 miles2 (one-tenth of

Chad’s total land area). Estimates of the

number of landmines vary greatly from a

low of 50,000 to a high of 1 million.

Landmines are generally located in the

desert and mountain areas in the north

along the border with Niger.

United States Assistance

The United States has played a key role in launching the Chad demining program that began in January 1998. In

FY99, the United States expects to contribute more than $2 million to Chad’s demining program, bringing the total

contributions to slightly more $4 million in two years of U.S. financial support. Since the start of U.S. funding, a

national MAC was established, and the collection of historical data pertaining to minefield locations has begun.

U.S. military personnel had previously trained a cadre of approximately 65 Chadian engineering personnel and

provided demining equipment. In February 1999, U.S. military instructors graduated another cadre of 40

deminers. At the government’s request, the United States has funded the renovation of the national demining

office (NDO) building. This year’s funds will help clear the part of its base camp in Faya Largeu. The U.S. military

also expects to train another 65 Chadian engineering personnel. With continued U.S. support, Chad is expected

to be able to revalidate its cadre of deminers to international demining standards; improve its mine awareness

program; establish a regional demining office to support demining operations in northern Chad; conduct advanced

first aid training; and purchase demining equipment. The United States will continue to work with the

Government of Chad so that it will be able to demine the northern provinces and benefit from economic and

social development in those regions.

★ N’DJAMENA

Abéché

Aozou

Faya-Largeau

Mao

Aozou Strip

Lake

Chad

Mongo

Sarh

Bongor

Moundou

Doba

8

Central African Republic

Sudan

Cameroon

Nigeria

Niger

Libya
ERITREA

The Landmine Problem

Thirty years of civil war have left Eritrea

with a severe landmine problem. An

estimated 500,000 to 1 million landmines

and 3 million UXO are scattered

throughout the country. The northwestern

provinces and one southeastern province

are suspected to be the most heavily

mined. Landmines were used to defend

strongholds around cities and populated

areas, military camps, and roadways.

Landmines are also found in rural

farmlands, near water sources, and along

borders.

United States Assistance

U.S. humanitarian demining assistance began in FY94, and the six-year funding total will approximate $10 million

by the end of this fiscal year. The United States funds almost 100 percent of the Eritrean demining program. In

1996, the U.S. military paid for the transportation of 60 trucks from Germany to be used in demining activities,

and trained 120 deminers; in the next two years, 122 more deminers were trained. In 1997, U.S. military

personnel advised and assisted Eritrean staff personnel in conducting mine awareness and historical research.

Funds in 1998 were allocated for additional mine clearance, mine awareness, and further development of a mine

information database. The United States has funded contracts to construct facilities for the national demining

headquarters in Keren, to renovate two regional headquarters, and is assessing the implementation of a minedetection dog program. The U.S.-supported deminers have successfully destroyed or removed 1,534 landmines

and have cleared 4.13 km2 of vital farmland for future food production as well as 87 km of roads. Using mass

media and sign postings, the mine awareness program has begun to inform Eritreans of the dangers of landmines

and UXO. These demining efforts have been very successful and will continue to be vital to the country’s

continued economic growth. Regrettably, however, current hostilities with Ethiopia have placed further U.S.

demining assistance to Eritrea on hold.

★ ASMARA

Keren

Massawa

T’t’o

Assab

Nak’fa

Ak’-ordat  ̄

9

Sudan

Ethiopia

Djibouti Djibouti
ETHIOPIA

The Landmine Problem

Decades of internal and external conflict

have left an estimated 500,000 landmines

implanted. The heaviest landmine

concentrations are found in the Tigray

region in the north and in the Ogaden

region in the east along the Somali border,

but landmines have been uncovered

throughout much of the country. These

landmines have caused some 5-10

casualties per week.

United States Assistance

The United States has funded demining activities in Ethiopia since FY93. To date, more than $9 million have been

contributed to supporting demining operations. The funding has helped to establish an NDO; provide demining

training and equipment; assist mine awareness training; increase a data collection capability; and conduct staff

management training. The U.S. military has conducted train-the-trainer programs with the Ethiopian military, and,

as a result, the Ethiopian military trained two of the three planned demining companies (90 deminers per

company). These deminers have cleared 20,000 landmines and UXO using U.S.-provided equipment. To date,

more than 170 villages have been cleared and resettled, and 8,403 hectares of land have been cleared and

returned to use. The United States plans to fund construction of new demining company buildings at the Kebre

Dehar Military Camp in southeastern Ethiopia. 

Demining operations have reduced the casualty rate by more than 50 percent. However, people continue to be

injured. Since 1996, USAID has funded the Prosthetic Orthotic Training Center in Addis Ababa. The Center has

provided training in the manufacture and use of prosthetic components to more than 108 technicians from 28

countries, and has produced more than 5,670 prosthetic components. The U.S.-supported Ethiopian Demining

Program is mature, having reached the sustainment phase. It has saved countless lives, greatly reduced the

number of debilitating human injuries, and saved large number of livestock throughout the country. The demining

program has returned one of Ethiopia’s greatest resources, its land, to productive use. Regrettably, however,

current hostilities with Eritrea have placed further U.S. demining assistance to Ethiopia on hold.

ADDIS ABABA ★

Gonder

Des ̄e

Dir ̄e

Dawa

H ̄arer

Nazr ̄et

J ̄ima Werd ̄er

Dolo 

Odo

Moyal ̄e

Bahir

Dar

T’ana

H ̄ayk’

Lake

Rudolf

Ogad ̄en

Awasa  ̄

Blue Nile

10

Sudan

Kenya

Somalia

Eritrea

Djibouti Djibouti

Tigray
MAURITANIA

The Landmine Problem

An estimated 10,000 landmines remain in

Mauritania from the war in neighboring

Western Sahara. The landmines were

used to establish defensive positions

against Polisario attacks on the Cap Blanc

Peninsula at Bïr Mogreïn and Aïn BinTili

in the north, and surrounding Zouirat.

Although mines have not caused extensive

casualties, Mauritanian military personnel

and civilians have suffered landmine

injuries.

United States Assistance

After a U.S. policy assessment team visit in late 1998, Mauritania was recommended for inclusion in the U.S.

humanitarian demining program. In FY99, Mauritania will receive U.S. humanitarian demining assistance for the

first time, with an expected contribution of $350,000. Initial funding will support two separate survey initiatives

designed to facilitate the development of a country program. The Mauritanian Corps of Military Engineers has some

demining capabilities, but will benefit greatly from future U.S. demining training and equipment; this training is

expected to begin in FY2000. Continued U.S. assistance will reduce human suffering and boost economic

development in important areas in the northern sectors of the country. The United States intends to work with

Mauritania to develop an indigenous demining capacity.

★ NOUAKCHOTT

F’dérik

Zouérat

Bîr Moghreïn

Aïn Bin Tili

Tidjikdja

Kîfa Néma

Kaédi

Rosso Bogué

Nouadhibou

Atar

11

Western

Sahara

Algeria

Mali

Senegal Senegal

Cap Blanc

Peninsula
MOZAMBIQUE

The Landmine Problem

Two decades of war have left Mozambique littered

with more than 1 million landmines. Some NGOs

argue that this estimate is high and should be

lowered; however, the lack of landmine location

records renders it impossible to give a more precise

figure, and no official Mozambican statistics exist.

Minefields have been located in all provinces, but

the most heavily mined regions are along the

Zimbabwean border, Zambezia, in Tete Province,

and in Maputo and Inhambane Provinces.

Landmines continue to injure innocent people and

inhibit refugee resettlement and economic

development.

United States Assistance

Mozambique has been receiving U.S. humanitarian demining

assistance since FY93. Total U.S. contributions are expected to

be close to $27 million by the end of this fiscal year. The United

States is working with the National Demining Commission

(CND) to increase its responsibility in overseeing all aspects of

mine action, and to improve interaction and cooperation

between the CND and NGOs. In addition, the United States, in

cooperation with DC Comics, plans to publish and distribute

250,000 copies of Superman/Wonder Woman, a Portugueselanguage mine awareness comic book.

A U.S. military training contingent has trained a cadre of Army demining trainers. Graduation of the next

generation of trainers was in October 1998 when 100 trainers completed the program, followed by a class of

another 100 graduating in March 1999. In this program, trainees conduct actual clearance in areas near the base

camp. The United States also contributed $1 million to the Massingir Dam demining project, key to the country’s

overall development strategy; the dam is capable of supplying electricity to the area and irrigating 9,000 hectares

of land. The United States has supported various NGO demining projects that have removed more than 15,000

landmines and 13,000 UXO. In particular, from 1994-1996, USAID funded a demining company, RONCO, to

demine roads in central Mozambique, making it possible to reconnect nearly 1 million people to their local

economies. 

USAID’s Demobilization/Reintegration Project, begun in 1993, has contributed $4 million to support clearance

operations. This program has cleared 2,400 km of roads, facilitating post-war resettlement of agricultural land.

USAID has also disbursed $1.2 million to fund, along with the Netherlands, The HALO Trust’s clearance

operations in Nampula Province. Another USAID contract has provided funding for a charter airline company,

AirServe, to engage in logistical support of all demining activities in the central region, including emergency

evacuation assistance. USAID’s Senator Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund (WVF) is funding Prosthetic and

Orthotic Worldwide Education and Relief (POWER), an NGO, to assist the Government in producing and

maintaining prosthetic devices. Thus far, more than 7,000 amputees (70 percent of the amputee population) have

been fitted with a prosthetic manufactured in the POWER workshop in Maputo. With U.S. support and progress to

date, a growing sense is that, given enough time, Mozambique’s landmine problem is a finite one.

★

MAPUTO

Inhambane

Chicualacuala

Beira

Massinga

Quelimane

Chimoio

Tete

Zambezia

Nampula

Cidade de Nacala

Pemba Lichinga

12

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Swaziland

South

Africa

Malawi

Tanzania
NAMIBIA

The Landmine Problem

Nambia’s internal struggle for

independence and neighboring conflicts

have left an estimated 50,000 landmines

and thousands of UXO in the ground. All

10 known minefields in Namibia, located

in the far north, have virtually been

cleared. The remaining landmines are

found in berms located around electric

pylons that run from the northern town of

Ruacana, near the Angolan border, 120 km

south to the western part of the Etosha

National Park. A 900 meter2 area around

each pylon was mined with about 24 to

48 APLs and four to six antitank mines.

The UXO problem exists throughout the

northern area where most of the fighting

took place.

United States Assistance

Namibia has received U.S. humanitarian demining assistance since FY94. Total contributions to demining

operations by the end of this fiscal year will exceed $8 million. The United States has funded a multiphase

demining training program including clearance, mine awareness, medical assistance, communications, and the

purchase of equipment. The training of the Namibian Defense Force and Police is complete and, as a result,

Namibia possesses a modern demining capability and a dedicated unit of deminers. In January 1998, the United

States provided a prototype machine, the Berm processor, to extract landmines in the berms around electric

pylons. UXO disposal efforts in the northern regions have been hampered by transportation problems in this

rugged terrain. However, the United States has provided funding for the purchase of 4x4 vehicles to access the

rugged terrain for clearance operations. In March 1998, with U.S. support, Namibia launched its third mine

awareness campaign that focused on the mine- /UXO-affected areas in the northern regions. Since U.S.

involvement began, Namibia has seen a dramatic 90 percent reduction in the casualty rate. This demining

program has been very successful because of a joint effort: the United States provides expertise, funding, and

materials, and the Namibians are committed to demine their own country. Namibia looks forward to becoming

Africa’s first mine-affected country to be declared mine-safe. 

★

WINDHOEK

Katima

Mulilo Ondangwa Rundu

Ruacana

Etosha Nat. Park

Grootfontein

Rehoboth

Lüderitz

Walvis

Bay

Swakopmund Gobabis

Keetmanshoop

Karasburg

Namib

Desert

Kalahari

Desert

13

Angola

Botswana

Zambia

South

Africa
RWANDA

The Landmine Problem

Rwanda emerged from civil war

with between 100,000-250,000

landmines in the ground. The

landmines are located along the

established Rwandan cease-fire

border with the People’s Front, an

area approximately 120 km long

and at a distance of about 10 km

inside Rwanda along the border

with Uganda. South of this area,

an additional 1,200 km2 are

suspected of being mined. The

heaviest concentrations of

landmines are found in the

northeast in the rural farmlands

and tea plantations north of Kigali.

United States Assistance

Rwanda has been receiving U.S. humanitarian demining assistance since FY95. Total U.S. contributions are

expected to surpass $14 million by the end of FY99. In July-August 1995, U.S. military personnel established an

NDO in Kigali and trained 120 Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) personnel. In 1995, USAID contracted RONCO to

conduct demining activities in Rwanda. Under the contract, RONCO supported the NDO and established a

demining dog training program. U.S. military personnel conducted refresher demining training for 73 RPA

personnel in September-October 1996. This training focused on mine clearance, minefield survey techniques,

mine marking, land navigation, and medical training. The team also assisted the integration of the RONCOtrained dogs into Rwandan demining operations. Additional training was conducted for the NDO staff in mine

awareness and in the assessment of the effectiveness of earlier demining training. Once again, a U.S. military team

conducted train-the-trainer instruction. In March–May 1997, a U.S. team established a computer training program

at the NDO, revitalized the NDO’s data collection center, and conducted mine awareness training. Another U.S.

military team, including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists, trained 93 RPA deminers and EOD

personnel. In FY99, funding has been allocated for the renovation of the NDO facility and additional EOD

training. A quality assurance program is underway to enable Rwanda to attain UN demining standards. With U.S.

assistance, the NDO has cleared approximately 50 percent of the land previously designated as “compromised”

by landmines and UXO. The percentage of “compromised” land has actually risen due to the great success of the

mine awareness campaign and as the local population alerts officials of risk areas. The RPA has built housing on

cleared land for returning refugees. NDO demining efforts have been very successful, and the national demining

program has reached the sustainment phase. A recent report cited the success of the program, pointing out that

more 7 million km2 have been cleared, including 600 km of bush roads. In addition, 200,000 internally displaced

persons have been allowed to return to their villages and homes. 

★ KIGALI

Ruhengeri Byumba

Lake

Kivu

Gitarama

Kibungo

Butare

Cyangugu

Kibuye

Gisenyi

14

Uganda

Tanzania

Burundi Burundi

Democratic

Republic

of the

Congo
SWAZILAND

The Landmine Problem

Swaziland has one minefield along its

border with Mozambique, just east of the

Lomahasma Customs point in the extreme

northeastern corner of the country. The

minefield is approximately 10 km long

with widths ranging from 50 to 100 km.

The number of landmines in this area is

unknown.

United States Assistance

U.S. funding for demining operations began in FY98, and total assistance is expected to be approximately $1.7

million by the end of this fiscal year. Because of the size and location of the minefield, the United States has

focused its funding on training Swaziland Defense Force personnel. The funding provides demining equipment

and equipment operator training. The goal is to create a cadre of Defense Force soldiers capable of delivering

competent demining instruction and achieving an indigenous capacity to demine this single minefield and allow

Swaziland to become mine-safe. 

★ MBABANE

Manzini

Piggs Peak

Mhlume

Siteki

Big Bend

Lavumisa

Nhlangano

Hlatikulu

Mankayane

Lobamba

15

Mozambique

South

Africa
ZIMBABWE

The Landmine Problem

During the War of Liberation that ended

in 1980, the security forces of then

Rhodesia laid minefields along the

northern and eastern borders. The war’s

legacy was 210 km2 of minefields

stretching across 700 km along the

borders with Zambia and Mozambique.

The number of landmines is unknown,

and estimates vary widely from 200,000

to 2,200,000. Some mines can also be

attributed to unrest in neighboring

Namibia. Minefield records were not

adequately prepared or maintained, and

many landmines are located in rough

terrain in remote regions of the country

that are difficult to survey.

United States Assistance

Zimbabwe began receiving humanitarian demining assistance in FY98 and the total financial support is expected

to exceed $3 million by the end of FY99. The program is in an early stage and, therefore, U.S. funding has

focused on providing extensive training to improve the ability of the Zimbabweans to conduct demining

operations. An NDO has been established, training in staff management and organizational structure has been

conducted, and computers have been provided. The NDO established a mine awareness unit responsible for

training in target audience analysis and mine awareness information campaign design. U.S. military personnel

trained approximately 50 defense force engineers in basic demining techniques, medical orderly skills, minefield

survey, and equipment maintenance. Funding in FY99 is destined for the purchase of heavy equipment to support

clearance operations and mine awareness. An additional 50 defense force engineers are expected to be trained

this fiscal year. The United States will continue to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to clear its mined areas so that the

country may benefit from the estimated hundreds of millions of dollars that can be earned annually through full

use of these areas.

★ HARARE

Kadoma

Chitungwiza

Kariba

Mutare

Gweru

Masvingo Bulawayo

Beitbridge

Hwange

Binga

Lake

Kariba Chinhoyi

16

Zambia Mozambique

Botswana

Namibia

South

Africa
ASIA

AFGHANISTAN

The Landmine Problem

Afghanistan has been besieged by

occupation, foreign interference, and civil

wars since early 1978 and, as a result, is

one of the most heavily mined countries

in the world. The UN estimates that there

are 5-7 million landmines in the country.

The most heavily mined areas are the

provinces bordering Iran and Pakistan,

and some claim that 162 of 356 districts

are mine-affected. However, based on

actual clearance experience in heavily

mined areas, some NGOs claim that

official estimates are high and should be

lowered. Security belts of landmines exist

around major cities and at airports,

government installations, and power

stations. Grazing lands, irrigation canals,

schools, paths, villages, and cities are also

infested. Landmines continue to cause an

estimated 10-12 injuries per day.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported demining operations in Afghanistan since FY89 and has contributed almost $20

million since FY93. The United States, in cooperation with other international donors, supports demining activities

through the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA). In 1989, a

USAID project, conducted by RONCO, developed the original dog and dog-handling program now used in mine

clearance operations. When the dog program was turned over to the UN in 1994, 36,000 landmines had already

been destroyed. At that time, this represented 25 percent of all mines destroyed in the world. The Mine Detection

Dog Center has assumed responsibility for the entire program and now trains and breeds all mine-detecting dogs

used in Afghanistan. The United States has continued to provide financial support in demining operations for

mine awareness, mine clearance, surveys, minefield marking, and training. The United States has committed $1.5

million in FY99 funds to The HALO Trust to conduct demining operations in Vardak Province. 

The UN’s Mine Action Program for Afghanistan (MAPA) has become one of the most effective demining programs

in the world. This internationally supported demining operation has cleared more than 134 km2 of land and 125

km2 of battlefield infested with UXO, representing more than 850,000 landmines and UXO destroyed. As a result,

the casualty rate has declined, and many of the several million refugees have returned to their homeland. The

United States plans to continue supporting the MAPA through UNOCHA, and possibly through direct grants to

Afghan NGOs that are conducting the majority of mine clearance, to return Afghanistan’s mined lands to

economically and socially productive use.

17

Bagram

Zaranj

Hindu Kush

Kheyr ̄ab ̄ad

KABUL ★

Ghazn ̄i

Vardak

Qandah ̄ar

Sh ̄indand

Towraghond ̄i

Her ̄at

Maz ̄ar-e

Shar ̄if

Shir Kh ̄an

Kond ̄uz

Jal ̄al ̄ab ̄ad

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan Tajikistan

Pakistan

Iran
CAMBODIA

The Landmine Problem

After more than two decades of war, it is

estimated that Cambodia is littered with 4

to 6 million landmines, infesting an

estimated 3,000 km2 of land. Of

Cambodia’s 23 mine-affected provinces,

the majority of the landmines/UXO are

found in seven of the western,

northwestern, and northern provinces, and

two central/southern provinces contain

large areas of suspected minefields.

Battlefield UXO is found countrywide,

and aerial-delivered ordnance is found

mainly in eastern and central provinces.

Although great strides have been made in

reducing the number of landmine victims,

there is still a minimum of fifty casualties

a month.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported demining operations since FY93 and, with FY99 contributions, our funding will

exceed $18 million. The United States supports the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) in conjunction with

the Rural Planning Committees and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF). Funding has provided needed

equipment and training to augment financial assistance from the UN Development Program Trust Fund and other

international donors. The U.S. military provided more than $2 million in training assistance from November 1994

through June 1997; military units trained 1,200 personnel in basic demining, leadership, medical skills, and mine

awareness. U.S. funding through the UN has also provided training for 537 RCAF engineers. This resulted in the

demining of 800,000 meters2 of land on and along a major highway in a remote province in 1997, enabling

necessary road and bridge construction to open a strategic access to the chief city in that province for the first time

in 20 years. Deminers had cleared 51 km2 of mined and UXO-infested land by January 1998, which equates to an

area large enough to enable the resettlement of approximately 40,800 families, or the agricultural land equivalent

to the annual production of up to 5,560 tons of rice. An additional 13 km2 were cleared, and 13,245 landmines

and 47,000 pieces of UXO were destroyed by the end of 1998. This fiscal year, the United States is expected to

donate $1 million to aid the CMAC Trust Fund’s operational costs. An additional $500,000 will support NGO

mine clearance projects.

With U.S. and international support, CMAC’s demining operations have been able to reduce the casualty rate from

landmines by 90 percent; nonetheless, one of every 45 Cambodians is an amputee. To support the need for

prosthetics and victim assistance, since 1992 USAID’s Senator Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund (WVF) has

invested more than $6.8 million in the Cambodia Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Program. Working through the

VVAF, and in cooperation with the Government, the program has succeeded in consolidating and

professionalizing Kien Kheang as a national rehabilitation center and, through improved technology and service,

Prey Veng as a provincial center. The project has produced and fitted 635 multi-axle feet, 1,300 thermoplastic

prostheses and treated 8,000 patients. The United States has a strong commitment to solving the landmine

problem facing the people of Cambodia, and it will continue to support CMAC’s demining efforts and provide

assistance to its thousands of landmine victims.

18

B ̆atdâmbâng

★

PHNOM

PENH

Si ̆emréab St ̆oeng

Trêng

Krâchéh

Kâmpôt

Prey Veng Kâmpóng

Saôm

Kr ̆ong Kaôh

K ̆ong

Kâmpóng Cham

Tonle Sap

Mekong

Thailand Laos

Vietnam
LAOS

The Landmine Problem

Intense ground combat occurred in Laos

between 1964 and 1973. In addition,

approximately 2 million tons of ordnance

were dropped on Laos, of which 30

percent is believed never to have

exploded. The result is that, today, almost

half of the country is infested with UXO.

The most contaminated areas are where

the heaviest bombing took place, in the

northern provinces of Houaphan and

Xiengkhouang, and along the eastern

border. UXO continue to kill more than

25 years after the war has ended.

United States Assistance

The United States has played an active leadership role in UXO Lao programs since FY95 and is the single largest

donor to the program. Total U.S. contributions to UXO Lao are expected to surpass $13.9 million by the end of this

fiscal year. In 1996 and 1997, contributions helped establish an NDO and fund training in UXO clearance,

community mine awareness, and medical care. It also supported the Ban Ilay UXO Training Center, staffed by a U.S.

military training team and Lao instructors. The Center offers courses in community awareness, clearance techniques,

medical training, and leadership development; more than 500 students have graduated from these courses. Recent

U.S. assistance has funded additional training and has been the major source for the purchase of mine clearance

equipment. U.S. funds have enabled the sustainment of mine/UXO awareness in eight provinces, mine/UXO

clearance in seven others, and the establishment of rapid response teams in the remaining five provinces. By the end

of 1999, the U.S. military will have trained more than 815 indigenous personnel and will have created a selfsustaining training capacity. The United States expects to begin advanced EOD training sometime during FY99. 

Since 1991, USAID’s Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund (WVF) has contributed $3.8 million to support rehabilitation

programs and community awareness programs, and to develop emergency response capabilities. In addition,

between 1991 and 1995, the WVF provided $1.6 million through World Vision Relief and Development for

prosthetics and orthotics and the improvement of Laotian rehabilitation centers. In 1995, the WVF awarded a $2.1

million, five-year grant to a consortium to upgrade medical, surgical, and emergency services, facilities and human

resources, and, in collaboration with UNICEF, UXO awareness training in Xiengkhouang Province. Thus far, more

than 300 medical staff personnel have been trained in emergency rehabilitation or laboratory services, and one

provincial and five district hospitals have received medical equipment and supplies. The United States will continue

to work with UXO Lao to build an indigenous capacity and to provide sustainment funding so that it can assume

control of all operations later this year.

★

VIENTIANE

Houaphan

Ban Napé

Saravan

Pakxé

Savannakhét

Louangphrabang

Xiengkhouang

Phôngsali

Louang

Namtha

19

Thailand

Cambodia

China

Vietnam

Burma
THAILAND

The Landmine Problem

Thailand’s landmine problem is the result

of the spillover effect of armed conflicts in

neighboring countries and past internal

insurgencies. An estimated 100,000

landmines are located along its borders

with Cambodia, Burma, and Malaysia. In

these border regions, more than 900 km2

are mine-infested.

United States Assistance

U.S. humanitarian demining assistance to Thailand began in FY99. The United States has allocated $1.8 million to

support the Thai government’s effort to develop a national demining program. U.S. funding will support the

establishment of a demining school to teach mine clearance courses. This funding also will help purchase

demining equipment and protective clothing for the school. The United States also will assist Thailand in

establishing a center that will teach basic mine awareness courses. In addition, funds will be used to purchase

equipment and clothing for six demining platoons and vehicles for mine clearance and mine awareness. The

United States supports Thailand’s commitment to eliminate landmines from its borders with neighboring countries.

20

★ BANGKOK

Chiang Mai

Phitsanulok Udon Thani

Khon Kaen

Nakhon Sawan

Nakhon

Ratchasima

Khorat

Plateau

Mekong

Ubon Ratchathani

Sattahip

Surat

Thani

Phuket

Songkhla

Pattani

Hat Yai

Burma

Laos

Cambodia

Malaysia
EUROPE

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

The Landmine Problem

Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H) has the most

severe landmine problem in Europe, the

result of the five-year-long civil war that

broke apart Yugoslavia. Some 600,000-1

million landmines and an undetermined

quantity of UXO infest an estimated 300

km2 of land. The areas of heaviest

landmine concentration are in regions

where ethnic conflict occurred.

Minefields are found in the Zones of

Separation (between the Federation and

the Republika Srpska), the front line

during the civil war. Road systems,

power plants, bridges, dams, and other

components of the infrastructure were all

heavily mined. Landmines continue to

injure an estimated 30-35 people per

month.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported demining operations since FY96, and with FY99 contributions, this support totals

more than $28 million. Initial U.S. objectives were the establishment of a MAC in Sarajevo, a mine clearance

training school at Brus, and three regional administration and operational centers in Banja Luka, Tuzla, and Buna.

These objectives have been accomplished because the national MAC, the two entity MACs, and three demining

schools are operating under combined local and international supervision. In 1996, RONCO trained nearly 170

demobilized military personnel in demining methods and techniques, including the detection of mines using dogs.

In 1997, the U.S. military conducted a training program for 450 military deminers from all three former warring

factions, and the United States provided necessary demining equipment. By May of 1997, the United States had

turned over all U.S. equipment at the civilian regional centers to the respective parties and ceased the direct

management of demining operations. To date, more than 1,200 military and civilian deminers have been trained

and equipped, and they are now demining to internationally accepted standards. In 1998, the United States

provided $7 million to fund contracts with one international and three regional commercial demining companies.

These companies cleared nearly 3 km2 of land in 1998, representing the most productive demining operation of the

year. In the past two years, more than 12 km2 have been cleared. The United States has initiated a research and

development program to test prototypical demining equipment for possible use in B-H. In 1996, the United States,

DC Comics, and UNICEF distributed a special-edition Superman comic book devoted to mine awareness. This year,

U.S. demining assistance will shift from the World Bank to the Slovenian International Trust Fund for Demining and

Mine Victim Assistance in B-H. The country will benefit from one-to-one matching of U.S. contributions to the Trust

Fund; the U.S. Congress has set aside $28 million in matching funds for a two year period. The demining program

has reached the sustainment phase, and direct U.S. involvement is nearing its end. However, through the Slovenian

Trust Fund, the United States will continue to support efforts to demine the country.

Biha ́c

Prijedor

Zavidovici

Banja

Luka

Bosanski

Brod

Brˇcko

Tuzla

Zenica

Mostar

Goraˇzde

SARAJEVO ★

21

Croatia

Montenegr Montenegro

Serbia
ESTONIA

The Landmine Problem

Estonia’s landmine and UXO problem

dates back to World War I. In addition,

the Baltic Sea was mined during both

world wars, and the majority of UXO on

the ground is from World War II. The

number of landmines is difficult to

estimate, but the number of UXO is

estimated to be in the hundreds of

thousands.

United States Assistance

Estonia is to receive U.S. funding for landmine

clearance operations commencing this fiscal year. The United States has allocated more than $1.3 million to

support Estonian demining efforts. The country has an established and experienced demining capacity within the

Self-Defense Board, but it lacks the modern equipment and personnel protection systems necessary to conduct

demining operations. U.S. funding will allow the Estonians to acquire the modern equipment and protective

clothing to conduct safe and effective demining operations. The funding will also allow the Government to

establish a MAC to coordinate demining activities, expand demining operations, and develop a comprehensive

landmine/UXO awareness program. The United States will continue to support the Estonian government in its

development of a national demining program. With U.S. support, it is anticipated that future casualties from

landmines/UXO will be reduced and tragedies may be averted. 

22

★ TALLINN KohtlaJärve

Narva

Tartu

Valga

Pärnu

Haapsalu

Paldiski

Hiiumaa

Võhma

Lake

Peipus

Baltic Sea

Strait of Irbe

VörtsJärv

Saaremaa

Latvia

Russia
LATIN AMERICA

COSTA RICA

The Landmine Problem

Costa Rica’s landmine problem is a result

of conflict in neighboring Nicaragua. An

estimated 1,000-2,000 landmines are

located along the Nicaraguan border,

between Rio San Carlos and through Los

Chiles to the frontier region near Upala.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported demining efforts since FY95, providing funding through the Organization of

American States (OAS)/Inter-American Defense Board (IADB).5 The United States has contributed more than $6.5

million to the OAS/IADB for demining operations to date, and an additional $4.5 million has been allocated in

FY99. Under this program, Ministry of Public Safety (MPS) personnel have been trained and equipped for

demining operations. U.S. military personnel have conducted training in emergency medical and demining

procedures. Funding assistance has also been used for a communications base, vehicles, field equipment, and

generators, and with this infrastructure in place, the MPS began mine clearance operations in 1996. To date, MPS

personnel have cleared more than 15,000 meters2 of land and destroyed 45 mines. The operations have made

previously mined fertile fields available for farming. Demining operations were suspended in December 1997

because of a lack of a medical evacuation helicopter to support the deminers; however, a recent U.S. donation of

$300,000 through the OAS/IADB toward the lease of a helicopter will allow demining operations to resume. The

United States has also worked to increase mine awareness in Costa Rica. DC Comics, in cooperation with the

U.S. Government and UNICEF, began distributing 55,000 copies of a Spanish-language Superman/Wonder Woman

mine awareness comic book in September 1998; soon after, two landmines were reported to a schoolteacher who

had received training from a U.S. mine awareness team. The Costa Ricans continue to clear mines along the

Nicaraguan border and, with the support of the OAS/IADB, the country is expected to be mine-safe in early 2000.6

5 The OAS is the proponent for all humanitarian demining initiatives in Central America, and the OAS’ Assistance Mission for Mine Clearance in

Central America (MARMINCA) conducts demining operations. The U.S. Southern Command provides training, technical advice and logistical

support to the OAS through the IADB. The DoD funds this assistance to MARMINCA via the IADB.

6 In November 1997, Cesar Gaviria, the Secretary General of the OAS, declared that his goal was to make Central America landmine-free by

2000. However, in October 1998, Hurricane Mitch—the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of the Western Hemisphere—created a

path of destruction throughout Central America. The period of recovery and a return to normalcy may delay achieving this OAS goal, because

severe mud slides and overrun rivers have washed mines out of their demarcated minefields. 

★ SAN 

JOSÉ

Liberia

Los Chiles

Nicoya

Puerto

Limón

Moin

San Isidro

Golfito

Puerto

Quepos

Puntarenas

Caldera

Alajuela

23

Nicaragua

Panama

Rio San Carlos

Upala
GUATEMALA

The Landmine Problem

Thirty years of internal conflict in the

formerly contested zones in northwest

Guatemala have resulted in a moderate

landmine/UXO problem. The estimate of

landmines is between 1,500 and 2,000.

Landmines are found in the Playa

Grande/Ixcan region of Quiche and in the

vicinity of guerrilla base camps near the

Atitlan and Tajumulco volcanoes.

United States Assistance

Landmine and UXO clearance in Guatemala is supported by the OAS/IADB’s regional demining program, which

Guatemala joined in 1998. The United States has contributed more than $6.5 million to date, and it has also

allocated an additional $4.5 million this fiscal year to the OAS/IADB. U.S. funding has supported training, an

UXO awareness campaign, and UXO clearance. The U.S. military have participated in the training of 60 army

deminers and 40 volunteer firemen. This training has expanded Guatemalan military capabilities and created

opportunities for the military to participate in demining missions. The Guatemalan Army began demining

operations in November 1998 in Ixcan. The United States also supports the multinational mine removal venture,

MARMINCA, that provides direct supervision and support to Guatemalan Army demining units. The United States

supports the Guatemalan goal to be UXO-free in three years.

24

★ GUATEMALA

Cobán

Zacapa

Puerto

Barrios

Puerto

San José Quetzal

Mazatenango

Champerico

Lago

de Quiche

Izabal

Flores

Quetzaltenango

Huehuetenango

Mexico

Belize

Honduras

El Salvador

▲ Tajumulco Volcano
HONDURAS

The Landmine Problem

As a result of conflict in neighboring

countries, Honduras is infested with an

estimated 15,000 – 35,000 landmines

implanted along the borders with

Nicaragua and El Salvador. Although the

mined areas are not densely populated,

civilians have been injured from time to

time.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported demining operations in Honduras since FY93, providing operational and logistical

support for demining training conducted by multinational teams under the supervision of the OAS/IADB. The

United States has contributed more than $6.5 million to the OAS/IADB for demining operations to date, and an

additional $4.5 million have been allocated this fiscal year to support training and a mine awareness campaign in

the region. Demining operations in 1998 were conducted along the Nicaraguan border and in the area of San

Carlos-Las Barrancas. While the majority of the demining troops are Hondurans, other participants in the

operation are military technicians from several countries, including the United States. To date, the U.S.-trained

Honduran demining unit has cleared nine major minefields measuring 116,000 meters2 and destroyed more than

1,800 mines and 272 pieces of UXO. In cooperation with DC Comics, the U.S. Government and UNICEF have

distributed a Spanish-language mine awareness comic book, Superman/Wonder Woman. The United States and

several European nations are developing new demining technologies that may be used in Honduras. The

Honduran operation has been successful in clearing vast areas of land and returning them to productive use.

Honduras had hoped to be mine-safe by 2000, but the devastation of Hurricane Mitch has pushed the program

back several years. Reassessments of the extent of the post-Hurricane-Mitch mine problem are now underway and

should be completed in the near future. Notwithstanding, the United States will continue to support this successful

demining program. 

★TEGUCIGALPA

Santa Rosa

de Copán

San

Pedro

Sula

Puerto Cortés

Tela

Puerto Castilla

Puerto

Lempira Juticalpa

San Lorenzo

La Ceiba

Choluteca

25

Nicaragua

El Salvador

Guatemala
NICARAGUA

The Landmine Problem

For almost 12 years Nicaragua was

involved in armed conflict and civil strife

that ended in 1990, leaving it the most

mine-affected country in Central America.

During the conflict, all warring factions

used landmines, laying about 134,000.

Government mine clearance operations

and revised estimates have reduced the

number to 108,297. The most heavily

mined areas were the northern and

southern borders and the central

departments of Esteli, Jinotega, and

Matagalpa. Landmines were also laid

around internal installations, most of

which are located in north-central and

central Nicaragua.

United States Assistance

Nicaragua has been receiving U.S. humanitarian demining assistance since FY93 through the OAS/IADB. The

United States has contributed more than $6.5 million to the OAS/IADB for demining operations to date, and $4.5

million have been allocated in this fiscal year. In September 1992, U.S. military personnel trained an IADB team

in mine clearance techniques at the School of the Americas, Fort Benning, Georgia. This team returned to

Nicaragua and trained the first Nicaraguan demining platoon. These soldiers have trained five platoons (130

military deminers). Since 1992, the U.S. military has trained an additional 147 indigenous trainers. U.S. funding

has helped clear landmines in areas around high-tension towers, bridges, electric substations, and other

installations between Juigalpa and Acoyapa. To date, 32 of the 38 high-tension towers have been demined, with

1,400 mines destroyed and 14,000 meters2 of land cleared. In addition, the road between Rama and Juigalpa will

soon be cleared. To date, more than 130,000 meters2 have been cleared and 31,000 landmines destroyed. With

U.S. assistance, safety equipment, mine detectors, and communications equipment will be purchased to support

an additional 76 deminers. The mine awareness program has benefited from Superman/Wonder Woman, a DC

Comics Spanish-language mine awareness comic book produced in coordination with the U.S. Government and

UNICEF and distributed to children. The devastation of Hurricane Mitch has pushed the demining program back

several years, but reassessments of the extent of the post-Hurricane-Mitch mine problem are now underway and

should be completed in the near future as the United States continues to support the country through the

OAS/IADB in its efforts to become mine-safe.

26

★ MANAGUA

San Juan

del Sur San Carlos

Bluefields

Rama

Lago de

Nicaragua

Juigalpa

Jinotega

Lago de

Managua

Puerto Cabezas

Matagalpa

Esteli

Corinto

León

Puerto

Sandino Granada

Rivas

Honduras

Costa Rica
PERU-ECUADOR

The Landmine Problem

During the brief border war between these two countries in

early 1995, mines were laid along the disputed

approximately 78-kilometer-long Cordillera del Condor

region. Landmines were also placed haphazardly along

other sensitive areas of the border during the fighting.

Although the actual number of landmines implanted is

unknown, the Ecuadorian government reports that 60,000-

80,000 landmines are implanted in its soil.

United States Assistance

In April 1998, the United States agreed to provide humanitarian demining assistance to Peru and Ecuador, once

hostilities ended and the two countries requested U.S. assistance. In October 1998, the two countries signed a

peace treaty and ratified it two months later. In early 1999, following a U.S. Policy Assessment Visit, both countries

were accepted into the U.S. humanitarian demining program. A Requirements Determination Site Survey team is

expected to visit both countries in the spring of 1999. The United States has committed $500,000 for each

country this fiscal year to be used for training and equipment. The United States also has agreed to provide

Ecuador with long-term demining training, and to explore the possibility of establishing a mine-detection dog

program. Each country’s demining program is in its infant stages, and the United States will support the

development of these respective programs.

27

Piura

Paita

Chiclayo

Talara

Rio Mara~

non’

Trujillo

Salaverry

Chimbote

Pucallpa

Yurimaguas

Iquitos

Rio Ucayali

★

LIMA

Hua’nuco

Huancayo

San Martin

Ica

Callao

Tacna

Arequipa

Cusco

Puerto

Maldonado

Matarani

Ilo

Amazon

San

Lorenzo

Esmeraldas

★ QUITO Nueva

Loja

▲ Cotopaxi

● Ambato

● Cuenca

● Puyo

● Guayaquil

●

Riobamba

● Loja

Machala

● ●

Puerto

Bolivar

Brazil

Bolivia

Colombia

Ecuador Ecuador

Peru

Colombia

Cordillera del

Condor

Cordillera

del Condor
THE MIDDLE EAST

EGYPT

The Landmine Problem

With an estimated 20 million landmines,

Egypt is one of the most heavily mined

countries in the world. These landmines

date back to the Second World War. The

most heavily mined areas are Alexandria,

el Alamein, Ras-Al-Hekma, Marsá Matruh,

Sidi Barrani, Salloum, and the Sinai

Peninsula. Areas near the Libyan border

are also infested.

United States Assistance

Egypt will receive humanitarian demining assistance for the first time in FY99 with an expected U.S. contribution

of $1.5 million. Egypt has some demining expertise and some outdated equipment. In November 1997, a U.S.

policy assessment team visited Egypt, followed by a Requirements Determination Site Survey conducted in May

1998 to assess Egypt’s demining capabilities. The Survey assessed Egypt’s capabilities in six areas: mine detection

and disposal; mine awareness; UXO disposal; survey and information management; victim assistance; and

equipment. Following these visits, the United States accepted Egypt into the U.S. humanitarian demining program.

The U.S. program, in its initial stages, is through a train-the-trainer program, focusing on providing training and

demining equipment to augment Egypt’s own resources. Egypt receives U.S. Foreign Military Financing funds and,

in the future, it is expected that some of these funds will be redirected to support Egypt’s demining efforts. Egypt

and the United States are working hard together to establish a national demining program.

Asw ̄an

CAIRO★

Damietta

Suez

Alexandria Port Said Marsá

Matr ̄uh

Siwah

Salloum

Ras-AlHekma

El Alamein

Sidi Barrani

Ban ̄i Suwayf

Al Miny ̄a

Asy ̄ut

Al Kh ̄arijah

Tant ̄a

Al

Ghardaqah

Sharm

ash

Shaykh

Luxor

Suez

Canal

Sinai

Al J ̄izah

B ̄ur

Saf ̄ajah

Hal ̄a’ib

Triangle

Lake

Nasser

28

Sudan

Israel

Libya
JORDAN

The Landmine Problem

An estimated 206,193 landmines covering

an area of 101km2 remain in Jordan. Most

of the mines date from the 1967 ArabIsraeli conflict. The majority of landmines

are located in two discrete areas in the

northwest region of the Jordan River

Valley. One area is toward the northern

end of the Valley, near Lake Tiberias, and

the other is farther south, near the

northern end of the Dead Sea.

Additional minefields are located in the

southwest region in the Araba Valley.

Demining is difficult because many mines

were implanted 30 years ago in areas that

have suffered erosion, shifting sands, and

mudslides due to flooding and severe

weather.

United States Assistance

Jordan has been receiving U.S. humanitarian demining assistance since 1996. Total U.S. contributions are

expected to be just under $4 million by the end of this fiscal year. U.S. funding is used to augment equipment,

technical advice, and manpower assistance that Jordan receives from Israel. U.S. training has improved the

capabilities of Jordan’s Royal Corps of Engineers in mine detection and disposal, mine awareness, and survey and

information management. The United States has provided Jordan with a computer-managed training system

known as a Demining Support System. Demining operations are focused in the 300 minefields located in the

Jordan River Valley. The Valley is the most fertile farmland in the country, and mines have severely impacted the

production of food crops in a region where arable land is at a premium. U.S. funding has allowed Jordan to keep

100 men actively demining on a daily basis. The result has been clearance of more than 300 acres and

destruction of more than 11,000 mines. Many of the remaining minefields are in difficult environmental areas,

and demining in these areas will require the use of heavy equipment and new technologies that the United States

is expected to purchase. The United States has already furnished five experimental mini mine flails; identified

Jordan as a potential test bed for the Rhino, a new demining machine currently under U.S. military contract; and is

considering a demining dog program for future use. The United States will continue to support Jordan’s demining

operations and work with the Government to achieve the goal of being mine-safe early next century.

★ AMMAN

Az Zar ̄qa’

Al Karak

Ma’ ̄an

Al’Aqabah

Irbid

Dead

Sea

29

Syria

Iraq

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Jordan River Valley

Araba Valley
LEBANON

The Landmine Problem

Civil War, waged from 1975-1990, left

approximately 8,795 landmines implanted

in Lebanese soil. Landmines are found in

cities and villages located along old

demarcation lines. Although some

minefields are marked and fenced off,

many others remain unmarked.

United States Assistance

The United States has supported a demining program since 1998. In this fiscal year, contributions are expected to

triple from FY98, bringing total U.S. contributions to more than $1.7 million. The U.S. military assisted in formally

establishing an NDO and has supported its further development through training and equipment purchases. U.S.

military personnel have conducted a train-the-trainer program to provide a fully indigenous company of deminers

capable of sustained demining operations. In addition, funds have been used to develop a national demining

database. The U.S. military will acquire equipment for training that later will be shipped to Lebanon for demining

operations. The U.S. military advised the Lebanese on how to establish a mine information awareness program,

and USAID has provided more than $600,000 to support what is now considered an effective mine awareness

campaign. The USAID project, conducted by the World Rehabilitation Fund, has increased the involvement of

community-based organizations and NGOs involved in mine awareness. The United States continues to work with

Lebanon toward the goal of achieving a qualified, trained, and equipped nation capable of continuing a mine

awareness campaign.

BEIRUT ★

Al M ̄in ̄a’

Shikk ̄a

Al Batr ̄un

Jubayl

J ̄uniyah

An N ̄aq ̄urah

Sidon

Tyre

Az Zahr ̄an ̄i

Tripoli

Bekaa Valley

Al Biq ̄a’

Jazz ̄in

Zahlah

Al

Hirmil

Ba’labakk

Antily ̄as

30

Syria

Israel
YEMEN

The Landmine Problem

During the Yemeni civil war that ended in

1994, approximately 100,000 landmines

were laid primarily around Aden, Ta’izz,

and the Hadramaut region. Soldiers laid

these landmines in an arbitrary and

haphazard fashion without markings. The

mines were placed in dunes and fields

and alongside roads. Only limited

historical documentation showing

minefield locations or the number of

mines planted exists today. In addition,

Aden is experiencing a small UXO

problem.

United States Assistance

Yemen first received U.S. humanitarian demining support in FY97, and total U.S. contributions to demining

operations in Yemen are expected to surpass $4.5 million by the end of this fiscal year. Current U.S. funding is

enabling Yemen to develop a national demining program infrastructure and to initiate a train-the-trainer program.

U.S. funding has focused on education and training, Yemen’s top priorities. In December 1998, the first 150

Yemeni deminers trained by U.S. forces graduated from the training program at the Humanitarian Demining

Training Facility in Aden; additional training is planned for this year. The funding is to support the purchase of

demolitions and equipment and to establish a mine detection dog program. The United States has made a

commitment to the Government of Yemen to help establish a program that will remain in place until the country is

mine-safe.

★

SANAA

H,abar ̄ut

Al Ghayd,ah

Nisht ̄un

Al Mukall ̄a

Sayw ̄un

Ta’izz

Mocha

Aden

Al H,udaydah

S,a’dah

Marib

31

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Hadramaut
32

1

3

4

5

2

PHOTOS:

1 Rehearsing a mine awareness demonstration at CMAC. Photo credit: Office of Humanitarian Demining

Programs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State

2 A young Vietnamese girl awaiting prosthesis at the new Prosthetics Outreach Foundation clinic in Hanoi.

Photo credit: Arden Norvold, Prosthetics Outreach Foundation

3 Dr. Nadim Karam, Director of the World Rehabilitation Fund Programs in Lebanon, at a 1998 workshop.

Photo credit: World Rehabilitation Fund

4 Special Forces “A” Detachment Medic conducting medical training to a Mozambican military deminer. Photo

credit: 3rd U.S. Army Special Forces Group (Airborne), U.S. Army Special Forces Command

5 A sample mine recognition board set produced by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command used to

facilitate training, mine awareness, and mine identification. Photo credit: Office of Humanitarian Demining

Programs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State

COVER PHOTO:

Angolan children walk along a path that CARE has cleared of landmines. Photo credit: Paul Giannone (CARE)
8

6

7

9

10

6 U.S. Navy EOD personnel conducting EOD training in Mozambique. Photo credit: U.S. Department of

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

7 A team of Namibians conducting demining operations. Photo credit: U.S. Army CECOM NVESD

8 Demonstration of a demining dog training program at CMAC. Photo credit: Office of Humanitarian Demining

Programs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State

9 Deminers conduct clearance operations in a residential area in Afghanistan. Photo credit: Afghanistan Mine

Clearance Planning Agency 

10 A team of Ecuadorian deminers attired in protective clothing and equipment. Photo credit: Office of

Humanitarian Demining Programs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State
★

★

★

★

★

★

U

N

I T E D S T A T

E

S

O F

A M E R I C A

”...Our children deserve to walk the earth in safety”

President William J. Clinton, September 24, 1996