To Walk The

Earth In Safety

U.S. Contributions Country Programs

 Organization Profiles 

Documenting the United States’ Commitment to Conventional Weapons Destruction

September 2014 FY2013

United States Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State
Written, Edited, Designed, and Produced by 

the Center for International Stabilization and 

Recovery at James Madison University

(http://www.jmu.edu/cisr)

ON THE COVERS

Schoolchildren near the Mozambique/Zimbabwe 

border pass a minefield cleared by The HALO 

Trust (HALO). Funding from the Office of Weapons 

Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/

WRA) makes their daily walk safer.

Photo courtesy of HALO.

To help save natural resources and protect our 

environment, this edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety

was printed on 30-percent post-consumer-waste recycled 

paper, using vegetable-based inks.

Printed by McClung Companies 

Waynesboro, VA / USA

Table of Contents

General Information

Global Perspective of the U.S. Commitment to CWD 4 

Conventional Weapons Destruction Overview 6

Commonly Used Acronyms 7

FY2013 Grantees 53

FY2013 Funding Chart 57 

U.S. Government Interagency Partners

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 13 

U.S. Agency for International Development 17

U.S. Department of Defense:

Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program 15 

Humanitarian Demining Training Center 25

U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program 35

Defense Threat Reduction Agency 39

MANPADS Task Force 56

Implementation Tools & Fora

Quick Reaction Force 21 

Senior Managers’ Course in ERW and Mine Action 29

Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction 41

Working with Partners to Raise Public Awareness 52

Public-Private Partnerships 55

Latin America 42

Colombia 44

Ecuador 44

Honduras 44

Other USG Support 45

Albania 34

Armenia 34

Azerbaijan 35

Bosnia and Herzegovina 36

Bulgaria 36

Croatia 37

Georgia 37

Kosovo 38

Lithuania 39

Serbia 40

Ukraine 40

Other USG Support 40

Europe 32

Middle East and North Africa

Iraq 48

Jordan 48

Lebanon 50

Libya 50

Palestinian Territories 51 

Yemen 51

Middle East Region 51

46

To Walk the Earth in Safety is a publication of the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military 

Affairs (PM/WRA). PM/WRA’s mission is to reduce 

the harmful worldwide effects of at-risk, illicitly 

proliferated, and indiscriminately used conventional 

weapons of war.

Illustration courtesy of CISR.

Angola 10

Democratic Republic of the Congo 10

Mozambique 1 1

Senegal 12

Somalia 12

South Sudan 14

Zimbabwe 14

Great Lakes Region 15

Sahel Region 16

Other USG Support 16

Africa 8

Burma 20

Cambodia 20

Laos 22

Marshall Islands 23

Palau 23

Solomon Islands 24

Vietnam 24

Other USG Support 25

East Asia and Pacific 18

Afghanistan 28

Kyrgyzstan 29

Sri Lanka 30

Tajikistan 31

Other USG Support 31

South and 

 Central Asia 26

A special thank you to Kristin Dowley for all 

her hard work on this edition of 

To Walk the Earth in Safety.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 3

A Message From Assistant Secretary Puneet Talwar

Puneet Talwar

Assistant Secretary

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

he 13th edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety describes the programs and 

partnerships that comprise the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) 

Program. Since 1993, the U.S. has led the international donor community in 

reducing the harmful effects of poorly secured, unstable or illegally traded 

conventional weapons of war. We have contributed over $2.3 billion to more 

than 90 countries around the world.

This mission resonates with my own experience. I started my career in Afghanistan, where 

explosive remnants of war had already claimed thousands of lives. I am proud to be in a position 

to oversee U.S. efforts to address this threat. Our work, combined with contributions from the 

rest of the donor community, has significantly reduced the impact of landmines and unexploded 

ordnance. The worldwide annual casualty rate from these threats has plummeted. Communities 

are safer. Citizens are better able to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, fostering regional stability 

and international security. Collaboration with host nation governments has been critical to this 

progress, as have significant contributions from the private sector and civil society.

Our programs are part of a broader U.S. framework on conventional weapons destruction. For example, at the Third Review Conference 

of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention in Maputo, Mozambique in June 2014, the United States announced that the United States will 

not produce or otherwise acquire any anti-personnel munitions that are not compliant with the Ottawa Convention, including to replace 

stockpiles as they expire over the coming years. Meanwhile, we are diligently pursuing other solutions that would ultimately allow us to 

accede to the Convention.

In fiscal year 2013, the Department of State provided over $142 million in CWD assistance to 49 countries. Our program helped postconflict communities and countries recover and rebuild by clearing landmines and other explosive remnants of war, providing victim 

assistance and mine/unexploded ordnance risk education, and destroying or securing conventional weapons. This report details the 

significant accomplishments and milestones we achieved in fiscal year 2013. A few highlights include:

•	 Increased Engagement in Southeast Asia-Pacific Unexploded Ordnance Remediation: During Secretary Kerry’s visit to Vietnam 

in December 2013 the United States signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam expanding bilateral cooperation on 

unexploded ordnance issues. We also drafted a multi-year strategy to accelerate clearance of U.S.-origin unexploded ordnance in 

Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

•	 Sahel and Maghreb Regional CWD Initiative: After the fall of the Qadhafi regime, the U.S. quickly designed and implemented a 

regional CWD response that builds African partner countries’ capacity to counter the regional threat of weapons stockpiles illicitly 

flowing across borders. The initiative improves physical security and stockpile management, and destroys excess small arms and light 

weapons.

•	 The Quick Reaction Force led by a nongovernmental organization: The Quick Reaction Force (QRF)—a Department of State 

funded team of civilian Explosive Ordnance Disposal technical experts—is a one-of-a kind capability that can deploy anywhere in the 

world within 48 hours at the request of foreign government partners. The QRF reduces the harmful effects of landmines, explosive 

remnants of war, unplanned explosions at munitions sites, and at-risk, illicitly-proliferated, and indiscriminately-used small arms and 

light weapons and conventional ammunition. Golden West Humanitarian Foundation maintains this capability at a significant cost 

savings to our previous, contractor-based system.

•	 Progress in Libya: Despite political turmoil and a non-permissive environment, we assisted the Libyan Mine Action Center in 

coordinating its activities with Libya’s Ministry of Defense and also advanced CWD projects.

Also in 2013, we continued collaborating with private sector partners, including many of the nearly 70 organizations in our PublicPrivate Partnership Program. These partnerships help maximize the impact of our efforts to raise awareness, encourage grassroots 

participation, and engage new resources to solve these challenges.

Looking forward, our support for mine clearance will continue. We will increasingly focus on helping countries reduce their stockpiles 

of excess or obsolete small arms, light weapons, and ammunition. These stockpiles can pose an even greater threat than landmines. 

I invite you to read this report and learn more about how the United States continues to clear a path to a safer world. I extend my 

appreciation to the U.S. Congress and American taxpayers who support our efforts that help everyone “to walk the Earth in safety.”
4 TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY

The Global Perspective of the U.S. Conventional 

4 to walk the earth in safety

n October 1993 the 

United States formally 

established the U.S. 

Humanitarian Demining Program (HDP), 

an interagency effort of the Department 

of State (DOS), Department of Defense 

(DoD), and the U.S. Agency for International 

Development (USAID) to provide a full range 

of assistance to mine-affected countries. 

Since 1993, the United States has broadened its 

efforts related to protecting civilians into a robust 

conventional weapons destruction (CWD) program 

that includes not only humanitarian mine action 

(HMA) but also activities to reduce illicit, excess and 

other at-risk small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), 

conventional munitions, and man-portable air defense 

systems (MANPADS).

See the regional maps for greater detail.
5

Weapons Destruction Program 1993–2013

Global/Multi-Country 20.63%

Africa 14.89%

South & Central Asia 18.65%

East Asia & Pacific 11.14%

Europe 14.55%

Latin America 3.39%

Middle East & 

North Africa 16.78%

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction 

Funding from all USG Agencies, FY1993–2013: 

$2,333,321,000

to walk the earth in safety 5

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend

*Jordan and Tunisia have declared themselves 

“free from the impact of known minefields.”
6 CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION

onventional weapons destruction (CWD) efforts are 

essential to securing peace and rebuilding communities after armed conflict. According to the 2013 

Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, landmines 

continue to contaminate at least 59 countries, and even more countries are affected by unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Excess and illicit small arms and light weapons 

(SA/LW) exacerbate conflicts, and poorly secured and unstable stockpiles of ammunition pose threats to national, regional, and international security. 

In 2013, the U.S. Government celebrated its 20th year of 

dedicated CWD efforts, which began with its humanitarian demining 

program in 1993. The CWD program advances the United States’ 

humanitarian efforts by mitigating the threats that conventional 

arms and ammunition can pose to civilian populations. It also fosters 

regional stability while protecting U.S. national security interests by 

reducing the risk of weapons falling into the wrong hands.

Creating a Safer World

The U.S. CWD program currently provides support to 

communities and governments around the world in humanitarian 

mine action (HMA), ERW clearance, SA/LW and man-portable 

air defense systems (MANPADS) destruction, stockpile and cache 

reduction, and physical security and stockpile management (PSSM). 

U.S. HMA efforts include mine and ERW risk education (MRE) 

and medical rehabilitation and vocational training for landmine 

and ERW survivors. The United States continues to be the world’s 

leading supporter of CWD, providing more than $2.3 billion in 

funding since 1993.

U.S. CWD efforts, in cooperation with international partners, 

have drastically reduced the global casualty rate from landmines, 

which has fallen 60% from approximately 25 casualties per day in 

1999 to approximately 10 casualties per day in 2012 according to 

the 2013 Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor report. These 

efforts have helped 15 countries become free from the humanitarian 

impact of landmines. With U.S. CWD assistance, Kosovo is now 

on a self-sustaining path toward achieving mine impact-free status.

As threats from landmines continue to decline, SA/LW destruction, stockpile security, and ERW clearance have become increasingly 

important. Illicit trafficking of SA/LW remains a serious problem—

exacerbated by political instability and armed conflicts in the Middle 

East and North Africa—and unsecured SA/LW endanger regional security. PSSM and the destruction of excess, poorly-secured, or otherwise at-risk weapons and ammunition constitute major humanitarian 

and security concerns for the foreseeable future, particularly in developing countries emerging from armed conflicts. Ongoing conflict 

continually generates new ERW that requires clearance.

Collaboration for Success

To address the CWD challenge, the Office of Weapons Removal 

and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau 

of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) works closely with the 

Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Agency for International 

Development (USAID), as well as in partnership with foreign 

governments and private and nongovernmental organizations. The 

success of U.S. CWD efforts is due in large part to this integrated, 

cooperative approach. 

PM/WRA funds and manages HMA programs around 

the world, including survey, clearance, and MRE, and SA/LW 

stockpile security, management, and reduction assistance. DoD’s 

Combatant Commands train deminers, ammunition handlers, and 

stockpile managers in national programs with support from DoD’s 

Humanitarian Demining Training Center. Furthermore, DoD’s 

Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program 

develops and improves CWD technologies to enhance the efficiency 

and safety of humanitarian demining operations. USAID provides 

survivor assistance, including medical and rehabilitative care for 

civilian survivors of conflict. 

The illicit availability of MANPADS threatens global air travel, including both commercial aviation and military aircraft. The 

United States created the Interagency MANPADS Task Force in 

2007. DOS chairs this task force and coordinates the efforts of 

DOS, DoD, the Department of Homeland Security, and other relevant federal agencies and organizations to reduce the global threat 

of MANPADS. 

THE UNITED STATES’ COMMITMENT TO

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 7

The U.S. CWD program works to enhance regional security, 

protect civilian lives and property, and promote U.S. policy interests, 

securing or destroying stockpiles of surplus, obsolete, or at-risk 

conventional weapons; and denying to terrorists illicit availability 

of conventional weapons and munitions. We demonstrate support 

for our friends and allies while building partner nation capacity to 

secure and manage weapons and munitions they retain for legitimate 

national defense needs. Clearance efforts and victim assistance 

programs return land and infrastructure to productive use and 

assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors of mine 

and ERW incidents. Through our domestic outreach efforts and in 

collaboration with our implementing partners, we educate the public 

both in the United States and abroad about the risk of mines and 

other ERW and seek to enhance public awareness of CWD benefits. 

In all these efforts, we strive to ensure that CWD programs meet the 

needs of all members of the community, regardless of gender or age.

Results

Over the last 21 years, the U.S. CWD program has:

•	 Invested over $2.3 billion in CWD efforts, mostly for HMA

•	 Assisted more than 90 countries affected by landmines, ERW, 

and at-risk SA/LW and munitions

•	 Disposed of over 33,500 MANPADS since 2003

•	 Destroyed more than 1.6 million SA/LW and over 90,000 tons of 

ordnance in 38 countries

•	 Provided emergency assistance to support the removal or 

mitigation of conventional weapons, landmines, and other ERW 

in more than 20 countries 

•	 Provided assistive devices and other rehabilitation services to 

hundreds of thousands of people in over 50 countries

Collectively, U.S. CWD efforts enhance national and 

international security, help to restore peace, and rebuild lives and 

communities after armed conflict. 

In October and November 2012, a DTRA SA/LW team assessed four long-term ammunition storage sites in Bulgaria at the request of the Ministry of Defense 

of Bulgaria and coordinated by the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation.

Photo courtesy of DTRA.

AP Anti-personnel

BAC Battle-area Clearance

CWD Conventional Weapons Destruction

DoD Department of Defense

DOS Department of State

DTRA Defense Threat Reduction Agency

ERW Explosive Remnants of War

FY2013 Fiscal Year 2013

HDTC Humanitarian Demining Training Center

HD R&D Humanitarian Demining Research & Development Program

HMA Humanitarian Mine Action

IDP Internally Displaced Persons 

IED Improvised Explosive Device 

MANPADS Man-portable Air-defense Systems

MDD Mine Detection Dog

MRE Mine Risk Education

OHDACA Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster Assistance and Civic Aid

PM/WRA Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. 

Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

PSSM Physical Security and Stockpile Management

SA/LW Small Arms and Light Weapons

SHA Suspected Hazardous Area

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USAFRICOM U.S. Africa Command

USCENTCOM U.S. Central Command

USEUCOM U.S. European Command

USSOUTHCOM U.S. Southern Command

UXO Unexploded Ordnance

VA Victim Assistance

Commonly Used Acronyms:
8 AFRICA

*Great Lakes Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

*Sahel Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Other USG Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Democratic Republic of the Congo . . . . . . . . . 10

Mozambique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Senegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Somalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

South Sudan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ast and ongoing conflicts have littered many African countries with explosive remnants of 

war (ERW) contamination and flooded the continent with licit and illicit small arms and light 

weapons (SA/LW). Remaining from conflicts that ended years ago, extensive landmine and ERW 

contamination in several African countries hinders economic development and continues to 

kill and injure innocent civilians. The flow of illegal weapons across borders in North and Central Africa fuels 

cross-border violence and threatens national reconciliation and stability. 

Additionally, the lack of safe ammunition storage practices has caused dozens of catastrophic explosions 

at munitions storage depots. Also known as “dangerous depots,” these storage facilities are filled with aging 

and improperly stored and secured munitions, which have the potential to cause even more casualties on 

an annual basis than landmines. With extensive U.S. support, many African nations have reduced the risk of 

unplanned explosions in their storage depots, while simultaneously increasing their capacity to safely and 

securely store needed munitions.

Since 1993, U.S. conventional weapons destruction programs have provided more than $344 million for 32 

countries in the region. Almost 20 years of sustained support from international donors, including the United 

States, has helped Mozambique stay on track toward achieving landmine impact-free status in 2015. The 

significant U.S. contributions to landmine and ERW clearance have drastically reduced casualty rates and 

opened millions of acres for productive development.

8 africa

(Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia are included in the Middle east/North Africa section)
9

Angola

South 

Sudan

Zimbabwe

Mozambique

Somalia

Burundi

Democratic

Republic of

the Congo

Senegal

Angola 30.744%

Benin 0.004%

Burundi 0.781%

Central African Republic 0.011%

Chad 3.364%

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2.834%

Djibouti 0.893%

Eritrea 5.266%

Ethiopia 4.579%

Congo, Republic of the 0.569%

Guinea 0.03%

Guinea-Bissau 2.174%

Kenya 0.71%

Lesotho 0.004%

Liberia 1.435%

Mauritania 1.978%

Mozambique 15.652%

Namibia 2.652%

Nigeria 0.421%

Rwanda 3.689%

São Tomé/Principe 0.015%

Senegal 1.022%

Sierra Leone 0.506%

Somalia 5.512%

South Sudan 2.1%

Sudan 8.879%

Swaziland 0.371%

Tanzania 0.703%

Togo 0.009% Uganda 0.307%

Zimbabwe 2.064%

Zambia 0.723%

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Funding in 

Africa from all USG Agencies, FY1993–2013:

more than $344 million

to walk the earth in safety 9

Kenya

Republic of the Congo

Namibia

Nigeria

Mauritania

Sudan

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Swaziland

Lesotho

Zambia

Djibouti

Central African 

Republic

Benin Togo

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Sierra Leone

Liberia

São Tomé/Principe

Rwanda

sahel region

Niger

Chad

Great 

Lakes

Region

Uganda

Tanzania

* Regional funding is not included in the pie chart. 

It is included in Global/Multi-Country funding 

(see funding chart on page 63).

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend
10 AFRICA

of victims of landmine/UXO incidents, improving access to land 

and infrastructure, destroying unstable, excess, and poorly secured 

SA/LW and munitions, and the development of the host nation 

conventional weapons destruction capacity.

In FY2013, PM/WRA allotted $6 million to support minefield 

and battle area clearance, UXO destruction, and mine risk education 

(MRE), and to destroy excess, unstable, and obsolete SA/LW and munitions. PM/WRA provided funding to the following international 

nongovernmental organizations: 

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) cleared high- and medium-impacted 

communities, surveyed and/or re-surveyed SHAs, conducted 

MRE, performed UXO/ERW clearance in Benguela, Bié, 

Huambo, and Kuando Kubango provinces, and safely destroyed 

SA/LW and munitions throughout Angola. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) continued demining high- andmedium impacted communities, surveyed SHAs, and provided 

MRE in Moxico province. 

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid continued work in the Malanje, 

Zaire, and Uige provinces to clear high- and medium-impacted 

communities, survey/re-survey SHAs, conduct MRE, and 

perform UXO/ERW clearance. 

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program 

provided over $1.3 million in funds and new technology to support 

mine action assistance in Angola. Angola continued operations in 

FY2013 with previously provided technology valued at $850,000. 

In FY2013, in partnership with HALO, HD R&D began a trial 

of Mine Stalker, an armored tractor with the latest generation of 

ground-penetrating radar panels and automatic target recognition 

algorithms to detect minimum-metal anti-tank (AT) mines on roads. 

HD R&D and HALO continued an operational field evaluation 

of the Rotary Mine Comb (RMC). The RMC’s intermeshing tines 

extricate large buried objects, including AT mines, from the soil and 

push them to the side of the host vehicle’s path. The RMC locates 

mines that are otherwise undetectable on roads that, although 

previously cleared by heavy detonation trailers, continue to have 

AT mine accidents. Since 2008, HALO has cleared 47 kilometers 

(29 miles) of road and removed 106 low-metal AT mines that metal 

detectors cannot find. The road will reconnect more than 200,000 

people in southeast Kuando Kubango province with the rest of 

Angola when clearance is completed. 

Democratic Republic 

of the Congo

Two decades of armed and proxy conflict with neighboring states 

and non-state actors (NSA) in Democratic Republic of the Congo 

(DRC) killed more than five million Congolese and left the country 

contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). 

Old munitions put nearby communities in danger from accidental 

explosions. NSAs in northern, southern, and eastern provinces of 

DRC continue to terrorize residents and conduct occasional crossborder raids. The conflicts in DRC and the surrounding region have 

Angola 

In 2002, Angola resumed recovery efforts after four decades of 

internal conflict. Every province in Angola is contaminated with 

mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), and it is the most 

mine-affected country in Africa. Angola also has the greatest number 

of different types of landmines—more than 115 at last count—

increasing the difficulty of humanitarian demining efforts. After 

almost 20 years of humanitarian demining support from the U.S. 

and international community, over half of all mine-contaminated 

areas have been cleared. This support includes the release of 49 

percent of mined and suspected hazardous areas (SHA) identified 

during the 2007 Angola Landmine Impact Survey. Though 

reporting discrepancies between national demining programs and 

nongovernmental demining organizations operating on the ground 

makes accurately estimating the total affected area in Angola difficult, 

the Angolan government is working to correct these discrepancies. 

The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor identified 2,857 mine/

ERW casualties from 2000 through 2012, although total casualty 

estimates range from 23,000 to 80,000. Angola estimates that 

hundreds of thousands of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) are 

in less than secure government stockpiles. 

From 1993 to 2013, the United States invested more than $105 

million in Angola, of which more than $86 million came from the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). Projects 

supported with these funds focused on clearance and safe disposal 

of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), improving the lives 

PM/WRA’s Darren Manning on a site visit to Angola to see the positive effects of the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program.

Photo courtesy of Darren Manning, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 11

resulted in a large black market of small arms and light weapons 

(SA/LW), and porous borders with neighboring countries facilitate 

weapons smuggling. This illicit SA/LW trafficking poses a significant 

threat to regional stability.

Since 2002, the United States has provided more than $9.7 

million in funding for conventional weapons destruction (CWD) 

efforts, including humanitarian mine action, in DRC. This support 

has allowed for the destruction of more than 140,000 SA/LW, 950 

tons of munitions, 345 anti-tank mines, 2,007 anti-personnel mines, 

and 14 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS); improved 

DRC’s physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) capacity; 

and supported the DRC government’s capacity to mark and trace all 

state-owned weapons. In FY2013, PM/WRA invested $1 million to 

fund the following CWD efforts:

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) deployed weapons and 

ammunition destruction teams, destroying 10,000 SA/LW and 

75 tons of surplus, unstable, at-risk, and obsolete munitions 

throughout North and South Kivu provinces.

•	 DanChurchAid cleared ERW contaminated areas, conducted 

surveys, and provided mine risk education in South Kivu province.

Mozambique 

In 1992, at the end of over 30 years of conflict, Mozambique’s 

landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) problem was one 

of the most severe in the world. However, two decades of U.S. and 

international support has significantly reduced Mozambique’s landmine contamination. Mozambique’s National Institute for Demining 

reported in August 2013 that 8.2 million square meters (3.2 square 

miles) of land remain contaminated in 221 suspected hazardous 

areas. Mozambique’s remaining landmine contamination is along the 

Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, and Mozambique plans to be mine 

impact-free by 2015. Mozambique is on track to be the first “heavilymined” country to achieve mine impact-free status.

From 1993 to 2013, the United States invested more than 

$53.8 million in Mozambique for the clearance and safe disposal of 

landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) to improve the lives of 

victims of landmine/UXO accidents, to increase access to land and 

infrastructure, and to support the development of host nation conventional weapons destruction capacity. Of these funds, the Office of 

Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) provided more than 

$32.5 million.

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $3 million to The HALO Trust 

(HALO) to support manual and mechanical clearance of mineimpacted communities in the Manica and Tete provinces to facilitate 

Mozambique’s 2014 goal of becoming mine impact-free.

In FY2013, U.S. Africa Command deployed military explosive 

ordnance disposal personnel to Mozambique to conduct ERW 

disposal training, which included instruction in ERW education and 

risk reduction, first responder medical training with an emphasis on 

blast trauma injuries, conventional munitions stockpile assessments 

and training, and program assessments. Overseas Humanitarian, 

Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation funded travel, supplies, 

equipment, and service costs totaling $440,000.

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program provided 

$159,000 to support mine action assistance in Mozambique. 

Mozambique continued operations in FY2013 using previously 

provided technology valued at $235,000.

A HALO deminer in Mozambique using Handheld Standoff Mine 

Detection System.

Photo courtesy of HALO.

Children walk past marked unexploded ordnance in Democratic Republic of 

the Congo.

Photo courtesy of Sean Sutton/MAG.
12 AFRICA

In FY2013, in partnership with HALO, HD R&D continued 

an evaluation of the Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System 

(HSTAMIDS) and continued the evaluation of two Orbit Screens. 

HALO is evaluating HSTAMIDS against new mine types and terrain 

conditions, finding 4,107 mines in areas covering 46,000 square 

meters (11 acres). The Orbit Screens are clearing areas around powerline pylons, providing access to critical infrastructure. The Orbit 

Screens have sifted 156,000 cubic meters (204,040 cubic yards) of 

soil, uncovering 321 mines and items of UXO.

Senegal 

The United States resumed humanitarian demining in 2013 in support of U.S. efforts to broker peace between the government of Senegal 

and the separatist Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de Casamance

(MFDC or Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance), which 

have engaged in sporadic fighting since 1982. Although the two groups 

signed a peace agreement in 2005, some wings of the MFDC continued 

to fight. Despite this, they have maintained a de facto cease-fire since 

2013 while peace negotiations are ongoing. 

The more than 30 years of conflict left the Casamance region littered with landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination that continues to pose a risk to local residents and hinders 

badly needed economic development. On the other hand, notable 

humanitarian demining progress has been made since 2005. Most of 

the remaining landmine threat is inside MFDC-controlled areas and 

around Senegalese military installations. 

Beginning in 2005, the United Nations Development Programme 

and Handicap International (HI) began a Landmine Impact Survey 

of Casamance, revealing 149 suspected hazardous areas in 93 communities. In 2006, reports further indicated that mines and ERW 

affected 90,702 people and contaminated 95 kilometers (59 miles) 

of paths, tracks, and roads. By the end of 2013, Norwegian People’s 

Aid’s (NPA) support to Senegal’s national mine action authority, 

along with Mechem’s, NPA’s, and HI’s survey and clearance operations, greatly contributed to determining the few remaining areas 

contaminated by landmines.

Since 2003, the United States has provided more than $3.5 million 

in funding toward mine/ERW clearance, mine-risk education, capacity building, and eliminating small arms and light weapons stockpiles.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/

WRA) provided $260,000 to HI to conduct non-technical survey 

in Senegal’s Casamance region in support of Millennium Challenge 

Corporation and U.S. Department of Agriculture road construction 

projects that will help develop the region. This project also supports 

ongoing U.S. efforts to broker a lasting peace in Casamance between 

the government of Senegal and the MFDC.

Somalia

As a result of two decades of civil war and internal conflicts, 

as well as periodic border conflicts with Ethiopia, Somalia is 

extensively contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of 

war (ERW). Several years of U.S. humanitarian demining support 

have reduced the amount of contamination greatly in Somaliland 

and led to a reduction in mine accidents. Recent political progress, 

which led the U.S. to formally recognize Somalia’s government in 

January 2013, has increased security and improved the access of the 

U.S. Government and its implementing partners to affected areas 

in and around Mogadishu. However, the non-state armed group alShabaab, an al-Qaida aligned terrorist group, remains a threat to 

Somalia and the region. Al-Shabaab militants attacked a U.N. office 

in June 2013. 

Supplied with abandoned stockpiles of arms and munitions 

found among civilian populations, al-Shabaab uses asymmetrical warfare, planting improvised explosive devices and conducting 

ambushes. Abandoned stockpiles of arms and munitions threaten Preparations for field work in Senegal.

Photo courtesy of Emma Atkinson, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 13

Point of Contact:

Lisa Miller

Office of Weapons Removal 

and Abatement (PM/WRA)

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

SA-3, Suite 6100

2121 Virginia Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20522

USA

telephone: +1 202 663 0083

fax: +1 202 663 0090

website: http://state.gov/t/pm/wra

U.S. Department of State’s Office of 

Weapons Removal and Abatement

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) works to reduce the 

harmful worldwide effects of at-risk, illicitly proliferated, and indiscriminately 

used conventional weapons of war. PM/WRA develops, implements, and monitors 

policy and programs regarding the threat that conventional weapons such as 

landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), abandoned ordnance, stockpiled 

conventional munitions, man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and 

other small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) pose to civilians, economic stability, 

and U.S. national security. 

PM/WRA supports conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs 

around the world. PM/WRA funds ground surveys and clearance of landmines 

and explosive remnants of war (ERW) and assists governments in securing or 

destroying abandoned and/or stockpiled munitions by funding physical security 

and stockpile management (PSSM) efforts. Since 1993, PM/WRA has provided over 

$1.4 billion—a significant portion of the U.S. Government total of $2.3 billion—in 

support and remains the world’s largest donor of CWD and humanitarian mine 

action efforts. The CWD program objective is three-fold: 

1. To enhance regional security by curbing illicit trafficking and the 

availability of weapons (including MANPADS) to terrorists and 

criminals

2. To increase civilian security through the clearance of ERW and the 

return of land to productive use

3. To promote U.S. foreign policy interests by broadening support for U.S. 

CWD efforts 

In a fiscal environment characterized by increasing budgetary constraints, 

PM/WRA works to focus its resources in areas in which it can achieve the most 

humanitarian and security impacts. Clearance of U.S.-origin UXO, SA/LW (including MANPADS) destruction and stockpile security, partner nation capacity 

building, and emergency response to ERW contamination are becoming increasingly important as landmine-related threats decline. Robust performance standards and rigorous monitoring and evaluation strategies further guide PM/WRA’s 

resource allocation decisions. 

By simultaneously addressing humanitarian needs and increasing international security, PM/WRA demonstrates the United States’ commitment to 

a set of values that respect human life. PM/WRA works closely with other U.S. 

Government agencies, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and private sector partners. More than half of PM/WRA’s humanitarian assistance is in the form of grants to international NGOs. 

civilian populations within Mogadishu and other major cities. Trafficking illicit conventional 

weapons is widespread, and illegal arms proliferation continues across Somalia’s porous borders 

in contravention of the U.N. Security Council’s 

arms embargo on the country. These unsecured 

weapons and munitions threaten Somalia’s civilian population and regional stability. 

Through FY2013, the United States invested 

more than $18.9 million in conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs throughout 

Somalia, though the bulk of this assistance was for 

humanitarian demining in Somaliland. Somalia 

received more funding outside of Somaliland for 

victim assistance and other programs, improving 

access to land and infrastructure, small arms and 

light weapons destruction and control, and manportable air defense systems (MANPADS) stockpiles reduction.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal 

and Abatement in the U.S. Department of 

State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/

WRA) provided $3.92 million for CWD and 

physical security and stockpile management 

(PSSM) as follows:

A HALO deminer in Somalia conducts excavation of a 

signal located by a detector. The road he is clearing 

is located next to farmland.

Photo courtesy of HALO.
14 AFRICA

•	 Danish Demining Group conducted projects for MANPADS reduction and PSSM improvements. 

•	 The HALO Trust supported humanitarian mine clearance 

and MANPADS stockpile reduction projects as well as PSSM 

improvements, surveyed and re-surveyed suspected hazardous 

areas, and conducted mine risk education in Somaliland. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) improved PSSM for Somaliland’s 

military, police, and maritime forces. 

South Sudan

As a former part of Sudan, South Sudan has experienced the 

negative effects of war since 1956. Following Sudan’s independence 

from the United Kingdom and Egypt, South Sudan experienced 

more than two decades of civil war. These wars resulted in serious 

economic hardship, a lack of infrastructure development, major 

destruction, and the displacement of millions of people. Past and 

current conflicts have left a vast amount of landmines, explosive 

remnants of war (ERW), and small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) 

in South Sudan. Since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, tensions 

persist between Sudan and South Sudan. Inter-ethnic warfare and 

the presence of the Ugandan guerrilla group the Lord’s Resistance 

Army within South Sudan contribute to instability in the region. 

Landmines, ERW and an abundance of unsecured weapons pose 

a great risk to the safety, security, and development of vulnerable 

people in the world’s newest nation.

In the past, funds allocated for South Sudan were included in 

funding for Sudan. From 1993 to 2011, the South received a large 

majority of the more than $27.7 million provided to Sudan. Following 

its independence, South Sudan began receiving funds directly in 

FY2012. From FY2011 to FY2013, the United States invested more 

than $7.2 million in South Sudan for landmine and ERW clearance, 

victim assistance programs, improved access to land and infrastructure, 

and the destruction and procurement of SA/LW stockpiles.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $2.5 million to South Sudan to support a 

combination of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and mine risk 

education (MRE) projects completed by these organizations:

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) fielded one EOD and SA/LW 

integrated team assigned to the Greater Equatoria and Jonglei states. 

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid provided three EOD and battle area 

clearance teams for the Greater Equatoria, Jonglei, and Upper 

Nile states.

In FY2013, U.S. Africa Command deployed military EOD 

personnel to South Sudan to conduct ERW disposal training. 

Training included ERW education and risk reduction, demining 

(survey, marking, mapping, landmine and unexploded ordnance 

disposal training, and quality assurance and control), first responder 

medical training with emphasis on blast trauma injuries, stockpile 

munitions assessments and training, and program assessment visits 

to monitor and improve all aspects of the ERW disposal program. 

Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation 

funded travel-related costs and supplies, equipment, and services 

expenditures totaling $459,000.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s (formerly Rhodesia’s) landmine contamination is a 

legacy of its independence war. Rhodesian Security Forces’ documentation indicates that they laid over 2.5 million anti-personnel 

(AP) mines and 76,000 AP fragmentation mines. Remaining contamination is estimated at 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) 

and comprises almost 600 linear kilometers (373 miles) along the 

Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. The Landmine and Cluster Munition 

Monitor reports that the National Demining Authority of Zimbabwe 

(NAMAAZ) estimates 1,550 people were killed and 2,000 people 

injured since the end of the war in the 1970s.

Since 1997, the United States provided more than $7.1 million to 

Zimbabwe to build NAMAAZ’s capacity through the equipping and 

training of multiple military engineer companies. With the United 

States’ support, Zimbabwe cleared and safely disposed of landmines 

and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improved access to land and 

infrastructure. Of these funds, the Office of Weapons Removal and 

Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of PoliticalMilitary Affairs (PM/WRA) provided more than $3.8 million. 

In FY2013 PM/WRA provided $500,000 in assistance to 

Zimbabwe to support minefield and battle area clearance, surveys 

of suspected hazardous areas, and mine risk education projects. The 

HALO Trust and Norwegian People’s Aid conducted these projects. 

These efforts help hundreds of Zimbabweans safely develop and live 

on previously contaminated land, immeasurably improving their lives. 

In South Sudan, MAG secures the area and collects details.

Photo courtesy of Emma Atkinson, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 15

The Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) 

Program focuses on the rapid development, testing, demonstration, and 

validation of technologies that increase the effectiveness and efficiency and 

enhance the safety of humanitarian demining operations. In particular, it 

provides technology solutions to the most challenging landmine and unexploded 

ordnance (UXO) detection and clearance tasks. HD R&D Program technologies 

consistently find and remove mines and UXO where manual clearance or mine 

detection dogs are not feasible, and without which operations partners would 

be unable to complete and hand over sites. The program improves technologies 

for mine/UXO detection and mechanical mine/UXO and vegetation clearance. 

New technology requirements are identified and validated at a biennial requirements workshop held by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict. All prototypes undergo extensive 

testing in the United States before they are deployed to support operational field 

evaluations (OFE), an integral aspect of the HD R&D Program. During OFEs, 

host-nation demining partners (foreign militaries, nongovernmental organizations, and mine action centers) assess equipment capabilities in actual demining 

conditions. The evaluations allow host countries to operate and test equipment 

in active minefields and provide feedback to initiate future R&D improvements.

In FY2013, the HD R&D Program’s technologies cleared 3.3 million square 

meters (741 acres) of the world’s toughest minefields, removing or destroying 

7,529 mines and 13,764 pieces of UXO. To date, its technologies have cleared 23 

million square meters (5,683 acres) and removed or destroyed 108,707 mines and 

pieces of UXO. Since 1995, the program has fielded technologies in support of 

160 OFEs in 36 countries. In FY2013, HD R&D performed OFEs in Afghanistan, 

Angola, Cambodia, Chile, Iraq, Lebanon, Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Sri 

Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Some of the 50 technologies under evaluation 

include the Badger Multi-Tooled Excavator, Handheld Standoff Mine Detection 

System (HSTAMIDS), Minehound, Orbit Screen, Rotary Mine Comb, and Scout 

and Scorpion UXO Detection Systems.

U.S. Department of Defense 

Humanitarian Demining Research 

and Development Program

Point of Contact:

Sean Burke, Program Manager

U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD

ATTN: RDER-NVC-HD

10221 Burbeck Road

Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060

USA 

telephone: +1 703 704 1047

fax: +1 703 704 3001

email: sean.p.burke@us.army.mil

website: http://humanitarian-demining.org

Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes Region of Africa has experienced decades of civil war as non-state actors 

and neighboring countries vied for influence 

in the region. The Great Lakes region is still 

plagued by a cross-border illicit market in small 

arms and light weapons (SA/LW) although 

most major armed conflicts in the area ended in 

the beginning of the twenty-first century. The 

porous borders between Democratic Republic 

of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, and 

Uganda facilitate arms smuggling, and the resulting illicit SA/LW trafficking poses a significant challenge to peace-building and stability in 

the region.

In 2000, governments in the Great Lakes 

Region and the Horn of Africa sought to address 

the SA/LW challenge by creating the Nairobi 

Protocol, a plan for legislative and civil action. 

This agreement established the Regional Centre 

on Small Arms in the Great Lakes Region and 

the Horn of Africa (RECSA) in June 2005. The 

center is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and coordinates regional activities aimed at reducing the 

illicit proliferation of SA/LW and implementing the Nairobi Protocol. RECSA member 

states comprise the 15 countries that signed 

the Nairobi Agreement including: Burundi, 

Central African Republic, DRC, Djibouti, 

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Republic of Congo, 

Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, 

Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The Office of Weapons Removal and 

Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) 

has provided more than $2.2 million since 2006 

to RECSA. These funds have purchased 26 

marking machines, providing at least two for 

each RECSA member state, and funded two 

regional training seminars on SA/LW marking. More than 350,000 SA/LW have been 

marked with this equipment, and Rwanda 

and Seychelles have finished marking all police 

equipment. Recently, PM/WRA has directly 

supported weapons marking efforts in Burundi, 

Tanzania, and Uganda. PM/WRA funds also 

facilitated SA/LW destruction activities and 

workshops focusing on man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) proliferation, arms 

brokering, and stockpile security. As a result, 

all RECSA member states have agreed to adopt 

MANPADS control guidelines.
16 AFRICA

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $299,500 in funding to 

RECSA to directly support the deployment of partner nation 

weapons marking teams in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, support member states with refresher training and spare parts for 

equipment, and strengthen RECSA as an institution through administrative capacity building.

Sahel Region

The plundering of Libya’s immense small arms and light weapons 

(SA/LW) stockpiles from the fall of the Qadhafi regime and porous 

borders in the Sahel region allow violent extremist organizations 

(VEO) to thrive and threaten the security and stability in the region. 

In late 2012, a few of these VEOs assumed control of almost half of 

Mali. French and African Union forces intervened to help Mali regain 

control. Another VEO carried out direct assaults in 2013 on stockpile 

facilities and infrastructure in Niger. These direct attacks, along with 

the increase in illicit SA/LW trafficking, threaten to undermine U.S. 

development, foreign policy interests, and counterterrorism efforts in 

the Sahel region.

In late 2013, the Office of Weapons and Removal Abatement 

in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military 

Affairs (PM/WRA) supported Niger in its conventional weapons 

destruction efforts. The government of Niger conducted a national 

stockpile survey identifying sites for physical security and stockpile 

management (PSSM) improvements and for SA/LW and munitions 

to destroy. With support from the United States, the government of 

Niger identified sites and participants for PSSM training scheduled 

to begin in late 2014. 

PM/WRA plans to increase engagement with Niger and expand 

assistance to additional Sahel countries in 2014. Increased national 

PSSM capacity and the reduction of SA/LW available for illicit trafficking contribute to U.S. peace and security efforts.

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $2 million for conventional 

weapons destruction and PSSM in the Sahel region as follows:

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) improved Niger’s PSSM capability, carried out destruction activities, and completed security and 

safety improvements to Nigerien stockpiles. PSSM projects for 

Chad, Mali and Senegal are scheduled to begin in 2014.

Other USG Support

The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction 

Agency (DTRA), U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and 

the Leahy War Victims Fund (LWVF) of the U.S. Agency for 

International Development provided additional support to other 

countries in Africa.

In September 2013, in coordination with the U.S. Office of 

Security Cooperation in Abuja, Nigeria, DTRA Small Arms Light 

Weapons (SA/LW) Program conducted two physical security and 

stockpile management technical seminars for the Nigerian Navy 

and Nigerian Army. These seminars, which were a follow-up to an 

April 2011 assessment of Nigerian armed forces ordnance depots, 

enhanced the host nation’s capacity to safely and securely store 

arms, ammunition, and explosives in accordance with international best practices. Twenty-nine members of the Nigerian Navy 

attended the first seminar and 28 members of the Nigerian Army 

attended second seminar. 

USAFRICOM provided support to the following countries in 

FY2013:

•	 Burundi: USAFRICOM deployed military explosive ordnance 

disposal (EOD) personnel to Burundi to conduct explosive 

remnants of war (ERW) disposal training. Training included 

ERW education and risk reduction, first-responder training 

with emphasis on blast trauma injuries, stockpiled conventional 

munitions assessments, and program assessment visits to monitor 

and improve all aspects of the ERW disposal program. Overseas 

Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) appropriation 

funded travel-related expenses and supplies, equipment, and 

services (SES) costs totaling $322,000.

•	 Chad: USAFRICOM deployed military EOD personnel to 

Chad to conduct ERW disposal training. Training included 

ERW education and risk reduction, demining (survey, marking, 

mapping, landmine and unexploded ordnance disposal, 

and quality assurance and control), first responder training 

with emphasis on blast trauma injuries, stockpile munitions 

assessments, and program assessment visits to monitor and 

improve all aspects of the ERW disposal program. The OHDACA 

appropriation funded travel-related expenses and SES costs 

totaling $384,000.

•	 Kenya: USAFRICOM deployed military EOD personnel to the 

International Peace Support Training Center in Kenya to conduct 

ERW disposal training. Training included ERW education and 

risk reduction, first responder training with emphasis on blast 

trauma injuries, stockpiled conventional munitions assessments, 

and program assessment visits to monitor and improve all aspects 

of the ERW disposal program. The OHDACA appropriation 

Explosive remnants of war awaiting disposal in Burundi. 

Photo courtesy of Darren Manning, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 17

funded travel-related expenses and SES 

costs totaling $70,000.

•	 Namibia: USAFRICOM deployed military 

EOD and civil affairs personnel to Namibia 

to conduct infrastructure development 

for Namibian mine action agencies and 

ERW disposal training consisting of survey, marking, and mapping of ERW contaminated areas, landmine and unexploded 

ordnance disposal training, and quality 

assurance and control. The OHDACA appropriation funded travel-related expenses 

and SES costs totaling $151,000.

•	 Republic of the Congo (ROC):

USAFRICOM deployed military EOD and 

civil affairs personnel to ROC to conduct 

infrastructure development for ROC mine 

action agencies and ERW disposal training 

consisting of survey, marking, and mapping 

of ERW contaminated areas, landmine and 

unexploded ordnance disposal training, and 

quality assurance and control. The OHDACA 

appropriation funded travel-related expenses 

and SES costs totaling $371,000.

•	 Tanzania: USAFRICOM deployed military 

EOD personnel to Tanzania to conduct 

ERW disposal training. Training included 

ERW education and risk reduction, demining (survey, marking, mapping, landmine and unexploded ordnance disposal, 

and quality assurance and control), first 

responder training with emphasis on blast 

trauma injuries, stockpile munitions assessments, and program assessment visits 

to monitor and improve all aspects of the 

ERW disposal program. The OHDACA appropriation funded travel-related expenses 

and SES costs totaling $274,000.

Finally, LWVF granted $1.2 million to the 

International Committee of the Red Cross 

Special Fund for the Disabled to provide prosthetics and other rehabilitation services to 23 

centers in 17 sub-Saharan African countries. 

This is part of an ongoing $7 million effort 

in Africa. 

The United States Agency for International Development manages the Patrick 

J. Leahy War Victims Fund (LWVF). The LWVF, created in 1989, is the foundation 

of U.S. efforts to respond to the needs of civilian victims of conflict in war-affected 

developing countries. LWVF provides a dedicated source of financial and technical 

assistance for people with disabilities, particularly those who sustain mobility-related 

injuries from explosive remnants of war, anti-personnel landmines, and other direct 

and indirect causes of disability resulting from armed conflict and civil strife. To date, 

LWVF has provided more than $217 million in assistance to over 50 countries.

LWVF’s scope has expanded from its original focus on delivering immediate 

care to include a myriad of development programs that accommodate the changing 

needs of the populations they serve, as well as establishing the foundations for 

sustainable services in developing countries. It contributes to the design and 

enforcement of international standards ensuring that practitioners who provide 

care to survivors are competent. 

In FY2013, LWVF initiated new programs in Burma (Myanmar), Colombia, El 

Salvador, and Peru, and continued support for programs in Cambodia, Democratic 

Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, 

Pakistan, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Vietnam, as well as numerous regional 

and international initiatives spanning multiple countries.

Point of Contact:

Rob Horvath, Manager

Programs for Vulnerable Populations

DCHA/DRG/HR

U.S. Agency for International Development

Washington, D.C. 20523

USA

U.S. Agency for International 

Development’s Leahy War 

Victims Fund

telephone: +1 202 712 5239

email: rhorvath@usaid.gov

website: http://www.usaid.gov; http://1.usa.gov/1cKOv5E

USAID funding provides for prosthetic services in Cambodia.

Photo courtesy of Keo Rithy, Kien Khleang/Veterans International.
18 EAST ASIA and PACIFIC

resident Obama’s rebalance toward the East Asia and Pacific region is a cornerstone of 

U.S. foreign policy. The Asia-Pacific is home to half of the world’s population, more than 

half of its gross domestic product, and nearly half its trade. While the region has seen 

tremendous growth in prosperity, it faces many challenges, including the legacy of ERW 

from past conflicts.

Explosive remnants of war (ERW) and landmines remain in the region from various armed conflicts 

since World War II. Much of mainland Southeast Asia’s contamination resulted from the Vietnam War 

and border disputes. Laos is the world’s most heavily bombed country per capita. In Laos and in other 

countries in the region, U.S. conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs help return cleared land 

to residents for development. Released land is free to generate economic growth, improving lives and 

also expanding consumer capacity. In the Pacific, World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination 

lingers on many of its islands. U.S. funds in the Pacific support both clearance operations and capacity 

building to assure that these island nations may safely conduct their own UXO clearance tasks.

The U.S. CWD program has provided more than $258 million in the East Asia and Pacific region 

toward the clearance of legacy ordnance, risk education, victim assistance, capacity building and the 

nonproliferation of small arms and light weapons. 

and Pacific

Burma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Cambodia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Marshall Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Palau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Solomon Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Other USG Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

18 EAST ASIA and PACIFIC
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 19

Burma

Cambodia

Laos

Vietnam

Marshall 

Islands

Solomon 

Islands

Palau

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction 

Funding in East Asia and Pacific from 

all USG Agencies, FY1993–2013:

more than $258 million

Cambodia 37.49%

Laos 27.46%

Marshall Islands 0.10%

Palau 0.16%

Philippines 0.95%

Solomon Islands 0.73%

Thailand 5.01%

Vietnam 27.22% 

Burma (Myanmar) 0.88%

Thailand

Philippines

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend
20 EAST ASIA and PACIFIC

A HALO deminer training to use a MINEHOUND detector in Cambodia.

Photo courtesy of HALO.

Burma 

Burma (Myanmar) suffers from extensive landmine contamination 

as a result of decades of internal conflict between the Burmese army 

and armed ethnic groups, as well as explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

contamination from World War II. While reports indicate a reduction 

in new mine emplacement, mines are still deployed in ethnic conflict 

areas. No complete estimate of the extent of contamination exists; 

however, the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor identified 

hazardous areas on Burma’s borders with Bangladesh and Thailand. 

The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor also identified 3,349 

casualties between 1999 and 2012 from landmine and ERW 

incidents in Burma, but the total number of casualties is unknown.

The government of Burma has taken steps to permit humanitarian 

mine action activities, such as the Ministry of Health’s Department 

of Social Welfare’s development of the national Mine Risk Education 

Working Group. This group serves as a forum for international 

nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and national NGOs to report 

on current or planned activities. However, the Burmese government 

has delayed establishment of a planned national level institution—

the Myanmar Mine Action Center—and official adoption of mine 

action standards. Current policy is that international NGOs cannot 

legally conduct survey or clearance activities but may carry out mine 

risk education and survivor assistance. The Ministry of Health does 

not distinguish mine and ERW incidents from trauma incidents, 

and a lack of suitable healthcare infrastructure leaves many victims 

without access to proper treatment. However, some survivors 

received assistance through rehabilitation centers in Burma and near 

the border in Thailand.

Since assistance to Burma began in FY2011, the United States has 

provided more than $2.2 million for programs that supported victim 

assistance and risk education services in Burma. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided no additional funds but monitored FY2012 

funded programs for mine risk education, capacity building, and 

victim assistance programs as follows:

•	 World Education, Inc. continued to provide training and 

material support to Kayah Prosthetics, a small prosthetics clinic 

in Kayah State. 

•	 DanChurchAid continued capacity building activities related to 

mine action with FY2011 funds. 

Also in FY2013, the Leahy War Victims Fund of the U.S. Agency 

for International Development provided more than $1.3 million to 

support a survivor assistance program, including a disability adviser/

victim assistance position in the country, with a view toward further 

investment in physical rehabilitation activities in the country.

Cambodia 

Nearly three decades of armed conflict left Cambodia severely 

contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). 

The Khmer Rouge, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), 

the Vietnamese military, and to a lesser extent, the Thai army, laid 

extensive minefields during the Indochina wars. These minefields are 

concentrated in western Cambodia, especially in the dense K-5 mine 

belt along the border with Thailand. UXO—mostly from U.S. air 

and artillery strikes during the Vietnam War and land battles fought 

along the border with Vietnam—contaminate areas in eastern and 

northeastern Cambodia. While the full extent of contamination is 

unknown, the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor reports that a 

baseline survey completed in 2012 of Cambodia’s 124 mine-affected 

districts found a total of 1,915 square kilometers (739 square miles) of 

contaminated land. In 2013, efforts were made to expand the baseline 

survey to all contaminated districts. 

Since 1995, the United States has invested more than $97 million 

for landmine clearance and safe UXO disposal, dissemination of 

munitions risk education to at-risk populations, and provision of 

survivor assistance programs to UXO survivors and their families. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $5.8 million to Cambodia as follows:

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) conducted two projects in northwest 
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 21

Cambodia. The first, a matching 

project with Freedom Fields and Rotary 

International, cleared 240,000 square 

meters (59 acres). The second cleared 

approximately 3,480,000 square meters 

(860 acres) through the deployment of 33 

clearance teams.

•	 Golden West Humanitarian Foundation

(Golden West) continued its Explosive 

Harvesting System (EHS) program, recycling munitions to produce explosive 

charges in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner. In a joint project funded 

by PM/WRA and the U.S. Department of 

Defense (DoD) Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program, Golden West implemented Phase 2 of the development of 

an underwater explosive ordnance disposal 

(EOD) capacity within the Cambodia 

Mine Action Centre (CMAC). This phase 

mentored, trained, and maintained the 

underwater demining dive unit of CMAC 

through their first year as they developed 

the skills and organizational mechanisms 

required for independent sustainability.

•	 Landmine Relief Fund completed small 

village clearance tasks. Two EOD teams 

cleared approximately 12 villages. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) continued 

operations in northwest Cambodia 

focusing on survey and clearance activities. 

Funds support the deployment of two 

community liaison/non-technical survey 

teams, one mine detection dog team, 

three Handheld Standoff Mine Detection 

System (HSTAMIDS) teams, and one 

battle area clearance team. These teams 

worked to clear 210,000 square meters (52 

acres) of high-priority, high-impact areas 

and 350,000 square meters (86 acres) of 

high-priority, medium/low-impact areas. 

Funds also support the development and 

field-testing of U.S. DoD Humanitarian 

Deming Research and Development (HD 

R&D) technologies, such as HSTAMIDS, 

for HMA activities. 

•	 Spirit of Soccer continued mine risk education (MRE) through soccer programs in 

Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, 

and Pursat provinces. Funds support the 

dissemination of MRE messages to more 

than 30,000 children and adults. 

U.S. Quick Reaction Force

Point of Contact:

Melissa Windecker, QRF Program Manager

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA)

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

SA-3, Suite 6100

2121 Virginia Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20522

USA

telephone: +1 202 663 0096

fax: +1 202 663 0090

website: http://state.gov/t/pm/wra

In 2008, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Political Military Bureau (PM/WRA) replaced its Quick Reaction 

Demining Force (QRDF) with the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), in recognition of 

the broader capabilities needed to effectively respond to a full range of conventional weapons destruction emergencies. In 2013, Golden West Humanitarian 

Foundation, a nonprofit mine action organization based in Woodland Hills, 

California, took over responsibility for administering the QRF. The QRF complements international humanitarian operations and post-conflict stability initiatives 

in the host nation, allowing them to proceed unhindered by the presence of explosive hazards.

The QRDF and QRF have deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, 

Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, 

Libya, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Saint Kitts, Serbia, 

Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uruguay, and Vietnam. After a QRF 

team enters an area to assess the situation, it develops tentative disposal plans 

and identifies and coordinates logistics for the QRF Operational Element, which 

conducts necessary disposal operations. In addition to these operations, QRF 

mentors and trains local forces to safely and effectively handle, store, and dispose 

of hazards, including small arms and light weapons and man-portable air defense 

systems (MANPADS), on their own.

QRF Technical Adviser Greg Ford verifies the serial number of an AT-3A (Sagger) antitank guided missile.

Photo courtesy of Golden West.
22 EAST ASIA and PACIFIC

A female deminer in Laos.

Photo courtesy of Sean Sutton/MAG.

•	 Sterling Global developed Cambodian national capacity through 

support of CMAC and RCAF. CMAC’s Demining Unit 5 

deployed in eastern Cambodia. RCAF delivered surplus munitions 

to the EHS and destroyed excess small arms and light weapons. 

In FY2013, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) deployed military EOD teams to southern Cambodia to conduct explosive remnants of war disposal training. This training included first-responder 

medical training with emphasis on blast trauma injuries. Overseas 

Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation funded travel, 

supplies, equipment, and service costs totaling $424,000.

Also in FY2013, the DoD HD R&D Program provided $987,000 

in funds and new technology to support mine action assistance in 

Cambodia. Cambodia continued operations in FY2013 using 

previously provided technology valued at $4 million. 

With funding and support from the U.S. DOS and the DoD HD 

R&D Program, HALO and MAG continued their operations with 

and evaluations of the dual-sensor Handheld Standoff Mine Detection 

System (HSTAMIDS) in manual mine clearance of densely cluttered 

minefields. In partnership with the HD R&D Program, MAG and 

HALO have cleared 6.4 million square meters (2.5 square miles) of 

land and detected 24,000 anti-personnel mines with HSTAMIDS. 

HSTAMIDS has accurately discriminated 12.5 million detections as 

metallic clutter, saving 10–15 minutes of excavation time for each. 

The HD R&D Program continued an evaluation with HALO of a 

second dual sensor handheld detector, MINEHOUND. To date, 

MINEHOUND has cleared over 470,000 square meters (116 acres) 

of land and found 464 anti-personnel mines. 

The HD R&D Program initiated a combined evaluation of the 

Scout and Scorpion UXO detection systems with MAG in live battle 

area clearance sites to provide deminers with accurate, real-time 

mapping and marking of targets for follow-up clearance. Scout is a 

vehicle-towed electromagnetic induction (EMI) array for detecting 

and marking UXO. Scorpion is a cart-mounted dual sensor detector 

using EMI and magnetometer sensors to detect shallow and deep 

buried UXO. The Scout and Scorpion systems assist in conducting 

technical survey of large suspect areas and allow deminers to focus on 

high risk and highly contaminated areas. 

In primary mechanical mine and vegetation clearance, the HD 

R&D Program continued operational field evaluations with HALO 

and MAG of the Badger tracked excavator, the Storm steep slope 

excavator, the Nemesis skid-steer, and the Rex small tracked excavator. 

Together, the technologies have cleared 955,000 square meters (236 

acres) of vegetation and suspected hazardous soil, finding 1,771 mines 

and items of UXO. 

Additionally, in FY2013, the Leahy War Victims Fund of the 

U.S. Agency for International Development provided $600,000 to 

the International Center, which provides oversight to the Veteran’s 

International Cambodia rehabilitation project. The funds supported 

physical rehabilitation programs, including prosthetics, orthotics and 

mobility aids, in three centers in Cambodia: Kien Khleang in Phnom 

Penh and two centers outside of the capital, one in Kratie and one in 

Prey Veng. One objective of the funding is to focus on sustainability 

and to hand the project over to the Cambodia government.

Laos 

Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world 

as a result of the Indochina wars of the 1960s and 1970s. While 

landmines were laid in Laos during this period, unexploded ordnance 

(UXO) such as cluster munitions remnants (called “bombies” in 

Laos) represent a far greater threat to the population and account 

for the bulk of contamination. UXO, mostly of U.S. origin, remain 

in the majority of the country’s 18 provinces. Population growth in 

rural areas and other socioeconomic factors has increased demands to 

return land to productive use, leading to a greater risk of death and 

injury. A clear picture of the contamination that remains in Laos does 

not currently exist because a national survey has not been conducted. 

International nongovernmental partner Norwegian People’s Aid 

(NPA) developed a unique survey methodology that is evidencebased and focused on identifying and mapping cluster munitions 

strikes. Such a survey can provide a baseline on what remains to be 

cleared, and a way to prioritize tasks. 

Since 1995, the U.S. Government has invested more than 

$71 million in Laos for clearance and safe disposal of UXO, 

dissemination of munitions risk education to at-risk populations, 

and provision of survivor assistance programs to UXO survivors 

and their families.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $9 million to the following programs in Laos:

•	 The HALO Trust provided five UXO clearance teams to survey 

and clear UXO from 51 hectares (126 acres) in the Savannakhet 

province. Funds support enhanced survey procedures for 

more efficient use of clearance assets, and combined explosive 

ordnance disposal (EOD) and risk education services aimed at 

conducting EOD tasks and delivering risk education to more 

than 3,000 people.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 23

Members of a Cleared Ground Demining battle area clearance team transport a recovered Japanese aerial bomb that was found buried on a beach on 

Peleliu, Palau. 

Photo courtesy of Dave Hardison, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.

•	 Health Leadership International improved medical diagnostic 

capabilities and competencies of district-level medical personnel 

and medical education in UXO-affected districts in Laos. The 

organization delivered five portable ultrasound machines to 

hospitals for use in the program. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) operated five survey and 

clearance teams in Xieng Khouang province for 12 months. The 

teams cleared approximately 25 million square meters (9.6 square 

miles) of land. 

•	 NPA continued their evidence-based survey of 30 villages in 

Sekong province, supported the supervision of UXO survey and 

clearance efforts through UXO Lao, and provided managerial 

support to the National Regulatory Authority. 

•	 Sterling Global provided support to the UXO sector in Laos 

through technical advisers. Funds also supported the supervision 

of UXO survey and clearance efforts through UXO Lao and 

provided managerial support to the National Regulatory Authority. 

•	 Spirit of Soccer provided risk education for school-aged children 

through soccer coaching activities and sports, specifically in Xieng 

Khouang province. 

•	 World Education Inc. supported an improved integrated victim 

assistance program in Xieng Khouang province, providing 

trauma-care training capacity for Lao medical trainers, developing 

a national first-aid curriculum, and delivering risk education in 

200 primary schools. Funds also supported medical assistance to 

victims in other provinces, as well as the expansion of the Voices 

of Laos Speaker Tour to five additional cities.

Marshall Islands 

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) of both Japanese and U.S. origin from World War II affects Marshall Islands. Despite large-scale 

clearance efforts in the 1950s, UXO contamination remains on 

some of the nation’s atolls, particularly Mili and Maloelap.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) granted $250,000 to Golden West Humanitarian 

Foundation to survey and clear surface UXO on Maloelap and Mili 

Atolls and buried munitions caches on Mili Atoll. 

Palau 

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II (WWII) 

contaminates Palau, an island nation. As a result of fierce fighting 

between American and Japanese forces in late 1944, the island of 

Peleliu contains the majority of the contamination. However, UXO 

from WWII can be found throughout the nation’s many islands. 
24 EAST ASIA and PACIFIC

Since 2009, the U.S. Government has invested $424,890 for 

conventional weapons destruction and battle area clearance (BAC) 

efforts in Palau, including BAC along Bloody Nose Ridge in Peleliu 

and UXO spot task removal.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $189,890 to the nonprofit Cleared Ground 

Demining for BAC of priority areas in Peleliu and UXO spot 

clearance tasks on the main islands of Babelthuap and Koror. 

Solomon Islands 

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from World War II 

(WWII) still impact Solomon Islands. Since 2011, the United States 

has provided more than $1.8 million to support explosive ordnance 

disposal (EOD) and clearance in Solomon Islands.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) granted $560,000 to Golden West Humanitarian 

Foundation (Golden West) to continue EOD training for the 

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s (RSIPF) EOD team. 

Golden West trained some members of the RSIPF to EOD Level 

II and others to Level III. The team also performed UXO spot 

tasks on Guadalcanal and assisted Operation Render Safe, the 

annual Australian-led Pacific regional UXO removal exercise in 

other areas of Solomon Islands. 

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program provided 

$35,000 to support mine action assistance in Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands continued using previously provided technology in 

FY2013 valued at $325,000. 

HD R&D continued an evaluation of the Badger, an armored 

excavator, in Solomon Islands with Golden West on the island of 

Guadalcanal, where U.S. and Japanese forces fought in WWII. The 

Badger has a suite of attachments for removing thick, mature tropical vegetation and deeply buried UXO and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO). It provides access to EOD teams to locate and clear 

UXO/AXO at Hells Point. The UXO/AXO found at Hells Point 

have long been a source of “fish bomb” material that endangers local 

populations and destroys fishing grounds. The Badger has cleared 

512,000 square meters (126.5 acres) of extremely dense jungle vegetation in difficult terrain and found 4,247 pieces of UXO/AXO.

Vietnam 

Explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate virtually all of 

Vietnam as a result of 30 years of conflict extending from World 

War II through the Vietnam War. The most heavily contaminated 

provinces are in the central region and along the former demilitarized 

zone and include the Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, and Quang 

Tri provinces. Parts of southern Vietnam and areas around the border 

with China remain mined. In 2012, there were 73 reported landmine 

and ERW casualties, a significant increase from the 31 reported in 

2011. Most international nongovernmental organizations believe 

this is due to an increase in accident reporting. The Vietnamese 

government executes the majority of landmine and ERW clearance 

through its military clearance operator, Technology Centre for Bomb 

and Mine Disposal (BOMICEN). A 2013 presidential decree to 

establish a civilian Vietnam National Mine Action Center clearly 

illustrates Vietnam’s effort to bring increased transparency to its mine 

action program. 

From FY1993 to FY2013, the United States invested more than 

$70.4 million in Vietnam for clearance and the safe disposal of 

landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), improving the lives 

of victims of landmine/UXO accidents, improving access to land 

and infrastructure, and supporting the development of conventional 

weapons destruction (CWD) capacity. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 

in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military 

Affairs (PM/WRA) provided $4.5 million to Vietnam for the following programs:

•	 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) expanded upon previous funding to 

further integrate mine risk education (MRE) materials into primary 

school curricula in Quang Binh, Quang Nam, and Quang Tri 

provinces. CRS trained more than 9,800 teachers in MRE integration 

guidelines, reaching 147,000 students in at-risk communities.

•	 Clear Path International provided support to survivors of 

landmine/UXO accidents and their families throughout Vietnam. 

Customized to each beneficiary, this assistance included medical 

support, vocational training, and education.

•	 Golden West Humanitarian Foundation improved CWD 

capacity in Vietnam, specifically through training and technology 

transfer to BOMICEN. 

•	 The International Center – Vietnam Veterans of America 

Foundation provided technical assistance to strengthen the capacity 

for the executive office of the national mine action program, Vietnam 

Bomb and Mine Action Center, and BOMICEN. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) provided survey and clearance of 

landmines/UXO as well as community liaison services in Quang 

Binh, Quang Nam, and Quang Tri provinces in central Vietnam. 

MAG deployed three community liaison teams and a total of 

10 mine action teams over two phases. These teams conducted 

explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) spot tasks in 46 villages, 

benefiting more than 37,000 people.

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) provided capacity development 

support to Project RENEW, including technical support to the 

UXO education museum in Quang Tri province and the mobile 

prosthetics workshop. NPA also completed the development of 

a provincial mine action database in Quang Tri province and 

supported annual running costs. 

•	 PeaceTrees Vietnam conducted EOD spot tasks in Quang Tri 

province through the deployment of two survey and clearance 

teams. Funds also supported a matching project that relocated 

a village found in a high-risk flood zone to a safe location and 

cleared the former village land of contamination. 
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 25

In FY2013, U.S. Pacific Command 

(USPACOM) deployed USPACOM 

Humanitarian Mine Action office personnel 

and military explosive ordnance disposal operators to conduct conventional munitions 

stockpile assessments and training. Overseas 

Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation provided funding totaling $420,000. 

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of 

Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research 

and Development (HD R&D) Program provided $51,000 to support mine action assistance in Vietnam. Vietnam continued operations in FY2013 using previously provided 

technology valued at $300,000. 

In partnership with MAG, HD R&D continued an operational field evaluation of vegetation cutters, cutting 250,000 square meters 

(61.8 acres) of vegetation. The vegetation cutters provide critical access in densely vegetated 

areas to manual clearance teams. Additionally, 

in partnership with Project RENEW, NPA 

evaluated an armored excavator in areapreparation and clearance roles. 

Other USG Support

Thailand. Since 1993, the United States 

has provided more than $12.9 million to support explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and 

clearance in Thailand.

In FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research and 

Development (HD R&D) Program provided 

$1.2 million in new technology to support 

mine action assistance in Thailand. Thailand 

continued operations in FY2013 with previously provided technology valued at $400,000.

HD R&D partnered with the Thailand 

Mine Action Center to begin an evaluation of 

the Mini MineWolf, an earth tilling system capable of clearing anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank 

(AT) landmines. The Mini MineWolf is currently opening access lanes for manual deminers and 

conducting technical survey of large areas of suspected minefields. To date, the Mini MineWolf 

has cleared 52,000 square meters (12.8 acres) 

and encountered 250 AT and AP mines and 

pieces of unexploded ordnance. Evaluations 

continued on other demining equipment, including the small Wolverine Vegetation Cutter 

and Beaver Mini-excavator. 

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Humanitarian Demining Training 

Center (HDTC) is located at Fort Lee, Virginia and is the training and 

information center for the U.S. Government’s Humanitarian Mine Action 

(HMA) program. Established in 1996, HDTC trains and prepares U.S. forces for 

overseas deployment in support of DoD HMA strategy to provide training and 

education in explosive remnants of war (ERW) disposal. 

Training at HDTC develops the ability of U.S. forces to provide ERW disposal 

instruction in a train-the-trainer format, with emphasis on the operational 

procedures and practices of partner nations’ HMA programs. Provided to 

partner nations accepted into the U.S. HMA program, training is conducted 

in accordance with U.S. law, policy, and International Mine Action Standards. 

Upon completion of the HMA basic course, students are required to demonstrate 

proficiency in subjects ranging from basic deminer tasks to ERW disposal. 

Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) appropriation 

funds HDTC. U.S. forces use OHDACA funding to attend HDTC HMA courses 

and conduct pre-deployment surveys, HMA training operations, and partnernation training. 

Since its inception, HDTC graduates have performed train-the-trainer 

missions in 49 nations supporting the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central 

Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Pacific Command, and U.S. Southern 

Command HMA programs.

Point of Contact:

Jonathan D. Green, Director

U.S. Department of Defense

Humanitarian Demining Training Center

1321 Battle Drive, Bldg 9024

Fort Lee, VA 23801-1521 

USA

telephone: +1 804 734 7928

email: michelle.m.crist6.civ@mail.mil

U.S. Department of Defense 

Humanitarian Demining 

Training Center

Students participate in field exercises at the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian 

Demining Training Center. 

Photo courtesy of HDTC.
26 SOUTH and CENTRAL ASIA

Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Kyrgyzstan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Sri Lanka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Tajikistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1

Other USG Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 1

he United States looks to intensify engagement with frontline states in Central Asia 

as their neighbor, Afghanistan, implements the transition to Afghan-led security. The 

importance of improving connections between the United States and countries within 

South and Central Asia (SCA) is made all the more urgent as Afghanistan transitions its 

security responsibility to domestic institutions. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton advocated for 

an enhanced effort at integration with other regional stakeholders by noting that “lasting stability and 

security [in Afghanistan] go hand in hand with economic opportunity.” 

Conventional weapons destruction (CWD) assistance is essential to capacity building and helping 

countries in SCA provide adequate security, particularly in light of the 2014 drawdown of U.S. troops 

in Afghanistan. Following decades of conflict, Afghanistan has one of the world’s highest levels of 

landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination. Remaining Soviet-era munitions and 

landmines affect Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, former Soviet satellites. Sri Lanka is making significant 

progress following the end of its civil war in 2009. The country is increasing its domestic capacity with 

the development of Sri Lankan demining nongovernmental organizations and has a high percentage of 

female deminers integrated throughout multiple organizations. 

Since 1993, the United States has provided more than $432 million in CWD programs to the SCA 

region; of that, over $375 million constitutes the funding for Afghanistan. As the New Silk Road initiative 

to promote trade in SCA develops, continued U.S. assistance to CWD programs will be essential to 

stabilizing the region to allow for greater economic prosperity and progress toward peace. 

26 SOUTH and CENTRAL ASIA
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 27

Afghanistan

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction 

Funding in South and Central Asia from all 

USG Agencies, FY1993–2013:

more than $432 million

Afghanistan 86.65%

India 0.07%

Uzbekistan 0.02% Tajikistan 2.86%

Sri Lanka 9.49%

Pakistan 0.19%

Nepal 0.46%

Kyrgyzstan 0.19%

Kazakhstan 0.07%

Sri Lanka

*Turkmenistan

TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY

India

Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan

Pakistan

Nepal

Turkmenistan received funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 

which does not assign dollar amounts to countries. Therefore the funding 

does not appear on the pie chart above or the funding chart on page 57.

* Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend
28 SOUTH and CENTRAL ASIA

Afghanistan 

Afghanistan retains one of the highest levels of contamination 

from landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in the world, 

mainly as a result of the 1979 Soviet invasion followed by internal 

armed conflict in 1992–2001 and the U.S.-led Coalition’s intervention in late 2001. As of June 2013, the Mine Action Coordination 

Center of Afghanistan (MACCA) estimated the number of hazardous areas at 4,876, affecting 545 square kilometers (210 square 

miles) and 1,688 communities. Although Afghanistan boasts one of 

the most established mine action programs in the world, the recent 

release of land from Taliban strongholds resulted in the identification 

of more hazardous areas than were previously known to exist, emphasizing the need for continued donor funding and increased attention 

to the severity of the problem affecting the civilian population and 

the socioeconomic success of Afghanistan. 

Since 1993, the United States has invested more than $375 

million in conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs in 

Afghanistan aimed at clearance and safe disposal of landmines, UXO, 

and excess weapons and munitions. Directed through several Afghan 

and international partner organizations, this assistance has made significant progress toward restoring access to land and infrastructure, 

developing Afghan capacity to manage such programs independently, 

and protecting Afghan communities from potential risks. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $30 million for CWD in Afghanistan to the 

following programs:

•	 Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC) reduced the threat 

and impact of ERW on the population of Kabul and Baghlan 

provinces in central Afghanistan. ATC deployed manual and 

mechanical demining assets as well as mine detection dogs and 

explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. 

•	 Clear Path International supported integrated victim assistance 

projects in 31 of the 34 Afghan provinces.

•	 Danish Demining Group deployed mine clearance teams and survey 

teams, and conducted mine risk education in Panjshir province. 

•	 Demining Agency for Afghanistan (DAFA) reduced the threat 

and impact of ERW on the population of central and eastern 

Afghanistan in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces. In addition, 

DAFA supported competitively bid, community based demining 

projects in the Kajaki, Musa Qala, and Zhari districts. DAFA 

deployed manual and mechanical demining assets, as well as mine 

detection dogs and EOD teams. 

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) conducted demining, along with 

weapons and munitions destruction and assessment, throughout 

central, northern, northeastern, and western Afghanistan. 

•	 Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA) reduced the threat 

and impact of ERW on the population of central and eastern 

Afghanistan in Logar and Nangarhar provinces. MCPA deployed 

manual and mechanical demining assets, mine detection dogs, 

and EOD teams. 

•	 Mine Detection Dog Center utilized funds to reduce the threat 

and impact of ERW on the population of eastern Afghanistan in 

Nangarhar province and supported a competitively bid, community 

based demining project in the Now Zad and Sangin districts. 

•	 Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Reconstruction

conducted clearance work in Kabul, Logar, and Nangarhar 

provinces and completed high-priority tasks in the Parwan and 

Panjshir provinces. 

•	 Sterling Global supported PM/WRA through monitoring 

and evaluation of mine clearance projects and the mentoring 

and oversight of five national nongovernmental organizations. 

Sterling facilitated the transition of seven Afghan EOD teams to 

an implementing partner but retained oversight and monitoring 

through technical advisers. 

•	 ITF Enhancing Human Security received funding to support 

MACCA with particular emphasis on quality assurance and 

quality control of U.S.-funded clearance operations, enhancement 

of host-nation capacity through Information Management 

System for Mine Action training, and development of program 

management skills within the Department of Mine Clearance. A HALO deminer trains using a MINEHOUND detector in Afghanistan.

Photo Courtesy of HALO.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 29

The Senior Managers’ Course 

in ERW and Mine Action

Point of Contact: 

Suzanne Fiederlein, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Center for International 

Stabilization & Recovery

James Madison University

800 South Main Street, MSC 4902

Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA 22807 

telephone: +1 540 568 5715

website: http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/programs/training.shtml

In May–June 2013, the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery 

(CISR) at James Madison University (JMU) conducted its ninth Senior Managers’ 

Course in ERW and Mine Action (SMC). CISR, working in close collaboration 

with faculty from JMU’s College of Business, has hosted these courses on the JMU 

campus since 2004, initially with funding from the U.N. Development Programme. 

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) became the course sponsor starting 

in 2010. 

The course participants are selected from a wide pool of applicants and are 

leaders in their respective national mine action and explosive remnants of war 

(ERW) programs. In 2013, 14 students from 13 different countries attended the fourweek course. Diverse backgrounds and experience enhance the course as students 

share unique perspectives and exchange ideas with classmates from countries 

facing similar challenges.

SMC draws on the expertise of internationally-recognized JMU professors and 

other subject-area experts to apply the best management practices to situations in 

the field. The program aims to hone the skills of senior managers from national 

ERW and mine action programs so that countries can more effectively and efficiently clear their territory of landmines and other ERW that adversely affect 

their citizens’ well-being and impinge upon economic development. Participants 

refine program management and strategic planning skills, developing a professional network for continued collaboration with classmates, JMU faculty, CISR 

staff, and PM/WRA personnel.

The SMC curriculum provides instruction in three main areas: 

•	 Participants develop skills needed by effective managers, such as oral and 

written communication, time management, and media relations.

•	 Faculty provide management training with an emphasis on application in the 

field, including strategic planning, project management, leadership skills, and 

human resource management.

•	 Subject-area experts enhance managers’ knowledge of humanitarian ERW and 

mine action challenges, techniques, and emerging practices.

Graduates of the SMC return to their national programs with the skills to 

carry out their vital humanitarian mission more effectively. Since 2010, SMC 

participants have come from Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, 

Colombia, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Iraq, 

Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Senegal, Slovenia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, 

Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, and Vietnam.

After successfully holding the Senior Managers’ Course on the JMU campus 

for the past nine years, CISR introduced a redesigned SMC in 2014. CISR is altering 

future iterations of the program to a regionally-focused model that will reflect 

the evolving context and requirements of the field of ERW and mine action. This 

approach will allow greater flexibility to tailor the curriculum, course location and 

capacity building objectives to fit the needs of training recipients. CISR held the first 

regional course in Tajikistan in May 2014.

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research and 

Development (HD R&D) Program provided 

$355,000 in funds and new technology to support 

mine action assistance in Afghanistan. Afghanistan 

continued operations in FY2013 with previously 

provided technology valued at $1 million. 

In partnership with HALO, HD R&D initiated 

an operational field evaluation of the Minehound 

hand-held detector for minimum-metal, anti-tank 

(AT) mines in western Afghanistan. HD R&D 

continued evaluations of equipment to clear mines 

and perform technical surveys in villages and 

agricultural areas throughout Afghanistan. The 

equipment includes the Orbit Screen, which sifts 

mine-contaminated soil; several sifting excavator 

attachments; the Mantis, an armored areapreparation and mine-clearance tractor; and the 

Raptor, an armored tractor with the Rotary Mine 

Comb AT mine clearance attachment. The Rotary 

Mine Comb is particularly successful in clearing 

very large minefields that are contaminated only 

with minimum-metal AT mines in hard, rocky 

soil or where metal contamination or electrical 

interference preclude metal detectors. Together 

these systems have cleared more than 3.6 million 

square meters (1.3 square miles) and found 

37,000 mines and pieces of UXO to date. 

Kyrgyzstan 

Kyrgyzstan has substantial landmine contamination along its shared border with Uzbekistan. 

Due to ongoing bilateral tensions between the 

two countries, Kyrgyzstan has no interest in delineating, removing or destroying its minefields. 

As with many former Soviet satellite countries, 

Kyrgyzstan faces risks from unsecured and deteriorating weapons and munitions stockpiles. 

While physical security is a serious and genuine 

concern, the degraded and deteriorating ammunition stockpiles pose an immediate danger to civilians as all national ammunition storage sites are 

located close to or within highly populated areas. 

National storage sites are in such poor condition 

that they provide only the minimum level of protection from adverse weather conditions. This, in 

turn, adds to the risk of explosive residue from decaying ammunition contaminating soil and water 

tables around these highly populated areas. 

Since 2011, the United States has provided $800,000 to assist Kyrgyzstan with the 
30 SOUTH and CENTRAL ASIA

development and publishing of national ammunition standards, explosive ordnance disposal training, destruction of excess man-portable 

air defense systems (MANPADS), and the renovation and upgrade 

of existing explosive storage facilities. The implementing partner, the 

Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), made 

significant progress in segregating, securing, and destroying excess and 

unserviceable conventional munitions to prevent spontaneous explosions and injuries or displacement of civilian populations living near 

ammunition storage depots. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/

WRA) contributed $300,000 to the OSCE’s existing conventional 

weapons destruction project to upgrade and enhance the physical 

security and stockpile management (PSSM) capacity of Kyrgyzstan’s 

Ministry of Defense. Project locations covered the north, central, and 

southwest regions of Kyrgyzstan. 

In August 2013, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek sponsored a seminar in coordination with the OSCE Mission in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

The Small Arms Light Weapons Program of the Defense Threat 

Reduction Agency in the U.S. Department of Defense led a multinational team to Bishkek to conduct the PSSM executive seminar. The 

team trained 18 members from the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Defense 

in arms, ammunition, and explosives storage safety and security best 

practices and procedures.

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka is contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants 

of war (ERW) remaining from more than three decades of armed 

conflict between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 

Eelam, which sought a separate homeland in the north and east. Although demining activities immediately commenced following the 

end of the war in 2009, mine and ERW contamination remains a 

critical impediment to the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDP) and development initiatives. 

Since 1993, the United States invested over $41 million in Sri 

Lanka to fund mine clearance efforts, survey projects, risk education, and national capacity building for the Sri Lankan Humanitarian 

Demining Units (SLA HDU). The funding was directed through 

several implementing partner organizations with support from the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). 

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $3.3 million to Sri Lanka for 

conventional weapons destruction programs that cleared landmines/

unexploded ordnance (UXO) and provided mine detection dog capacity building as follows:

•	 Danish Demining Group demined selected locations in Northern 

province, thereby facilitating Sri Lanka and relevant humanitarian 

agencies resettlement and development activities in that area. 

•	 Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony removed landmines and 

UXO in support of IDP resettlement in Northern province.

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) performed clearance operations in 

Northern province to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to return IDPs to 

their homes and to enable people in the area to once again engage 

in productive livelihoods. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) cleared and improved access to 

land in Northern province for resettlement.

•	 Marshall Legacy Institute provided an assessment of and training 

assistance to the SLA HDUs in the utilization of their mine 

detection dog capacity. 

In FY2013, the U.S. Pacific Command deployed military explosive ordnance disposal personnel to Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, to conduct ERW disposal training including demining and first responder 

medical training with an emphasis on blast trauma injuries. Overseas 

Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation funded travel, 

supplies, equipment, and service costs totaling $310,000.

Also in FY2013, U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program provided 

$212,000 in funds and new technology to support mine action assistance in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka continued operations in FY2013 with 

previously provided technology valued at $220,000. 

In FY 2013, in partnership with HALO, HD R&D began 

an evaluation of the Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System 

(HSTAMIDS) to improve mine clearance in metallic soils and deep 

sand. To date, HSTAMIDS has cleared 128,000 square meters (31.6 

acres) and located 1,875 mines. The HD R&D Program continued 

Kanesan Kirushnaveni (Verny), HALO Sri Lanka’s first female task 

commander, oversees several teams of deminers.

Photo courtesy of HALO.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 31

an evaluation with MAG of the Improved Backhoe system and rake 

attachments. The equipment provides area preparation, area reduction, and mine-clearance capabilities to release villages and agricultural land to returning IDPs. The Improved Backhoe and rakes have 

cleared 225,000 cubic meters (294,289 cubic yards) of land and uncovered 1,600 mines.

In addition, the Leahy War Victims Fund of the U.S. Agency 

for International Development provided $500,000 to Handicap 

International to support physical rehabilitation at three centers 

in Sri Lanka: Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo, the Teaching 

Hospital in Batticaloa, and a new prosthetics and orthotics clinic 

in Kilinochchi.

Tajikistan 

Landmine contamination along Tajikistan’s border with 

Afghanistan remains from defense operations that Russia conducted 

for Tajikistan in the 1990s to prevent Islamic militants from crossing the border into Tajikistan. Additionally, Tajikistan’s 1992–1997 

civil war resulted in landmine and other explosive remnants of war 

(ERW) contamination throughout the central region of the country. 

Furthermore, as a result of years of regional conflict, as well as the 

porous border with Afghanistan, Tajikistan has amassed large quantities of munitions and small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) that are 

poorly secured and pose a risk to both national and regional security. 

In Tajikistan, a Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) weapons and 

ammunition disposal team member carries a wire-guided Konkurs anti-tank 

guided missile to a demolition site for disposal.

Photo courtesy of FSD.

Through FY2013, the United States has invested more than $12 

million in funding to Tajikistan. This funding supports demining 

operations, destruction of excess and unserviceable munitions, physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) of SA/LW, integrated 

victim assistance, and national capacity building of the Tajikistan 

National Mine Action Center (TNMAC). This funding was directed 

through multiple implementing partner organizations and has made 

significant progress to restore access to land and infrastructure, protect the return of internally displaced persons, and assist persons with 

disabilities.

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $2.9 million to Tajikistan for 

conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs that cleared 

landmines and unexploded ordnance, provided integrated victim assistance, and supported capacity building of TNMAC as follows:

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid established and deployed one multipurpose demining team along the Tajik-Afghan border. 

•	 Organization for Security and Co-Operation for Europe 

(OSCE) developed national humanitarian demining capacities 

and supported their operational deployment on the Tajik-Afghan 

border. OSCE also established the Integrated Cooperation on 

Explosive Hazards Program with emphasis on sharing regional 

lessons learned to develop a regional database and establish a 

regional response capability to mitigate and counter explosive 

hazards. 

•	 Fondation Suisse de Déminage (Swiss Foundation for Mine 

Action or FSD) continued CWD activities, non-technical 

survey, and clearance of ERW through the deployment of one 

multi-purpose demining team and one weapons and ammunition 

disposal team. FSD also developed one civilian demining team 

from the Union of Sappers for Tajikistan and supports their 

operational deployment along the Tajik-Afghan border. 

•	 United Nations Development Programme supported TNMAC 

with emphasis on developing host-nation capacity with the 

Information Management System for Mine Action database, victim assistance and accessibility projects that include psychosocial 

therapy and vocational rehabilitation, demining training accreditation, project development, and operational management skills 

development. 

Other USG Support 

The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction 

Agency (DTRA) Small Arms Light Weapons (SA/LW) Program provided conventional weapons destruction support to Turkmenistan in 

FY2013. At the request of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the DTRA SA/LW Program led a multinational team to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to conduct a physical 

security and stockpile management technical seminar. The OSCE 

office in Ashgabat sponsored the seminar providing training on arms, 

ammunition, and storage safety, and security best practices and procedures to 16 members from the Turkmenistan Ministry of Defense. 
32 EUROPE

Albania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Azerbaijan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Bosnia & Herzegovina . . . . 36

Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Croatia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Kosovo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Lithuania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Serbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Other USG Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

xplosive remnants of war (ERW) such as unexploded bombs and artillery shells from World 

War I and II and regional conflicts during the 1990s still contaminate parts of Europe. Since 

1993, the United States has provided more than $339 million in funding to help rid the 

European continent of the dangerous legacies of past conflicts. After the United States, 

the European Union is the second largest donor to mine action in the world. Since the 

1990s, extensive landmine and battle area clearance efforts have made much of Southeast Europe 

mine impact-free. Current U.S.-funded clearance and destruction efforts in the Balkans, Caucasus, and 

Ukraine largely focus on securing and destroying stockpiles of aging munitions and excess arms, as well 

as landmine and ERW clearance operations. The U.S. also supports efforts to secure and destroy excess 

man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), thus preventing their illicit proliferation. 

32 europe
33

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Georgia

Ukraine

Albania

Croatia

Bulgaria

Lithuania

Bosnia & 

Herzegovina

Kosovo

Serbia

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Funding in 

Europe from all USG Agencies, FY1993–2013: 

more than $339 million

Albania 10.65%

Armenia 3.5%

Azerbaijan 8.82%

Bosnia & Herzegovina 28.64%

Croatia 10.75%

Bulgaria 3.09%

Cyprus 0.03%

Czech Republic 0.18%

Estonia 1.35%

Georgia 9.26%

Kosovo 8.63%

Lithuania 0.15%

Macedonia 0.59%

Moldova 0.07%

Montenegro 2.29%

Romania 0.74%

Serbia 4.66%

Serbia & Montenegro 1.67%

Slovenia 0.08%

Ukraine 5.08%

Estonia

Moldova

Cyprus

to walk the earth in safety 33

Romania

Macedonia

Montenegro

Czech 

Republic

Slovenia

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend
34 EUROPE

Albania 

The Kosovo crisis in 1998–1999 left significant landmine contamination along Albania’s border with Kosovo. As a result of extensive clearance efforts, which received significant U.S. support, 

Albania has been mine impact-free since 2009. However, large 

stockpiles of excess arms and munitions left over from Enver Hoxha’s 

regime (1944–1985) remain throughout the country. Looting of 

poorly-secured and abandoned weapons depots in the 1990s led to 

widespread small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and munitions 

proliferation throughout Albania.

The country also remains contaminated with unexploded 

ordnance (UXO), particularly at more than a dozen “hot spots.” 

These include former impact ranges that the military failed to clear, 

depots that exploded during civil unrest in 1997, and the Gërdec 

military depot, which blew up in 2008. Highlighting the dangers 

of unsecure depots, the Gërdec explosions killed 26 people and 

injured more than 300 others. It also damaged 2,300 homes and left 

extensive UXO contamination in the surrounding areas.

Since FY1993, the United States has granted more than $36 million for conventional weapons destruction (CWD) efforts, including humanitarian mine action in Albania. In FY2013, the Office of 

Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) provided more than 

$2.3 million to the following organizations for conventional weapons 

destruction efforts in Albania:

•	 NATO Support Agency (NSPA) destroyed 4,700 tons of conventional munitions at the Uzina e Lëndëve Plasës Mjekës (ULP 

Mjekës) facility and modernized the facility. These efforts in 

2013 concluded the four-year program, which also received inkind support from Albania. In addition, NSPA destroyed 100,000 

excess SA/LW at the Uzina Mekanike Gramsh (UM Gramsh) facility from Albanian Ministry of Defense and police (Ministry of 

Interior) stocks.

•	 ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) received a grant to clear 

the UXO hot spot in Gjerovan, one of three of the highest priority 

remaining UXO hot spots in the country. The Albania Mines and 

Munitions Coordination Office requested international assistance 

with clearing these three remaining sites. ITF also assessed the 

needs of mine survivors in the northwest Albanian districts of 

Shkoder and Lezhe, the former most mine-impacted region in 

the country and home to the majority of Albania’s mine survivors.

Also in FY2013, U.S. European Command deployed military 

explosive ordnance disposal personnel to conduct infrastructure 

development for Albanian mine action agencies and explosive 

remnants of war (ERW) disposal training. The training covered 

survey, marking, and mapping of ERW contaminated areas; 

landmine and UXO disposal; quality assurance and control; and 

medical first response with emphasis on blast trauma injuries. It 

also included program assessment visits to monitor and improve 

all aspects of the ERW disposal program. Overseas Humanitarian, 

Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation funded travel-related costs, 

totaling $10,000.

Armenia 

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan employed landmines in the 

Nagorno-Karabakh region during the 1988-to-1994 war. A 

2012 non-technical survey by the Fondation Suisse de Déminage 

(Swiss Foundation for Mine Action or FSD) identified more than 

37,444,834 square meters (over 14 square miles) of confirmed 

hazardous areas (CHA). By the end of 2013, the Armenia Center 

Using a TV monitor and remote controls, a technician at the state-owned ULP Mjekës demilitarization factory in Elbasan, Albania, cuts up an anti-vehicle mine.

Photo courtesy of John Stevens, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 35

for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise 

(ACHDE) partnered with FSD to complete 

a government approved, non-technical survey of the CHAs in the unrestricted zone of 

Armenia, complete a draft of National Mine 

Action Standards, and develop a fully trained 

and equipped information management 

cell utilizing the Information Management 

System for Mine Action (IMSMA) protocols. 

Since 1996, the United States invested over 

$11.8 million in Armenia for humanitarian 

mine action and conventional weapons 

destruction (CWD) programs. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons 

Removal and Abatement in the U.S. 

Department of State’s Bureau of PoliticalMilitary Affairs (PM/WRA) provided 

$700,000 to Armenia for CWD programs 

that cleared landmines and unexploded ordnance and provided training as follows:

•	 FSD established and supported ACHDE 

through the development of national 

standards and quality control protocols. 

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) cleared 

100,000 square meters (25 acres) of 

contaminated land. HALO also employed 

and supported four manual teams of the 

Armenian Peace Keeping Brigade over 

a period of 22 months, three HALO 

clearance teams, and one mechanical 

clearance team. 

Also in 2013, the U.S. European 

Command Humanitarian Mine Action 

Program with trainers from the Kansas Army 

National Guard (KANG) provided training, 

equipment, and supplies to the ACHDE 

and the Armenian Humanitarian Demining 

Center. KANG personnel provided training in emergency medical response as well 

as landmine clearance, and FSD provided 

IMSMA training. This training period 

marked the final landmine clearance training, and the Armenians now have an indigenous landmine clearance training capacity. 

Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic 

Aid appropriation provided $169,000 in 

funding for the training.

Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan’s landmine problem is largely 

a result of its conflict with Armenia between 

1988 and 1994. Additionally, abandoned 

Dolphins and sea lions work in three main Marine Mammal Systems: 1) 

providing swimmer defense for ports and Navy ships; 2) locating and recovering 

equipment; and 3) alerting U.S. forces to the presence of undersea mines. The 

program trains and houses the majority of the animals at the program’s home 

base in San Diego, California, but the program also provides waterside security 

in Kings Bay, Georgia, and Bangor, Washington. The Marine Mammal Systems 

deploys anywhere in the world within 72 hours of notification. 

The undersea mine detection Marine Mammal System employs bottlenose 

dolphins to search for, detect, mark, and neutralize mines in water depths ranging 

from over 1,000 feet to the surf zone, as well as in ports and harbors. Dolphins, 

with their sophisticated biological sonar, are particularly well suited for precision 

mine hunting in highly-cluttered areas where numerous underwater items can 

register on their sonar, including the near shore zone. In addition to mine detection, the dolphins can carry a marker or neutralization charge to place next to the 

mine. When animals and people are at a safe distance, the explosive ordnance 

team detonates the charge. If the animals only mark the mine, then divers may 

retrieve the marker and place neutralization charges.

The U.S. Navy trains dolphins for two-to-three years before they begin work on 

underwater security projects. Navy dolphins typically live much longer than their 

counterparts in the wild, and receive round-the-clock medical and dental care. Each 

animal has a primary and secondary handler. In a typical session, a dolphin works 

alongside a control boat with an animal handler, assistant, and boat driver. There 

often is also a second boat, which doubles as the animal transport boat and the dive 

boat. The dive team usually consists of four-to-five personnel.

Currently supporting mine hunting operations, the Marine Mammal Program 

provides the U.S. Navy’s only capability for detecting, marking, and neutralizing 

buried mines. 

In 2012 and 2013, the undersea mine detection dolphins participated in U.S. 

Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored humanitarian mine action operations 

in Montenegro and Croatia, with support from the DoD Humanitarian Mine 

Action Program and from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). The 

purpose was to locate and identify underwater explosive remnants of war from 

the various conflicts that took place in the Balkans during the twentieth century. 

U.S. Navy 

Marine Mammal Program

Point of Contact:

Bob Olds 

Business Manager 

Navy Marine Mammal Program

telephone: +1 619 553 6313

cellular: +1 619 701 0061

email: bob.olds@navy.mil 

website: http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific/71500/Pages/default.aspx 

U.S. NAVY

MARINE MAMMAL

PROGRAM
36 EUROPE

Soviet-era munitions dumps and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose 

a significant threat. The Azerbaijan Landmine Impact Survey (LIS), 

conducted from September 2002 to June 2003, identified the scope 

of the mine and UXO problem in accessible territories in the country. 

The results indicated extensive landmine and UXO contamination 

in the war-torn districts along the ceasefire line and Azerbaijan’s 

border with Armenia, especially in the Fizuli district. The area of 

contamination was reduced to approximately 112 square kilometers 

(43 square miles) by 2012, as a result of the LIS, re-surveys, and 

clearance operations. The LIS did not cover areas under the control 

of Armenia including Nagorno-Karabakh, the Nakhchivan region, 

or small areas denied access by the military. In the areas occupied by 

Armenian forces, the extent of the mine and UXO problem is severe. 

Since 1993, the United States has invested more than $29.8 

million in conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs in 

Azerbaijan aimed at mine and UXO clearance, training, equipment 

procurement, and expanding humanitarian demining teams as 

well as mine detection dog teams. These funds were primarily 

directed through the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action 

and supported activities that significantly reduced the area of 

contamination and restored access to land and infrastructure.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $325,000 to the NATO Support Agency to 

support a clearance project across 19 square kilometers (7 square 

miles) of the former Soviet military testing facility and training field 

in the Jeyranchel area along the Azerbaijani-Georgian border. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

The 1992–1995 conflicts associated with the break-up of 

the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia left Bosnia and Herzegovina 

contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). 

The country had the highest levels of contamination in the Balkans.

Since FY1999, the United States has invested more than $96.9 

million in Bosnia and Herzegovina for conventional weapons 

destruction (CWD) programs including mine clearance, mine risk 

education, survivor assistance, munitions stockpile reduction, and 

physical security and stockpile management. In FY2013, the Office 

of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of 

State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) provided 

$4,445,000 to the following organizations for CWD efforts in 

Bosnia and Herzegovina:

•	 ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) cleared landmines and 

ERW at high-priority sites selected jointly by U.S. Embassy 

representatives and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action 

Center, and ITF personnel. 

•	 Sterling Global technical advisers helped the Bosnian armed forces 

reduce their massive stockpile of conventional munitions. They 

provided oversight of the destruction process and improvements 

to demilitarization facilities. 

Also in FY2013, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) 

deployed military explosive ordnance disposal personnel to conduct 

infrastructure development and ERW disposal training for Bosnian 

mine action agencies. Training included survey, marking, and 

mapping of ERW contaminated areas, landmine and ERW disposal 

training, quality assurance and control, and program assessment visits 

to monitor and improve all aspects of the ERW disposal program. 

Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) 

appropriation funded travel-related costs, and supplies, equipment, 

and services costs totaling $234,000.

The Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Training 

Center deployed a landmine clearance subject matter expert to assist 

in the FY2013 USEUCOM assessments and training efforts in 

Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by $6,729 of OHDACA funds.

Bulgaria 

Though mine-free since 1999, Bulgaria continues to face risks 

from stockpiles of aging conventional arms and munitions remaining 

from the Cold War era. For example, in 2008, an ammunition depot 

in Chelopechene, Bulgaria, exploded, destroying the depot and 

scattering unexploded ordnance into the surrounding area. Nearby 

homes were damaged and the international airport and a major 

highway in the capital of Sofia had to temporarily close, resulting in 

significant economic disruptions.

Since FY1993, the United States has provided more than $10.4 

million for conventional weapons destruction programs in Bulgaria. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided over $2.2 million to the NATO Support 

A sign warns that a Serb Orthodox cemetery near Konjic, Bosnia and 

Herzegovina, is likely mined. Signs are posted around the entire cemetery, 

though local Orthodox believers still venture into parts of the cemetery for 

funerals and other religious commemorations.

Photo courtesy of Steve Gillen, U.S. Embassy Sarajevo.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 37

Agency (NSPA) to support stockpile reduction and physical security 

and stockpile management (PSSM) in Bulgaria. NSPA helped 

Bulgaria as a NATO member reduce its cluster munitions stockpiles 

and better secure remaining conventional munitions at an armed 

forces depot. 

In October and November 2012, at the request of the Ministry of 

Defense of Bulgaria and coordinated by the U.S. Office of Defense 

Cooperation (ODC), a Defense Threat Reduction Agency Small 

Arms Light Weapons team assessed four long-term ammunition 

storage sites in Bulgaria. During the assessment the team provided 

recommendations on practical and procedural PSSM improvements 

at the sites, as well as a formal report for the ODC concerning 

suitability and specific requirements to upgrade selected sites to meet 

international standards. The report will serve as a baseline to ensure 

efficient and effective assistance to Bulgaria in the future.

Croatia 

Despite extensive clearance efforts, Croatia is still affected by 

landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the 

Yugoslav conflicts (1992–1995), which left Croatia with the second 

highest level of contamination in the Balkans. Croatia also faces 

risks from stockpiles of excess and aging munitions from the Cold 

War era. In 2011, a brush fire ignited a munitions depot near the 

town of Knin, Croatia. The resulting explosion destroyed the depot, 

polluted the surrounding area with UXO, and forced the temporary 

evacuation of nearby villages.

Since FY1993, the United States has provided more than $35.6 

million for conventional weapons destruction programs, including 

humanitarian mine action, in Croatia.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) granted more than $1.8 million to support the work 

of ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) in Croatia and Operation 

Dolphin 2013, a program in which U.S. Navy-trained dolphins 

searched for underwater UXO off the coast of Dubrovnik.

Using PM/WRA funding and matching private funds from the 

American Chamber of Commerce, ITF cleared landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in high-priority areas. ITF also destroyed excess and outdated munitions, including mortars, projectiles, rockets, and fuzes in Croatia.

During Operation Dolphin 2013, U.S. European Command 

deployed military divers, explosive ordnance disposal, underwater 

construction, and U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program personnel 

with six specially trained dolphins to Croatia to conduct a regional 

underwater ERW exercise with emphasis on underwater technical 

survey of UXO-contaminated areas. The regional exercise also 

included the countries of Montenegro and Slovenia and was 

supported by PM/WRA and funding from the U.S. Department 

of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid 

(OHDACA) appropriation. This event utilized a new system of tools: 

the Humanitarian Underwater Explosive Detection System, which 

includes a Side Scan Sonar, magnetometer, Common Operator 

Interface Navy, and SeeByte computer system and database. In 

addition to PM/WRA support, OHDACA funded travel-related 

costs and supplies, equipment, and services costs for Croatia that 

totaled more than $700,000. In support of this operation, the 

Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Training Center 

deployed an underwater UXO disposal operations technical adviser, 

covered by an additional $10,810 of OHDACA travel funding. 

In November 2012, at the request of the Regional Arms Control 

Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre, the Defense 

Threat Reduction Agency Small Arms Light Weapons Program led a 

multinational team to Zagreb, Croatia, to conduct a regional physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) technical seminar. 

The regional seminar oriented 18 participants from six Southeast 

European countries to international best practices for PSSM.

Georgia 

Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate 

the area near the administrative boundary lines (ABL) in the South 

Ossetia and Abkhazia regions due to the Georgian Civil War and a 

series of inter-ethnic and intra-national conflicts from 1988 to 1993. 

Contamination also occurred around former Soviet military bases 

in Georgia. Additionally, in 2008, after a week of fighting between 

Georgian and Russian forces in South Ossetia, 20 square kilometers 

(7.8 square miles) of land between the cities of Gori and Tskhinvali 

were contaminated by cluster munitions. From October 2009 to 

January 2010, Norwegian People’s Aid conducted a general mine 

A bottlenose dolphin trains in Croatia with the U.S. Navy Marine 

Mammal Program.

Photo courtesy of Bob Olds/U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program.
38 EUROPE

action assessment that identified eight suspected hazardous areas and 

seven confirmed hazardous areas in 13 districts. Georgia also faces 

threats from stockpiles of old and deteriorating munitions remaining 

from the Soviet era.

Since 1998, the United States invested more than $31.3 million 

in conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs in Georgia 

aimed at training, clearance, and safe disposal of landmines and 

ERW, and destruction of excess and aging conventional weapons and 

munitions. In November 2011, as a result of efforts supported by the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA), The HALO 

Trust (HALO) declared all 336 known minefields in the Abkhazia 

region to be mine impact-free. 

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided more than $1.5 million to 

Georgia for CWD programs that cleared landmines and unexploded 

ordnance (UXO) and provided mine risk education and victim 

assistance as follows: 

•	 HALO cleared mines and UXO in unoccupied Georgian 

territory. HALO began battle area clearance along previously 

inaccessible sections of the ABL with South Ossetia, including 

irrigation canals that provide water to small farms on both sides 

of the conflict lines. Additionally, the grant supported clearance 

of UXO from Soviet-era training areas in the Udabno former 

Soviet firing range in the Khaheti region. Explosive ordnance 

disposal (EOD) teams based in Sukhumi and Gali operate across 

the Abkhazia region to dispose of explosive materials turned over 

by individuals as well as surplus Soviet military ammunition. 

HALO deployed two EOD teams to conduct surveys, EOD, and 

mine clearance operations, including clearance of five previously 

unknown small minefields in Abkhazia. 

•	 NATO Support Agency was responsible for overseeing clearance 

of surface and subsurface hazards at the Skra military ammunition 

depot that the Russian military partially destroyed in the August 

2008 conflict. Funding also supported specialized EOD training 

for 66 personnel from the Georgian Army Engineer Brigade. 

Preparations for active clearance were initiated at the end of 

2013, leading to operational clearance later in 2014 when better 

weather conditions allow full clearance to begin.

Kosovo 

Conflicts between the Kosovo Liberation Army and the army 

of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in the 1990s left 

Kosovo with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

contamination. ERW contamination also remains from NATO 

airstrikes, which led to the withdrawal of FRY forces and ended the 

conflict. Additionally, Kosovo has residual unexploded ordnance 

contamination from World War II. As a result of extensive clearance 

efforts and international support, Kosovo has reached full operational 

capacity to clear remaining mines and ERW on its own. 

Since the conflict’s end in 1999, the United States has invested 

more than $29.2 million for humanitarian mine action in Kosovo. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

Sign erected near a renovated ammunition demilitarization facility on Lithuania’s largest ammunition depot. The Slovenian organization, ITF Enhancing 

Human Security, operating with a PM/WRA grant, helped Lithuania to improve its national capacity for reducing aging and excess ammunition. 

Photo courtesy of John Stevens, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 39

(PM/WRA) granted $100,000 to ITF 

Enhancing Human Security (ITF) to help build 

the capacity of the Kosovo Security Force’s 

Mine Action Center. ITF provided a consultant 

to analyze the center’s equipment maintenance 

practices, clearance methodologies, and standard operating procedures. This project marks 

the completion of U.S. bilateral conventional 

weapons destruction assistance to Kosovo. 

Lithuania 

Though there are no known remaining 

mined areas, Lithuania remains affected by scattered unexploded ordnance from combat during 

World War II. In addition, the Lithuanian armed 

forces stockpiles arms and conventional munitions in excess of their national security needs. 

In FY2010, the Office of Weapons Removal 

and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s 

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) 

granted $500,000 to the Slovenian-based ITF 

Enhancing Human Security (ITF) to support 

the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense’s 

destruction of excess conventional weapons and 

munitions. Lithuania completed the destruction phase of the project in 2011 with the collaboration of the Czech Ministry of Defense. 

While no additional funding was provided in 

FY2013, ITF oversaw the completion of the 

warehouse upgrade component of the project in 

December 2013. 

PM/WRA donated three Ford Ranger extended cab, 

4x4 pick-up trucks to Kosovo’s Mine Action Center. 

Photo courtesy of John Stevens, PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.

First established in October 1998, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency 

(DTRA) is a combat-support agency for the United States Department of Defense 

(DoD). DTRA aims to reduce the global threat of weapons of mass destruction 

(WMD), including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield 

explosives. Each of DTRA’s several offices and departments has its own specific 

objectives and responsibilities, working together to mitigate the effects of WMD 

by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat.

Through 2014, DTRA also worked to improve the physical security and 

stockpile management (PSSM) of arms, ammunition, and explosives (AA&E) 

throughout the world. The DTRA Small Arms Light Weapons (SA/LW) Program 

aims to reduce proliferation by assisting foreign governments with improving the 

security, safety, and management of state-controlled stockpiles of man-portable 

air defense systems (MANPADS), other SA/LW, and conventional ammunition. 

Since 2001, the SA/LW Program has provided assistance to more than 75 countries.

Recently, DTRA has partnered with the DoD Humanitarian Mine Action 

(HMA) Program to conduct stockpile management training. Along with the U.S. 

DoD Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), the HMA Program provides 

significant training and readiness-enhancing benefits to partner countries, 

while helping to alleviate the problems posed by excess and poorly managed 

ammunition, explosive remnants of war, and abandoned ordnance. DTRA 

personnel supported HMA mobile training teams by providing instruction on 

ammunition stockpile management and basic ammunition identification. In 

FY2013, DTRA and the HMA Program partnered on 14 training missions in seven 

countries. 

In 2014, DTRA’s SA/LW Program conducted its final mission. The HMA 

Program, in cooperation with the U.S. DoD GCCs, will continue to provide 

stockpile management assistance to foreign partners, while the Office of Weapons 

Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of PoliticalMilitary Affairs (PM/WRA) will continue to fund AA&E stockpile reduction 

projects and infrastructure enhancements to storage facilities. 

Poorly secured stockpiles of AA&E are a threat to people around the world. 

Enhancing the security and safety of these stockpiles helps to diminish the 

availability of AA&E to terrorists and insurgents, reduce regional exposure 

to destabilizing cross-border weapons transfers, and minimize the risk of 

catastrophic ammunition accidents. DTRA has valued the opportunity to 

improve the security and safety of stockpiles globally, and it thanks the U.S. 

interagency and its foreign partners who have been instrumental in providing 

support. With this help, the SA/LW Program has helped DTRA achieve its goal of 

“Making the World Safer.”

Point of Contact:

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

DTRA Public Affairs

8725 John J. Kingman Road

Stop 6201

Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-6201

USA

telephone: +1 800 701 5096

email: dtra.publicaffairs@dtra.mil

website: http://dtra.mil

U.S. Defense Threat 

Reduction Agency
40 EUROPE

Serbia 

In Serbia, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

remain from the conflicts that resulted in the breakup of the 

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and from NATO 

airstrikes that ended ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999. Though 

the country is not yet impact-free, clearance efforts have reduced 

contamination, and Serbia has nearly full national capacity to 

address remaining threats.

From FY1993 to FY2006, the United States provided more 

than $5.6 million for conventional weapons destruction (CWD) 

programs, including humanitarian mine action, in Serbia and 

Montenegro, which divided into two countries in 2006. Since 

FY2007, the United States has invested more than $15.7 million in 

CWD efforts in Serbia.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $2 million for CWD efforts in Serbia:

•	 ITF Enhancing Human Security cleared high-priority areas 

contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), 

including areas that contain ERW of NATO origin.

•	 NATO Support Agency destroyed excess stockpiles of outdated 

and at-risk conventional munitions at the Tehnički Remontni 

Zavod Kragujevac (TRZ Kragujevac) facility. The United 

Kingdom led this project.

•	 South East Europe Clearinghouse for Small Arms and Conventional Munitions participated in a conventional ammunition 

stockpile management project led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Ukraine 

During the Soviet era, Ukraine was a center for arms production 

and strategic reserves of conventional munitions. As Soviet forces 

withdrew from eastern Europe in the early 1990s, they abandoned 

more munitions on Ukraine’s territory. Consequently, the country 

now has massive stockpiles of excess and aging conventional arms 

and ammunition. The NATO Support Agency (NSPA) estimated 

in 2005 that Ukraine held as many as 7 million small arms and 

light weapons (SA/LW) and stored as much as 2 million tons of 

conventional ammunition in over 80 depots designed to contain 

far less than that. 

Despite a significant reduction in Ukraine’s SA/LW and 

ammunition stockpiles through U.S. and internationally funded 

destruction efforts, remaining munitions depots include large 

numbers of unserviceable and hazardous items. The large quantities 

of munitions represent a security threat to both Ukraine, which 

suffered 10 unplanned explosions at munitions sites between 

January 1998 and October 2011, and the surrounding region. 

Many munitions are stored outdoors, further aggravating the 

safety threat to local populations and to vital infrastructure. 

Additionally, Ukraine maintains capacity to manufacture manportable air defense systems (MANPADS), and its sizable stocks 

of MANPADS could pose serious danger to global aviation if they 

fall into the wrong hands. 

The United States is lead nation in an ongoing NATO 

Partnership for Peace Trust Fund munitions reduction program 

that is implemented by NSPA. Following Ukraine’s January 2002 

request to NATO for help in demilitarizing its surplus conventional ammunition and SA/LW, a stockpile reduction project 

commenced in January 2006. Total donor contributions during 

both phases are more than $22.9 million. Of this amount, U.S. 

contributions total more than $17.2 million. As of February 

2014, international financial support from the United States, 

the European Commission, Ukraine, and 17 other countries 

has enabled the destruction of 1,000 MANPADS, 529,074 SA/

LW, 332,352 anti-personnel landmines, and 25,200 metric tons 

(27,778 U.S. tons) of conventional ammunition. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $2 million for conventional ammunition 

destruction as part of the NATO Trust Fund project. 

Other USG Support

In addition to its work in other European countries in 

FY2013, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) provided conventional weapons destruction support to Cyprus, Estonia, and 

Moldova in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s 

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and Humanitarian 

Demining Training Center.

The efforts were as follows:

•	 Cyprus: In FY2013, USEUCOM deployed personnel from the 

A worker tags small arms and light weapons for demilitarization at the 

Kamyanets-Podilsky factory in Ukraine.

Photo courtesy of NATO Support Agency.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 41

U.S. Army in Europe and the DTRA Small 

Arms Light Weapons Program to conduct 

courses on advanced destruction methods 

and an executive stockpile management 

seminar for the Cypriot National Guard 

on ordnance destruction and storage procedures. Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, 

and Civic Aid (OHDACA) appropriation 

funded travel-related expenses and supplies, 

equipment, and services (SES) costs totaling 

$76,000.

•	 Estonia: USEUCOM deployed personnel 

from the State Partnership Program (SPP) of 

the Maryland National Guard to Estonia to 

conduct explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

disposal training for the Estonian Rescue 

Board. The training covered emergency 

medical response, public affairs, and mine 

risk education. The emergency medical response training consisted of a one-week 

course on basic emergency medical techniques. OHDACA funded travel-related 

expenses and SES costs totaling $195,000.

•	 Moldova: USEUCOM deployed personnel 

from the Strategic Partnership Program of 

the North Carolina National Guard to conduct emergency medical procedures and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training. 

These sessions covered initial training standards and annual training requirements. 

They also stressed the importance of having standard operating procedures to build 

modern indigenous training programs in 

these vital areas. The courses covered demining (survey, marking, mapping, landmine 

and unexploded ordnance disposal training, and quality assurance and control) and 

first-responder medical training with emphasis on blast trauma injuries. The courses 

also included program assessment visits 

to monitor and improve all aspects of the 

ERW disposal program. OHDACA funded 

travel-related expenses and SES costs totaling $154,000. 

•	 Montenegro: As part of Operation Dolphin 

2013, OHDACA funded travel-related expenses and SES costs totaling $294,000.

•	 Slovenia: As part of Operation Dolphin 

2013, OHDACA funded travel-related expenses and SES costs totaling $270,000.

The Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction (RASR) is a long-term 

coordinated effort to address the threats that excess, dangerously-stored, 

poorly-secured, unstable, or otherwise hazardous stockpiles of conventional 

weapons and munitions pose in Southeast Europe. RASR works to prevent 

disastrous explosions and destabilizing illicit diversion of these stockpiles with 

the ultimate goal of contributing to regional security. 

RASR engages the expertise of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 

in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA), 

the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and U.S. European Command, 

along with the Slovenia-based ITF Enhancing Human Security, the NATO 

Support Agency, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, 

RACVIAC Center for Security Cooperation, South Eastern and Eastern Europe 

Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Small Arms 

Survey, and the Swiss Implementation and Verification Unit of the Swiss Army.

RASR held its inaugural workshop in Zagreb, Croatia, in May 2009. In 

attendance were Southeastern European government officials who have authority 

over the management of their countries’ stockpiles, along with officials from 

relevant donor government agencies and various experts on arms and munitions 

issues. As a result of this workshop, RASR identified five priority issues related to 

stockpile reduction:

1. National and regional policy

2. Infrastructure

3. Training, education, and capacity building

4. Sharing of best practices and other information 

5. Standardization of munitions classifications, surveillance systems, and 

points of contact 

Six more RASR workshops occurred between 2009 and 2014; the most recent 

workshop was held in Sofia, Bulgaria in May 2014. Some of the workshops have 

included field visits to military logistical facilities and a demilitarization factory. 

The 2013 workshop was the first to include participants at the Deputy Minister of 

Defense level. Representatives from the United States and European states who 

participate in these RASR workshops have the opportunity to network and build 

professional relationships, share practices and lessons learned, encourage regional stockpile reduction efforts that leverage economies of scale, obtain information 

on technical and financial assistance, and contribute to regional stability. 

Point of Contact:

Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction

email: info@rasrinitiative.org

website: http://rasrinitiative.org

The Regional Approach 

to Stockpile Reduction
42 LATIN AMERICA

Colombia

Honduras

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction 

Funding in Latin America 

from all USG Agencies, FY1993–2013:

more than $81 million

Colombia 36.64%

Ecuador 10.76%

El Salvador 7.54%

Guatemala 0.31%

Honduras 1.00%

Nicaragua 5.22%

Paraguay 0.24%

Peru 29.10%

Suriname 0.48%

Uruguay 0.24% Argentina 0.71%

Belize 0.37%

Chile 3.74%

Dominican Republic 0.61%

Haiti 3.05%

Ecuador

LATIN AMERICA

Suriname

Peru

Chile

El Salvador

Argentina Uruguay

Paraguay

Belize

nicaragua

Guatemala

Haiti

Dominican Republic

Costa Rica

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend
43

umerous civil wars and conflicts with internal armed groups plagued Latin American 

countries over the last half-century. The presence of transnational criminal organizations 

in Latin America and their ability to exploit weak democratic institutions presents 

challenges to the implementation of conventional weapons destruction programs. 

The proliferation of SA/LW greatly contributes to the region’s security challenges, which includes 11 

countries with homicide rates considered to be at an “epidemic level” by the World Health Organization. 

In contrast, Colombia’s peace negotiation with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is 

an example of how Latin America continues to work toward confronting violence and illicit trafficking. 

Colombia became the first Latin American nation to open a hospital specifically for landmine victims in 

2013. Additionally, humanitarian demining efforts are key to land restitution in Colombia. 

Since 1993, U.S. conventional weapons destruction efforts have provided more than $81 million in 

regional support to Latin American countries, largely focusing on mine clearance and curbing small arms 

and light weapons (SA/LW) trafficking. 

Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Other USG Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 43
44 LATIN AMERICA

Colombia 

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) affect all but 

one of Colombia’s 32 provinces. The Programa Presidencial para 

la Acción Integral Contra Minas Antipersonal (Presidential Program 

for Comprehensive Mine Action or PAICMA) received reports in 

2012 of 3,328 incidents resulting from mines, improvised explosive 

devices (IEDs), and UXO in mined or suspected hazardous areas 

(SHA) or from military demining operations in 27 of 32 provinces. 

The Victims and Land Restitution Law is the keystone of Colombia’s 

unprecedented initiative to return 6.6 million hectares (16.3 million 

acres) of land to more than 360,000 families over a 10-year period. 

The Colombian government aims to gradually increase operational 

and equipment capacity using military and nongovernmental organizations. By the end of 2013, Organization of American States 

(OAS), U.S. Department of Defense personnel, and Colombian 

forces trained a total of nine military humanitarian demining platoons, and a tenth platoon was trained in 2014. 

Since 2001, the United States invested over $30 million for conventional weapons destruction programs in Colombia. This contribution supports humanitarian demining, rural victim assistance programs, and mine risk education (MRE). 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $4.1 million for these programs:

•	 Centro Integral de Rehabilitación de Colombia (Integral 

Rehabilitation Center of Colombia or CIREC) continued 

providing integrated rehabilitation services, medical services, 

psychosocial support, educational opportunities, and direct 

financial assistance to civilians affected by armed conflict. 

•	 Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (Colombia Campaign to 

Ban Landmines) continued its MRE project in 10 Colombian 

provinces. The project seeks to strengthen local capacity for mine 

action through awareness-raising and empowerment training.

•	 The HALO Trust initiated development of civilian humanitarian 

demining programs and began clearance in September 2013 in 

the department of Antioquia.

•	 OAS continued support for six of the 10 existing military humanitarian demining units.

•	 The Polus Center for Social and Economic Development 

continued supporting victim assistance in the Caldas and Nariño 

provinces in partnership with the coffee industry. 

Additionally, U.S. Southern Command, with the support of the 

U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Training 

Center, conducted one operational planning workshop with 

Colombian Ministry of Defense, Joint Staff and Army humanitarian mine action policy makers and subject matter experts in Bogotá, 

Colombia, from 11 to 14 June 2013. The result was the development 

of an Armed Forces of Colombia Supporting Plan to the Colombian 

National Demining Plan in support of the country’s commitment to 

the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production 

and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.

Also in FY2013, the Leahy War Victims Fund of the U.S. Agency 

for International Development provided $1.9 million to support capacity building for three physical rehabilitation units and to upgrade 

prosthetic and orthotic labs to comply with regulations associated 

with the new Victims and Land Restitution Law. 

Ecuador 

In 1995, a brief conflict between Peru and Ecuador left both 

sides of the border heavily mined, especially in the Ecuadorian provinces of El Oro, Loja, Morona-Santiago, and Zamora-Chinchipe. As 

a guarantor of the peace, the United States committed to providing assistance to both countries. Cooperation between the United 

States and Ecuador in conventional weapons destruction (CWD) 

has also led to the destruction of excess man-portable air defense 

systems (MANPADS), small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), 

and other munitions.

Since 2000, the United States has invested more than $8.8 million 

in conventional weapons destruction programs in Ecuador for training, clearance, and safe disposal of landmines and explosive remnants 

of war.

A HALO deminer removes vegetation before searching for mines at Finca El 

Paraiso, La Española, Nariño, Colombia.

Photo courtesy of HALO, Grant Salisbury.

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) conducts an assessment visit at a 

Honduran storage facility.

Photo courtesy of DTRA.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 45

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided $200,000 to Organization of American States 

to train approximately 10 Ecuadorian national personnel in explosive 

ordnance disposal (EOD) to a Level III EOD capacity at the Spanish 

Engineer School near Madrid, Spain.

Honduras 

The illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) 

in Honduras and neighboring countries, largely related to the transnational drug trade, poses a grave threat to national and regional 

security. This factor contributes to El Salvador, Guatemala, and 

Honduras having murder rates among the highest in the world. 

Since 2006, the United States has provided $816,000 in funding for conventional weapons destruction programs in Honduras. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) allocated $500,000 to support physical security and 

stockpile management (PSSM) and SA/LW and munitions destruction programs in Honduras, which continue into FY2014. The funding, provided to MAG (Mines Advisory Group), supported security 

upgrades at storage sites and enabled the Honduran Armed Forces 

to destroy excess weapons and ammunition and conduct destruction 

and stockpile management training 

In May 2013, at the request of the Honduran military and police 

forces, the SA/LW Program of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction 

Agency (DTRA) conducted an assessment visit in Honduras. The 

team assessed the PSSM practices and procedures at storage sites 

used by the national police, Ministerio Público (Public Ministry), 

and military. The DTRA team provided recommendations on the 

safe storage of arms, ammunition, and explosives and outlined security priorities for implementation. The visit helped Honduras reduce 

proliferation and improved the security, safety, and management of 

its SA/LW stockpiles. 

Other USG Support

In addition to other U.S. efforts in Latin America, the U.S. 

Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research and 

Development (HD R&D) Program and Defense Threat Reduction 

Agency (DTRA) supported conventional weapons destruction 

in Chile and Suriname in FY2013. The Leahy War Victims Fund 

(LWVF) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) 

also continued previously funded assistance in El Salvador and Peru.

In Chile, in cooperation with the Chilean National Demining 

Commission, the HD R&D Program continued an operational 

field evaluation of one Multi-Tooled Excavator and five Air Spade® 

demining digging tools in FY2013. No new investment was made 

in FY2013, however, these technologies are valued at $450,000 and 

the equipment augments Chilean mine clearance activities. The Air 

Spades have demonstrated exceptional capabilities for clearing antitank (AT) mines in concrete-like soils, clearing 2,682 AT mines to 

date. The excavator has cleared 825 AT and anti-personnel (AP) 

mines from 33,000 cubic meters (43,162 cubic yards) of sediment in 

challenging riverbeds. The current objective is a dry creek bed located 

next to a busy highway, containing the deep, jumbled washout of a 

mixed low-metal AT and AP minefield. 

In July 2013, at the request of the U.S. Office of Security Cooperation and Suriname’s Ministry of Defense, the DTRA Small Arms 

Light Weapons Program conducted a physical security and stockpile 

management (PSSM) seminar in Paramaribo, Suriname. The seminar 

oriented 28 low- to mid-level military, law enforcement, and security 

personnel with direct stockpile management responsibilities to international PSSM best practices. The objective was to reduce proliferation by assisting Suriname with improving the security, safety, and 

management of their arms, ammunition, and explosives stockpiles.

Also in FY2013, the LWVF of USAID provided $300,000 to El 

Salvador to support physical rehabilitation in partnership with the 

Salvadoran Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons and 

the Fondo de Protección de Lisiados y Discapacitados a Consecuencia del 

Conflicto Armado (Protection Fund for the Disabled and Injured as a 

Result of the Armed Conflict). Additionally, the LWVF granted $1 

million to Peru for physical rehabilitation programs (physical therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, and mobility aids). 

The Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program conducted an 

operational field evaluation of one Multi-Tooled Excavator in Chile.

Photo courtesy of HD R&D.
46 MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA

Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Jordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Libya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Yemen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Palestinian Territories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

**Middle East Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 1 

n the Middle East and North Africa, citizen movements have toppled multiple regimes 

since the beginning of the 2011 Arab Spring. Other countries in the region continue to 

struggle with internal security issues and regional instability. Ongoing violence in countries 

like Libya and Syria is linked to the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) 

throughout the Middle East and North Africa. 

Additionally, explosive remnants of war (ERW) from past and ongoing conflicts plague the lives of 

many of the regions’ inhabitants. Since the March 2011 uprising began, Syria has witnessed a growing 

number of deaths and injuries caused by ERW and landmines. The humanitarian impact of the civil war 

in Syria has not been restricted to the country’s borders. According to recent figures from the United 

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 2.6 million Syrians have fled to neighboring 

countries—Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. 

Assistance to weapons destruction programs will remain critical to regional stability and prosperity. 

This assistance has led to successful outcomes in recent years: In April 2012, with support from the 

United States and the international community, Jordan became the first country in the Middle East to 

declare itself free from the impact of known minefields. Since 1993, the United States has provided 

more than $390 million in conventional weapons destruction funding, an essential component to building 

stable societies, to the Middle East and North Africa.

46 MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA
47

Libya

*Jordan

Palestinian 

Territories

Lebanon

Iraq

Yemen

Total U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction 

Funding in the Middle East and North Africa from all 

USG Agencies, FY1993–2013: 

more than $390 million

TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 47

*Tunisia

Egypt

Oman

Bahrain

Iraq 66.49%

Egypt 0.184%

Bahrain 0.003%

Yemen 5.701%

Jordan 6.88%

Lebanon 13.38%

Libya 5.797%

Oman 1.114%

Palestinian Territories 0.383%

Tunisia 0.056%

** Regional funding is not included in the pie chart. 

It is included in Global/Multi-Country funding 

(see funding chart on page 63).

Mine impact-free with past USG support

Received U.S.Government (USG) support in FY2013

Received USG support in the past

None of the above

Mine impact-free & received USG support in FY2013

Map Legend

*Jordan and Tunisia have declared themselves 

“free from the impact of known minefields.”
48 MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA

Iraq 

Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) present 

daily hazards to the Iraqi civilian population. Two Landmine 

Impact Surveys from 2006 and 2011 reported that an estimated 

1,513,000,000 square meters (584 square miles) of land in Iraq 

contain as many as 20 million landmines and millions more pieces of 

unexploded ordnance (UXO). As many as 1,430 Iraqi cities, towns 

and villages remain at risk from explosive hazards. Agricultural 

land is particularly affected by landmines and UXO, which makes 

clearance an economic necessity for communities intent on regaining 

their livelihoods. Large stocks of abandoned ordnance and unstable, 

poorly secured munitions stockpiles also threaten Iraq’s population 

by providing a supply of explosive materials for improvised explosive 

devices (IEDs).

Since FY2003, the United States has invested more than $258.9 

million in Iraq for the clearance and disposal of landmines, UXO, 

and excess conventional weapons and munitions. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in 

the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs 

(PM/WRA) provided more than $23.7 million in support of Iraq for 

programs that cleared landmines and UXO and provided mine risk 

education (MRE) and victim assistance as follows:

•	 Information Management and Mine Action Programs (iMMAP)

delivered six workshops and 13 training courses and trained 

128 students in information management, data collection, 

and mapping. In addition, iMMAP trained 50 rehabilitation 

technicians to treat thousands of landmine, UXO, and IED 

survivors. 

•	 Iraq Mine/UXO Clearance Organization (IMCO) engaged four 

technical advisers and provided landmine and UXO clearance 

remediation in central and southern Iraq. Since May 2012, IMCO 

returned more than 3.3 million square meters (815 acres) of land 

to communities through quality control checks and clearance 

methodologies. In addition, IMCO conducted technical and 

nontechnical surveys of over 1.8 million square meters (445 acres) 

of land, and located and handed over almost 2,000 landmines and 

pieces of UXO to the Iraq Ministry of Defense for destruction. 

•	 Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at James 

Madison University, working with relevant partners, received 

a grant to implement arts-based MRE and train-the-trainer 

programs for Syrian refugees who have migrated to northern Iraq 

during the recent conflict. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) cleared minefields and performed 

battle area clearance. MAG returned more than two million square 

meters (494 acres) of land to local communities for agriculture 

and economic development in northern and central Iraq. 

•	 Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) provided four new, fully-trained 

and certified mine detection dogs to IMCO for in-country 

clearance teams. MLI also linked three American schools to 

three Iraqi schools through Children Against Mines Programs to 

promote MRE in the schools and provide medical assistance to 

young survivors in Basra and the surrounding area. 

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid assisted the Regional Mine Action 

Center-South (RMAC-S) in fulfilling its role as a regulatory body 

able to coordinate and monitor mine action activities by providing 

technical advisers to RMAC-S. The project enabled RMAC-S to 

implement non-technical surveys designed to provide a more 

accurate picture of the mine and ERW situation in southern Iraq. 

•	 Spirit of Soccer started innovative projects using soccer as a 

means to promote education and outreach to children about risks 

from landmines and UXO. 

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program 

provided $160,000 in funds and new technology to support mine 

action assistance in Iraq. Iraq continued operations in FY2013 with 

previously provided technology valued at $300,000. 

In FY2013, in partnership with MAG, HD R&D continued 

evaluations of several excavator sifting attachments, a stand-alone 

orbital sifter, and a commercial front-loader attachment. These 

technologies were used to clear villages and agricultural areas that 

have been mine-affected for more than 20 years. To date, the 

equipment has sifted 147,000 cubic meters (192,267 cubic yards) 

of contaminated soil and uncovered or destroyed 2,000 mines and 

pieces of UXO. This equipment consistently locates mines where 

manual clearance or mine detection dogs are not feasible, and MAG 

would be unable to complete and hand over many of the sites 

without it. 

Jordan 

Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate 

Jordan from the 1948 partition of Palestine, the 1967–1969 ArabIsraeli conflict, the 1970 civil war, and the 1975 conflict with Syria. 

Military records indicate as many as 305,000 mines were laid in 60 

million square meters (more than 23 square miles) in Jordan. The 

country also faces a significant problem from buried or hidden 

caches of weapons, munitions, and other ordnance left from the 

Mine detection dog (MDD) Barrett and handler Abass take a break from 

training activities in Iraq. MDD Barrett is named after a fallen U.S. soldier 

and is sponsored by Robbie Goodman and the Glenelg Country School.

Photo courtesy of Damir Jamakovic.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 49

In FY2013, work continued on several projects funded in 

FY2012. Additionally, PM/WRA provided $1.2 million for support 

to Jordan for the following:

•	 Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at James 

Madison University received a grant to provide landmine and 

explosive risk education for displaced Syrians living in Jordanian 

communities. The program, which will be implemented in 2014, 

includes art projects and other expressive methods of educating 

the population about risks they may encounter upon return to 

communities in Syria. 

•	 National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation received 

funding to provide quality management support to verification 

and survey activities along the northern border and in the Jordan 

River Valley. This project was a continuation of a FY2012 project 

with no additional FY2013 funding.

•	 NATO Support Agency, in cooperation with the Jordanian Armed 

1970 conflict between the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Palestine 

Liberation Organization. 

In the late 1990s, Jordan began a serious effort to rid itself 

of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). With support 

from the United States and the international community, Jordan 

became the first country in the region to declare itself free from 

the impact of known minefields. The country also faces substantial 

challenges related to an influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian 

refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria. While official refugee camps are 

concentrated along the northern border, many refugees have taken 

up residence in cities and communities throughout Jordan. 

Since 1993, United States funding to Jordan has exceeded $26.8 

million. Projects receiving these funds have assisted in the clearance 

of landmines and UXO, provided explosive risk education and victim 

assistance, secured or destroyed surplus or obsolete munitions, and 

supported survey and verification of suspected hazardous areas. 

Syrian refugees in Irbid, Jordan, participate in the PM/WRA-funded Spirit of Soccer and mine risk education (MRE) clinic at a local school. Each child 

receives a poster and school notebook that features internationally recognized soccer stars reinforcing the MRE messages.

Photo courtesy of Spirit of Soccer.
50 MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA

Forces, continued a program in Jordan for the demilitarization 

and destruction of surplus, unserviceable, and obsolete manportable air defense systems (MANPADS) and other advanced 

conventional weapons. This project was a continuation of a 

FY2012 project with no additional FY2013 funding.

•	 Norwegian People’s Aid continued mine clearance in the 

northern border area and, following deterioration in security 

along the border, in the Jordan River Valley. This project 

was a continuation of a FY2012 project with no additional 

FY2013 funding.

•	 Spirit of Soccer continued mine and explosive risk education 

through soccer and sport activities for displaced Syrians in 

northern Jordan, anticipating the return of civilians to Syria. 

•	 The Polus Center for Social and Economic Development

provided prosthetics and rehabilitation services for landmine and 

ERW survivors at four centers in Jordan. 

Lebanon 

Various types of explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate 

Lebanon from the 1975–1991 civil war and the Israeli-Hezbollah 

conflict of 2006. Over 112 million square meters (43 square miles) of 

territory remained contaminated at the end of 2011 according to the 

Lebanese Mine Action Center. Since 1975, landmines and ERW have 

killed an estimated 900 people and injured thousands more. 

Since 1993, U.S. funding to Lebanon has exceeded $52.1 

million, including $10 million in emergency assistance provided 

in response to the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. The threat from 

ERW in southern Lebanon had a particularly large impact on the 

socioeconomic development of that region, and clearance remains a 

priority in communities and around vital infrastructure. The influx 

of refugees from Syria has impacted this development, drawing 

on important resources and swelling communities living near 

contaminated areas.

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 

in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military 

Affairs (PM/WRA) provided $2.5 million to Lebanon for programs that cleared landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) 

and provided risk education and victim assistance to at-risk populations as follows:

•	 DanChurchAid assisted with clearance activities in southern Lebanon. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) continued clearance activities in 

contaminated former battle areas. 

•	 Handicap International assisted with clearance priorities and 

provided risk education in communities in northern Lebanon. 

•	 Marshall Legacy Institute provided mine detection dogs (MDD) 

and MDD support to clearance activities as well as victim 

assistance to survivors. 

Also in FY2013, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian 

Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program provided $80,000 to support mine action assistance in Lebanon. Lebanon 

continued using previously provided technology valued at $540,000.

HD R&D continued multiple technology evaluations in 

Lebanon with MAG in FY2013. MAG is evaluating several soil 

excavation, sifting, and grinding attachments on its own armored 

excavators. In addition, the Terrapin small excavator is speeding 

manual clearance by cutting and removing thick vegetation 

and excavating rocky areas to expose ordnance. Together the 

technologies have cleared 108,000 square meters (26.7 acres) and 

found 1,577 mines and items of UXO. 

Libya 

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contaminate Libya 

from conflicts dating back to World War II. More recently, the 2011 

revolution resulted in the loss of control of stockpiles of Qadhafiera arms and munitions. Additionally, NATO bombing during 

Operation Unified Protector damaged numerous ammunition 

storage areas (ASA), scattering explosive remnants of war (ERW) in 

surrounding areas. The majority of ASAs are outside the control of the 

Libyan government, complicating efforts to compile comprehensive 

stockpile records. The survey and assessment of Libyan arms and 

ammunition remains a priority in identifying the full magnitude of 

weapons proliferation within the region. 

Since May 2011, the United States has coordinated with the 

Libyan government to conduct conventional weapons destruction 

(CWD) with a focus on man-portable air defense systems 

(MANPADS) as well as landmine and ERW removal. In 2011, the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s (DOS) Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) 

awarded $5.75 million to provide rapid assessment of the amount of 

ordnance in Libya during and after the revolution. In FY2012, the 

DOS Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation’s (ISN) 

Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF) assigned $17.8 

million for methodical inventory and destruction of MANPADS. 

However, Libya’s interim government was unable to determine who 

had authority over the numerous ASAs and therefore unable to 

provide access. 

In the first quarter of FY2013, PM/WRA closed $4 million 

in contracts funded by ISN/NDF with Sterling Global, which 

supported rapid assessments and the establishment and development 

of the Libyan Mine Action Center (LMAC). PM/WRA estimates 

that final funding for these contracts totaled nearly $10 million, of 

which $8.5 million ($6 million of donor funding from allied nations, 

$2.5 from ISN/NDF) was granted in FY2012 and $1.5 million from 

ISN/NDF in FY2013. 

In addition, PM/WRA granted more than $1.7 million from ISN/ 

NDF funding to support the work of the following organizations in 

Libya in FY2013:

•	 Fondation Suisse de Deminagé (Swiss Foundation for Mine 

Action or FSD) technical advisers and local teams surveyed, 

inventoried, and disposed of weapons and munitions at designated 

ASAs in Waddan and western Libya. 

•	 ITF Enhancing Human Security continued its efforts to build 

the capacity of LMAC through training of LMAC personnel 
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 51

in CWD, mine and UXO clearance, technical assistance, and 

management best practices. 

•	 MAG (Mines Advisory Group) technical advisers and local teams 

surveyed, inventoried, and disposed of weapons and munitions in 

ASAs in Garyan, Misratah, and Zintan. They also cleared ERW 

and provided stockpile management in the al-Jufrah region. 

Yemen 

Landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

contaminate Yemen as a result of various conflicts since 1962 

including a civil war in 1994 and the intermittent Huthi rebellion 

in the northern governorate of Sa’dah. The armed conflict between 

Islamic Ansar Al-Sharee’ah insurgents and government troops 

began in 2009 and erupted into high-intensity conflict during mid2011. This al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) affiliated 

organization left behind improvised explosive devices interspersed 

with older unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines when it 

withdrew from southern Yemen in 2012. ERW remain a threat to 

the local civilian population and Yemen’s stabilization efforts. The 

prevalence of extremist groups, proximity to the Horn of Africa, 

and fragile government structure complicated the country’s peacebuilding efforts. 

From FY1993 through FY2013, the United States invested 

more than $23.2 million in conventional weapons disposal (CWD) 

and humanitarian mine action in Yemen. As of December 2010, 

clearance was complete in all 14 Yemeni communities that were 

highly affected by landmines and ERW, except for three minefields 

subject to permanent marking. Clearance was also completed in 81 

of the 86 medium-affected communities. Additionally, 89,201 antipersonnel mines, 716 anti-tank mines, and 190,564 items of UXO 

were cleared from 783 square kilometers (302 square miles) of land. 

In FY2013, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement 

in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military 

Affairs (PM/WRA) provided $2 million to Yemen for the following programs:

•	 United Nations Development Programme built the capacity of 

the existing Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC) 

with equipment, training, and management support. Funds also 

provided medical care, mine/ERW clearance, mine risk education 

(MRE), and reintegration support and facilities for landmine/

UXO survivors. 

•	 Marshall Legacy Institute received funding for the Children 

Against Mines Program, the Mine Detection Dog Partnership 

Program, and victim assistance programs. These programs 

partnered with the Yemeni Association of Landmine Survivors and 

YEMAC to provide MRE, medical assistance, and rehabilitative 

care to landmine survivors. 

Palestinian Territories

Landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) 

contaminate the Palestinian Territories after decades of conflict that 

first began in 1948. The landmine and ERW threat has increased 

A deminer works next to cultivated land in the West Bank.

Photo courtesy of HALO.

steadily throughout the various conflicts and now includes some 90 

minefields identified in a 2012 survey of the West Bank, although the 

exact amount of contamination is unknown. The Jordanian military 

laid landmines from 1948 to 1967 and the Israeli military laid 

landmines following the 1967 war. Today, the Israel Defense Force 

conducts training exercises in parts of the West Bank and the local 

population often discovers new ERW contamination while farming 

or herding. 

Following a series of grants to The HALO Trust (HALO) from the 

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA), HALO 

initiated clearance efforts in April 2014. As clearance progresses, PM/

WRA anticipates supplementing resources to address this pressing 

humanitarian and security problem. 

Since 2011, the United States has provided more than $1.4 

million to various programs to advance peace and human security 

in the West Bank through efficient, neutral, and needs-focused risk 

education, outreach, and mine action.

In FY2013, PM/WRA granted more than $500,000 to programs 

that provided clearance and presented risk education and community 

outreach to at-risk populations as follows:

•	 HALO prepared for clearance activities and promoted risk 

education in affected communities.

Middle East Region

In FY2013, PM/WRA provided $55,000 to support the IraqSyria Planning Conference. The Geneva International Centre for 

Humanitarian Demining hosted the three-day workshop which 

convened implementing partners, international donors, local 

nongovernmental organizations, and Iraqi government officials to 

discuss conventional weapons destruction activities and planning in 

Iraq and Syria.
52 TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY

Working With 

Partners to Raise 

Public Awareness

USUN panelists in New York City. Left to right: Lindsay Aldrich (CISR), 

Zachary Brooks-Miller (HALO), Stanley Brown (PM/WRA), Elise Becker 

(MLI), and Kristin Dowley (PM/WRA).

Photo courtesy of PM/WRA, U.S. Dept. of State.

ccording to Under Secretary of State for Arms 

Control and International Security Rose 

Gottemoeller, the United States has “helped to 

dramatically reduce the world’s annual landmine 

casualty rate. In 1999 the casualty rate was over 9,000 annually 

and that number dropped to less than 4,000 in 2012.” This is an 

example of the significant value of public-private partnerships between the U.S. Government, private industry and nongovernmental organizations (NGO), Gottemoeller noted on April 2, 2014. 

Gottemoeller was one of several speakers at an event MAG (Mines 

Advisory Group) organized marking the International Day of Mine 

Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4) and celebrating 

MAG’s 25th anniversary. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont 

hosted the event in the Russell Senate Office Building, which included a photography exhibit of MAG’s work around the world. 

U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania hosted a reception following the exhibit kick off. 

This event was just one example of how the Office of Weapons 

Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau 

of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) works with implementing partners domestically to help raise awareness about the U.S. 

Government’s support for international humanitarian mine action 

and conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs. Other 

domestic events included a panel discussion at the United Nations 

Mission to the U.N. in New York and an exhibit at the USA Science 

and Engineering Festival.

PM/WRA Director Stanley Brown moderated the USUNhosted panel discussion on “Saving Lives and Securing the Future: 

NGO Perspectives on Mine Removal and Assistance,” held on April 

8, 2014. Panel participants included representatives from a few of 

PM/WRA’s NGO implementing partners working on U.S. CWD 

projects around the world:

•	 Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) 

at James Madison University Senior Project Manager Lindsay 

Aldrich spoke about CISR’s PM/WRA-funded publications and 

global information resources for the humanitarian mine action 

community, mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) risk 

education and survivor assistance for refugees, and regional 

senior management training courses in ERW and mine action.

•	 The HALO Trust (HALO) Program Manager Zachary BrooksMiller presented on HALO’s humanitarian demining work 

around the world, highlighting current PM/WRA-funded 

projects in Laos clearing ERW.

•	 Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) Vice President of Operations 

Elise Becker shared personal stories of MLI’s survivor assistance 

work, particularly the Children Against Mines Program 

(CHAMPS), which partners with donors such as PM/WRA and 

schools in the United States to raise awareness and funds for 

survivor assistance programs overseas.

At the USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 26 and 

27, 2014, PM/WRA joined with NGO partner Golden West 

Humanitarian Foundation to show how science and technology 

are an essential part of foreign policy. At the festival, an interactive 

exhibit demonstrated how Golden West uses advanced 3-D printing 

technology to create models of landmines and military ordnance 

for explosive ordnance disposal training. Golden West Design 

Lab Director Allen Tan came from Cambodia to showcase the 

project and answer visitors’ questions about the hands-on displays. 

The exhibit demonstrated a real world example of how advanced 

engineering helps safely clear ERW in post-conflict countries. 

Domestic events such as these raise awareness and provide 

insight to the American public about conventional weapons issues 

worldwide and highlight U.S. Government and implementing 

partners’ efforts to ensure that all may be able “to walk the Earth 

in safety.”
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 53

Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC), established in 1989, was the first humanitarian mine clearance organization in Afghanistan to be endorsed by the 

United Nations. ATC continues to reduce civilian casualties and enable land 

release through detection, clearance, and mine risk education activities. For 

more information http://atcafghanistan.org

Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (CCCM) was founded in 1997 as a 

nongovernmental organization in Bogotá, Colombia. CCCM’s mission is to 

reduce the social, economic, and cultural effects of weapons and explosive remnants of war through mine risk education, victim assistance, and humanitarian 

mine action capacity building. Since its inception, CCCM has assisted more 

than 20,000 people and operates in 22 of Colombia’s 32 provinces. For more 

information: http://www.colombiasinminas.org

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was created in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of 

the United States in response to the need for World War II survivor assistance 

in Europe. Since then, CRS has assisted more than 100 million people in more 

than 100 countries across five continents to carry out its mission to aid poor 

disadvantaged communities by promoting the sacredness of human life and 

the right to human dignity. For more information: http://crs.org 

Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) at James 

Madison University (JMU), established as the Mine Action Information Center 

in 1996, is a Center of Excellence at JMU, helping communities around the 

world affected by conflict and trauma through innovative and reliable research, training, information exchange, and direct services. CISR is located in 

Harrisonburg, Virginia. For more information: http://www.jmu.edu/cisr

Centro Integral de Rehabilitaciόn de Colombia (CIREC) is a nonprofit organization that provides physical and psychosocial rehabilitation services for 

persons with disabilities and victims of armed conflict in Colombia. CIREC 

also conducts research into orthopedic prostheses and orthoses, specializing in 

custom-made products for complex disabilities. For over 35 years, CIREC has 

assisted thousands of individuals in 50 Colombian municipalities. For more 

information: http://www.cirec.org or contactenos@cirec.org

Cleared Ground Demining (CGD), headquartered in London, U.K., is an independent nonprofit nongovernmental organization that works around the globe 

to reduce the threats posed to local communities by landmines and unexploded ordnance. For more information: http://www.clearedground.org 

DanChurchAid (DCA) is an independent ecumenical humanitarian organization based in Copenhagen, Denmark, that strives to provide humanitarian 

assistance and advocate for oppressed, neglected, and marginalized groups in 

poor countries, strengthening their possibilities for a life with dignity. DCA’s 

humanitarian mine action programs combine mine risk education, mine clearance, and strong community development activities. For more information: 

http://www.dca.dk 

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a nongovernmental organization based in 

Copenhagen, Denmark, operating under the auspices of the Danish Refugee 

Council. It assists individuals and populations hampered by landmines and 

other explosive remnants of war. In doing so, DDG also strives to procure 

supplies from local communities and train local staff in order to create national 

ownership opportunities as soon as possible. For more information: http://

www.danishdemininggroup.dk 

Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) is a Sri Lankan humanitarian demining organization founded in 2010. DASH’s goal is to increase the 

safety and security of people living in mine-affected areas through the removal 

and destruction of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. To support 

sustainable post-conflict recovery, DASH strives to employ internally displaced 

persons, especially women, widows, and female heads of house. For more information: http://slnmac.gov.lk/dash

The Demining Agency for Afghanistan (DAFA) is an Afghan humanitarian 

mine clearance organization formed in June 1990. DAFA’s mission is to clear 

all hazardous and mine-contaminated areas in Afghanistan by committing 

resources to humanitarian demining, demining for road reconstruction, local government rehabilitation plans, and the disarmament, demobilization, 

and reintegration campaign. For more information: sattar_dafa@yahoo.ca or 

dafafinance@yahoo.com 

Fondation Suisse de Déminage (Swiss Foundation for Mine Action or FSD), 

an international nongovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, 

has implemented mine clearance projects in 18 countries since its inception in 

1997. FSD’s focus is on locating and destroying landmines and unexploded 

ordnance on the ground and underwater, but it also engages in projects related 

to the reduction of physical and chemical pollution and the collection and destruction of arms and ammunition. For more information: http://www.fsd.ch

Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit charitable 

organization. It conducts surveys and assessments and develops mine risk education materials and landmine and unexploded ordnance disposal technologies. For more information: http://www.goldenwesthf.org

Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is an international organization that works to reduce the harmful effects of explosive 

remnants of war and small arms and light weapons. GICHD aims to enhance 

the efficiency and effectiveness of the mine action sector through research, international standards development, and information management. Established 

in Switzerland in 1998, GICHD works with 20 partner nations and organizations on projects such as International Mine Action Standards development 

and national mine action program evaluations. For more information: http://

www.gichd.org

The HALO Trust, an American and British nonprofit charity, specializes in the 

removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance from post-conflict zones. Since 

pioneering the concept of humanitarian landmine clearance in Afghanistan in 

1988, it has destroyed more than 1.4 million landmines and 206,000 cluster 

munitions in 14 countries. For more information: http://www.halousa.org

Handicap International (HI) is an independent and impartial international aid 

organization working in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. 

HI currently implements mine action programs in 17 countries—working to 

clear landmines and other unexploded ordnance from civilian areas, providing 

risk education programs aimed at civilians living or traveling through affected 

regions, and providing assistance to those who have been injured. For more 

information: http://www.handicap-international.us 

Health Leadership International (HLI) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization 

that provides sustainable healthcare education and training to the people of 

FY 2013 

Grantees

Syrian refugees in Iraq learn mine risk education from Spirit of Soccer, a 

PM/WRA sponsored organization.

Photo courtesy of Spirit of Soccer.
54 GRANTEES

support solutions for its stakeholders. At the Lisbon Summit in November 

2010, NATO heads of state and government agreed to reform the 14 existing 

NATO agencies, concurring to streamline them into three major programmatic themes: procurement, support, and communications and information. 

As part of the reform process, NSPA was established on July 1, 2012 as a 

result of the merger of the former in-service support agencies: the NATO 

Maintenance Supply Agency, the NATO Airlift Management Agency, and the 

Central Europe Pipeline Management Agency. For more information: http://

www.nspa.nato.int 

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), founded in 1939 on the principles of solidarity, dignity, peace, and freedom, is one of Norway’s biggest nongovernmental organizations. NPA works in the field of mine action in 18 mine- and 

unexploded ordnance-affected countries, performing clearance operations, 

engaging in political advocacy, and developing and implementing treaties 

against landmines and cluster munitions. For more information: http://

www.npaid.org 

The Organization of American States (OAS) was established in 1948 with the 

goal of encouraging sustainable peace, justice, solidarity, collaboration, integrity, 

and independence among the nations of the Americas. OAS achieves this goal 

through activities revolving around democracy, human rights, security, and development. For more information: http://www.oas.org 

The Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) 

was established in 1990 to teach Afghan refugees and internally displaced 

Afghans about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance left behind by the Soviet and Afghan Communist Armies and by Afghan insurgents. In 1993, OMAR started a demining program, hiring and training 

more than 1,500 deminers in manual and mechanical demining, battle area 

clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and how to work with mine detection dogs. They have also developed demining emergency response teams. 

OMAR has cleared more than 1.8 million square meters (445 acres) of mine 

contaminated area and about 3.5 million square meters (1.4 square miles) of 

battle area formerly contaminated by unexploded ordnance. They have destroyed 2,237 anti-personnel mines, nine anti-tank mines, and 47,894 items 

of unexploded ordnance. For more information: http://www.omar.org.af 

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the 

world’s largest regional security organization with 57 member states from 

Europe, Central Asia, and North America. It offers a forum for political 

negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict 

prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts 

the political will of its participating states into practice through its unique 

network of field missions. OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security 

that encompasses politico-military, economic, environmental, and human 

aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, 

including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, 

human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, 

counterterrorism, and economic and environmental activities. For more 

information: http://www.osce.org 

PeaceTrees Vietnam was founded in 1995 as a grassroots effort to bring 

peace, friendship, and renewal to the people of Quang Tri, one of the most 

war-torn provinces of Vietnam. PeaceTrees’ vision of establishing a safe and 

healthy future for the children of Quang Tri includes landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance, landmine awareness programs, citizen diplomacy, community service, tree planting programs, survivor/victim assistance, 

economic support, scholarships to landmine survivors and their families, social development projects, and community restoration and relocation projects. For more information: http://www.peacetreesvietnam.org 

Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, established in 1979, is 

a U.S.-based, nonprofit human-services organization that supports a number 

of community-based rehabilitative initiatives in Central America and Africa. 

Its work benefits a wide range of persons with mobility disabilities, including 

those who have experienced limb loss as a result of landmines. For more information: http://www.poluscenter.org

Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) anti-proliferation 

activities in Africa’s Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa. Formed in 2005, 

RECSA now has 15 member states that implement SA/LW capacity development, stockpile management, and information-management programs in 

support of the 2000 Nairobi Protocol on Small Arms and Light Weapons. For 

more information: http://www.recsasec.org

Small Arms Survey is a research organization based at the Graduate Institute 

of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. The 

Laos. Partnering with nongovernmental organizations, health ministries, hospitals, and other organizations, HLI has delivered training in areas such as 

midwifery, ultrasound technology, internal medicine, and infectious disease 

management to hundreds of Laotian healthcare workers. To ensure programmatic sustainability, HLI utilizes a train-the-trainer model that provides locals 

with the skills needed to train future generations of healthcare workers. For 

more information: http://www.healthleadershipinternational.org

Information Management and Mine Action Programs (iMMAP) is a nonprofit 

nongovernmental organization that coordinates, supports, and implements 

humanitarian information-management activities and landmine and unexploded ordnance surveys during and after complex emergencies and in developing countries around the world. iMMAP aims to alleviate the suffering of 

victims of natural disasters and armed conflict by providing decision-support 

services to humanitarian agencies through the management of reliable, timely, 

and appropriate strategic and geographic information. For more information: 

http://www.immap.org 

The Iraq Mine/UXO Clearance Organization (IMCO) is an Iraqi demining 

nongovernmental organization established in 2003. IMCO is fully trained 

and equipped to international humanitarian mine action standards to perform manual and mine detection dog demining operations, battle area clearance, reconnaissance of suspected hazardous areas, unexploded ordnance and 

landmine survey, and technical site survey missions. For more information: 

zahimmutar@yahoo.com 

ITF Enhancing Human Security was created in March 1998 by the government of Slovenia with the goal of supporting humanitarian mine action in 

southeast Europe through management, services, and fundraising. Recently, 

ITF has broadened its focus to a wider range of post-conflict challenges including security sector reform, disarmament, and small arms and light weapons 

control. For more information: http://www.itf-fund.si 

The Landmine Relief Fund was created in 2004 to support the work of an 

all-Cambodian demining nongovernmental organization, Cambodian Self 

Help Demining (CSHD). CSHD was founded by former child soldier Aki 

Ra, who has spent 20 years clearing explosive remnants of war wherever he 

finds them. He works with other ex-child soldiers, primarily in “low priority” 

villages throughout Cambodia. For more information: http://www.landminerelief-fund.com 

MAG (Mines Advisory Group), in association with its U.S. partner MAG 

America, is a humanitarian organization working in conflict-affected countries 

to clear landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO), remove and 

destroy small arms and light weapons, provide mine risk education, and offer 

capacity-building support. Since it began operations in Afghanistan in 1989 

clearing landmines and UXO, MAG has worked on a variety of conflictrecovery projects in 35 countries around the world. For more information: 

http://www.maginternational.org 

The Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) is a nonprofit organization founded to 

help restore hope, alleviate suffering, and nurture stability in war-torn countries. Major projects include the Mine Detection Dog Partnership Program, 

the Children Against Mines Program (CHAMPS), CHAMPS International, 

and survivor assistance programs. For more information: 

http://www.marshall-legacy.org 

The Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA), an Afghanistan-based nongovernmental organization, was founded in 1990. MCPA specializes in humanitarian mine action including general, impact, and post-clearance surveys, 

technical and battle area surveys, mine detection dogs, manual and mechanical 

mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, mine risk education, and mine 

clearance training. In addition, MCPA focuses on the development and maintenance of information-management systems for mine action. For more information: hajiattiqullah@hotmail.com 

The Mine Detection Center (MDC) was established in 1989 with the goal to 

make Afghanistan mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) impact-free 

so individuals and communities can have a safe environment conducive to 

national development. MDC helped establish mine detection dog capacities 

in Yemen and Tajikistan from 1994 to 2006, cleared 266,821,709 square 

meters (103 square miles) as of 31 December 2013, and has safely destroyed 

549,011 mines and ERW. For more information: mdcafghan@hotmail.com or 

mdcafghan@yahoo.com 

The NATO Support Agency (NSPA) is NATO’s integrated logistics and services provider agency. NSPA is a fully customer-funded agency, operating on 

a “no profit - no loss” basis. It brings NATO’s logistics and procurement support activities into a single organization, providing integrated multinational 
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 55

organization conducts research into numerous aspects of armed violence, including weapons proliferation, security sector reform, and weapons identification and marking. Small Arms Survey aims to increase human security by 

providing the information and analysis needed to stem armed violence and 

the illicit arms trade. For more information: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/

home.html

Spirit of Soccer uses soccer/football skills clinics to educate children about 

the dangers posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in postconflict regions of the world. Since 1996, more than 167,000 children in 

Bosnia, Cambodia, Iraq, Kosovo, Laos, and Moldova have received mine risk 

education through soccer-based activities. For more information: http://www.

spiritofsoccer.net

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates in 177 countries 

and works to reduce poverty, enhance democratic governance, prevent crises, and promote sustainable development. As part of its work to achieve the 

Millennium Development Goals, UNDP contributes to humanitarian mine 

action and small arms and light weapons programming with goals of reducing violence and supporting development. For more information: http://www.

undp.org

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works to help children overcome the obstacles created by violence, poverty, disease, and discrimination. 

This includes children in mine-affected countries globally. UNICEF supports 

the development and implementation of mine risk education and survivor 

assistance projects and advocacy for an end to the use of landmines, cluster 

munitions, and other indiscriminate weapons. For more information: http://

www.unicef.org

The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) integrates mine action into worldwide U.N. peacekeeping operations in line 

with a November 2003 Presidential Statement of the Security Council. The 

Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations chairs the Inter-Agency 

Coordination Group on Mine Action, which brings together representatives 

from all U.N. mine-action entities. The U.N. Mine Action Service provides 

direct support and assistance to U.N. peacekeeping missions. For more information: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping

Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation is a nonprofit organization that 

aims to reduce the harmful effects of the Vietnam War. Founded in 1978, 

VVAF delivers mine action, physical rehabilitation, mental health, and education services in several provinces throughout Vietnam. VVAF is one of 

six projects under The International Center, an organization dedicated to 

strengthening the relationship between the United States and developing nations. For more information: http://www.ic-vvaf.org

World Education Inc. was founded in 1951 to meet the needs of the educationally disadvantaged and provides training and technical assistance in 

nonformal education across a wide array of sectors. Registered as a private voluntary organization, World Education has worked in more than 50 countries 

in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, as well as in the United States. For more 

information: http://www.worlded.org 

Association of Volunteers in International Service Center for International Rehabilitation Center for International Stabilization and 

Recovery at James Madison University Center for Teaching International Relations Centro Integral de Rehabilitación de Colombia

Children of Armenia Fund Children’s Surgical Centre C King Associates Ltd Coalition Against Landmines Cranfield Mine Action 

DanChurchAid Danish Demining Group Demining Agency for Afghanistan EOD Solutions Inc. Fenix Insight Ltd. Freedom Fields 

USA Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining Global Care Unlimited Golden West Humanitarian Foundation 

Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation The HALO Trust Handicap International Health Volunteers Overseas Help Handicapped 

International Humpty Dumpty Institute Information Management and Mine Action Programs International Eurasia Press Fund 

Invacare Corporation ITF Enhancing Human Security Iraqi Mine/UXO Clearance Organization The Julia Burke Foundation 

Landmine Relief Fund Landmines Blow! Legacies of War Lipscomb University MAG (Mines Advisory Group) Mine Clearance 

Planning Agency – Afghanistan Mine Detection Center – Afghanistan Marshall Legacy Institute Medical Care Development 

International Messiah College Landmine Action Project M.I.N.D. Labs (Michigan State University) One Sri Lanka Foundation 

Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation PeaceTrees Vietnam People to People International Polus Center for 

Social and Economic Development Positive Play Prestige Health Care Technologies Project RENEW Prosthetics Outreach 

Foundation Quality Solutions International Roots of Peace Rotarians for Mine Action Save the Children Schonstedt Instrument 

Company Southpac Consulting Spirit of Soccer Survey Action Center Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) Torrens Resilience 

Group United for Colombia World Education World Rehabilitation Fund 

International Organizations/Other Entities

 Organization of American States United Nations Children’s Fund 

United Nations Development Programme United Nations Mine Action Service

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department 

of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) launched the 

Public-Private Partnerships Program

in October 1997 to enlist civil society support for clearing persistent 

landmines and explosive remnants of war, teaching mine risk 

education, and rendering assistance to survivors of landmine and 

unexploded ordnance incidents around the world. 
56 TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY

The Interagency 

MANPADS Task Force

n 2002, terrorists attempted to shoot down an 

Israeli civilian airliner in Mombasa, Kenya, using 

two man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), 

calling the world’s attention to this dangerous 

threat. Elsewhere, terrorists and insurgents have 

used MANPADS to fight the Multi-National Force in Iraq and 

International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan; 

to destroy humanitarian flights in Angola and Sudan; and to 

attack numerous civilian aircraft across Africa and other continents. Most recently, arms traffickers and violent extremists 

have capitalized on the instability that accompanied the Arab 

Spring by looting MANPADS, anti-tank guided missiles, and 

other advanced conventional weapons (ACW) from state-held 

stocks in Libya and Syria. Press reports indicate the continued 

spread of these dangerous conventional weapons has increased, 

threatening regional stability and international security. A successful attack against a commercial airliner could ground civil 

aviation for days which would cost the world economy billions 

of dollars, as it did following 9/11.

What are MANPADS? 

A single individual or crew can carry and fire MANPADS, 

which are surface-to-air missiles. MANPADS were originally developed in the 1960s for national military forces to protect their 

troops and facilities.

Most MANPADS consist of 1) a missile packaged in a tube; 2) a 

reusable trigger mechanism (commonly known as a “gripstock”); 

and 3) a battery. The tubes, which protect the missile until it is 

fired, are disposable. A single-use battery typically powers the 

missile prior to launch.

MANPADS launch tubes typically range from about 4 feet 

to 6.5 feet (1.2–2 meters) in length and are about 3 inches (76 

millimeters) in diameter. Their weight, with gripstock, varies 

from about 28 pounds to just over 55 pounds (13–25 kilograms). 

Consequently, they are easily transportable and concealable. 

Some of the most commonly produced MANPADS can fit into 

an automobile’s trunk.

Although externally similar in appearance, a MANPADS 

should not be confused with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). 

MANPADS missiles can achieve twice the speed of sound and 

strike aircraft flying at altitudes up to approximately 15,000 feet 

(4.57 kilometers) or out to a horizontal range of up to 3.2 miles (5 

kilometers). RPGs are unguided weapons designed primarily for 

use against ground targets at much closer range and are generally much less effective against aircraft. Some RPG attacks, however, on aircraft flying at low altitudes and relatively slow speeds 

have been mistaken for MANPADS attacks.

What the Task Force Does

The Interagency MANPADS Task Force (MTF) mitigates the 

threat posed by the spread of MANPADS in every region of the 

world. Comprised of experts from relevant departments and 

agencies, MTF facilitates programs and policies and coordinates 

actions within the U.S. Government and with partner nations 

and international organizations. For instance, to enhance the 

physical security and stockpile management of a partner government’s state-controlled weapons and munitions, MTF may 

coordinate the activities of the U.S. Departments of State and 

Defense to build that nation’s capacity to destroy aged, excess, or 

at-risk ACW and secure other weapons and munitions retained 

for their national defense. MTF may also help coordinate U.S. 

approaches with MANPADS exporters and producers in order 

to track unaccounted for MANPADS and reduce proliferation. 

Such engagements are a part of U.S. efforts to stop non-state actors from obtaining and potentially using ACW. 

Since early 2011, MTF has played a key role in coordinating 

and facilitating U.S. efforts to mitigate the ACW proliferation 

threat from Libya, Syria, and other countries suffering from 

internal instability or regime collapse. This requires attention 

to crosscutting security issues such as border security assistance and related activities to mitigate the risk that MANPADS 

outside government control will be trafficked from one country to another.

A successful MANPADS attack against a civilian airliner 

would be a tragic loss of human life and have far-reaching 

impacts on international security and stability. To prevent such 

an attack, MANPADS threat reduction remains a U.S. national 

security priority. 

Kyrgyz demo team member preparing two SA-7B MANPADS for disposal.

Photo courtesy of Golden West.
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 57

LEGEND FOR CHARTS ON PAGES 58–63

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DoD U.S. Department of Defense

DOS NADR-CWD U.S. Department of State - Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs

DOS Other U.S. Department of State - Other funding

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development

ince 1993, the United States has donated over $2.3 billion for conventional weapons destruction (CWD) in 

more than 90 countries. Most of the U.S. assistance funded humanitarian mine action, an area in which 

the U.S. remains the world’s top donor. Many of our ongoing programs combine humanitarian demining, 

small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) destruction, and efforts to improve the safety and security of 

conventional munitions stockpiles. The following chart provides a consolidated view of the United States’ funding 

for CWD globally. For a more detailed view of this funding chart, including additional details such as funding for 

humanitarian mine action and SA/LW projects, please refer to the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the 

U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) website at the following address: 

http://state.gov/t/pm/rls/rpt/walkearth/index.htm.

Conventional Weapons 

Destruction Funding

Top 10 Countries Funded 

(Aggregate) FY1993–2013

Vietnam

$0 $50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000 $300,000 $350,000 $400,000

Sri Lanka $41,072

Lebanon $52,125

Mozambique $53,855

$70,468

Laos $71,094

Bosnia & Herzegovina $96,971

Cambodia $97,067

Angola $105,784

Iraq $258,938

Afghanistan $375,166

(Dollars in thousands)
58 FUNDING

(Dollars in thousands)

U.S. CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM FUNDING HISTORY (Fiscal Years 1993–2013)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Afghanistan

DOS NADR - CWD 53,144 17,152 15,821 21,589 30,253 45,800 40,475 40,550 30,000 294,784

DOS Other 20,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20,000

CDC 1,700 0 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 1,800

DoD 4,264 0 0 0 520 996 0 1,000 355 7,135

USAID 50,700 397 350 0 0 0 0 0 0 51,447

Country Total 129,808 17,549 16,221 21,639 30,773 46,796 40,475 41,550 30,355 375,166

Albania

DOS NADR - CWD 6,602 1,300 1,480 7,091 2,395 5,909 3,500 4,034 2,324 34,635

DoD 0 0 0 0 11 0 11 0 10 32

USAID 1,389 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,389

Country Total 7,991 1,300 1,480 7,091 2,406 5,909 3,511 4,034 2,334 36,056

Angola

DOS NADR - CWD 27,797 6,120 5,250 7,562 7,300 10,000 7,500 8,675 6,000 86,204

DOS Other 3,170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,170

CDC 0 0 75 75 0 0 0 0 0 150

DoD 4,000 0 14 0 850 850 0 850 1,345 7,909

USAID 7,351 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,351

Country Total 42,318 7,120 5,339 7,637 8,150 10,850 7,500 9,525 7,345 105,784

Argentina DoD 550 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 579

Country Total 550 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 579

Armenia

DOS NADR - CWD 2,600 0 0 0 0 0 0 391 700 3,691

DOS Other 3,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,000

DoD 2,618 0 0 200 0 0 8 9 169 3,004

USAID 1,148 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,148

Country Total 9,366 0 0 200 0 0 1,008 400 869 11,843

Azerbaijan

DOS NADR - CWD 10,948 3,064 2,487 1,280 2,199 752 365 365 325 21,785

DOS Other 1,100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,100

DoD 5,327 425 723 200 0 300 0 0 0 6,975

Country Total 17,375 3,489 3,210 1,480 2,199 1,052 365 365 325 29,860

Bahrain DoD 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10

Country Total 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10

Belize DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300

Benin DoD 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 14

Country Total 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 14

Bosnia & 

Herzegovina

DOS NADR - CWD 34,459 3,300 3,390 4,650 4,103 5,425 3,685 4,300 4,445 67,757

DOS Other 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000

CDC 2,300 500 205 205 0 0 0 0 0 3,210

DoD 4,263 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 241 4,504

USAID 20,500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20,500

Country Total 62,522 3,800 3,595 4,855 4,103 5,425 3,685 4,300 4,686 96,971

Bulgaria DOS NADR - CWD 2,844 400 0 300 0 0 3,100 1,585 2,250 10,479

Country Total 2,844 400 0 300 0 0 3,100 1,585 2,250 10,479

Burma (Myanmar)

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 90 829 0 919

USAID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,350 1,350

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 90 829 1,350 2,269

Burundi

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 381 200 438 400 516 0 0 1,935

DoD 0 0 0 0 74 0 155 201 322 752

Country Total 0 0 381 200 512 400 671 201 322 2,687

Cambodia

DOS NADR - CWD 22,268 4,900 4,142 4,054 5,152 5,040 5,250 5,494 5,800 62,100

DOS Other 4,943 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,943

CDC 0 0 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 100

DoD 5,029 94 7 0 2,500 3,000 0 4,235 1,411 16,276

USAID 11,598 950 0 0 0 500 0 0 600 13,648

Country Total 43,838 5,944 4,199 4,104 7,652 8,540 5,250 9,729 7,811 97,067
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 59

(Dollars in thousands)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Central African 

Republic

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 37 0 0 0 0 0 0 37

Country Total 0 0 37 0 0 0 0 0 0 37

Chad

DOS NADR - CWD 4,854 1,780 200 0 65 0 0 0 0 6,899

DoD 3,091 596 0 0 0 0 190 414 384 4,675

Country Total 7,945 2,376 200 0 65 0 190 414 384 11,574

Chile DoD 735 973 0 0 454 450 0 450 0 3,062

Country Total 735 973 0 0 454 450 0 450 0 3,062

Colombia

DOS NADR - CWD 0 300 791 1,881 1,523 2,000 2,500 3,500 4,100 16,595

CDC 150 200 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 450

DoD 0 0 940 0 10 575 0 154 0 1,679

USAID 500 0 2,000 0 1,600 1,500 3,200 600 1,900 11,300

Country Total 650 500 3,781 1,931 3,133 4,075 5,700 4,254 6,000 30,024

Congo, DRC

DOS NADR - CWD 0 1,185 2,000 119 937 841 1,016 750 1,000 7,848

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 65 305 233 0 603

USAID 800 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,300

Country Total 800 1,685 2,000 119 937 906 1,321 983 1,000 9,751

Congo, 

Republic of the 

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 445 675 200 0 0 0 0 1,320

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 267 371 638

Country Total 0 0 445 675 200 0 0 267 371 1,958

Croatia

DOS NADR - CWD1 16,382 2,300 2,009 3,111 2,000 2,000 5,037 1,100 1,849 35,788

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 713 713

Country Total 16,382 2,300 2,009 3,111 2,000 2,000 5,037 1,100 2,562 36,501

Cyprus

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 76

Country Total 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 76 86

Czech Republic DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 600 0 0 0 0 0 0 600

Country Total 0 0 600 0 0 0 0 0 0 600

Djibouti

DOS NADR - CWD 1,900 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,900

DoD 1,167 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 1,172

Country Total 3,067 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 3,072

Dominican Republic USAID 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 0 500

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 0 500

Ecuador

DOS NADR - CWD 3,323 0 0 0 0 1,002 500 0 200 5,025

DoD 2,269 313 0 0 258 433 0 518 0 3,791

Country Total 5,592 313 0 0 258 1,435 500 518 200 8,816

Egypt DoD 718 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 718

Country Total 718 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 718

El Salvador

DOS NADR - CWD 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 988 0 1,038

CDC 2,050 400 195 195 0 0 0 0 0 2,840

USAID 1,500 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 300 2,300

Country Total 3,600 400 195 195 0 0 0 1,488 300 6,178

Eritrea

DOS NADR - CWD 11,223 400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11,623

DOS Other 1,560 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,560

CDC 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450

DoD 4,485 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,485

Country Total 17,718 400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18,118

Estonia

DOS NADR - CWD 1,070 0 157 250 699 323 0 0 0 2,499

DoD 1,551 55 0 100 0 0 160 0 195 2,061

Country Total 2,621 55 157 350 699 323 160 0 195 4,560

Ethiopia

DOS NADR - CWD 3,545 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,545

DOS Other 1,500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,500

CDC 2,100 400 173 173 0 0 0 0 0 2,846

DoD 3,984 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,984

USAID 1,230 25 0 0 300 2,000 327 0 0 3,882

Country Total 12,359 425 173 173 300 2,000 327 0 0 15,757
60 FUNDING

U.S. CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM FUNDING HISTORY (Fiscal Years 1993–2013)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Georgia

DOS NADR - CWD 8,118 2,123 1,750 6,265 2,614 2,845 1,158 1,232 1,501 27,606

DOS Other 0 0 0 0 2,644 0 0 0 0 2,644

DoD 1,114 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,114

Country Total 9,232 2,123 1,750 6,265 5,258 2,845 1,158 1,232 1,501 31,364

Guatemala DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 250 0 0 0 250

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 250 0 0 0 250

Guinea DOS NADR - CWD 103 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 103

Country Total 103 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 103

Guinea-Bissau

DOS NADR - CWD 813 400 945 809 1,000 1,000 1,070 0 0 6,037

DoD 0 162 1,212 70 0 0 0 0 0 1,444

Country Total 813 562 2,157 879 1,000 1,000 1,070 0 0 7,481

Haiti USAID 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 1,500 0 0 2,500

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 1,500 0 0 2,500

Honduras DOS NADR - CWD 0 316 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 816

Country Total 0 316 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 816

India USAID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300

Iraq

DOS NADR - CWD 5,790 0 15,149 17,080 19,417 24,913 22,000 25,000 23,750 153,099

DOS Other 0 0 0 992 0 0 0 0 0 992

CDC 350 0 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 450

DoD 82,268 13,200 5,150 2,881 120 318 0 300 160 104,397

Country Total 88,408 13,200 20,349 21,003 19,537 25,231 22,000 25,300 23,910 258,938

Jordan

DOS NADR - CWD 7,951 0 0 514 2,700 2,906 2,015 3,850 1,200 21,136

DOS Other 300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300

CDC 2,000 400 284 284 0 0 0 0 0 2,968

DoD 2,418 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,418

Country Total 12,669 400 284 798 2,700 2,906 2,015 3,850 1,200 26,822

Kazakhstan DOS NADR - CWD 295 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 295

Country Total 295 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 295

Kenya

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 180 458 500 269 75 0 0 1,482

DoD 0 0 0 0 56 25 175 236 70 562

USAID 400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 400

Country Total 400 0 180 458 556 294 250 236 70 2,444

Kosovo

DOS NADR - CWD 5,025 110 205 150 150 1,000 450 260 100 7,450

DoD 4,300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,300

USAID 17,472 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17,472

Country Total 26,797 110 205 150 150 1,000 450 260 100 29,222

Kyrgyzstan

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 300 800

DoD 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 7

Country Total 0 0 0 0 7 0 500 0 300 807

Laos

DOS NADR - CWD 13,419 3,300 2,692 3,050 3,350 5,100 5,000 9,233 9,000 54,144

DOS Other 750 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 750

DoD 6,856 0 5 0 0 6 0 33 0 6,900

USAID 5,850 1,500 350 0 600 1,000 0 0 0 9,300

Country Total 26,875 4,800 3,047 3,050 3,950 6,106 5,000 9,266 9,000 71,094

 Lebanon2

DOS NADR - CWD 8,978 1,420 1,556 5,184 4,791 1,997 2,225 2,524 2,500 31,175

DOS Other 0 2,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,000

DoD 3,129 5,007 0 0 5 289 0 590 80 9,100

USAID 3,400 1,200 1,400 1,500 800 750 800 0 0 9,850

Country Total 15,507 9,627 2,956 6,684 5,596 3,036 3,025 3,114 2,580 52,125

Lesotho DOS NADR - CWD 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15

Country Total 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15

(Dollars in thousands)
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 61

(Dollars in thousands)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Liberia

DOS NADR - CWD 360 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 360

CDC 0 0 75 75 0 0 0 0 0 150

USAID 3,929 0 0 500 0 0 0 0 0 4,429

Country Total 4,289 0 75 575 0 0 0 0 0 4,939

Libya

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,000 0 0 3,000

DOS Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17,800 1,775 19,575

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,000 17,800 1,775 22,575

Lithuania DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 0 0 500

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 0 0 500

Macedonia DOS NADR - CWD 1,602 50 96 50 50 150 0 0 0 1,998

Country Total 1,602 50 96 50 50 150 0 0 0 1,998

Marshall Islands DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 250

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 250

Mauritania

DOS NADR - CWD 1,395 0 0 0 0 1,000 0 0 0 2,395

DoD 3,952 0 458 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,410

Country Total 5,347 0 458 0 0 1,000 0 0 0 6,805

Moldova DoD 71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 154 225

Country Total 71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 154 225

Montenegro3

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 2,050 497 804 1,048 1,750 1,300 0 7,449

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 294 305

Country Total 0 0 2,050 497 804 1,048 1,750 1,311 294 7,754

Mozambique

DOS NADR - CWD 17,839 2,344 440 0 2,124 2,000 2,175 2,635 3,000 32,557

DOS Other 1,600 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,600

CDC 1,650 400 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 2,100

DoD 11,449 0 0 0 49 3 326 639 599 13,065

USAID 4,533 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,533

Country Total 37,071 2,744 465 25 2,173 2,003 2,501 3,274 3,599 53,855

Namibia

DOS NADR - CWD 3,351 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,351

DOS Other 670 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 670

DoD 4,400 0 0 0 0 78 165 309 151 5,103

Country Total 8,421 0 0 0 0 78 165 309 151 9,124

Nepal USAID 0 0 0 0 500 500 0 1,000 0 2,000

Country Total 0 0 0 0 500 500 0 1,000 0 2,000

Nicaragua

DOS NADR - CWD 332 1,749 1,400 250 350 0 0 0 0 4,081

DoD 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200

Country Total 532 1,749 1,400 250 350 0 0 0 0 4,281

Nigeria DOS NADR - CWD 1,449 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,449

Country Total 1,449 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,449

Oman

DOS NADR - CWD 1,785 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,785

DoD 2,553 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,553

Country Total 4,338 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,338

Pakistan DOS NADR - CWD 32 0 0 0 500 300 0 0 0 832

Country Total 32 0 0 0 500 300 0 0 0 832

Palau DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 85 0 0 150 190 425

Country Total 0 0 0 0 85 0 0 150 190 425

Palestinian 

Territories

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 209 782 500 1,491

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 209 782 500 1,491

Paraguay DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 200

Country Total 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 200

Peru

DOS NADR - CWD 3,086 0 0 200 2,620 2,000 2,000 1,000 0 10,906

DoD 11,902 0 0 0 42 0 0 0 0 11,944

USAID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000 1,000

Country Total 14,988 0 0 200 2,662 2,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 23,850
62 FUNDING

For a more detailed version of this chart, including specific funding sources, please 

visit our website at http://state.gov/t/pm/rls/rpt/walkearth/index.htm.

U.S. CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM FUNDING HISTORY (Fiscal Years 1993–2013)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Philippines

DOS NADR - CWD 250 150 0 270 0 250 0 0 0 920

USAID 750 0 0 800 0 0 0 0 0 1,550

Country Total 1,000 150 0 1,070 0 250 0 0 0 2,470

Romania

DOS NADR - CWD 1,369 0 0 0 0 1,000 0 0 0 2,369

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 150 0 0 150

Country Total 1,369 0 0 0 0 1,000 150 0 0 2,519

Rwanda

DOS NADR - CWD 3,285 476 0 0 200 242 0 0 0 4,203

DOS Other 700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 700

DoD 7,790 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,790

Country Total 11,775 476 0 0 200 242 0 0 0 12,693

São Tomé/Príncipe DOS NADR - CWD 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50

Country Total 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50

Senegal

DOS NADR - CWD 204 0 421 655 725 500 0 0 0 2,505

DOS Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 260 260

DoD 0 0 252 0 0 0 0 0 0 252

USAID 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 500

Country Total 704 0 673 655 725 500 0 0 260 3,517

Serbia3 DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 700 8,133 1,000 1,400 1,552 1,000 2,000 15,785

Country Total 0 0 700 8,133 1,000 1,400 1,552 1,000 2,000 15,785

Serbia & 

Montenegro3

DOS NADR - CWD 4,646 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,646

Country Total 4,646 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,646

Sierra Leone

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 147 0 0 0 147

USAID 1,593 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,593

Country Total 1,593 0 0 0 0 147 0 0 0 1,740

Slovenia DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 270 270

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 270 270

Solomon Islands

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 400 567 560 1,527

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 325 35 360

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 400 892 595 1,887

Somalia DOS NADR - CWD 5,943 0 0 754 1,523 2,000 2,325 2,500 3,920 18,965

Country Total 5,943 0 0 754 1,523 2,000 2,325 2,500 3,920 18,965

South Sudan4

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,100 2,800 2,500 6,400

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 367 459 826

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,100 3,167 2,959 7,226

Sri Lanka

DOS NADR - CWD 6,875 1,108 400 1,479 6,600 4,400 2,500 4,804 3,300 31,466

DOS Other 122 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 122

CDC 125 0 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 175

DoD 247 0 0 0 98 280 0 262 522 1,409

USAID 3,500 350 0 500 750 300 2,000 0 500 7,900

Country Total 10,869 1,458 425 2,004 7,448 4,980 4,500 5,066 4,322 41,072

Sudan4 DOS NADR - CWD 6,814 3,020 3,325 4,643 4,600 5,350 2,800 0 0 30,552

Country Total 6,814 3,020 3,325 4,643 4,600 5,350 2,800 0 0 30,552

Suriname DOS NADR - CWD 0 100 290 0 0 0 0 0 0 390

Country Total 0 100 290 0 0 0 0 0 0 390

Swaziland

DOS NADR - CWD 210 0 0 0 0 229 0 0 0 439

DoD 836 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 836

Country Total 1,046 0 0 0 0 229 0 0 0 1,275

Tajikistan

DOS NADR - CWD 200 300 0 180 0 2,194 1,000 1,691 2,900 8,465

DoD 7 0 0 0 25 1,200 0 1,200 0 2,432

USAID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,500 0 1,500

Country Total 207 300 0 180 25 3,394 1,000 4,391 2,900 12,397

(Dollars in thousands)
TO WALK THE EARTH IN SAFETY 63

U.S.CoNVENTIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION Program Funding History (totals By SOURCE)

(Dollars in thousands)

Country Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total 

Tanzania

DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 16

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 0 185 244 274 703

USAID 1,700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,700

Country Total 1,700 0 0 0 0 0 201 244 274 2,419

Thailand

DOS NADR - CWD 4,190 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,190

DoD 3,095 8 86 0 1,400 1,500 0 1,500 1,200 8,789

Country Total 7,285 8 86 0 1,400 1,500 0 1,500 1,200 12,979

Togo DOS NADR - CWD 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32

Country Total 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32

Tunisia DoD 0 3 214 0 0 0 0 0 0 217

Country Total 0 3 214 0 0 0 0 0 0 217

Uganda

DOS NADR - CWD 0 40 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 56

USAID 1,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000

Country Total 1,000 40 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 1,056

Ukraine

DOS NADR - CWD 2,142 1,500 1,800 1,000 0 2,590 4,500 1,500 2,000 17,032

DoD 0 0 0 0 0 177 0 0 0 177

Country Total 2,142 1,500 1,800 1,000 0 2,767 4,500 1,500 2,000 17,209

Uruguay DOS NADR - CWD 0 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 200

Country Total 0 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 200

Uzbekistan DoD 0 0 0 0 30 69 0 0 0 99

Country Total 0 0 0 0 30 69 0 0 0 99

Vietnam

DOS NADR - CWD 13,376 3,300 2,859 2,575 2,120 3,750 3,500 4,032 4,500 40,012

CDC 1,300 400 74 74 0 0 0 0 0 1,848

DoD 761 0 2 0 0 275 0 300 471 1,809

USAID 18,030 3,264 0 1,500 605 1,500 1,900 0 0 26,799

Country Total 33,467 6,964 2,935 4,149 2,725 5,525 5,400 4,332 4,971 70,468

Yemen

DOS NADR - CWD 8,436 700 900 500 609 1,000 1,075 3,135 2,000 18,355

DoD 4,689 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 4,846

Country Total 13,125 700 900 500 766 1,000 1,075 3,135 2,000 23,201

Zambia

DOS NADR - CWD 2,050 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,050

DoD 424 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 437

Country Total 2,474 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 2,487

Zimbabwe

DOS NADR - CWD 3,086 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 500 3,836

DoD 3,265 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,265

Country Total 6,351 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 500 7,101

Global/Multi-Country

DOS NADR - CWD 80,227 8,740 4,654 15,438 14,294 9,172 4,460 5,999 16,450 159,434

DOS Other 1,450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,450

CDC 9,275 1,200 2,569 2,569 3,040 0 0 0 0 18,653

DoD 189,111 1,576 2,820 1,949 5,462 49 682 1,106 0 202,755

USAID 40,961 3,614 5,900 9,050 7,845 19,950 7,773 3,300 4,850 103,243

Global Total 321,024 15,130 15,943 29,006 30,641 29,171 12,915 10,405 22,300 486,535

Grand Total 1,082,637 115,620 106,799 147,238 160,840 201,132 163,917 189,858 165,280 2,333,321

Sources FY93-05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Total

CDC 23,450 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,040 0 0 0 0 38,190

DoD2,5 388,888 22,441 11,897 5,400 12,156 10,938 2,512 15,753 10,331 480,316

DOS NADR - CWD6 428,100 74,479 81,002 123,096 130,000 161,194 142,405 149,105 142,414 1,431,795

DOS Other7 41,865 2,000 0 992 2,644 0 0 17,800 2,035 67,336

USAID8 200,334 12,800 10,000 13,850 13,000 29,000 19,000 7,200 10,500 315,684

Grand Total 1,082,637 115,620 106,799 147,238 160,840 201,132 163,917 189,858 165,280 2,333,321

1. FY08 amount includes $110,000 from the Support for Eastern European Democracy (SEED) fund, which was apportioned as NADR.

2. All U.S. Central Command demining-centric activities for FY10 were conducted with Theater Security Cooperation funding pending new guidance from the Central Command Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policy, 

not funding from U.S. Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid (OHDACA).

3. Serbia and Montenegro split into two countries in 2007.

4. South Sudan and Sudan split into two countries in 2011.

5. DoD funds include OHDACA, the Research Development Test and Evaluation fund, the Humanitarian Assistance - Excess Property Program and the Iraq Relief and Construction fund. 

6. Since FY11, the NADR-CWD category includes funding allotted to Humanitarian Demining, ITF Enhancing Human Security, and Small Arms and Light Weapons.

7. DOS - Other includes a variety of DOS funding sources.

8. USAID includes historical funding in addition to USAID Leahy War Victims funding.
The United States’ Commitment to Conventional Weapons Destruction

SA-3, Suite 6100 | 2121 Virginia Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20522 | United States of America

telephone: +1 202 663 0100 | fax: +1 202 663 0090

http://state.gov/t/pm/wra

United States Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stanley Brown (BrownSL@state.gov)

Deputy Director, Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven Costner (CostnerSR@state.gov)

Acting Deputy Director, Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Hadrick (HadrickDF@state.gov)

Director, Interagency MANPADS Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Adams (AdamsMW@state.gov)

Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Guilbert (GuilbertGL@state.gov)

Public Affairs and Public Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lisa Miller (MillerLD@state.gov)

September 2014 FY2013

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State