Mines kill thousands of innocent civilians every year and also have a devastating effect on the economic well-being of families, especialy in poor communities. Second, we will give strong support to an immediate ban of these indiscriminate and cruel weapons. More than 20,000 people, most of them innocent civilians, are killed and maimed by mines each year. Beyond the direct costs in lives and traumatic injuries, land mines impede or halt development efforts in poor countries.
Mined roads fall into disuse, stopping commerce.
Mined fields render arable land useless, as farmers are afraid to plant and harvest crops. What CARE is Doing About Land Mines Programmatically CARE is currently doing mine action programs in two countries and hopes to expand its work in this area. In Angola , CARE is training demobilized soldiers in mine clearance techniques in Cuando Cubango Province. CARE is also promoting mine awareness in Huila, Cuene, northern Cuando Cubango, and Bie, and teaching women and children what to do when they encounter unexploded mines. In Cambodia , CARE is involved in clearing mines as part of a larger effort to rehabilitate rural roads in Banteay, Meanchey, and Siem Reap Provinces.