U.S. Philanthropist Howard G. Buffett Makes ‘Moonshot’ Investment of $33M to Clear Landmines in Ukraine

Global humanitarian landmine clearance NGO, The HALO Trust, today announced a $33 million strategic partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to tackle humanitarian demining in Ukraine. The Foundation’s investment is the single largest philanthropic donation in support of humanitarian Read More …

Japan extends further support to demining activities in Sri Lanka

Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki yesterday (Nov. 27) signed the grant contracts of two demining projects under the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, with Ms. Cristy McLennan, Country Director of the Read More …

Belgium helps UNMAS continue supporting operations in Iraq

The Belgian government once again contributed about $802,000 to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq in support of essential mine action operations. Delivering effective and sustainable explosive hazard management assistance as well as offering technical and advisory Read More …

Afghanistan tops global list for highest landmine-affected areas

The Danish Refugee Council recently announced that Afghanistan is recognized as one of the countries in the world with the highest landmine-affected areas. The pervasive presence of landmines in Afghanistan poses a significant humanitarian challenge, affecting the safety and livelihoods Read More …

Japan supplies mine clearance equipment to Ukraine

Units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have received mine clearance equipment from Japan, including special vehicles and mine detectors. The aid package includes 40 special vehicles, 50 hand-held mine detectors, as well as containers and fire extinguishing liquid. Read More …

Innovation conference sparks collaboration to reduce risks of landmines and other explosive ordnance

Geneva, Switzerland – November 16, 2023 The GICHD Innovation Conference 2023, a groundbreaking event aimed at harnessing the potential of innovation to reduce the risks caused by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive ordnance, came to a successful close today. The conference, which ran Read More …

Cambodia: Mondulkiri becomes 14th province to be declared mine-free

Cambodia has taken another step closer to reaching the mine-free goal after the northeastern province of Mondulkiri was declared clear of landmines, becoming the 14th province to have gained that status. Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s largest and also the most sparsely Read More …

Zimbabwe: 87pc wartime landmines removed

So far 87 percent of all wartime landmines have been removed and the Government hopes to have the last out by 2025, Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri told her Ministry’s strategic planning workshop being held in Mutare this week. “We Read More …

US senators submit bill on funding landmine clearance in Indochina

Members of the US Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Tammy Baldwin of the Democratic Party from Wisconsin state, and Senator Jerry Moran of the Republican Party from Kansas state, have submitted a bipartisan bill that allocates funding for clearing landmines and Read More …

Cambodia, Laos forge closer mine action ties

In a bilateral meeting between the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and Laos’ National Regulatory Authority for UXO and Mine Action (NRA), the Lao delegation expressed keen interest in studying the structure and functioning of the Kingdom’s successful mine action Read More …

Cambodia: Kingdom’s noble ambition to be landmine free on the right path

The central province, famous for its palm sugar and wine, became the 13th province in the country to be cleared of landmines. Phnom Penh and 11 other provinces have been declared mine-free. These include Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Preah Read More …

Cambodia: Vietnam War era U.S. aerial bomb safely removed in Phnom Penh’s suburb

A Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC)’s expert team safely removed a war-left U.S.-made MK-82 aerial bomb from an area in the northwestern suburb of Phnom Penh, a mine clearance chief said. CMAC’s Director-General Heng Ratana said the team discovered the Read More …

Almost €500 million allocated for mine clearance in Ukraine

Ukraine has allocated about €500 million for mine clearance, which will be spent on survey equipment, machinery and equipment for bomb disposal experts. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that taking into account previous support packages, about €500 million have been Read More …

Norway to allocate additional $18.5M for mine clearance activities in Ukraine

The Government of Norway will allocate an additional NOK 200 million (about $18.5 million) in funding earmarked for clearance of mines and other explosives in Ukraine. “Clearing mines saves lives and protects civilians, especially children. Mine clearance is also essential to Read More …

The Government of Sweden extends its support to explosive hazards management activities in Iraq

The Government of Sweden contributed an additional 10 million Swedish Krona (SEK) (USD 898,133.84) to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in support of the humanitarian mine action sector endeavors to reduce the risks of explosive ordnance contamination and Read More …

Switzerland allocates CHF 100M for humanitarian demining in Ukraine

The Swiss Federal Council has approved a package of 100 million Swiss francs (almost $110 million) to demine civilian and agricultural areas in Ukraine and help rebuild the country, the Swiss government said this in a press release. “A total Read More …

Thai Cabinet approves $30,000 in aid for ARMAC

Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved $30,000 in operational costs for the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) in Phnom Penh for the period 2024 to 2026. The three-year aid announcement was made ahead of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s first Read More …

Ukraine: Almost 40 countries, partner organizations agree on allocation of around $250 mln for humanitarian demining

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has announced that almost 40 countries and partner organizations agreed on the allocation of around $250 million, in particular, for special equipment needed for humanitarian demining. “Today, an area of around 174,000 square kilometers Read More …

Cambodia: 14-nation ‘Pure Homeland’ mine drill concludes

Cambodia concluded the first international humanitarian mine action exercise themed “Pure Homeland 2023” conducted within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers-Plus on Friday. The first-of-its-kind multinational exercise, that began on September 13 at the Multinational Peacekeeping Force Training School Read More …

Cambodia: CMAC starts clearing mines and explosive remnants on more than 500 hectares of forest land in Siem Reap

532 hectares of Phnom Preah Chbar community forest and people’s land in Srey Snom district, Siem Reap province, have been cleared by CMAC of mines and other explosive remnants of war. Srey Snom District Governor Hun Rithy said at the Read More …