Events in 25 countries raised awareness about challenges faced by survivors of accidents with landmines and explosive remnants of war
Twenty-five countries hosted special events to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on or around April 4, resulting in press coverage in more than 25 countries and drawing attention to the plight of survivors and the gradual reduction in new casualties since the anti-personnel mine-ban treaty entered into force in 1999. As of August 2008, one decade after the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force, more than 70 countries are still believed to be affected by mines and other explosive remnants of war, with over 25 of these countries contaminated by unexploded cluster bombs and submunitions.
Having witnessed first-hand the devastation – including grievous injuries and environmental damage – wrought by landmines, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message for the Day called for a renewed commitment to rid the world of the scourge. He noted that although conditions may differ in nations such as Iraq, Sudan, Lebanon and Afghanistan, "what doesn't change is the threat to life and limb." He added that it is his fervent hope "that the world will one day be free from the threats caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war."
"Without proper support, survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war may face a lifetime of poverty and discrimination, lacking adequate health care or rehabilitation services," the Secretary-General said. "Member States, civil society and the United Nations must strive to foster the legislative, social and economic conditions that enable survivors to realize their rights and be productive members of society." This Day was an opportunity to focus on the needs of the ever-growing number of landmine survivors and other victims, as well as to celebrate the strides made towards the UN's vision of a mine-free world. Joint efforts by the UN and its partners to clear mines has reduced the annual number of casualties to some 5,500, down 75 percent from a high of 26,000 in 1997. UN Mine Action Service Director Maxwell Kerley said, "Our urgent work continues day in and day out as we head toward our ultimate goal of zero new victims. We must bolster our efforts to provide rehabilitation and reintegration services to the estimated 473,000 people who have survived accidents with landmines and explosive remnants of war," Kerley says. "This support for survivors and their families will cultivate self-sufficiency, dignity and empowerment."
Most of the events around the world were hosted jointly by governments of mine-affected countries and the United Nations agencies that support their mine action efforts and ranged from official events with statements by top governmental and United Nations officials, to mine risk education theatre performances, concerts, fund-raisers and photographic exhibitions.
In New York, Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Dmitry Titov opened an exhibition of photographs by Gervasio Sanchez and Arne Hodalic about the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war on the people of counties such as Afghanistan, Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Participants ranged from representatives from the permanent missions of Slovenia and Spain who co-hosted the event, to members of large media outlets such as Agencia EFE, UN Radio and ABC Spain. In all, over 250 people attended the awareness raising event that included a performance by jazz singer Lucy Woodward.
Press Release: EFFORTS TO REMOVE LANDMINES AT THE TOP OF UNITED NATIONS AGENDA TODAY
Events in New York
Living with Mines: A joint exhibition by renowned Spanish photographer Gervasio Sanchez and renowned Slovenian photographer Arne Hodalic about the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war on civilians in countries such as Afghanistan, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and Sudan. The exhibit officially opens at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3, in the Northeast Gallery of the UN Secretariat Building. Refreshments will be served. Delegates, Journalists, United Nations staff and the general republic are warmly invited to attend with an rsvp to aguilar@un.org. Visitors should enter the grounds at the public entrance on 1st Avenue near 46th Street.
The following is a list of events that help raise awareness about landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the efforts to eliminate them are taking place around the world for the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action:
AFGHANISTAN
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Kabul, Jalababad
What: UN Mine Action chief, Maxwell Kerley recently visited projects in Afghanistan supported by the United Nations
Radio Coverage
Click here for photographic highlights of Landmine Awareness Day in Kabul on April 4th 2009
Click here to view the Photo Exhibition from International Landmine Awareness Day in Kabul on April 4th 2009
AZERBAIJAN
ANAMA cleared mines in 81 million square meters in Azerbaijan over ten years
[APA] Director of Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Nazim Ismayilov held a press conference on Friday on the occasion of April 4, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
CAMBODIA
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Phnom Penh
What: Media statement
Who: CMAA, UNDP
Contact: Melissa.sabatier@undp.org
CYPRUS
Mine-free Cyprus by 2011
[CyprusMail] UN Special Representative and Chief Mission in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun yesterday called for , a concerted push to achieve the goal of a mine-free buffer zone in Cyprus by 2011.
DRC
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Kinshasa
What: A ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign affairs chaired by the Minister of interior and security with the presence of the Minister of Social Affairs, representative from the Army (FARDC) HQ international and National NGOs in addition to UNMACC. During the Celebration, Ms. L'Or Mbongo was invested by the Minister of Interior and Security as Mine Action Ambassador of good will in DRC. Ms. Mbongo is a famous singer in DRC and surrounding country. She showed a real commitment for Mine Action and asserted her efforts in Mine Risk Education and advocacy.
Who: National Authority with support of UNMACC
Article: Les opérateurs de lutte antimines appelés ŕ soutenir l'action antimines en RDC 
4,000 anti-personnel landmines destroyed
[MAG] MAG oversaw the destruction of 4,000 anti-personnel mines in the Republic of Congo on Friday - the eve of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
ETHIOPIA
When: April 2nd 2009
Where: Ghion hotel, Awash Hall
Who: EMAO and UNDP
What:
1. Film on HMA
2. Presentation on the results of stockpile destruction, mine clearance and mine risk education (MRE) programme and way forward:
3. Photo exhibition of mine action programmes i.e. clearance, MRE, victim assistance (EMAO and CSOs)
4. Press release by UN New York, and by UN Ethiopia (UNDP)
5. Statement by UN Secretary General (UNDP)
6. Distribution of leaflets etc (EMAO, CSOs, UNDP)
Contact: Keita.sugimoto@undp.org
GEORGIA 
Educating children about unexploded ordnance through art and drama in Georgia
[UNICEF] On 4 April, the third annual International Day for Mine Awareness is being observed worldwide. Here is a story about mine-awareness efforts in Georgia.
IRAQ
When: TBC
Where: TBC
What: UNDP and UNICEF Iraq Mine Action, we will launch a report covering the mine action situation in Iraq.
Who: UNDP and UNICEF
Contact: kent.paulusson@undp.org
IRAN
Iran, Iraq Form Joint Demining Commission
[FNA] Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced that a joint commission has been formed by Iran and Iraq for demining fields infested with mines left from the era of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran (1980-1988). In a message on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on Saturday, Najjar noted that in line with humane cooperation, Iran stepped forward to set up the commission, in addition to concluding agreements on demining Iraq's mine-infested fields.
JORDAN
When: 8th April 2009
Where: King Hussein Cultural Centre
What: The National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation is holding a reception under the patronage of HRH Prince Mired Al - Hussein, which will be followed by a dramatic theatre production called "We Love Life" produced by one of Jordan's MRE providers 'Life Line for Consultancy and Rehabilitation'. The play aims to raise awareness of the danger of mines as well as on the victims of mines/uxo and on disability in general. At least three of the actors are disabled landmine survivors. 'We Love Life' has been produced with the cooperation of James Madison University Mine Action Information Center, and is touring the mine affected governorates in Jordan performing for children and local residents of mine affected communities. On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action the play will be performed for a high-level audience of royalty, ministers, governors, the international donor community in Jordan, local and international humanitarian organizations and partners in mine action at the King Hussein Cultural Center. A photo exhibition will also be displayed highlighting humanitarian mine clearance at the Northern Border Mine Clearance Project, which constitutes Jordan's last major mine clearance task.
Who: National Centre for demining and Rehabilitation
Contact: m.alalul@ncdr.org.jo Olaf.Juergensen@undp.org
KENYA
When: 16 April 2009
Where: Nairobi
What: Presentation by UNMAS, HPSS (formerly IMATC), MAG and MAT are participating. The theme of the presentation will be concentrated on the organization's work in East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Who: UNMAS Somalia
Contact: davidb@unops.org
LAO PDR
When: April 7th 2009.
Where: Lao Cultural Hall, central Vientiane
What: key note speeches by government officials led by the Minister of Defence (currently the chair of the inter-Ministerial National Regulatory Authority), the UN, and Donor representatives; followed by an interactive display involving UXO and Mine Action Organizations'. Lastly there will be a program of entertainment, from performers who come from disadvantaged and/or affected groups.
Who: UNDP, NRA, UXO Lao
Contact: tim.horner@undp.org
LEBANON
When: Event 1: 3 April. Event 2:18 April
Where:
What: Event 1: LMAC/UNDP will host a donors meeting with presentations from local NGOs;
Event 2: Annual Mine Action Gala Dinner LMAC/UNMACC/Clearance NGOs
Who: LMAC and UNDP
Contact: allan.poston@undp.org 
Landmine victims defeat diplomats in soccer match
[DailyStar] A football team made up entirely of the victims of landmines and cluster bombs defeated a combined diplomatic team from Beirut in a special event held to mark International Mine Awareness Day on Saturday. The event drew large crowds and media coverage as a side boasting three ambassadors went down 2-1 to team determined to prove that their disabilities would not put them at a disadvantage on the football field.
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 Apr 2009
[Reliefweb] The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) marked the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action by bringing greater focus on mine risk education for children.
Op-Ed by UN Special Coordinator Michael Williams on the Occasion of Mine Action Day
MOZAMBIQUE
When: April 3th 2009
Where: Machipanda District of Manica Province near the border with Zimbabwe.
What: Mozambique Mine Action Authorities had organized a joint celebration with SADC mine affected states with participation of Government officials led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, local communities and authorities, the UNDP Country Director, SADC and Donor representatives. The programme was followed by interactive demonstration of Mine Action organizations and concluded with folklore performances by local groups. The National Demining Institute (IND) intended that this event will promote a regional co-operation initiative to guarantee longer-term commitment for mine clearance along border areas and believes that firm commitment by both countries to solve the problem will set an example to the region and the entire world. 
Mozambique-Land-Clearance
[APA] Mozambican Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Eduardo Koloma on Monday said that his country had managed to clear four provinces of the landmines, the deadly underground weapons planted during the war with Renamo rebels that ended in 1992.
NEPAL
When: April 4th 2009
What: Radio Chautari, the initiative of the United Nations Country Team, has now gone on air with an objective of communicating directly with people across Nepal on issues of peace and economic development. The radio kicked off its first 30-minute magazine on 4 April 2009 which dealt with the issue of mine action activities in Nepal, coinciding with the International Mine Action Day. One can listen to the programmes on Ujyalo Network's 90 FM every Saturday from 07:30 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. and Radio Kantipur's 96.1 FM every Wednesday from 07:30 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. Press Release
Who: UN Mission in Nepal
SOMALIA
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Hargeisa (Somaliland)
What: Street March with Police Band, Mine victims, theatrical production with a MRE theme, Static displays of MA and associated equipment. MRE team to present Mine Awareness message and distribute T-shirts/leaflets.
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Baidoa (South Central Somalia)
what: Football match between local teams consisting of children from IDP camp, schools and madarsa, Static display, MRE stand
When: April 4th 2009
Where:Garoway (Puntland)
what: A theatrical production with a MRE theme, Football match Between local schools/youth groups. Static displays of MA and associated equipment. Distribution of t-shirts and leaflets.
Who: UNMAS Somalia
Contact: davidb@unops.org
International Mine Action Day Marked in Somaliland
[Somalilandpress] International Mine Action Day (IMAD) was marked in Somaliland today. The event which is celebrated each year has started early in the morning from the Ministry of Interior and ended at the Civil Center Hall where hundreds attended to celebrate for the day.
SRI LANKA
When: From March 30th
Where: Colombo, Sri Lanka,
What: A television interview with representatives from civil society working on Mine Action as well as an interview for a morning talk show with the UNDP Country Director; A 15 second public awareness announcement on the radio repeated throughout April 4; Distributing a press kit with a press release, pictures, stats, and some ready-made beneficiary stories. We will invite 3-5 journalists with a specific interest in mine action for a more in-depth briefing and to encourage them to allocate more space in their papers than just for the press release.
Who: UNDP, UNICEF, Landmine Monitor, and the Small Arms South Asia Network.
Contact: floor.beuming@undp.org
SUDAN
When: April 4, 2008, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Friendship Palace, Khartoum
What: Welcome speeches, musical bands playing, marathon & bicycle races coordinated by national NGOs Friends of Peace and Development Organization (FPDO) and JASMAR, drama on mine awareness, testimony by victims of landmines/ERW, exhibition of activities by mine action sector partners, by pillars rather than by organization
Who: National Mine Action Center
Contact: Severine Flores, +249 (0)155 771 898, severinef@sudan-map.org
When: April 4, 2008, 3 to 6 p.m.
Where: Buluk Square, Juba
What: Musical bands, various speeches, demining display by UNMIS Bangladeshi Military Demining Company's teams, display of demining machinery, MRE display
Who: South Sudan Demining Authority (SSDA)
Contact: Severine Flores, +249 (0)155 771 898, severinef@sudan-map.org
When: 4th April 2009
Where: Friendship Palace, Khartoum
What: welcome speeches, musical bands playing, marathon & bicycle races coordinated by national NGOs Friends of Peace and Development Organization (FPDO) and JASMAR, drama on mine awareness, testimony by victims of landmines/ERW, exhibition of activities by mine action sector partners, by pillars rather than by organization
Who: UNDP Sudan, National Mine Action Centre (Sudan)
Contact: Qadeem.tariq@undp.org
When: 4th April 2009
Where: Buluk Square, Juba
What: musical bands, various speeches, demining display by UNMIS Bangladeshi Military Demining Company's teams, display of demining machinery, MRE display
Who: UNDP Sudan, South Sudan Demining Authority (SSDA)
Contact: Qadeem.tariq@undp.org
Press: Toward Sudan free of landmine risks
4,000 locations registered in south for mine-clearance
[Miraya FM] The South Sudan Demining Authority has registered over (4,000) locations in southern Sudan that need mine-clearance operations. Speaking during the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness, the deputy chairperson of South Sudan Demining Authority, Margaret Mathiang, said that the Authority is involved in land mine clearance of roads including mine action risk education.
TAJIKISTAN
When: April 4th 2009
Where: Central Building of the Kohi Vahdat conference hall
What:
1. Official Opening will be held at the Central Building of the Kohi Vahdat conference hall.
2. The High Representatives of the UNDP/Tajikistan, the Ambassador of the ESCE in Dushanbe, Officials of the Commission on Implementation International Humanitarian Law (CIIHL) under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Ministries, Embassies diplomatic corps, international and local organizations will attend the meeting.
3. Exhibition on the achievements reached by Mine Action in Tajikistan will be demonstrated on all Programs, particularly, Mine Clearance, Mine Victims Assistance and Mine Risk Education.
4. Some Landmine Survivors will be invited to show the effectiveness of the small grant fundraising on their self-development and the impact of the rehabilitation provided by TMAC the last years.
5. 24 National Companies of Tajikistan Mass Media will be involved to announce commemoration of the International Mine Action Day.
6. So called 'Drawing Corner' will be arranged by the students of Dushanbe Art College to demonstrated their drawings relate to Mine Action.
7. Besides, the events on raising attitude to support progress of Mine Action in Tajikistan will be arranged by 66 MRE Volunteers in 22 districts.
8. Articles written by TMAC Program Staff will be issued throughout the worl and TMAC mine action websites and the republican papers;
9. Radio Broadcasting will be aired the process of the Mine Action Day.
10. District journalists will be tasked to provide articles in the local papers.
11. Demonstration of the landmines and UXOs will be arranged in the hall;
12. Demonstration of the mine detection dogs and deminers will be another part of the event at Mine Action Exhibition;
13. The TV Program will demonstrate special film about "Invisible Enemy" devoted to the Fifth-Anniversary of Tajik Mine Action Centre in national language.
Who: Tajikistan Mine Action Centre (TMAC) UNDP Press Release
Contact: jonmahmad.rajabov@undp.org; jonmahmad@mail.ru
TURKEY
Every Three Days Mines Kill or Maim a Person
[Bianet] Saturday, 4 April, was International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Muteber Ögreten, coordinator of the Initiative of a Turkey without Mines made a statement on the day, saying: "In 2004, a person was killed or maimed by mines or explosives left over from battles every three days. The number has not changed for 2008.
Un: Children Biggest Victims Of Landmines, Other Remnants Of War
[TurkishWeekly] A UN peacekeeper (R) shows cluster bombs and munitions to school children at a mine-risk education session in Lebanon, 04 Apr 2009The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, said children are the biggest victims of landmines and explosive remnants of war. UNICEF is calling attention to this ongoing threat as the world marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
UNITED KINGDOM
Campaigners call for more effort to rid world of mines
[Tribune] Speaking at the launch in Portcullis House, Westminster, about Disarm, her powerful new documentary DVD about landmines, Mary Wareham of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines said: "Finding landmines in the field is always a problem and we need to dedicate more resources to doing that. We also need to destroy the landmines that have not been deployed – stockpiles are now perhaps a bigger problem than the production of landmines."
UNITED STATES
Land-Mine Clearance Demo At James Madison University
The university's Mine Action Information Centertook part in a land-mine clearance demonstration on the field behind the Festival Student and Conference Center of JMU. The demonstration, was held at 12:30 p.m. and again at 2 p.m., is tied to the United Nation's International Landmine Awareness Day.
VATICAN
Pope calls for end to production, use of land mines, cluster bombs
[CatholicNews] Pope Benedict XVI called on nations to end the production, stockpiling and use of land mines and cluster bombs.
WESTERN SAHARA
When: 2 April, 2009
Where: Laayoune HQ
What: Mine Action Display, MACC Presentation to MINURSO staff (including PowerPoint presentation and video materials) Remarks by HOM (TBC), Free viewing of mine action displays. Displays will remain in the MINURSO cafeteria until 4th April
When: April 4, 2009
Where: MINURSO Team Sites
What: Monthly training plan to highlight Mine/UXO Safety Training on April 4th. All MINURSO Team Sites to show PowerPoint presentation and video for raising awareness during their daily briefing on 4th April.
Who: MINURSO Laayoune, Western Sahara
Contact: Tammy Hall, +1-212-963-1952 ext. 5427, hall9@un.org
When: April 4, 2009 11:00 am
Where: AFAPRADESA Office, Rabuni
What: resentation on the mine action results achieve by Landmine Action UK, Presentation on awareness of the dangers posed by mines and ERW, Photographic Exposition, Exhibition of maps of areas contaminated by mines and UXO, Video presentation of "Unacceptable Harm" ,
Who: AFAPRADESA Office, Rabuni
Contact: Tammy Hall, +1-212-963-1952 ext. 5427, hall9@un.org
YEMEN
Up 5000 mine victims over last ten years in Yemen
[SABAnews] On the occasion of the UN world day for mine action, 4 April, organized by the Programme in cooperation with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Yemeni official reviewed the activities and achievements of the Yemeni Programme over the last years, including a field survey implemented in 2000 for 592 villages affected by mines in 19 province of the country.