Landmine survivors mark National Mine Awareness Day
One decade after the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty became international humanitarian law, more than 500 landmine survivors and other people with disabilities, community leaders, monks, police, and representatives from mine action organizations gathered in Thmor Samleang village to reflect on Cambodian mine action progress. The event took place on the eve of National Mine Awareness Day, which is celebrated on 24 February.
“I’m happy with the accomplishments so far for myself, my family, and my country,” said Nobel Peace Prize winner Tun Channareth, who in 1997 won the award along with his International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) colleagues. “But I plan to continue working until we live in a peaceful world.” Tun Channareth, who has also travelled the world as an Ambassador for the ICBL, is wheelchair bound due to a 1982 landmine accident.
The event provided an opportunity for those who stand to most benefit from the treaty to share their thoughts on what has been accomplished as well as what challenges remain. The voices of the survivors will be an important consideration when the 156 States Parties to the treaty gather in Cartagena, Colombia, in November 2009 to pledge funding for a new five-year plan for mine clearance and survivor assistance.
The group participated in a discussion led by Tun Channareth, who spoke about the international efforts to end the use of landmines and cluster bombs, then asked participants to provide examples of their own personal experiences with the issues. When asked if they wanted the international community to help clear all the landmines in Cambodia, the crowd erupted in cheers. The Nobel Peace Prize was displayed throughout the event to remind participants of the impact that ordinary citizens can have on international mine action issues.
“Today we heard clearly from survivors that there is a strong need for continued commitment of political will and resources to end the suffering caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war,” said Advocacy Officer Ny Nhar of Jesuit Services Cambodia. “This message will be shared with world leaders at the conference in Colombia.”
After nearly three decades of war, Cambodia remains one of the countries most affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). To address this challenge, the Royal Government of Cambodia has made mine clearance and survivor assistance a 9th Cambodian Millennium Development Goal and integrated mine action into the National Strategic Development Plan. However, Cambodia will require continued international support to conduct survivor assistance and landmine clearance activities critical to the country’s development. The event was jointly sponsored by UNDP, Norwegian People’s Aid, and Jesuit Services Cambodia.
The event provided an opportunity for those who stand to most benefit from the treaty to share their thoughts on what has been accomplished as well as what challenges remain. The voices of the survivors will be an important consideration when the 156 States Parties to the treaty gather in Cartagena, Colombia, in November 2009 to pledge funding for a new five-year plan for mine clearance and survivor assistance.
The group participated in a discussion led by Tun Channareth, who spoke about the international efforts to end the use of landmines and cluster bombs, then asked participants to provide examples of their own personal experiences with the issues. When asked if they wanted the international community to help clear all the landmines in Cambodia, the crowd erupted in cheers. The Nobel Peace Prize was displayed throughout the event to remind participants of the impact that ordinary citizens can have on international mine action issues.
“Today we heard clearly from survivors that there is a strong need for continued commitment of political will and resources to end the suffering caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war,” said Advocacy Officer Ny Nhar of Jesuit Services Cambodia. “This message will be shared with world leaders at the conference in Colombia.”
After nearly three decades of war, Cambodia remains one of the countries most affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). To address this challenge, the Royal Government of Cambodia has made mine clearance and survivor assistance a 9th Cambodian Millennium Development Goal and integrated mine action into the National Strategic Development Plan. However, Cambodia will require continued international support to conduct survivor assistance and landmine clearance activities critical to the country’s development. The event was jointly sponsored by UNDP, Norwegian People’s Aid, and Jesuit Services Cambodia.
- Related topics: Poverty Reduction
Last updated: 20 August 2010
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