ICBL MRE Statement to 5MSP

(Thursday 18 September 2003 Bangkok, Thailand)

A number of positive trends continue to be reported in the field of mine risk education (MRE):

• Landmine Monitor (LM) recorded significant MRE programs in 36 countries, including 23 States Parties (SP) and 10 non SP; new programs were recorded in 10 countries and areas, four of which are SP to the MBT. In addition, basic or limited MRE activities were recorded in 21 countries.
• At least 4.8 million people took part in MRE sessions worldwide in 2002; millions more received MRE through radio and television, as well as through short briefings.
• An increasing number of MRE operators report surveys, assessments, as well as external evaluations of their projects, generally leading to an increased quality of MRE in the field.
• At least 24 mine-affected SP mentioned MRE in their Article 7 Reports, under Form I, while a growing number of mine-affected SP reported on MRE following the “4 Ps” approach.

Despite these positive trends, no MRE activities were recorded in 25 mine affected countries (11 SP and 14 non SP). More specifically, a pressing need for MRE, or increased MRE, was apparent in Angola, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Georgia, India, Iran, Nepal and Somalia.

Future challenges can be summarized in the four following questions:

1. How to further strengthen ownership of MRE programs by mine-affected communities while complying with the international standards ?
2. How to involve people and communities who undertake high risk activities such as village demining in mine action ?
3. How to gest the best out of the cooperation between traditional mine action operators and MRE operators ?
4. How to respond to MRE needs in mine-affected countries where no MRE programs exist yet ?

Thank you.