2010 Global events to raise awareness
New York
UN Chief Calls For Continued Efforts Against Use Of Landmines
IMPACT!
Please join the Under-Secretary-General Mr. Alain Le Roy for the opening of an art exhibition to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The art exhibition is titled "IMPACT" and features work by Cambodian artists and survivors, and renowned photographers from Slovenia and Venezuela. The Cambodian art conveys the strength and dignity of landmine survivors and communities. The work of photographer Kike Arnal explores the impact of cluster munitions upon the lives of individuals in Lebanon. Arne Hodalic traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where he documented the tireless work of the United Nations Mine Action Team.
Join us for the opening reception and support our vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Monday, 5 April 2010, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
North East Gallery, United Nations Visitors Lobby
Live performance by acclaimed Verve recording artist Lucy Woodward www.lucywoodward.com
Open to the public.
Free admission.
Handmade gifts from Cambodia.
Refreshments served.
RSVP to aguilar@un.org 
Event Photo Gallery
Afghanistan
Mine awareness exhibition highlights approach of International Mine Action Day
24 February 2010 - Today, Kabul's Babur Gardens was host to 240 children learning how to avoid the dangers posed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war at an event organized by the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA).
The teaching methods for the mine-risk education messages included theatre, movies, singing and other interactive teaching methods. Once the teaching sessions were completed, the children were given the opportunity to design posters that would warn other children of the dangers of mines.
The Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan invites media to celebrate International Mine Action Day at a series of events:
10am, Wednesday 24th March. 21st Birthday Party of ATC
Afghan demining organization ATC will be celebrating their 21st birthday come and meet deminers who have been working in demining for 21 years.
10am, Saturday 3rd April. Exhibition of various aspects of mine action including:
Exhibitions by various demining NGOs
Mine risk education sessions in a converted aeroplane
Survivor assistance project which provides survivors and other persons with disabilities with training and jobs making demining equipment
Afghanistan's only landmine museum
10am, Sunday 4th April: Come and meet the children whose posters were selected as the winners of the MRE Poster Competition held in Babur Gardens in February. The winners, who were selected from over 200 entries, will have a professional artist help them paint their winning designs onto the wall of the MACCA on this day.
NB. MDC will also hold an event for international mine action day.
For more information, directions and RSVP, please contact:
Rafiullah Alkozai at rafiullah.alkozai@macca.org.af
Tel: 0705 966 372
UNAMA Special Representative of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura
greets an Afghan deminer during the observation of the International Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Day.
Dozens of deminers and other staff involved in mine awareness and rehabilitation of victims working for five implementing partners of the UN-supported Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA) gathered at the compound of the Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) on the outskirts of Kabul on Saturday.
Photo: Eric Kanalstein (UNAMA).
You can also view the Photo of the Day on our website: unama.unmissions.org
This photo can be reproduced and credited to UNAMA.
For more photos from UNAMA, please go to: www.flickr.com/photos/unama
Poster Competition Winners
Strategic Communication and Spokespersons Unit
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
Kabul , Afghanistan
Tel: 079 000 6121; +39 083 124 6121
unama.unmissions.org
Azerbaijan
UN marked Mine Awareness Day in Azerbaijan jointly with villagers and local partners in Borsunlu village situated near ceasefire line
To highlight the outcomes of the UN-Azerbaijan cooperation in mine action, the UN Department of Public Information Office (UN DPI) in Baku teaming up with International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), which is one of the partners of ANAMA, marked the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action through conducting an awareness-raising town hall meeting in Borsunlu village of Tartar region located about 48 km from the ceasefire line, 5 hours drive from Baku.
Borsunlu village was not chosen at random. Several days prior to the town hall meeting, a local shepherd was a victim of landmine accident in the village. Hitherto, according to IEPF statistics, between 2004 and 2010, about 15 persons have fallen victims to landmine explosions.
The town hall meeting started with opening remarks from the UN DPI Representative, Ms. Envera Selimovic. She pointed out the efforts made by the UN and the Government of Azerbaijan in eliminating the threats of landmines and explosive remnants of war. "In all parts of the world affected by mines, care for the survivors has been in the focus of the United Nations," Ms. Selimovic stated. While interacting with the local population so as to become familiar with the mine victims' living conditions, Ms. Selimovic informed that, being a witness of the war in her homeland Bosnia, she is well aware of the tragedies caused by landmines and the everyday challenges faced by ordinary people.
Press Coverage in Azerbaijan:
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Mina təhlkəsinə qar beynəlxalq mbarizə gn ilə əlaqədar tədbir keirilib
BMT TƏMSLS TƏRTƏRDƏ OLUB
BMT-nin Azərbaycandak nmayəndəliyinin departament rəhbəri Tərtərdə olub
Sayta qoyulub: 13:36 03.04.2010 (23 dəfə oxunub )
BMT-nin Azərbaycandak nmayəndəsi Tərtərdə olub
TƏRTƏRDƏ MNA TƏMZLƏNMƏS LƏ BALI TƏDBR KERLB
BMT-nin Azərbaycandak nmayəndəliyinin ctimai nformasiya Departamentinin rəhbəri Tərtərdə olub
Cambodia
Who: Local NGOs in partnership with UNDP
What: The Cambodian Handicraft Association, which provides employment opportunities for landmine survivors and other people with disabilities, will present their activities, and films about survivor assistance and landmine clearance will be screened.
Where: Meta House, 6 Street 264, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
When: Sunday 4 April 2010, 7 pm
Contact: melissa.sabatier@undp.org
Chad
When: International Mine Awareness Day will be celebrated on 6 April 2010.
Where: The "Maison de la Culture Chadienne'" in Abeche.
What: Opening speeches by the Governor of Ouaddai, the Director of the CRD and Madam Salah, the DSRSG. Some other government representatives will be present during the ceremony and the event. The list will be finalized next Monday 29 March 2010. Approximately 20 children from primary schools will be invited to participate in the event. Those children will at the same time spread the message to their friends and acquaintances either at the school or in their communities. For the past 3 weeks we have started broadcasting a Public Service Announcement (PSA) message in the 15 minutes slot allocated to MINURCAT in a local radio station. The radio spot consists of a very short role play performed by local actors which raises awareness about the threat of mines and ERW targeting the local population, refugees and IDPs. The message is broadcasted within the mission's area of operations. It will be in Arabic and French. Based on the script of the radio message, a short play will be presented during the International Mine Awareness Day. The role play will be performed by local actors from Abeche. Coordination and preparation of the role play are in progress and details will be finalized during the present week. Stands will be MAU Chad, UNICEF, ICRC, Regional Demining Center (CRD) and MineTech during all day of the event. Information on each partner's activities, achievements and constraints will be available at the stands. A display of empty ERW will be facilitated by MineTech.
Contact: cornejo@un.org
Croatia
When: 4 April
What: Press release highlighting the revival of mine affected areas. Leading up to the Mine Awareness Day UNDP Croatia is handing over seedlings to farmers for the planting of walnut and hazelnut orchards on land demined in 2008. These activities will also be covered in the press release.
Who: UNDP Croatia
Contact: hans.risser@undp.org
DRC
DRC is celebrating with a 2 weeks programme that started last Wednesday 24th March 2010 with the handover ceremony of Kananga airport (Kasai Occidental Province) and demolition of last ammunition of 7 tonnes FARDC stocks in Sapo Sapo (Kasai occidental).
Wednesday 31th March 2010 Press Conference announcing the celebration of Mine Awareness day and also the official handover to Goodwill Ambassador of the DPKO invitation letter to Shangai exposition by the SRSG. 2 Interviews on Radio Okapi.
Monday 5th of April from 17h30 to 19h00 with 3 days of painting exhibition with 6 well known Congolese painters who will work on Mine Action positive impact in DRC.
Performance by Goodwill Ambassador Ms. L'Or Mbongo who will launch her Mine Action song.
Wednesday 7 of April with the handover ceremony of Kabumba minefield (more than 900.000 sqm) in Katanga Province
UN voices concern over minefields in DRC
Egypt
landmines remain a threat in Egypt's Alamein
[almasryalyoum] Situated along the coast of the Mediterranean, Alamein is one of Egypt's most breathtaking locations, and also one of its most dangerous. Today, a convoy of UN representatives, diplomats, government officials and NGO workers made its way to the desert of Alamein, on the north western coast of Egypt. The trek will mark the United Nations' International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, observed annually on 4 April. Members of today's procession were scheduled to visit minefields and attend conferences held by military officials to discuss efforts to clear Alamein of mines.
European Parliament
President Jerzy Buzek on the International Day for Mine Awareness falling on 4th April
Ethiopia
When: 4 April
Where: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
What: Issuing a joint EMAO and UNDP press release to mark the day
Who: EMAO and UNDP
Contact: Keita Sugimoto, Programme Advisor, UNDP Ethiopia, Tel: +251-(0)912-200345, Email: keita.sugimoto@undp.org
Eritrea
April 03 April 8: Street Banners: Large street banners in English, Tigrinya and Arabic. They will be displayed in major locations within Asmara.
April 8 2010: Under the coordination of the Eritrean Demining Authority and other mine action partners in the country, UNICEF, UNDP, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, and the Eritrean Red Cross Society of Eritrea, the following activities have been planned.
Children's Campaign: this is an activity that will involve 250 children carrying billboards and MRE posters with various slogans and singing through the main streets of Asmara. This will create more awareness among children as they are the major victims of mines and explosive remnants of war. Display of MRE/Mine Action Materials: During the event, a large space will be prepared for the display of various materials developed globally and nationally. MRE teams would be assigned to brief participants on landmine safety measures. Dramas and Songs: Dramas, arts work and songs in local languages will be prepared by children and presented at the event. T-shirts and Caps: During the event, t-shirts and caps will be prepared and distributed to all the children, invitees, organizers, and visitors. Community-based MRE Teams: At the sub national level, particularly in the war-affected communities, the MRE teams and volunteers will conduct various social mobilization activities to further raise awareness on the threat posed by mines and explosive remnants of war. Visit to Mine-Garden: During the event various Mines/ERW that are common in Eritrea will be displayed and participants would be invited to visit the inert garden.
Media Coverage: Ministry of Information will play a significant role in publicizing and broadcasting the events on TV, radio and News Papers in various local languages. Panel Discussions in Radio: In collaboration with Ministry of Information, EDA will arrange panel discussions on radio in relation to event and situation of Mines/ERW problem in Eritrea. Dialogue sessions will also be held with children. Target group: Core diplomatics, embassies, UN agencies, international humanitarian NGOs, Ministries, high government of officials and children will be invited. During the event, UNDP and UNICEF are expected to deliver key messages. UNICEF Newsflash: A news clip will jointly be developed with partners by the advocacy/communication section in highlighting the event.
Contact: Gbemi AkinboyoChief, Child Protection Section, UNICEF Eritrea
Tel: 291-1-186222 ext 427
Fax: +291-1- 187879
e-mail: gakinboyo@unicef.org
Gaza
Newsletter prepared by UN Mine Action Team-Gaza and Survivor Corps for the International day for mine awareness and assistance in mine action
Georgia
ERWCC Georgia Commemorates International Mine Awareness Day
Tbilisi 06 April, 2010
ERWCC organized public awareness campaign on April 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The event took place in the central entrance of Marjanishvili Theatre, at Marjanishvili Street, where ERWCC team, dressed in deminers' uniforms, distributed leaflets and tried to attract attention of pedestrians walking in the street. Everybody who was interested in the event, received the information about the organization and its activities.
Contact: Ano Gogichadze
Public Relations Officer
iMMAP / ERWCC Georgia
6 Marjanishvili Street, 0102 Tbilisi, Georgia
Phone: +995 (32) 966422
Fax: +995 (32) 966611
Cell: +995 (99) 103395
E-mail: agogichadze@immap.org
Web: www.erwcc.org.ge
Italy
When: International Mine Awareness Day will be celebrated on 3 April 2010
Who: Campagna Italiana contro le mine (Italian Campaign against landmines)
What: On April 4th we celebrate the International day for mine awareness and assistance in mine action; The Italian Campaign Against Landmines has sent letters to the highest Government positions in office in order to remind them of this day: Prime Minister, Minister of Youth, The Holy Father to whom we also attached all our Campaign material.
As the "Italian Campaign Against Mines", we want to honour this day, stressing the attention of people and media on all those persons who, as a consquence of land mines and cluster bombs, have lost their legs, arms or have become blind or got a disability of any kind.
We want to do this through a new, different and creative mean that is just the Flash Mob: in Rome on April 3rd, saturday we'd like to gather as many people as possible in order to send the whole world our strongest message! We'll be dancing for 4 minutes on one leg, switching the leg every minute and we'll dance on 4 different types of music: african, latin-american, arabian and oriental just to remember all the victims from these geographic areas.
During the fifth minute we'll remain silent to honor those victims and we'll be leaning on one another to recall in people's mind the tragedy of permanent disability.
A small celebratory party will be set up in the town of Ceva where we'll hand out the Campaign material as well as information packs about our supporting effort for the "Nobel Prize for Peace" nomination of Alberto Cairo.
Where: Piazza del Popolo - Rome
Contact: comunicazione@campagnamine.org
Iraq
When: 4 April
Where: TBC
What: UNDP and UNICEF Iraq Mine Action will put out a Press Release with a new factsheet highlighting developments with concern to the mine action situation in Iraq.
Who: UNDP and UNICEF
Contact: kai.stabell@undp.org and paal.aarsaether@undp.org
Jordan
Who: streetfootballworld network member Spirit of Soccer in partnership with FIFA, Generation for Peace, the Jordanian National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation (NCDR) and the Jordanian Soccer Federation
What: streetfootballworld network member Spirit of Soccer has partnered with FIFA, Generation for Peace, the Jordanian National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation (NCDR) and the Jordanian Soccer Federation to host a festival for children, coaches, and mentors from communities in Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon affected by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Where: Jordan
When: The festival will culminate in the celebration of International Mine Action Day on April 4th.
Contact: olaf.juergensen@undp.org
Mozambique
When: April 15th
Where: Mabalane District of Province of Gaza.
What: The Celebration of the Mine Awareness Day will be held under the theme "Deminers at the Forefront of Demining for Development in Mozambique", putting people first, in recognition of the arduous and difficult task undertaken by deminers over more than 17 years of mine clearance in affected communities, to free land for socioeconomic development. The event will commence with a visit to a minefield, where APOPO is currently demining, using rats in conjunction with mechanical and manual demining assets. The area sees intensive agricultural activities and a major trade route links Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Participants will then be invited to a primary school in the centre of Mabalane, to hear key note speeches by Government officials led by the Provincial Governor and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, with participation of local communities and authorities, the UN and Donor representatives. Prizes will be given to individual deminers and demining organizations to pay tribute to their important contribution in the national demining efforts. The programme will be followed by an interactive demonstration by Mine Action organizations and will conclude with folklore performances by local groups. Local media will be invited to cover the entire celebration.
Who: The Mozambique Mine Action Authorities (IND)
Contact: Mila Massango, Head of International Relations Department, National Demining Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, mila.massango@gmail.com, tel: 258-21-410423. Hanoch Barlevi, Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP, hanoch.barlevi@undp.org
Putting deminers in the forefront
[UNDP] Maputo , 17 April 2010 Putting deminers in the forefront was the national theme of the celebrations of the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action held on 15th of April in Phukwe, Mabalane District of Gaza Province. The celebrations organized by the National Demining Institute were devoted to the deminers that have carried on their task in affected communities during the 17 years after the civil war.
Netherlands
In about 40 countries especially in the Third World, Explosive Remnants of War like landmines, clusterbombs, unexploded ammunition, stocks of weapons and ammunition, have been left behind after an armed conflict. The Dutch charity "Actiefonds Mijnen Ruimen" (AMR) provides information and raises funds to help solve the many problems caused by this material. This charity has been active since 1996 and its located in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. All members are volunteers. Website: www.actiefondsmijnenruimen.nl
On the occasion of International Landmine Awareness Day AMR organizes an event on April 10th in front of the Royal Palace on the Dam Square in Amsterdam, The Netherlands . A simulated minefield will be laid and people will be invited to try their hand at landmine detection and clearance.
For more info:
Gerhard van de Rhoer
Actiefonds Mijnen Ruimen
Tolhuis 31-08
6537 NB Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Phone +31(0)243449006
info@actiefondsmijnenruimen.nl
www.actiefondsmijennruimen.nl
Nepal
What: Media field visit to highlight clearance, mine risk education and victim assistance activities. The BBC and local media will covered the visit on 1st and 2nd of April. On Sunday April 4th - the Nepal mine action joint working group and Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction (MoPR) will held a press conference to highlight the opening of a mine action office within the MoPR and progress in mine action activities in Nepal in general. Statements by the MoPR, UNMAT and a member of civil society.
Press Release
Press Clippings
Radio Broadcast
Links-Media coverage in Nepal
The BBC 'World Briefing' (starts about 10:20 into the full broadcast)
Govt studying to ratify the Land Mine convention: Peace Minister (Video)
Nepal marks the 5th annual International Day of Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Nepal marks 5th Int'l Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Nepal Army clears half of landmines remnants
Govt urged to be part of mine ban treaty
Senegal
UNICEF Senegal is supporting the organization of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 4th of April. In Senegal, this Day coincides with the National Independence Day Celebrations.
Activities:
- National Defile with humanitarian deminers and mine victims also present and taking part in the National Defile.
- A Press Conference at the National Mine Action Centre Sunday at 15.30 with UNICEF presence and UNICEF and UNDP funding
- Group the Dance, Theatre and Rap performing in the Official Cultural Evening organized by the Governor at 1930. The Theatre group and Rappers will use Mine Risk Education related messages in their performances and are financed by UNICEF.
Contact: Christina de Bruin
Chef de Sous Bureau
UNICEF, Bureau de Zone de Ziguinchor
Phone: 221 33 938 80 40 / 77 637 26 11
Fax: 221 33 991 36 23
Email cdebruin@unicef.org
Sri Lanka
What: Seminar on AP Landmines & ERW for Media Personnel
When: Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Where: Sri Lanka Press Institute Auditorium (96, Kirula Road, Colombo 05, Tel: 011-5353635, Fax: 011-5335500,
Introduction by Dr. Padma Rathnayake Chairperson, SASA Net, Documentary Movie, 10 years after Mine Ban Treaty entry into Force - Mr. Prasanna Kuruppu Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines, presentation by Mr. Monty Ranatunga - Director, National Mine Action Centre , Ministry of National Building & Estate Infrastructure Development, Documentary Movie Explosive Remnants of War- A protocol to end the lethal legacy of modern conflicts, Mine Risk Education & Victim Assistance, by Mr. Sebastian Kasack - Mine Action Specialist, UNICEF, Sri Lanka Army Experience in Humanitarian Demining by Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara - Chief Field Engineer, Sri Lanka Army, Documentary Movie "UGULA" A common issue similar to AP Landmines & ERW in Sri Lanka, Presentation UNDP Assistance to Mine Action by Mr. Kallie Calitz Technical Advisor, UNDP, Discussion: Responsibility of the Media - Raising Awareness to protect children and adults from AP Landmines & ERW.
Web: www.slpi.lk
Sudan
Darfur
7 April 2010 The National Mine Action Center is organizing activities in El Fasher focusing on ERW/UXO awareness. Radio broadcasts will be issued through UNAMID public information section. Activities include a march, drama plays, songs, speeches, puppet show, exhibition of signs and posters and products from disabled workshop (prosthesis). The day is planned in cooperation with UNAMID, UNICEF, FPDO, JASMAR, ExLogs and Darfur Ministry of Education and will focus on the youth. Mr Mohammed Younis, DJSR will be chief representative from UNAMID.
Khartoum
1 April 2010: The National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) and the United Nations Mine Action Office in Sudan (UNMAO) are organising a ceremony in Khartoum. The Vice President of the Sudan, State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) will celebrate the day together with activities including music band, drama show, poem readings and exhibitions and demonstrations of mine action equipment and activities.
Click here to view the Event Programme
Click here to view the Invitation
Tajikistan
Who: Tajikistan Mine Action Centre, UNDP
What: Event in the city of Khujand celebrating the Int. Mine Action Day. The event will be conducted in cooperation with Regional authority, Committee of the Emergency Situation, Education and Social protection departments, 6 local branches of the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, Communities Support Centers and village teachers. Informational Stands regarding the achievements by 5 pillars will be displayed to describe humanitarian mine clearance in Tajikistan with its significant position among countries in Central Asia. Teachers (MRE Volunteers) and their students from the border schools will demonstrate two performances on the following topics "Children Go For Wood" and "Life and Flower". The scenes are aimed to raise awareness of the danger of landmines as well as on the victims of mines/UXOs and on disability in general. The MRE Volunteers from 6 districts display MRE Info Boards with the related info about MRE coverage among inhabitants of border villages. Landmine survivors will demonstrate their different business as beekeeping, handicraft, and shoemaking by displaying at the exhibition and effectiveness of the small grant fundraising on their self-development and the impact of the rehabilitation provided by TMAC the last years. Demonstration of the landmines/UXOs and on of the mine detection dogs and deminers will be arranged. A Radio and TV interviews with representatives of TMAC and its partners, mine victims, MRE local volunteers as well as an interview for a morning talk show with the UNDP TMAC Director; A selected 5 or 10 minutes public awareness announcement on the National Radio and TV will be repeated throughout April 2, 3 and 4; Distributing a press kit with a press releases, info sheets, and some ready-made beneficiary stories. TMAC invite 10-15 journalists with a specific interest in mine action for a more in-depth briefing and to encourage them to allocate more space in their country and districts papers. The High Representatives of the UNDP/Tajikistan, Officials of the Commission on Implementation International Humanitarian Law (CIIHL) under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Ministries, Officials of oblast government, ministries, and international agencies based in Sughd Oblast, national agencies, UNDP based in Khujand, Donor representatives and National Mass Media will be invited to the event.
Where: Sughd Region, city of Khujand, Tajikistan. Official Opening held at the Regional Authority Meeting Hall
When: April 3th 2010
Contact: Jonmahmad Rajabov, TMAC Project Manager, jonmahmad.rajabov@undp.org
The anniversary of the Mine Action Day was commemorated at the day of visit of Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization.
Press Release
Western Sahara
Who: Mine Action Coordination Centre, Western Sahara
What: Sensitivization day within the United Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. This will involve the reproduction of a safe lane; with mine signs inside the main entrance to the mission compound. The Western Sahara mine action team will deliver a presentation addressing key mine action messages and host the screening of "Surviving Cluster Bombs" ; a movie directed by Kike Arnal showing the effects of cluster bombs on civilians. Finally, the day will end with a mine action quiz game. Mine action e-messages will be sent out to the team sites.
When: 8th April 2010 (all day)
Where: United Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara