Every 22 minutes someone steps on a landmine

Over 70 million landmines in the ground in at least 90 countries

Landmines maim or kill 19,000 civilians every year.

A third of those killed or injured are children.

15 countries still produce antipersonnel mines

180-85 million landmines stockpiled

Countries with largest stockpiles-China (110 mill), Russia (50 mill), U.S.(10.4 mill)

Some countries will take 900 years to clear

Very few mines are marked

Often people are unaware that areas are mined, but out of necessity, they take risks that can result in death or serious injury.

Costs on average $3 to clear a square metre of land.

Humanitarian mine clearance (as opposed to military mine clearance during a war) requires the clearance of ALL landmines and unexploded ordnance. 

One method with 100% clearance rate is manual demining, - metal detector & prodder, checking the ground

Machines & dogs often used to support manual demining activities.

Mine detection dogs trained to sniff the explosives in a mine, then area needs to be checked manually. 

Demining machines can sometimes be used to detonate some of the mines. 

No technology or machine is 100% reliable – Manual deminer must check the ground in slow and painstaking process.

Remove mines from the ground

Ensure minefields are fenced off and marked

Ensure communities receive education about mine risks

Destroy mines in stockpiles

Meet the needs of mine victims - from emergency medical care to rehabilitation

Ensure that all countries join the Mine Ban Treaty and undertake to never again produce, use or sell antipersonnel mines

Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Convention) first signed on 3 December 1997, and became international law on 1 March 1999.

Landmines are now illegal in about two-thirds of all countries.

Bans the use, production, stockpiling & transfer of antipersonnel landmines (but NOT antitank mines, booby traps or unexploded ordnance). 

All parties to the treaty pledge to commit resources to mine clearance and survivor assistance.