Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson
Today is the United Nations’ International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, which provides opportunity for the world to reflect on both the progress made and the remaining challenges in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance. These explosive remnants of war still endanger civilians in more than 60 countries. The United States is working closely with partners worldwide to address this serious humanitarian challenge putting innocent people, including many children, at risk.
For more than 20 years, the United States leads the international donor community in promoting peace and security worldwide by partnering with nations to reduce the availability of excess, loosely-secured, or otherwise at-risk small arms and light weapons and munitions, as well as to address humanitarian hazards from landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict countries.
The United States is the world’s single largest financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction, investing over $3.7 billion in more than 100 countries since 1993. In 2019, the United States funded conventional weapons destruction efforts in 58 countries. Our assistance – that of the United States government and all of our global partners – is crucial to building a more safe, secure and prosperous world. Thanks to strong bipartisan funding support from Congress, the Department of State looks forward to continuing this important work with other donor countries, those impacted by conflict, and the brave men and women who work in the field to secure at-risk weapons and munitions and clear landmines and other explosive hazards.