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Mine victim assistance

Explosive weapons Rights
International

HI is attending the Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty from 26-30 November 2018, in Geneva. The organisation is calling on governments to support assistance for victims whose needs have increased dramatically in recent years.

Conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty - November 2018 à Genève

Conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty - November 2018 in Geneva | © Baptiste Chapuis / HI

The Landmine Monitor 2018, published last week, reports a third year of exceptionally high casualties caused by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). For the calendar year 2017, the Monitor recorded 7,200 mine/ERW casualties. The report also points out that international funding for victim assistance remains far from adequate to meet a sharp rise in needs.

Multiple needs

Victims have many needs. They may need to be fitted with a prosthesis or orthosis, or require rehabilitation care and psychological support to overcome trauma caused by a mine accident.

A disabling injury often has an impact on the whole family, especially when the injured person contributed to the family’s income and can no longer work. A victim and his or her family and friends may therefore need economic and social support through help returning to work, an apprenticeship or training, for example.

HI's actions during the conference 

During the conference, HI is organising several activities to draw the attention of State delegations to the need for victim assistance:

  • Screening of films showing the sorts of ways HI supports mine survivors;
  • Tuesday 27 November: HI presents the results of a study in Cambodia on victim assistance cooperation between a mine-affected country and a donor State;
  • Thursday 29 November: HI outlines the benefits of setting up a network of mine survivors and people with disabilities in Latin America to uphold their rights;
  • Our rehabilitation experts will share their experience in two workshops and numerous meetings with delegations throughout the week.
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HI certified as a “Specialised Emergency Rehabilitation” Team by the WHO
© B. Blondel / HI
Emergency

HI certified as a “Specialised Emergency Rehabilitation” Team by the WHO

HI is certified by the World Health Organisation for its expertise in emergency rehabilitation.

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons
© HI
Explosive weapons Protect vulnerable populations Rights

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons

The annual report of the Explosive Weapons Monitor reveals that civilians in 74 countries are affected by bombing and shelling. Civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure are increasing as armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions rise, at the expense of international humanitarian law. 

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives
© A.Eggerstorfer / HI
Explosive weapons Prevention Protect vulnerable populations Rights

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives

The looming threat of Russia has led to five Eastern European members announcing they will withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty in the last months, marking the first time any country has left the agreement and prompting concerns about its future.