Austcare's Mine Action Program 2007-2010

Austcare’s Mine Action Program aims to reduce the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) on women, men and children, particularly in displaced and other vulnerable communities.1 The Program is reviewed annually to incorporate lesson learned and maximise it’s impact. Since 1989, Austcare has partnered with other leading mine action agencies and local communities to successfully conduct projects in Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mozambique, and on the Thai-Burma border. Austcare’s Mine Action Program is comprehensive and includes: · immediate disaster management and emergency response, particularly in postconflict situations; and · recovery and long-term development assistance to reduce poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. Austcare’s Mine Action Program is shaped by Austcare’s Mission: “to assist refugees overseas, displaced people, returnees and those affected by landmines to rebuild their lives and to reduce poverty through the expert delivery of development programs in partnership with local communities and other agencies.”2 The Mine Action Program enables Austcare to better serve those affected by landmines and ERW by: · helping to prevent the use of landmines and ERW, including cluster munitions; · reducing death and injury due to landmines and ERW; · responding to and helping to ameliorate the impact of landmines and ERW during emergency post-conflict situations; · assisting women, men and children to maximise the impact of sustainable development and escape poverty through risk reduction, integrated mine action (IMA)3, and survivor assistance programs; and · developing programs that meet the specific needs of landmine survivors.