UN Marks Mine Awareness Day with Urgent Call: “Invest in Mine Action to Secure Peace and Recovery”

As the world marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on April 4, United Nations agencies and global partners have issued a strong call for increased investment to tackle the persistent threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, warning that lasting peace remains impossible where hidden explosives continue to endanger lives.

A Global Threat Beneath the Surface

Despite decades of progress, millions of people worldwide still live under the daily threat of landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnance, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

These hazards:

• Restrict movement and access to basic services

• Delay reconstruction and humanitarian aid delivery

• Prevent displaced families from returning home

• Undermine economic recovery and development

"Peace is fragile when communities cannot move safely or rebuild their lives," the UN emphasized, underscoring the continuing human and economic toll of explosive hazards.

"Invest in Peace, Invest in Mine Action"

This year's theme highlights a core message: mine action is not just a humanitarian effort—it is a foundation for peacebuilding and sustainable development.

UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Director Kazumi Ogawa stressed:

"Mine action saves lives every day. It enables humanitarian aid, supports displaced populations returning home, and creates the conditions for long-term peace and security."

Similarly, UNDP's Shoko Noda noted that mine action restores more than land—it restores freedom, opportunity, and dignity for affected communities.

Proven Impact: Lives Saved, Communities Rebuilt

The global mine action effort has delivered measurable results:

• Over 30 countries declared mine-free

• Large areas of land cleared and returned to productive use

• Infrastructure restored, including schools, roads, and markets

• Displaced families able to safely return home

Key activities include:

• Clearance operations to remove explosive hazards

• Risk education to reduce civilian exposure

• Victim assistance providing long-term support to survivors

• Surveys and assessments to guide targeted interventions

These efforts have enabled agriculture, trade, education, and livelihoods to resume, demonstrating the direct link between mine action and development.

Global Frameworks Supporting Civilian Protection

International agreements have played a critical role in reducing harm and shaping global norms:

• Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention – bans landmines causing indiscriminate harm

• Convention on Cluster Munitions – addresses long-term risks from unexploded ordnance

• Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) – focuses on urban conflict risks

• Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) – reinforces humanitarian limits

Together, these frameworks form a comprehensive system to prevent new contamination and address existing threats.

Rising Risks and Fragile Gains

Despite progress, the UN warns that new and ongoing conflicts are increasing contamination levels, putting more communities at risk.

There are concerns that:

• Reduced funding could slow clearance efforts

• Weakening commitment to international treaties could reverse gains

• Expanding conflict zones may increase civilian exposure

"Any retreat from global commitments risks undoing decades of progress," the statement warns.

A Call to Action

UN agencies—including UNMAS, UNDP, UNODA, UNOPS, and global humanitarian partners—are urging:

• Governments to uphold international conventions

• Donors to increase funding for mine action programmes

• Partners to strengthen coordination and field operations

The message is clear: investment in mine action is an investment in peace, safety, and resilience.

Looking Ahead

As conflicts persist and new risks emerge, mine action remains a critical pillar of global recovery and stability efforts.

From enabling safe movement to restoring livelihoods, its impact extends far beyond demining—helping rebuild societies and secure futures.

"Mine action works," the UN concluded. "With sustained commitment, we can continue reducing harm and building a world where no one lives in fear of hidden explosives."