International Mine Awareness Day

International Mine Awareness Day History

International Mine Awareness Day focuses on raising international consciousness on the urgency of mine action, in an effort to eradicate the use of undetonated and underfoot explosive devices around the world. These items, disregarded following armed conflicts, pose constant threats to human lives and impediments to socioeconomic development across nations. The day underlines the need for safe, effective clearance of these dangerous remnants of war and emphasises the importance of aid to victims, education about their risks, and campaign for a world free of the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

In the United Kingdom, awareness of the landmine issue was significantly raised by Princess Diana's activism in the 1990s, advocating globally against the use of landmines. Today, the UK is signatory to and vigorously enforces the Ottawa Treaty, an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. As such, the country continuously contributes funds to mine action globally, including clearance and victim assistance projects.

International Mine Awareness Day observed in the UK through various activities that involve the government, non-governmental organisations, and the general public. The UK’s Department for International Development plays a substantial role in the funding and education around mine clearance, rehabilitation and awareness-raising projects globally. Consequently, the day highlights the UK's commitment to global mine actions and offers an opportunity to reaffirm the country's pledge to a world safe from the threats of landmines and explosive remnants of war. International Mine Awareness Day occurs annually on April 4.

Facts about International Mine Awareness Day

• The theme for International Mine Awareness Day in 2023 was Mine Action Cannot Wait. In 2022, the theme was Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home.
• According to the Landmine Monitor of 2023, there were 50 incidents of mine use.
  According to Phys.Org, in 2021 around the world, there were 7,000 landmine incidents reported. Over 2,000 people were killed and 4,000 were wounded.
• According to weforum.org, the countries with the most casualties from landmines reported are:
  1) Afghanistan
  2) Burkina Faso
  3) Colombia
  4) Iraq
  5) Mali
• One of the most iconic images related to landmine awareness is that of Princess Diana, walking through a minefield in Angola in 1997. This visit drew attention to the issue globally, boosting efforts for the landmine ban.
• In 2019, the British government pledged to double the amount of its funding for landmine clearance, promising £100 million for the project over the next five years. This was announced by the then Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Mine Awareness Day

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Review the UN's Mine Action Strategy for 2019-2023.
• Learn more about the efforts to remove landmines and rebuild cities that were affected.
• Attend a Mine Advisory Group (MAG) Event: MAG is an international organization that saves lives and helps communities rebuild after war. In the UK, they often organize events such as lectures, talks, and discussions across the country to raise awareness about the impact of landmines and other unexploded ordnance on communities around the world.
• Read a book to learn more about the dangers of landmines:
  The Making of the British Landscape: From the Ice Age to the Present - by Francis Pryor: The book touches upon the influence of mining on the landscape throughout the course of British history.
  
  The Last Great Strike: Little Steel, the CIO, and the Struggle for Labor Rights in New Deal America - by Ahmad White: This book provides insights on the struggles of the labor movement in mining and associated industries.