Media Center

Press Release


ITALY CONTINUES ITS AID TO OAS MINE-RISK EDUCATION AND
VICTIM ASSISTANCE EFFORTS IN COLOMBIA

  March 7, 2008

The Government of Italy has made a contribution of EU$56,615 to the Organization of American States (OAS) program for Comprehensive Action against Antipersonnel Mines (AICMA for its initials in Spanish) to support its mine-risk education and landmine survivor assistance projects in Colombia.

Colombia has the highest number of victims of landmines in the hemisphere and is one of the most mine-effected countries in the world. According to figures published by the National Authority, in 2007 landmines claimed 878 victims; the total number of registered victims to date is 6,674.

The OAS AICMA program, with Colombian partners such as the Integral Rehabilitation Center of Colombia (CIREC in Spanish) and the National Learning Service commonly known as SENA (for its initials in Spanish), has been successfully assisting landmine survivors in Colombia with physical and psychological rehabilitation as well as with vocational training. The contribution allows the OAS to strengthen its efforts to continue aiding the physical and psychological rehabilitation and socio-economic re-integration needs of landmine survivors.

The donation also allows for advances in activities that reduce the risk of landmine accidents in effected communities. The OAS, through its AICMA program has trained civilian leaders and has assisted Colombian authorities in integrating mine risk education into the framework of humanitarian demining activities throughout the country.

Italy’s contribution complements financial support from the US and Canada, as the OAS assists the Colombian National Authorities with operations in response to Humanitarian Emergencies, and the clearance of 35 mine fields included in their National Plan; of the 35 minefields, 7 have been cleared.

Since 2001, Italy’s contributions have proven essential to the development of mine-risk education and victim assistance initiatives in the region.

Reference: E-073/08