14 February 2003
Fact Sheet: U.S. Humanitarian Demining Programs in the Caucasus
(More than $16,885,000 since fiscal year 1993 for Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia) (620)
The State Department issued the following fact sheet February 13
outlining U.S. humanitarian demining assistance for the Caucasus
countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia:
(begin fact sheet)
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs
Washington, D.C.
February 13, 2003
Fact Sheet
UNITED STATES HUMANITARIAN DEMINING PROGRAMS IN THE CAUCASUS
The U.S. Government's Humanitarian Demining Program seeks to relieve
human suffering while promoting U.S. interests. The Program's
objectives are to reduce civilian casualties, create conditions for
the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their
homes, reinforce an affected country's stability, and encourage
international cooperation and participation. The Program seeks to
accomplish these objectives by helping establish and support
sustainable, indigenous mine action capabilities in mine-affected
nations. The Program provides these nations with the appropriate
resources and skills needed to sustain the degree of progress that
allows a country to declare itself mine-safe. Since FY 1993, the
United States has committed over $600 million to global mine action
initiatives, including research and development.
- The United States has provided assistance to three of the Caucasus
countries that sought U.S. help for humanitarian mine action: Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
- Since FY 1993, the United States has provided more than $16,885,000
in humanitarian demining assistance to the Caucasus region.
[Chart]
Country
U.S. Assistance
Number of mines
Current affected land
Cleared land
Mines/UXO destroyed
Armenia
$7,395,000
80,000-100,000
1,800-2,500 km2
5,500 m2
1
(Note: Mine clearance activities began in Armenia during October 2002
after demining training was complete. Due to the cessation of the
demining season, activities were forced to close. Demining events will
proceed at the end of March when the weather permits.)
Azerbaijan
$6,747,000
50,000 +
604 km2
1,890,000 m2
2004
Georgia
$2,743,000
20,000-70,000
18,720 m2
Over 50,000 m2
6,400
- The U.S. has trained and equipped deminers in all three countries
including more than 100 deminers in Azerbaijan, 97 in Armenia, and 45
in Georgia. The U.S. has also provided training on mine risk
education, information management, area reduction, mine detection
dogs, emergency medical treatment, communications, and special courses
of instruction for survey personnel.
- Mine risk education programs are being conducted in Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia. HALO Trust, a nongovernmental organization
(NGO), conducted mine risk education briefings to more than 9,000
people in Georgia with funds provided by the United States. Armenia
recently completed five months of mine risk education training in the
areas of product development, survey, and market analysis. The U.S.,
in conjunction with UNICEF, also provided mine risk education
instruction in Azerbaijan for 800 teachers, 500 medical personnel, and
200 representatives from public organizations.
- Mine clearance activities emphasize creating the infrastructure
necessary to support the return of refugees and internally-displaced
persons to their homes and reduce casualties among civilians.
- The United States provided $100,000 to UNICEF in order to reduce the
number of deaths and injuries due to mines and unexploded ordnance
(UXO) in the North Caucasus region. This region consists of Chechnya,
Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, and the Stravropol Krai. UNICEF
and UNHCR, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red
Cross and the NGO community, targeted a mine risk education campaign
among these countries while pursuing a preventative, curative, and
rehabilitative strategy to deal with the problem of mines/UXO.
[A chart showing "Percentage of U.S. Funds for the Caucasus Countries"
is available at: http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/fs/17693.htm]
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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