Today mark’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action and is a reminder to the global community that landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war continue to maim and kill thousands of people around the world.

These explosive remnants of war are an enduring legacy of conflict, and contaminate more than 70 countries, and kill and injure more than 4,000 people each year, including children. They contaminate farmer’s fields, forests, roads, pathways depriving people of agricultural land and essential services.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced a further $4 million in Australian humanitarian assistance for Syrians affected by the ongoing conflict. This brings Australia’s total humanitarian contribution to $24.5 million since June 2011.

It is estimated that about 18,000 people have been killed and 1.5 million people have been displaced as a result of the violence in Syria. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 2.5 million people urgently require assistance.

Today, Australia together with the international community recognises International Day for Mine Awareness and Action.

Landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war pose a real threat in many countries, harming and killing innocent civilians and delaying development.

In December 2009, Australia was an active participant in the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World. During the Summit, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to end the suffering

Internally Displaced People (IDPs)

Projected Humanitarian Needs

3 million people (1 million in the North and 2 million in the Central and Southern regions) could be newly displaced within Iraq, in addition to an estimated 800,000 existing IDPs (700,000 in the North and 100,000 in the Central and South regions).