Landmine Removal

Landmine Removal, UMCOR Advance #982575

Landmines put life on hold.
Then there's UMCOR.

As long as landmines litter the Angolan countryside, life is on hold. This war-torn country is thought to be the most heavily mined in the world. Estimates range from 1 to 8 million mines scattered across an area about the size of Texas.

Landmines steal limbs, lives, and livelihoods. They prevent people displaced by war from returning to their villages, keep children from going to school, and prevent farmers from safely planting their fields. They put life on hold.

UMCOR is using lessons learned from its de-mining work in Mozambique to help the Angolan government train its own de-mining teams. This program teaches Angolans how to safely identify and remove mines. UMCOR is also teaching mine awareness to prevent further fatalities from these hidden explosives.

The children, women and men of Angola are eager to go home to their villages, schools and fields.

When de-mining activities begin in an area, people immediately begin to prepare for their return, making the bricks that will be their homes and schools and setting up tents at the edge of the site. "It's absolutely invigorating to see people coming back," says Ted Warnock, UMCOR missionary consultant for landmine removal. "It lets you realize why we're there."

Land is being cleared of vegetation to allow for the removal of landmines under a landmines removal program sponsored by UMCOR and its parent agency, the General Board of Global Ministries. Since the implementation of removal activity in early 2003, over 3 million square meters of land in Mozambique have been cleared of deadly landmines. Angola is the next field for clearing.

We're 100% efficient.  Every dollar you give to this emergency will provide humanitarian relief and recovery only for this emergency.  That's because gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering covers UMCOR's costs to administer your gifts.