01 July 2001

Fact Sheet: U.S. Humanitarian Demining Programs in Middle East

Following is a fact sheet on U.S. humanitarian demining programs in the Middle East:

Fact Sheet
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs,
Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs
Washington, DC
July 1, 2001
United States Humanitarian Demining Programs in the Middle East

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 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 to establish and support sustainable indigenous mine action capabilities in mine-affected nations. Since FY 1993, the United States has committed almost $500 million to global mine action initiatives, including research and development.

• In the Middle East, 11 countries have reported landmine/UXO problems. The United States is providing assistance to five of these countries. They are Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, and Yemen.

• Since 1993, the United States has provided $18,252,664 in humanitarian demining assistance to these countries.

• U.S. personnel have already trained more than 600 deminers in Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen, and are now conducting a "train-the trainer" program in Oman.

• The majority of the countries have mine awareness programs, including a USAID sponsored program in Lebanon, supporting involvement of community-based organizations and NGOs involved in mine awareness.

• Other mine action activities being conducted by these countries include surveys, marking and clearance operations, the purchase of modern detection and protective equipment, and mine victim assistance.

• Approximately 620,000 landmines/UXO have been destroyed, allowing over 175,000 square meters of land to be cleared for return to productive use, including 300 acres in the fertile Jordan River Valley.

• In 2000, a level one survey was conducted in Yemen by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF). The results of this survey proved to be effective in determining demining priorities.