MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Sullivan
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide $2 million to a special appeal for landmine victims launched earlier this year by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The ICRC Special Appeal for Assistance for Mine Victims will be used to help fund physical rehabilitation programs, medical and surgical assistance, mine-awareness programs and to help people disabled by landmines. Essentially, the appeal will focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of landmine victims into their communities.
Mine action is not only about mine clearance. It is also about reducing the social, economic and environmental impact of landmines.
The vast majority of landmine victims come from rural communities - often women and children from extremely low-income families who lack access to medical and rehabilitation services.
The ICRC has been involved in mine action since 1979 and is recognised as a world leader in victim assistance, focusing on surgical, medical and prosthetic assistance.
Australia's latest contribution is part of a commitment announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, that we shall contribute $100 million for demining and related activities over the 10-year period to the year 2005.
As Australia's Special Representative on Demining, I am currently attending the three-day Conference on Global Humanitarian Demining in Washington.
The aims of the conference are to develop mechanisms to better coordinate demining operations around the world and to develop a global strategy for removing the landmine threat to civilians by the year 2010.
All Australians should be very proud of our leadership in demining programs and our efforts to assist in the rehabilitation of communities faced with a legacy of landmines.
WASHINGTON
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 0755 911 011/0411 287 258
Carol Haffke (AusAID) 02 6206 4966/0417 683 767