Mozambique  is one of the poorest countries in the world. Landmines remaining from the county’s struggle for independence against the Portuguese and during its civil war impede development and act as a reminder of the violent past. Since its economy relies so much on agriculture, landmine clearance is vital. Schools, roads, pipelines and other much needed infrastructure need to be built, kids need open areas in which to play, and people need to be able to walk freely without the fear of being injured or killed. International donor support is needed to carry out landmine clearance programs to give  Mozambiquethe chance for a stable future.
 

Adopt-A-Minefield has supported mine clearance operations in Mozambique since 1999 and survivor assistance since 2004.  The Accelerated Demining Program (ADP), a mine clearance operator that was established with UNDP support soon after a peace agreement was signed in 1992, is AAM’s mine clearance partner in Mozambique.  When ADP was first established, demobilized soldiers from both sides of the civil conflict were trained to work together as deminers as part of the post-conflict reconciliation process in Mozambique.  ADP operates in the three southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane and provides AAM with information on minefields in these provinces that are urgently in need of clearance.

The presence of landmines in Mozambique has resulted in numerous accidents throughout the country as people have tried to return to normal life.  With an overloaded healthcare system and high levels of unemployment, landmine survivors face seemingly insurmountable challenges to get the attention they need.  AAM began supporting survivor assistance in Mozambique through a grant to the Landmine Survivors Network for their project in Northern Mozambique.

You can help the people of Mozambique to help themselves by donating to mine clearance or survivor assistance projects.  A donation of any size will be pooled with other donations and used where it is most needed.  A donation of $100 can provide a landmine survivor with the equipment he or she needs to start their own business so they can support their family.  A donation o $30,000 can clear an entire minefield so that a whole community can live in safety with access to their land for farming.

Igloo Diamonds®  www.diamonds.ca is a proud partner in AAM's effort to rid the world of landmines.

Proceeds from the sale of each Igloo diamond will fund mine clearance in Mozambique.  Visit our Giving Partners page in the Get Involved section for more information.