In keeping with its
role as the UN focal point for mine awareness education, UNICEF continues to
provide the international community with appropriate guidance for mine awareness
programmes. Liaising closely with concerned partners and in collaboration with
WHO and the ICRC, UNICEF continues to assist, wherever possible, with
comprehensive rehabilitation for mine survivors and continues to advocate for
the promotion of a total ban on anti-personnel landmines and the
universalisation of the Ottawa Convention.
UNICEF is currently undertaking mine action programmes in 17 countries
world-wide and seeks to utilise the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
as the framework for developing a ‘rights based approach’ to
programming. Programmes supported by the agency are based on sustainable,
long-term local capacity building initiatives. In dealing with the problem of
landmines, UNICEF continues to integrate all mine-related issues into its
regular programming. This is especially the case in the areas of advocacy, mine
awareness education, and somewhat with victim assistance.
Advocacy
UNICEF, together with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and
International Committee of the Red Cross has been working towards the
universalisation of the Ottawa Convention. In order to strengthen and renew
these efforts, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy recently sent letters to
the Heads of State of all signatories to the Ottawa Convention, urging them to
ratify the Convention as soon as possible. As a follow-up, additional efforts
will be re-initiated through UNICEF's regional and country offices and updated
ratification kits are being provided to support them in their efforts.
In addition, UNICEF has been supporting ICBL’s Goodwill Ambassador in
South-East Asia, to raise awareness of the Ottawa Convention. In 2000-2001,
UNICEF and the ICBL will co-host senior level Regional Conferences advocating
against the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of mines and urging
further ratifications.
UNICEF has participated in all relevant meetings including the First Meeting
of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention and its Standing Committee of
Experts, the Annual Meeting of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, and the
ICBL’s Landmine Monitor Meeting.
Mine Awareness Education
Together with the ICBL, UN and the ICRC, UNICEF was instrumental in
developing the International Guidelines for Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance
Awareness Education,which was launched at the First Meeting of
States Parties to the Ottawa Treatyin Mozambique, in May 1999.These Guidelines serve to guide the planning, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of all UN mine awareness programmes.
Following the publication of the International Guidelines, UNICEF was
tasked by the United Nations to develop International Training Modules on
Mine Awareness Education. In 1999, two international workshops were held on
the subject and two modules have been created, one to serve Programme Managers
and the other Mine Awareness Facilitators. Field testingof the training
modules was undertaken in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia in April 2000.
Participants included UNICEF, UN, Red Cross and NGO staff working in CEE/CIS
countries on mine awareness education. The modules will be revised based on the
findings from the field tests and will be launched at the Second Meeting of
States Parties to the Ottawa Treaty in September 2000.
In March, 2000, at the Standing Committee of Experts on Victim Assistance,
Socio-Economic Reintegration and Mine Awareness, the international community
called upon UNICEF to take the lead in developing International Guidelines
for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Mine Awareness Programmes. These
guidelines will ensure that Programme Managers will undertake monitoring and
evaluation of their mine awareness programmes. In developing these
International Guidelines expertise will be sought from UN agencies, mine
action centres, and operational NGOs and International Organisations, and an
opportunity given to all partners to provide input to, and comment on the
Guidelines as they are being developed. A first meeting will take place
in the fall of 2000. Consequently, a first draft of the Guidelines will
be circulated for initial review, which will be followed by a large-scale
technical consultation in early 2001.
UNICEF has also been mandated to develop International Standards for
Landmine and UXO Awareness Programmes and will initiate this process during
2000. Moreover, UNICEF will contribute regional inputs to a global baseline
review and inventory of mine awareness training/learning materials, of best
practices and of technical partner/agency expertise. Further, UNICEF will
increase the capacity of its Regional Offices to develop and undertake
programmes in the area of mine action.
UNICEF has participated in all the UNMAS-lead Inter-Agency Assessment
Missions to mine-affected countries, and in cooperation with its NGO partners,
has prepared and developed additional mine awareness programmes based on these
assessments.
UNICEF will work closely with the Geneva International Centre for
Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) to develop modalities of cooperation in data
gathering and data dissemination for planning its mine awareness and victim
assistance strategies.
Victim Assistance
UNICEF will continue to cooperate closely with its UN and NGO partners to
support the physical and psychosocial rehabilitation of mine survivors and their
reintegration within the communities. UNICEF continues to provide support for
the development of low-cost, locally produced prosthetics, orthotics and other
assistive devices. Additionally, economic and social rehabilitation for the
disabled is still being undertaken through psychosocial counselling, referrals
to prosthetic workshops, physiotherapy, community-based rehabilitation,
vocational training, and the provision of grants or loans to start up small
businesses. This programme also ensures that disabled children go to school and
encourages the creation of self-help groups of disabled persons. In
collaboration with the appropriate Ministries of Health, UNICEF continues to
support the construction of Rural Health Centres in selected areas.
UNICEF together with the WHO, ICRC, Swiss Government and relevant NGOs has
been working towards the development of a Public Health Approach to dealing with
mine victim assistance. This approach avoids programmes that narrowly target a
specific group thereby creating a “privileged class” of disabled,
but instead focuses on improving the quality and availability of health services
in the specialities and the geographic areas most likely to impact upon those
affected by conflict. Additionally, this approach is encompassed within the
chapeau of a child-rights framework.
Currently, specific programmes for victim assistance have been established in
Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Cambodia, Guatemala, Macedonia and
Mozambique. UNICEF is looking into the possibility of establishing new
programmes in Uganda and Lao PDR. In 1999, UNICEF’s newly created
Guatemala programme also undertook Workshops/Seminars on Prosthetic
Post-Surgical Treatment, the development of Health Information Systems on
Disability, and on consensus building to review five Community Based
Rehabilitation (CBR) Training Guides in the country.
UNICEF, together with ICBL, UNDP and other relevant partners, is also
developing child-focussed Guidelines for reintegration of survivors of mines
with special emphasis on psychosocial trauma counselling, life skills training
etc.
In cooperation with the WHO, GICHD and other partners, UNICEF will refine the
data collection system targeting child survivors of mine accidents.
Regionally, UNICEF will undertake a baseline review and qualitative
assessment of rehabilitation services and programmes as the basis for
identifying best practices gaps and potential UNICEF partnerships.
UNICEF Country Programmes
UNICEF plans to undertake a range of activities in 2000 in the following 17
countries:
Albania
As a follow up to the National Mine Awareness Campaign launched during the
Kosovo emergency, UNICEF continues its role as lead agency for mine awareness in
Albania with further sensitisation of public opinion and policy-makers on
landmine/UXO/weapons-related dangers. A needs assessment survey and evaluation
will be carried out through the Albanian Youth Council network and partner NGOs
to determine a national strategy for the year 2000, including the impact and
sustainability of interventions. Mine/weapons awareness will be incorporated
into the school curriculum after undertaking a training of trainers and testing
in pilot schools. Technical support will be provided to the Albanian Mine Action
Executive (AMAE) and marking signs delivered for the remarking of minefields. In
the area of Mine Victims Assistance, UNICEF will promote the Mine Victims'
Association and the social reintegration of mine victims, and will support
workshops producing walking aids for mine victims. UNICEF will continue to
promote and closely monitor the implementation of the Ottawa Convention,
recently ratified by the Albanian Parliament.
Angola
In Angola, UNICEF and its partner organisations have carried out a number of
effective programs in 1999. All of these share the underlying goal of building
sustainable community capacity and the capability to live safely with the
presence of mines. Mine awareness messages have been communicated through
provincial theatre groups using locally appropriate communications techniques
such as poster, puppet shows, traditional song, dance and plays. These
campaigns have reached approximately 400,000 people. Training seminars in mine
awareness techniques were conducted for about 1,120 teachers who have
incorporated the messages into daily lessons, further reaffirming mine awareness
strategies. Over 55,500 students have already been sensitised to the dangers of
mines. Moreover, the Teacher Emergency Packages (TEP) programme which
distributes pedagogical materials to teachers active in non-formal education
settings continues to be supported. UNICEF has also provided support for a
number of advocacy efforts in Angola including the observance of the second
anniversary of Ottawa Convention, a theatre night, sport activities for disabled
people, and a children’s festival called “Song against
Landmines”. In collaboration with CIET International, an evaluation of
UNICEF’s mine awareness programmes is currently being completed.
In 2000, UNICEF will continue to enhance the level of community-based mine
awareness, especially among vulnerable groups. In order to reach displaced
communities with maximum effect, UNICEF will support project activities centred
around IDP communities and host populations in Huambo, Kuito, Huila and Bengo.
Working through four local NGOs, UNICEF will continue to deliver mines awareness
messages at the community level. Further, the agency will assist in training
teachers in mine awareness, to reinforce messages through the Angolan school
system and the Teacher Emergency Package. An evaluation of UNICEF’s
current pilot project in the primary schools will also be undertaken. UNICEF
will continue to support the production of a quarterly mine bulletin by INAROEE.
Over the next year, UNICEF Angola intends to direct its energy toward what it
believes will be the most effective areas of social benefit. Recognising the
probability of operating in an insecure environment, project orientation will
seek to build upon current concrete successes. Other areas of continuing and
growing emphasis will be mine awareness activities toward community behavioural
modification; the development and maintenance of a mine incident surveillance
system; continuation of mine advocacy through workshops and local popular media;
and increasing the capacity for INAROEE and provincial delegations.
Azerbaijan
UNICEF will initiate a Mine Awareness Programme in Azerbaijan, training
teachers and health personnel in mine awareness education. In addition,
training materials for teachers and students will be developed and included
within the formal school curricula, utilising both child-to-child and
child-to-mother techniques. The local population will also be provided mine
awareness through public education materials such as posters, pamphlets,
brochures and TV spots. An integrated approach will be developed within the mine
awareness system where IDP movement and feedback will be obtained to provide
information to the Azerbaijan National Strategic Corporate Plan for Mine Action.
The database of mine victims will be analysed for trends and problems. UNICEF
will also participate in a needs assessment mission in the year 2000.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
UNICEF will continue to develop mine awareness education kits for training
teachers and educators and undertake monitoring and evaluation of UN and NGO
activities. Mine awareness training programmes through football clubs will be
organised in order to disseminate mine awareness information after coaching
sessions and school competitions with drawings, essays, poems around the theme
of mine awareness. The use of theatre, radio and TV will augment programmes and
technical support for implementation of mine awareness education.
Cambodia
In 1999, over 2,000 children with disability benefited from socio-economic
reintegration and community based rehabilitation. Approximately 3,000 persons,
80% women and children, received a mobility device. Child-centred mine
awareness programmes will continue to be undertaken in 2000 in cooperation with
the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and
activities such as surveys, permanent marking, awareness and selective limited
clearance will be undertaken with community participation. In the course of the
year mine awareness for children will progressively be transferred to the
Ministry of Education for school activities. UNICEF will continue to support the
CMAC Integrated Database and the CRC Mine Incident Database to collect
comprehensive information on mine incidents and to improve the planning,
monitoring and evaluation of mine action activities. Prosthetics, orthotics and
other assistive devises will be provided in support of programmes in cooperation
with Handicap International (HI), Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) and the
Ministry of Health. A joint initiative of the Disability Action Council and the
Ministry of Education will continue to promote access to education for children
with disabilities. UNICEF, with its partners will continue to lobby for the
implementation of the Ottawa Treaty.
Chad
UNICEF will participate in a needs assessment mission to Chad and will assist
with drafting a national mine awareness communication strategy for the country.
Colombia
UNICEF and the Colombian Red Cross have undertaken mine awareness education
over the past three years in the country. Mine signs have been posted in
minefields in 15 municipalities; approximately 1,000 young brigade members were
trained; mine awareness materials were disseminated to 200 primary and secondary
schools in Colombia. In 1999, UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of
Communications, the Scouts Association of Colombia and the Dream Foundation of
the Kiwanis Club initiated a new project including Education, Prevention and
Social Integration of Victims of Accidents caused by Antipersonnel Mines.
Activities included the education of children, training of scouts, training
on production and broadcast of radio programmes, and the preparation of a video
documentary for T.V. Furthermore, the preparation of a national census of the
mine-affected population was initiated. In 2000, educational materials, such as
posters, pamphlets, flyers, TV spots and radio programmes will be prepared,
adapted and distributed, and child-to-child and child-to-mother methods will be
utilised in the schools.
Croatia
UNICEF will continue to develop appropriate mine awareness materials
targeting the most vulnerable sections of the population in order to alter
risk-taking behaviour. Mine awareness and teacher training will continue in
collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Police Academy, the Ministry
of the Interior and national NGOs.
Ethiopia
In 1999, UNICEF undertook a needs assessment mission to Ethiopia and based on
the findings of the mission developed an interim mine awareness education
strategy for the country. Together with Rehabilitation and Development
Organisation (RaDO), UNICEF undertook a training of trainers (“ToT”)
for 30 local community leaders. In 2000, UNICEF with its local partners, will
train affected communities in the production and dissemination of mine awareness
messages.
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo)
UNICEF played a lead role in coordinating efforts and providing mine
awareness education for Kosovar refugees in Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.
The agency developed a mine awareness strategy for the returning refugees which
included developing a Teacher’s Manual and undertaking a “ToT”
for teachers in the refugee camps, working with local NGOs and Red Cross
Societies to assist those living with host families, training and supporting
mobile mine awareness theatre groups, developing 6 public service announcements
and 2 TV spots for regular broadcast, and disseminating over 1 million posters
and leaflets throughout the refugee camps and at border crossings. UNICEF will
continue to raise awareness amongst all sectors of society about the dangers of
mines/UXO. UNICEF will support a mass media and information campaign that will
be conducted using TV, radio, posters and newspapers. Mine/UXO awareness will
be incorporated into the school curriculum, using child-centred techniques, and
teachers will be trained in use of the curriculum. UNICEF will ensure
coordination and standardisation of all mine/UXO awareness activities through
close cooperation with UNMIK/UNMACC and technical awareness guidance will be
provided to organisations working in Kosovo. UNICEF will also support child mine
victims in Kosovo.
Guatemala
UNICEF continues to support victims assistance projects being undertaken by
the NGO Physicians Against Landmines (PALM). Specialised courses were
undertaken on Prosthetic Post Surgical Treatment, and in coordination with PAHO,
35 professionals were trained in Health Information Systems. Additionally, a
consensus building workshop to review 5 Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
training guidelines was carried out, and a CBR study developed in Esquintla.
In 2000, a survey and the development of a national database and registry of
rehabilitation resources will be initiated in Guatemala. Training will be
provided in prosthetics/orthotics, occupational and physical therapy,
psychosocial counselling and rehabilitative equipment will be provided for mine
victims. Community-based education, information and communication programmes
will also be developed.
Laos
UNICEF will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the mine/UXO awareness
programme and will adapt the programme based on its findings. UNICEF will
continue community awareness with particular focus on extending messages to
children and ethnic minority groups in areas not previously reached by community
awareness. An increase is planned in the technical capacity at field level with
emphasis on support for material development, production, and assistance to
strengthen community awareness management. In addition, on-the-job training is
planned. The capacity of UXO LAO will be strengthened and monitoring and
evaluation components will be further refined.
Mozambique
Under the coordination of the National Demining Institute, UNICEF will
continue to support the implementation of the National Demining Institute's data
gathering system for mine accidents. School teachers, social and health workers
will be trained on mine awareness education and mine awareness activities will
be undertaken in schools and communities. Assistance will continued to be
provided for physical and psychosocial rehabilitation through orthopaedic
workshops and trauma counselling, in addition to training of school teachers,
social and health workers in mine awareness education. Monitoring and evaluation
of local and community level mine awareness programmes will be on-going.
Nicaragua
Mine awareness training activities reached a total of 5,473 persons and
prevention workshops were carried out in the most affected areas. Coordination
with the Nicaraguan Army's prevention team was consolidated and children and
adolescents were trained to undertake outreach activities. UNICEF continues to
supervise and monitor the mine awareness programme.
In 2000, UNICEF will continue to develop mine awareness materials and child
broadcasters will be trained in coordination with the Nicaraguan Red Cross.
Local programme coordinators will be trained in mine awareness education.
Community-based solutions will be formulated following discussions with 600
communities.
Panama
To protect people living near former military shooting ranges, UNICEF will
direct a program of UXO awareness education to different target groups through
community-based interventions using networks of public and social institutions.
Information will be disseminated through the different media to strengthen
implementation and increase national social awareness. Mechanisms for marking
dangerous areas and reporting the presence of UXO to the relevant authorities
will also be developed.
Somalia
Mine awareness training will be undertaken through local schools,
women’s groups and NGOs. Reporting systems on mine accidents will be
strengthened and the development of appropriate communication tools such as
toys, puppets, games, posters, videos, etc will be supported. UNICEF will
undertake a ‘training of trainers’ on mine risk education and
provide technical assistance to local authorities and NGOs on the design and
implementation of survey instruments.
Sri Lanka
UNICEF will train government and NGO officials as mine awareness trainers. In
partnership with government departments at national, regional and local levels
and UN agencies, UNICEF will monitor mine incident data in the affected areas
and conduct training and awareness activities in schools and communities.
Prostheses and economic assistance will be provided to mine victims.
Sudan
UNICEF will coordinate mines awareness activities in OLS-Southern Sector
areas of operation and support the mines awareness teams of Operation Save
Innocent Lives (OSIL). The management capacity of OSIL, Sudan Relief and
Rehabilitation Association and Relief Association of South Sudan will be
strengthened and the mines awareness capacity of indigenous Sudanese
organisations, including counterparts and NGOs will be further developed. A
“Training of Trainers” (ToT) will be undertaken in Future Search
methodology and mines awareness activities conducted through the Future Search
network of children and youth. Mine awareness messages will be prepared and
incorporated into the existing delivery systems of education, health, water and
sanitation services. Through appropriate partnerships, UNICEF will plan to
provide mine-awareness education to approximately 500,000 residents and
internally displaced as well as 350,000 refugees residing in neighbouring
countries. A comprehensive survey to collect information on landmines will be
conducted.