As many as 78 nations are affected by landmines. Eighty five nations are affected by explosive remnants of war.
There are an estimated 500,000 survivors of landmine and explosive remnants of war today, of whom three-quarters are civilians.
Since 1999, more than 4 million antipersonnel mines, 1 million anti-vehicle mines and 8 million items of unexploded ordnance have been cleared.
Mine action is not so much about landmines as it is about people and their interactions with mine-affected environments. Its aim is both humanitarian and developmental — to create an environment in which people can live safely, in which economic and social well-being can occur, and in which the medical and socio-economic needs of victims are addressed. The main components of mine action include: mine clearance, which includes surveying and marking suspect land, prioritizing clearance projects, and removing landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) from the ground; mine-risk education and risk reduction initiatives; survivor assistance; stockpile destruction; and advocacy for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.
UNDP's work on landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) is part of a wider effort to address armed violence and restore a solid foundation for development following a conflict. UNDP currently provides technical support for mine action to almost 40 countries and manages several global partnership projects, including a management training programme and mine action exchange programme.
Concerns Iraq will not meet mine ban treaty obligations
1 July 2009 - A joint UNICEF-UNDP report, released today with the Iraqi Ministry of Environment, raises concerns that Iraq is unable to meet its obligations under the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.
Kent Paulusson, Senior Mine Action Advisor, UNDP Iraq, discusses the landmine situation in Iraq. (streaming audio or mp3)
Did you know?
An estimated 1.6 million people live in danger of landmines in Iraq, one of the world's most heavily mined countries.
Iraq acceded to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 2007.
Between 1991 and 2006, 50 million cluster submunitions were used in Iraq, leaving behind a large amount of unexploded ordnance.
According to a recent survey, 24 percent of mine accident victims in Iraq are below the age of 14. Forty-four percent of victims are their families' primary earners.
UNDP supported non-governmental organizations in the clearance of 15 million square meters of land of mines in Iraq in 2008.
Listen to H.R.H Prince Mired of Jordan discuss the importance of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty for development.VIDEO
Melissa Sabatier, Mine Action Project Manager, UNDP Cambodia,discusses demining efforts in Cambodia. (streaming audio or mp3)
Tim Horner, Senior Technical Adviser, Mine Action, UNDP Lao, discusses demining efforts in Lao PDR (streaming audio or mp3) Katrine Siig Kristensen, Programme Analyst, Mine Action and Small Arms in BCPR, discusses the impact of mines on civilians in Somalia (streaming audio or mp3)
Watch a video about small arms control featuring Sara Sekkenes, Senior Advisor for the Conflict Team, to learn more about how small arms, landmines, cluster munitions and the legacy of war creates an environment that inhibits human development.
Find out more about UNDP mine action in our 
Kent Paulusson, Senior Mine Action Advisor, UNDP Iraq, discusses the landmine situation in Iraq. (
