The Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance was established in 1994 in order to assist in financing mine clearance and other mine-related activities. Accordingly, the Fund is being used in support of:
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the conduct of assessment missions to determine the scope of mine-related problems; |
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the establishment and support of Mine Action Centers and indigenous (local) capacities;
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the conduct of priority survey, awareness, training and clearance operations;
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the bridging of delays in funding within the existing programs; co-ordination of mine effort;
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the collection, collation and dissemination of mine-related information of a technical nature;
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consciousness-raising through public information;
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As of April 1997, approximately $31.21 million has been received and $6.57 million pledged by almost 40 Member-States and various organizations. From these contributions, $29.24 million has been spent or committed for expenditure.
Given the growing needs of recently established programs (in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Croatia in particular), an additional minimum of $14.8 million in 1997 and $35.4 million in 1998 is required to keep up current activities. However, in order to carry out its program as well as expand operations, the Trust Fund would need an additional $51.1 million in 1997 and $68.4 million in 1998.
- Research the list of contributors to the Voluntary Trust Fund. Which countries have given the most? Which countries are noticeably absent? Which countries receive most of the aid? (Hint: try the Landmines Newsletter.)
- Develop a poster campaign asking countries to contribute to the Voluntary Trust Fund. Create contests for the most effective poster. If you have access to a scanner and a web-site, scan the posters and put it up on a web-site, then notify us by e-mailing cyberschoolbus@un.org
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