March 27, 2008
No. 67
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced a contribution of $750,000 toward mi ine clearance activities in Nicaragua. Canada's contribution will support Nicaragua's mine clearance program as well as education and awareness initiatives aimed at preventing accidents and fatalities.
"With this contribution, Canada is reinforcing its commitment to the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, and to the promotion of peace and security in the Americas," said Minister Bernier. "Mine actio n is critical to creating a safe environment for Nicaraguans still living with the danger of landmines."
This is the latest Canadian contribution from the Global Peace and Security Fu nd to the Office of Humanitarian Mine Action of the Organization of American States (OAS). Funds will support mine clearance initiates and programs as well as access to physical and psychological rehabilitation services and vocational training for victims of landmine accidents.
Nicaragua is the only country in Central America still dealing with uncleared landmines. Canada, one of the largest donors to mine action in the Americas, has provid ed more than $18 million since 1998 to mine-action initiatives, including more than $6 million to Nicaragua.
For more information on Canada's role in Nicaragua, please consult the fol lowing websites:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:
http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/nicaragua-en.aspx
http://geo.international.gc.ca/latin-america/sanjose/men u-en.aspx
Canadian International Development Agency:
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/nicaragua-e
For more information on Canada's role in mine action and the Global Peace and Sec urity Fund, please consult the following websites:
www.international.gc.ca/foreign_policy/mines/menu-en.asp
www.international.gc.ca/fac/START-GTSR/
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A backgrounder follo ws.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Backgrounder
CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR NICARAGUA MINE ACTION
The mine problem in Nic aragua stems from the internal armed conflict that took place during the 1980s, leaving 13 of the country's 15 departments and both of its autonomous regions with the residual impact of anti-personnel mines.
More than 16 years of effort by the Nicaraguan government-with assistance from a number of donors, including Canada-have resulted in the anti-per sonnel mine problem being limited to the departments of Nueva Segovia and Jinotega. As of July 2007, some 15,000 mines in 49 mined areas remained to be cleared. Nicaragua, a State Party of the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, is working to complete its National Demining Plan in order to fulfill its commitments under the Convention.
To support the full im plementation of the Ottawa Convention around the world, Canada has funded advocacy and prevention, mine risk education, stockpile destruction, victim assistance and humanitarian mine clearance, largely through the Canadian Landmine Fund.
The new contribution of $750,000 comes from the Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF) through Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. The GPSF is a critical tool for Canada's Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START). It provides focused and effective international assistance and allows START to support peace processes and mediation efforts, develop transitional justice and reconciliation initiatives, build the capability for peace enforcement and peace operations, promote civilian protection strategies in humanitarian contexts and reduce the impact of landmines, small arms and light weapons.
Current bilateral programming by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) focuses on strengthening Nicaragua's educat ion system, improving the livelihoods and well-being of rural families, and making public-sector institutions more effective and accountable. Through CIDA's Inter-American Program, Canada also provides support to the OAS's Comprehensive Action against Antipersonnel Mines Program in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
