International Mine Awareness Day

International Mine Awareness Day focuses on raising international consciousness on the urgency of mine action, in an effort to eradicate the use of undetonated and underfoot explosive devices around the world. These items, disregarded following armed conflicts, pose constant threats to human lives and impediments to socioeconomic development across nations. The day underlines the need for safe, effective clearance of these dangerous remnants of war and emphasises the importance of aid to victims, education about their risks, and campaign for a world free of the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

In the United Kingdom, awareness of the landmine issue was significantly raised by Princess Diana's activism in the 1990s, advocating globally against the use of landmines. Today, the UK is signatory to and vigorously enforces the Ottawa Treaty, an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. As such, the country continuously contributes funds to mine action globally, including clearance and victim assistance projects.

International Mine Awareness Day, occurs annually on April 4, is observed in the UK through various activities that involve the government, non-governmental organisations, and the general public. The UK’s Department for International Development plays a substantial role in the funding and education around mine clearance, rehabilitation and awareness-raising projects globally. Consequently, the day highlights the UK's commitment to global mine actions and offers an opportunity to reaffirm the country's pledge to a world safe from the threats of landmines and explosive remnants of war.