Where we work

Guatemala

Our work here focuses on agricultural development, disaster prevention and relief aid, human rights and strengthening the legal system.

Sudan

Among other things, our work here includes mine clearance, protecting the civilian population and relief aid in Darfur.

India

Here we work with fighting hunger and poverty, disaster preparedness, democracy, rights and the caste system.

Angola

Our work here focuses on clearing areas of landmines and unexploded ammunition as well as mine risk education.

Congo (DCR)

Our work here focuses on demining, fighting hunger and helping women who are victims of violence.

Ethiopia

Our work here focuses on disaster risk reduction, equal rights for men and women, strengthening civil society and fighting hunger, HIV and AIDS.

Malawi

Our work here focuses on the prevention of HIV and AIDS, food security and women’s rights.

Uganda

Our work here focuses on agriculture, disaster preparedness, combating HIV and AIDS and supporting a democratic development.

Zambia

Our work here focuses on women’s right to participate, fighting poverty, HIV and AIDS, climate change adaption and democracy.

Bangladesh

Our work here focuses on disaster preparedness, climate changes, democracy, women’s rights and protecting migrants.

Burma/Myanmar

Our work here focuses on empowering civil society, development and education, emergency relief aid and supporting refugees.

Cambodia

Our work here includes, among other things, fighting hunger, HIV/AIDS, supporting women’s rights and climate change adaption.

Nepal

Our work here focuses on democracy and rights, disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction and safe migration.

Pakistan

Our work here focuses on relief aid, health care, medicine and reconstruction following the floods.

Haiti

Here our work focuses on rebuilding schools and helping the rural poor with income generating activities after the violent earthquake in 2010.

Honduras

Our work here focuses on agricultural development, disaster preparedness, climate change adaption, human rights and democracy.

West Bank/Gaza

Our work here focuses on relief aid, women’s rights and improving the Palestinian population’s living conditions.

Kazakhstan

Our work here focuses on supporting the poor that travel from town to town on foot. We establish self-help groups and influence laws and procedures.

Kyrgyzstan

Our work here focuses on supporting poor immigrant families, education for marginalised children and young people and self-help groups for the elderly.

Lebanon

Our work here focuses on clearing cluster bombs, neutralising mines and enabling the population to manage on their own.

DanChurchAid believes

Henrik Stubkjær, Secretary General

"Hunger is an inevitable consequence of poverty. Hunger is the most grotesque example of inequity in the world. DCA is fighting hunger with all of the means we have, both in the short and longer term."

Mine Action - more than mines

Mine action involves more than clearing landmines. It’s a term used to describe five pillars of activities, which form a comprehensive and holistic approach to ridding the world of landmines as well as other explosive remnants of war (ERW), including cluster munitions.

In addition to landmine and ERW clearance, activities include:

Mine Risk Education
Victim Assistance
Advocacy for a world free of mines and ERW
Stockpile destruction
DCA Mine Action is committed to incorporating all five pillars where possible.

Challenges

Landmines and ERW remain dormant in the ground long after wars have ended, waiting for their next potential victim; a farmer who is working the field, a woman collecting water or a playful child. Many hostilities and much fighting take place in populated areas – either urban or rural – and innocent civilians often become unintended targets.

In fact, in 2010, 66 states, as well as seven other areas, were confirmed or suspected to be mine-affected and 70% of all victims were civilians (Source: Landmine Monitor 2010 ). Similarly, at least 23 states and three other areas are believed to be currently contaminated with cluster munitions remnants. Thirteen or more additional states may still have a small level of contamination from past use of the weapon (Source: Cluster Munition Monitor 2010 ).

What We Do

DCA Mine Action has been operational since 1999, working in countries such as Albania, Angola, Burundi, Burma/Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Kosovo, Iraq, Lebanon and Sudan.

ERW

Explosive Remnants of War are comprised of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Abandoned Exploded Ordnance (AXO), not landmines or booby traps.

We are committed to national capacity building and work closely with national authorities to ensure in-country capacity remains in order to deal with the residual mine and ERW problem after we exit a country.

In addition to removing mines, ERW and releasing land back to the affected population, we also seek to ensure a broader development impact working either with our DCA Development counterparts or ACT Alliance partners.

From the Field to Advocacy

Field operations and advocacy are mutually reinforcing activities aiming to change realities on the ground. DCA is active in both areas, helping to ensure that contamination from mines and cluster munitions will not reoccur once removed through clearance operations.

DCA is active in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines as well as the Cluster Munitions Coalition . Through this work we advocate for legal instruments, which are or should be in place to prevent or reduce further contamination with mines, cluster munitions and other ERW.

While clearance and other mine action activities have progressed steadily over the years much remains to be done. Only with the continued, sustained effort of affected countries, Mine Action Operators and donors will we be able to reach our goal: a world free of mines and other ERW.