News

As the Second Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions kicks off on November 25, 2020, ITF looks at the dangers of these deadly weapons and the achievements of the past 17 years of its cluster munitions clearance efforts.

Thanks to the generous support of the Austrian Development Agency and the Knights of Columbus, ITF supported explosive hazards clearance teams returned 1.12 million square meters of land to local communities in Northeast Syria.

ITF was honored to address the 18th Meeting of the State Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, where the Mine Action community was able to virtually come together despite the physical absence from the conference hall.

Thanks to the generous support of the USA, Czech Republic and a private donor, Dr. René Schasse, ITF was able to conclude land release projects and enable residents to cultivate their land.

ITF is honored to have supported the 19th International Tournament in Sitting Volleyball “Sarajevo Open 2020”, held on October 10 and 11, 2020 and made possible thanks to the generous donation by the Republic of Korea.

Around 4 kilometres from the Serbian town of Sjenica, over 94,000 square meters of agricultural land were released for safe use after the conclusion of ITF’s cluster munitions clearance project.

ITF recently concluded a mine risk education project in Jordan, implementing 466 workshops for more than 21,000 Syrian refugees. Since March, activities were carried out remotely and included lessons on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

After 10 years of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, cluster munitions continue to endanger civilians.

The successful release of 195,998 square meters of land and the removal of 7 landmines and 6 UXO has made the Vitez Municipality safer for more than a thousand of its residents.

During the recent lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic, ITF’s work became even more important. In order to continue providing humanitarian support and enhancing human security the entire team had to adapt.

ITF has partnered with the NGO Zavod NUR to train medical workers in the Gaza Strip while also providing protective equipment for local communities to better face the COVID-19 crisis.

Despite the COVID-19 crisis, ITF continues with its support of the provision of prosthetics and orthotics services at the Kunduz Regional Hospital in Afghanistan.

The successful removal and destruction of 134 mines and 22 UXO in the Municipality of Vogošća near Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed to the safety of the whole region.

Japan, United States of America, Mine Action Centre of Serbia and ITF Enhancing Human Security contributed to the safety of residents in the Municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia.

ITF continues to provide humanitarian support in Bosnia and Herzegovina, incorporating in its activities a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the beginning of April 2020, ITF and its partners successfully concluded a large-scale hotspots clearance project in Albania, enhancing the safety and security of residents all over the country.

In 2019, ITF operated in 17 countries and regions.

ITF’s partners at the Mine Detection Center (MDC) Polyclinic in Afghanistan have quickly adjusted to the rapidly changing circumstances to be able to continue providing free medical care for the most vulnerable residents of Kabul.

On Mine Awareness Day, ITF would like to share a story of five survivors of landmine explosions from Bosnia and Herzegovina that can serve as an inspiration in these challenging times.

As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens, the world faces many challenges. They are even more difficult for the most vulnerable in the society. ITF will continue to support them while prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved.