In Spite of Current Challenges ITF Continues with Humanitarian Activities

30/03/2020

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.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened many of the most pressing humanitarian crises the world is facing. One of them is undoubtedly landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination. These are challenging times for all of us, but they are especially challenging for people facing the threat of landmines and ERW, and numerous survivors of landmine explosions. The needs of people living in countries and regions affected by landmines and ERW are already complex; explosive hazards limit their mobility, the delivery of humanitarian aid, access to services or to safe land. Many survivors among them did not receive the proper physical and psychosocial care they needed even before the new health risks. Today, when they have to be isolated or disconnected from their friends and family, they are faced with an even greater hardship.

As an organisation with a mission to enhance human security, ITF shall continue to do all that is reasonably possible to support the most vulnerable in the society, whose needs were greatest even before the pandemic. Therefore, ITF HQ in Slovenia and its implementation offices around the globe adjusted their work processes to be in line with the necessary health and safety regulations and country-specific requirements. Nonetheless, the team continues to support and carry out life-saving activities wherever that is possible. While doing so, the health and safety of ITF staff, partners and local communities is a top priority and the team is taking all measures to ensure their wellbeing.

ITF is sincerely thankful to all partners and donors for their continued support in these unprecedented and uncertain times. ITF would also like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to continue to assist those who are in any way affected by armed conflict, especially landmines and ERW. Through joint efforts, their lives can be changed for the better.

Ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2020, ITF Director Ambassador Tomaž Lovrenčič would also like to share the short message below.