United States of America remains the main donor to International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance in the year 2006
On the occasion of the signing of the Agreement for 9,9 million USD to ITF Mr. Goran Ga?nik, the director of ITF said: “Mine problem is not only the problem of mine affected countries but it is also the problem of a wider community. As more and more subjects are being integrated into solving mine problem, primarily country donors, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 4th April as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
United States of America is actively supporting the efforts of world community aimed at ending the mine problem by devoting significant amount of funds for solving problems of mine affected countries. On this occasion ITF would like to thank the State Department and the Congress of United States of America for supporting yet again ITF activities in 2006 with donation of 9,9 million USD.
Since the establishment of ITF in 1998, ITF's activities in the field of demining and mine victims assistance represent preliminary condition for stabilization of conditions in countries where mine problem is hindering settlement of displaced population and impeding the development of mine effected countries.
USA represents a pillar in the field of mine action in SE Europe by supporting the work of ITF since it’s establishment in 1998. Only USA has donated to ITF over 92 million USD. In the last eight years over 63 million square meters of mine affected land has been demined, 849 mine victims have been rehabilitated, holidays for nearly 300 children in summer camps have been organized and more than 200 victims have been included in socio-economic programs carried out by ITF with help of donors. Over 51 000 school children, adults and 110 000 family members in mine polluted areas received mine risk education.
At present there are 84 countries in the world with mine threat, where thousand and thousand injuries and fatal victims are recorded among the population every day. Duty of all of us, including ITF, is to continue with activities in mine clearance in the region of SE Europe. Consequently, ITF will endeavor to implement mine awareness programs not only in the region of SE Europe but in other regions as well, one of them being the region of Caucasus.”