PTPI Blog

Since 2004, PTPI has been a leading supporter of humanitarian landmine clearance.  Thanks to a generous outpouring from members and friends around the world, PTPI has supported the removal of more than 1,500 mines and UXO in Sri Lanka and Cambodia. Our 3-step approach focuses on eradication, education and aftercare.

Mary Eisenhower learns from Tim Porter with The HALO Trust about PTPI's impact on landmine eradication in Cambodia.

PTPI is proud to support The HALO Trust in efforts to remove landmines.  We sat down with Kurt Chesko, Vice President at The HALO Trust, USA, to hear some of his insights about the landmine crisis and how PTPI is helping.

1. The landmine crisis is often far-removed from the minds of those in countries not directly impacted.  Can you tell us more about the significance of mine clearance for affected countries and the global repercussions?

The clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance is a necessary first step to ensure that war-torn countries can begin to rebuild. Landmines and other dangerous explosive items not only cause death and horrific injuries but also hinder the movements of refugees, the development of agriculture, reconstruction of homes and vital infrastructure, transport of goods and the work of aid agencies. Without clearance, communities stand still and face an uncertain and unstable future.

2. Can you illustrate the depth and importance of People to People International’s role toward landmine eradication?

PTPI has been a leading supporter of humanitarian landmine clearance since 2004. Focusing their efforts in Sri Lanka and Cambodia, PTPI has funded the removal of over 1,500 mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) resulting in the clearance of 28 acres of minefield. In addition, PTPI has undertaken much-needed victims’ assistance projects in several mine-affected countries.

Through its vast networks of students and adult chapters worldwide, PTPI has been able to educate thousands of its members about the value of humanitarian landmine clearance. Numerous chapters have become involved in supporting the Global Landmine Initiative and we hope to see even more involvement in the future.

3. With success met from PTPI efforts in Sri Lanka, focus shifted to Cambodia.  What specific impact is being seen in Cambodia in terms of individuals, families and communities?

Cambodia remains one of the most mine-impacted countries in the world. Since 1979, over 63,000 landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) casualties have been recorded in Cambodia and today the country has over 25,000 amputees—the highest ratio per capita worldwide.

Today, most of the casualties are occurring in the northwestern provinces bordering Thailand, a region which had previously been among the most agriculturally productive in the country. A massive mine belt, known as the ‘K-5’, runs hundreds of miles along the Cambodian/Thai border. The communities that are living in these mined areas are among the poorest people in Cambodia. Many villagers are forced by necessity to forage for food and firewood in mined areas.

The HALO Trust, through the support of PTPI and other donors, is clearing thousands of mines in Cambodia every year. When HALO completes a task in Cambodia, the land that is handed over to the local communities, is quickly put to good use. The former minefields are immediately plowed or used to build houses. It is very difficult to estimate the number of casualties that our work has prevented but the success of our efforts becomes evident upon seeing a thriving garden or a family living in their new home on a plot of land that once was a dangerous minefield.

Mary Eisenhower meets with Cambodians whose lives have been directly affected by landmines.

4. People to People International is the first US NGO to support an HSTAMIDS or “Smart Detector” team working in humanitarian mine clearance.  Can you explain the importance of sponsoring the “Smart Detector” and having a team in place along the infamous K-5 mine belt bordering Thailand?  Also, can you let us know about the progress that has been made to-date.

The HSTAMIDS or ‘Smart Detector’ is an American-made detector that incorporates standard metal detecting technology with ground-penetrating radar. In the K-5 mine belt, which is very densely mined and contaminated with a lot of scrap metal, the HSTAMIDS can be highly effective. Using a traditional metal detector, all of the scrap metal signals must be investigated and excavated. This takes a lot of time and effort. However, the HSTAMIDS can distinguish between the metal clutter and an item with mass that may be a landmine. The HSTAMIDS detector can—under the right conditions—increase clearance rates by up to 500%. In addition to helping speed up the process, the HSTAMIDS can locate certain minimum metal mines that can be problematic to find with a standard metal detector.

PTPI is the first private American organization to fund an HSTAMIDS team. Since January, the PTPI HSTAMIDS section has found and destroyed 140 antipersonnel mines and five items of unexploded ordnance. To date, 5,815 square meters (1.4 acres) of land have been cleared.

A Cambodian deminer for The HALO Trust uses the Smart Detector to locate landmines in the ground.

5. In a struggling global economy, we’re seeing the ripple effect of humanitarian efforts near and far.  Without continued funding, there is a real possibility for 30% layoffs of teams in Cambodia.  What are the ramifications of this loss and what can people do, half a world away, to help the men, women and children living in and around minefields?

By decreasing the number of deminers working in Cambodia, we will lengthen the timeframe that villagers are impacted by landmines. To prevent layoffs HALO will need to seek new funding sources. HALO has worked with PTPI for many years and has taken part in several fundraising events organized by local chapters. In Cambodia it is relatively inexpensive to clear a landmine, approximately $100 so even small events can make a huge difference.