MAG DRC attended the annual celebration of the International Landmines Day [formally, International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action] on 4 April at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 |
|
New Ambassador for Landmines, L’Or Mbongo. |
 |
|
Dance group, Le Theatre des Elus. |
This year, for the first time ever, the event was organised by the National Landmines Authority rather than the United Nations, reflecting the increasing know-how of national bodies in humanitarian mine action.
The event, which was partly televised on national TV, included a speech from the Minister of the Interior praising the work of all those working in humanitarian mine action, and the investiture of a new Ambassador for Landmines, L’Or Mbongo, a well-known singer.
MAG DRC’s Country Programme manager Sebastien Cazenave was invited to speak on behalf of all international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in humanitarian mine action in the country.
The speech focused on the need to ensure continued capacity-building for national actors, both governmental and NGO, as well as congratulating the D.R. Congo’s Government for recent steps taken – such as the drafting of a new landmines law due to be voted on soon and the signing last month of the convention on cluster munitions – and underlining the important work being carried out, and still urgently needed, by all those involved in humanitarian mine action in the country.
The event was followed by a display of photos and training materials, including many of which contributed by MAG.
 |
|
MAG DRC Country Programme Manager. Also representing MAG at the event were Humanitarian Mine Action Technical Operations Manager Emmanuel Brument and Small Arms and Light Weapons Technical Operations Manager Marc Angibeaud. [Photos: Matthew Willner-Reid, MAG DRC] |
Links:
- MAG DRC microsite - find out more about MAG's work in the country
- Donate to MAG online - more than 90 per cent of MAG's income is spent directly on clearance programmes
- Other ways to Get Involved - shop, run, walk, skydive, drink wine...
- Click on Tags below for related articles
8 April 09
MAG's work in DRC is supported by: Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; DFID (UK Department for International Development); Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, U.S. Department of State; Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency).
