Significant steps forward, thanks to your help

Last year saw the signing of a new international Political Declaration restricting the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

Over 6,500 of you added your voices to our open letter to world leaders and sent in your own messages of hope. So often we fear that our individual voices cannot be heard, but in November you showed that together our voices are louder, world leaders will listen, and we can make a difference. It was inspiring to take your names and messages to Dublin to show the world that you care.

For people in Ukraine, conflict has changed life beyond recognition. People have suffered terribly because of the use of explosive weapons in towns and cities. But thanks to your support we have been able to move fast and start work in Ukraine, partnering with the Ukrainian Deminers Association to teach life-saving lessons and starting to clear unexploded bombs.

Thanks to your support, in 2022, we helped over 670,000 people across the world to live free from the fear and danger of landmines and unexploded bombs, and more than 71 million m2 of safe land was returned to communities.

Remember, this good news is only possible because of your support.

Thank you so much.

Darren Cormack

MAG Chief Executive

Raisa’s home was destroyed by war in Ukraine. Raisa and her husband, Sergiy, her young son and their pet dog fled the fighting in February, a quick decision that probably saved their lives. “It was very frightening, there was fighting and bombing everywhere.”

As the fighting moves on in some parts of Ukraine, people like Raisa are beginning to return to their homes. But to do so, they have to consider the threat of landmines and unexploded bombs every minute of every day – when their children play outside, when they take their dog for a walk – simple daily activities.

In partnership with the Ukrainian Deminers Association, we were able to begin delivering life-saving messages and lessons to help keep people safe in Ukraine.

In November, 83 states signed a Political Declaration limiting the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. More than 6,500 supporters joined our call for action and added their names to our open letter to world leaders and sent their personal messages of hope. 

When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, 9 out of 10 people who are killed or injured are civilians. The Declaration, if implemented effectively, has the potential to save thousands of lives.

The letter was presented by MAG to Irish Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy. 

Between 25 April and 24 July, our supporters raised £449,309, including £211,336 of match funding from the UK government, to support the clearance  of unexploded bombs in Vangkhom Village, Laos.

Vangkhom was hit by almost 6,000 bombing missions - an average of 213 bombing missions for every square kilometre. The bombs lay hidden, waiting to kill or maim when disturbed by a curious child or a farmer at work.

Our hope was to raise enough funds to support a team of 13 experts for 12 months, clearing 161,600m2 of land in Vangkhom, and unlocking the land the women, girls, boys and men who have lived in fear for years. However, thanks to the help of our supporters, doubled by the UK government, we are now able to fund an additional team for six months, and hope to clear the equivalent of 32 football pitches worth of land!

The 151 people who live in Vangkhom will benefit from safe land on which to farm, work and play.

Buth Chham and Yin Youn harvest rice on  their land in Battambang, Cambodia. They have owned the land since 1997 but until the start of 2022 it was unusable because of the landmines and unexploded bombs found there. 

Early in 2022 the land was cleared and is already being used to grow rice and cassava and keep cattle in safety. They have harvested their first crop which will help feed their family of five children aged between 15 and 21.

2022 marked 30 years of MAG working in Cambodia. The continued generosity of our supporters means that thousands of people like Buth Chham and Yin Youn now have safe land and a more secure future.

These incredible achievements and so many more are only made possible by you. 

Thank you!