Rotaract Goals for Rotary International District 7620
- To execute successful auction & wine tasting fundraiser on May 9, 2008 at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to fund HALO Trust’s landmine removal efforts in Northwestern Cambodia
- To promote awareness about the negative & social impact of landmines in Cambodia
- Continue to build upon the Rotary International partnership with HALO Trust and the State Department
- Develop a joint fundraising initiative with Rotaract Clubs & their sponsoring Rotary Clubs
- Develop partnerships with additional Rotary Clubs & international groups
Past & Current Rotary International Efforts to
Remove Landmines in Cambodia
- HALO Trust is a non-political, non-religious NGO that specializes in the removal of the debris of war & first partnered with Rotary International to remove landmines from Cambodia in 2003 & the State Department in 2005
- Approximately 18 Rotary Clubs are now involved in the mine removal effort in Northwestern Cambodia with the Seattle 4 Rotary Club first initiating the fundraising effort in 2003, Led by Sally Mackle from the Seattle 4 Rotary Club.
- U.S. State Department matched $1 for $1 for past efforts and has granted the Halo Trust a $50,000 matching grant for mine action in Cambodia—$25,000 to be allotted to Rotary-led projects including the District 7620 event. (Total cost of 2008 project = $150,000)
- Past State Department Matches: 2006=$42,500 & 2007=$65,000
- HALO Trust is also pursuing additional matching grants from other organizations for 2008
Worldwide Landmine Problem
Millions of landmines in the ground in at least 70 countries
Up to 20,000 people die or are maimed each year
More than 300,000 maimed landmine survivors worldwide
Cambodian Landmine Problem
- Over 25,000 Amputees: Highest ratio per capita of any country
- 2001-2005: Approximately 800 annual landmine accidents
- 2006: Due to landmine removal efforts, there was a decrease in annual landmine accidents to approximately 450
Northwest Cambodia
- One of World’s most mine affected regions
“K-5” Mine Belt stretches 430 miles near Thai border
- Land mines impact rural communities across 5 provinces & account for ½ of Cambodia’s annual landmine accidents
- Previously most populated and agriculturally productive area in Cambodia
Why is Demining so Important?
Saves Lives
Provides safe access to food and water
Promotes peace and economic development
Reduces poverty
Reduces psychological trauma caused by landmine accidents
Mine Clearance Focus
What is a Landmine?
- Tripwire activated
- Pressure activated
- Anti-personnel landmines (APLs)
- Anti-vehicle landmines (AVLs)
Please Contact Our District Rotaract Representative On Ways To Help
Poonam Chhunchha, District 7620 Rotaract Representative at Poonamvc@gmail.com.
*Note – We would like to thank HALO Trust, Rotarians for Mine Action, Sally Mackle (Seattle 4 Rotary Club) and State Department for providing pictures and information for this presentation
This man stepped on a mine while collecting firewood to sell at the market. Luckily, he survived and was fitted with a prosthetic. Many years later, he returned home and realized he had forgotten his saw. He sent his 16 year old daughter to fetch the saw and she too stepped on a landmine.
These village children were beneficiaries from the first Seattle 4 Rotary project started by Sally Mackle. Rotarians provided funds for mine clearance and then built wells and rehabilitated the local school providing the kids with school supplies, vests and plastic helmets for protection.
This photo features the poorest of the poor in Cambodia who are forced to live in minefields. This phenomenon is not uncommon along the K-5 mine belt.
Cambodian children stand behind Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) that were in a field.
A Cambodian demining section consists of eight men including one medic and section leader.
HALO Trust deminer sweeping his lane with a metal detector. He will investigate any signals his metal detector finds. The Deminer is also wearing a Kevlar vest and plastic helmet for protection.
To prevent potential accidents, HALO sends Mine Risk Education (MRE) teams into local communities to inform high-risk population groups (children, farmers and scrap-metal collectors for example) of the mine/UXO danger.