5 Pillars of Mine Action: Advocacy

Mine action is not only about clearing explosives from the ground. It is also about raising awareness, protecting civilians, supporting survivors, and ensuring that the global community does not forget the millions of people living under the threat of landmines and explosive ordnance contamination. Advocacy plays a critical role in mobilizing political will, strengthening international cooperation, universalizing the Mine Ban Convention, and securing the resources needed to save lives and rebuild communities.

Everyone has a role to play in advocacy. Governments, international organizations, humanitarian agencies, civil society, media, educators, artists, athletes, and individuals can all contribute to raising awareness of the devastating humanitarian impact of landmines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices. Advocacy helps amplify the voices of affected communities and survivors, ensuring that their experiences remain at the center of global action for their entire lives.

International treaties and humanitarian disarmament frameworks are central to mine action advocacy. Instruments such as the United Nations-supported humanitarian disarmament efforts, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions promote international humanitarian law, encourage cooperation between States, and reinforce commitments to protect civilians from explosive hazards. These agreements also help mobilize international assistance for affected countries and communities that require support for clearance, risk education, and victim assistance.

Advocacy increases visibility for communities affected by conflict and explosive contamination. It helps generate donor engagement, encourages sustained political commitment, and builds public understanding of the humanitarian, social, and economic consequences of explosive hazards. Effective advocacy also highlights how mine action enables humanitarian access, supports peacebuilding, facilitates the safe return of displaced populations, jump-starts economic growth, and creates conditions for long-term development and recovery.

The protection of civilians remains at the heart of mine action. Humanitarian aid, development projects, agriculture, education, and healthcare can only be delivered safely when explosive hazards are removed. Clearance operations allow families to return home, children to go safely to school, farmers to cultivate land, and communities to rebuild livelihoods with dignity and security.

The United Nations Mine Action Service works on advocacy through a wide range of global campaigns, partnerships, events, and public outreach initiatives. Each year, the international community observes International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April to raise awareness of the continuing dangers posed by mines and explosive ordnance and to promote support for mine action worldwide. The observance calls for continued efforts by Member States, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to strengthen national mine action capacities in countries where explosive hazards threaten civilian safety, health, and livelihoods.

UNMAS advocacy efforts include:

• Global awareness campaigns on humanitarian disarmament and mine action
• Public exhibitions and cultural events, including film festivals and survivor storytelling initiatives
• Partnerships with Member States, humanitarian organizations, and civil society
• Media engagement and strategic communications campaigns
• Collaboration with advocates, influencers, athletes, and artists to expand global awareness
• Educational outreach focused on the protection of civilians and the rights of survivors

These efforts help sustain international attention on mine action and reinforce the collective responsibility to protect communities from explosive hazards.