Welcome to the Summer 2020 edition of the ICBL-CMC newsletter.
The international COVID-19 response has significantly altered how our mine action member and partner organizations operate. It has also made ever more apparent the essential nature of strong collaboration between civil society, governments and international organizations. In that spirit, we are pleased to share updates on work undertaken by the ICBL-CMC in the first half of the year.
Cluster Munition Coalition Activities to Promote Universal CCM Adherence
Since March CMC members have been busy advocating for states to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions, as we prepare for the Second Review Conference. A number of CMC actions were launched around the 4 April International Day for Mine Action and Mine Awarenessincluding:
CMC sent letters to all states not party to the Convention while national campaigns contacted their respective governments and/or relevant embassies urging states to join the Convention without delay
Targeted outreach to 28 priority countries in coordination with the Convention universalization lead
CMC Ambassador Branislav Kapetanović Calls on All States to Join the Convention on Cluster Munitions on the 12th Anniversary of the Convention
As we prepare to meet in Switzerland this November for the Convention’s Second Review Conference, we can take a moment to reflect on the Convention and its role in preventing further casualties by this indiscriminate weapon. Read the full address here.
Importance of Considering Persons with Disabilities Including Mine Survivors in COVID -19 Responses
Jesus Martinez addressing Mine Ban Treaty 17MSP
People with disabilities, including survivors, are often excluded from the various spheres of state activity and support. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we need to reflect on how state emergency measures to combat the virus should be upholding the rights of everyone, including survivors and other persons with disabilities without exception.
Read the Importance of Considering Persons with Disabilities Including Mine Survivors in COVID -19 Responses - by Jesus Martinez, landmine survivor and human rights activist for persons with disabilities and survivors of armed conflict, El Salvador
ICBL Activities supporting the Mine Ban Treaty and Oslo Action Plan
Some 24 national/regional campaigns mobilized this spring to speak out against the US landmine policy reversal - see a listing of actions taken here
ICBL will participate in the Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Meeting, to be held via an online forum from 30 June - 2 July. The campaign has submitted formal input on the Oslo Action Plan and will be bringing the following messages to the meeting:
Calling for all efforts to achieve 2025 completion targets
Highlighting the importance of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) in addressing increased casualty trends and minimizing the impact of mines on communities
Noting the imperative for states to address mines of an improvised nature under the convention and to fulfill convention obligations
Calling for attention to delays in stockpile destruction and clearance and retention of mines for training as critical compliance concerns
Supporting newly enacted early warning mechanisms to address the above concerns
Following progress on individual indicators under the Oslo Action Plan
Information on ICBL contributions to the meeting will be posted here.
Member Feature - Conversation with Mohammad Hussain Ahmadi
Executive Director, Afghan Landmine Survivors Association
How is COVID-19 directly affecting survivors in Afghanistan?
The COVID-19 has absolutely affected survivors. All businesses and services have been closed, and survivors have lost their jobs, businesses or other means of income generation. For example, private transportation services represented a good income for some survivors and persons with disabilities in Kabul. However these services were prohibited and they suddenly lost their income.
Survivors and persons with disabilities are highly vulnerable at this moment, and the government does not have any specific policy or program to reduce their vulnerability and protect them. In addition, disability focused organizations do not have enough resources to provide support for survivors. At the same time, the number of victims is also increasing due to on-going conflicts all over the country. Increasing poverty levels due to the pandemic also directly impacts survivors.
How has the COVID 19 Pandemic and response in Afghanistan affected ALSO's Work?
The Covid-19 crisis has impacted everyone, including ALSO. Kabul and big cities were partially under lockdown during April and May 2020, however NGOs had permission to operate and ALSO was able to continued some of its activities through teleworking and directly.
One clear negative impact is that potential funding sources have been frozen because most of the funding countries and donors are focused on the COVID-19 crisis. New funding opportunities have not yet been announced by donors. As a result, ALSO is facing a funding shortage and its activities have enormously decreased. The COVID-19 crisis is another hit to the survival of NGOs like ALSO and other disability focused organizations in Afghanistan. However, ALSO is optimistic that we will be able to raise funds to continue programs promoting and protecting the rights survivors.
How will this change your work for the coming months/year?
ALSO will try to adapt its activities according to the situation and will continue its activities as possible given the availability of funding to promote the rights of survivors in the country. We expect potential VA funding will decrease this year as some donor agencies are focusing on responding to the COIVID-19 crisis [without adequate consideration for the impact on survivors and Persons with Disabilities].
Is there one key message that you would like to share regarding COVID-19 and issues facing survivors and survivor networks?
The rights and needs of survivors [and Persons with Disabilities] should be at the core of the COVID-19 response agenda for government authorities and donors in Afghanistan, and everywhere.
Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Updates
We are pleased to welcome Marion Loddo to the ICBL-CMC Geneva Team. Marion joins the team as Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Managing Editor.
The Monitor has put out a call for photos for 2020 publications and welcomes stakeholder contributions by 17 July
New resources (infographics and fact sheets) highlighting support for mine action and victim assistance trends, transparency reporting, and mines retained under the treaty, are being produced to complement information sharing around the Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Meeting. These will be available as of 29 June, here.
Key 2020 Dates
Convention on Cluster Munitions 1st Preparatory meeting for Review Conference 29 June
ICBL-CMC Geneva Team. Marion joins the team as Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Managing Editor.
