Agenda
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   - Español
Executive Summary
Opening Remarks
National Planning and Priority Setting
Regional Planning and Priority Setting
Resource Mobilization
Working Groups
Participants List
Photos
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*Proceedings courtesy of the JMU Mine Action Information Center


Ecuador
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On October 26, 1998 Ecuador and Peru came to a peace agreement and began a process of removing the mines together in order to clear the border. Mine clearance has become a measure of mutual trust between Ecuador and Peru. The two countries have formed an MoU that has coordinated procedures, technical support. Both countries' armies are working together in order to remove mines. Ecuador believes that mine clearance is not only the removal of the mines, but is just one part of a process of border development.

The national plan is extremely important and outstanding. Rehab is being given to four victims of mines. In 2004 Ecuador would like to identify, register, and give medical assistance to mine victims in areas that are predicted to have victims. In the prevention campaigns, Ecuador has been working with people on the borders by using 65 facilitators. They have given 180 children and 100 adults information. In 2004 Ecuador is considering three radio campaigns, in March, June, and November in order to educate. The program can be accessed through a website, there is also a 1-800 number that people can access to obtain information. By 2004, the speaker claimed that Ecuador wanted to educate 96 communities and to reach 3,700 people. There have been no accidents in mine clearance work in Ecuador. In is hoped that the removal of mines will be completed, with over a thousand mines in various areas, by 2006.

On May 12, international monitors are joining Ecuador in the demining process in order to fulfill the requirements of the UN. There will be training for military leaders and deminers in order to have a competent staff. Ecuador, on September 11, 2001, concluded the destruction of mines stored in arsenals. Thousands of mines have been preserved for training, although the speaker believes that the number is unnecessarily large and during the past December destroyed half of them and will continue to destroy more in order to keep only 1000 mines. Ecuador has requested a permanent demining staff. The OAS and EU have provided money to the demining process.