Guatemala

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The National Demining Program of Guatemala originated in the Peace Agreements subscribed by the government in 1996. This program has successfully integrated the government, the army, and former Guerilla in a commitment to remove AP mines and UXO left behind during years of armed conflict. The program also includes direct participation from volunteer firefighters, engineer corps of the army, and various NGOs.

Resources used by the program have been divided into two categories: national and external. By decree for creation of the National Commission for Demining, 20% of the budget of national resources is allotted to mine clearance, and Congress is considering increasing the budget to include parallel groups. These parallel groups can work beyond the groups in the operations areas. The idea is that departments that have low risk can work with these groups to conduct victim assistance. Rehabilitation in Guatemala has been a slow process due to the type of victims, which are mostly mine victims.

Through this program, they hope to clear all mines/UXO in Guatemala by the end of 2004, focusing on the Northern region during the first half of the year and other regions in the second half of the year.