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Although NPA accomplishes much from a national perspective, its mine clearance and mine awareness programs highlight its dedication to ridding the world of landmines and improving safety for all human beings. It has established a tradition of assisting African countries in their liberation movements, supporting each individual's right to freedom and justice, and has contributed to rebuilding and development efforts in recently liberated countries. NPA categorizes its efforts in Africa into two divisions: short-term emergency relief and long-term development cooperation, with Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa comprising its two prime geographical areas of concern. Landmine Activities NPA's landmine projects have taken it to Angola where the organization focused on battle area clearance, mine clearance, survey and GIS database and mine awareness. Its expertise has landed it projects in Angola and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Kosovo, Laos, Mozambique, Northern Iraq, Kurdistan and the Western Sahara. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, NPA surveyed the land, established mine clearance and mine awareness programs and deployed 150 deminers and five mine detection dog teams. To assist the refugees in Cambodia, NPA offered local community development programs and supplied technical guidance to the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CCMAT). NPA also incorporates indigenous populations in its projects to promote cordial working relationships between the countries and NPA and to establish a competent demining team to further mine clearance efforts once NPA is no longer a presence in the country. In Kosovo, NPA trained 100 local deminers and dog teams to clear the affected land. As mine awareness comprises a significant portion of the landmine problem, NPA created mine awareness programs for returning refugees in the Western Sahara and trained approximately 30,000 people in refugee camps. To optimize
its efforts, NPA also focuses on the research and development of mine
clearance technology, as there is always a need to improve safety, speed
and cost concerns for mine detection and removal methods. NPA also emphasizes
the need to approach all new technological advancements with a degree
of caution, as there is never an easy solution to a problem this severe.
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