ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2006

There is a significant public and political awareness of the mine problem in South East Europe (SEE) and the enormous impact that landmines have on safety, as well as on the humanitarian, economic and environmental development of the region. Slovenian Government has recognized its role in the SEE region 9 years ago by establishing the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF). With its contribution of more than 4,9 million USD, Slovenia has greatly contributed to the increased stability and safer environment in the region of SEE. Since the start ITF has grown into an internationally recognized organization, supported by donations by more than 27 governments around the world and many other organizations, companies and individuals. ITF is now firmly set on the path to its main goal – South East Europe free of mines. With full cooperation of the local authorities in all the countries of South East Europe, as well as international organizations and donors, ITF is optimistic that the maintenance of peace, reintegration of refugees/returnees and internally displaced persons, revitalization and economic development of SEE can become a reality. Extensive experience and practice in Mine Action that has been accumulating in ITF for the past 9 years on one hand and successful operations and progress in the countries of SEE on the other, carried to decision to expand its activities also into other mine affected countries and regions. Lessons learned from regional cooperation through South East Europe Mine Action Coordination Council (SEEMACC) are being presented also to the representatives from other mine affected regions in order to apply positive approaches and to contribute to effectiveness, transparency, better use of resources and finally to confidence building between neighbouring countries. Finally, 2006 was a good year for ITF, not only in terms of fundraising, where ITF succeeded to raise more than 30 million USD, but also on the national, regional and international level. Therefore, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for all the contributions and stakeholders’ cooperation with the ITF. And at the end,even though it probably goes without saying, allow me to express my gratitude to the arduous and enthusiastic ITF team for all their efforts. Only together the goals set can become a reality

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 1999

ITF Annual Report 199

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2003

The year 2003 underlined the continuity in the valuable contribution of ITF to demining and victims assistance in South-East Europe. ITF received unanimous and deep appreciation by the entire donors\u27 community for its excellent performance record. In 2003, ITF facilitated the clearance of nearly 8 million square meters from mines and UXO in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, always in close co-operation with international and local authorities. ITF has also succeeded in raising more than 23 million USD in new funds. Increased funding came from 13 governments, the EU (including EC Delegation in Croatia and the European Reconstruction Agency), Adopt-A-Minefield, UNDP BH, and 20 other companies, organisations, communities and individuals. This underlines the partnership effort between governments, NGOs, business and local communities in both donor and recipient countries in demining activities. Many of the activities relating to the mine victims assistance highlight the human dimension of work of ITF and the crucial importance of risk education projects. There is no doubt that, through increased awareness programmes, many of the accidents that continue to occur, especially among children, could be avoided

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2010

Since 1998, ITF has grown into an internationally recognized organization, supported by donations from extensive number of governments, public and private organizations, companies and individuals that has already surpassed the figure of 330 million USD. ITF contribution to the global fight against landmines and especially to the one in South East Europe (SEE) can not and must not be measured solely by numbers and statistical data. The contribution must be viewed in terms of its input to the restoration of conditions for cultural, social and economic lives of individuals and communities living in or emerging from war-torn society. Stable conditions have been secured for faster socio – economic development of the region SEE although our work has not come to an end. We still need to secure long-term conditions for a sustainable development of the affected regions. Only then may we declare that our objective has been reached

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 1998

ITF Annual Report 199

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2004

The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) is a humanitarian, nonprofit organization devoted to the eradication of landmines in the region of South-East Europe and the world. When first established by the Slovenian government in March 1998, ITF was to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in solving its landmine problem, and help surviving landmine victims with physical and socio-economic rehabilitation. However, as BiH was not the only country in the region affected by landmines (see Mine-contamination in the countries of ITF operations), it made good sense for ITF to spread its operations to include all other mine-affected countries in SE Europe as well. Presently, ITF is working in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro. Some of the activities are also being carried out in Southern Caucasus and Cyprus. ITF seeks to attract public and private donors for Mine Action related activities in SE Europe including mine clearance, landmine victims assistance, mine risk education and training. While ITF has adopted a holistic approach to the landmine and UXO problem, we are however also striving to meet the needs of mine-affected communities on the ground level. ITF has been working very closely with the national governments and Mine Action Centers of the mine-affected countries so as to ensure that donated funds are spent on providing useful help to the local population

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2019

ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) is a humanitarian, non-profit organization specializing in land mine clearance, eradication of explosive remnants of war and other impacts from conflict. Established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in March 1998, ITF’s initial purpose was to help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the implementation of the peace agreement and to provide assistance and support in post-conflict rehabilitation. Since its inception, ITF has been continuously developing and enhancing its mission by expanding the scope of its activities and geographic area. ITF’s mission is to address the problems of an ever-changing human security environment, the needs of beneficiary countries, and the priorities of the donor community. In order to increase the impact on wider human security, the European Commission granted ITF the title of European Union Member States’ Specialized Agency (MSSA), which opens up the possibilities to cooperate within humanitarian projects of the European Union. With this status, ITF joins 11 other MSSA agencies under the humanitarian activities of Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2014

ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) is a humanitarian, non-profit organization devoted to the elimination of threats from post-conflict and disruptive challenges, including landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and the illicit ownership and use of small arms and light weapons (SALW), in South East Europe and other affected regions in the world. As the impact from landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in South East Europe becomes less severe, there is a growing need to address other post-conflict and disruptive challenges, to support Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD), Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programs, and to combat violence and terrorism stemming from the illicit ownership and use of SALW. Such challenges pose a potential threat to human security just as serious as the danger from landmines and UXO. Since the adoption of the broader 2009–2013 Strategy, ITF has increasingly become involved especially in CWD programs and the development of projects under its third strategic goal (i.e. to reduce the threats to human security from disruptive challenges), such as for example Telemedicine

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2018

The goal of the Mine Ban Treaty (1997) can’t be clearer: a landmine free world and a safe environment for generations to come. But more than two decades after international community agreed to firm norms and objectives that were achieved through the Ottawa Treaty process, landmines and other explosive remnants of war still indiscriminately impact human victims, often years and decades after the end of armed conflicts. As of November 2018, sixty states and areas remain contaminated by antipersonnel mines, with worrying numbers of civilian casualties, especially children. Everyday life near contaminated areas is harsh and uncertain. People often knowingly risk their lives just to ensure minimum subsistence for themselves and their families, living in dangerous proximity of active minefields. Due to this ruthless reality, it is our moral obligation to help millions of people affected by landmines and to work tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance to them. ITF Enhancing Human Security has been a part of the mine action community for more than two decades, with important results in more than 30 countries around the world. Since 1998, when the Government of the Republic of Slovenia established ITF, its scope of activities has expanded from minefield clearance and mine victim assistance to a wider area of disarmament and human security, with a great number of excellent and important projects in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South America and West Africa. The role that ITF successfully played in post-conflict reconstruction is key at creating safe environments and enabling people, especially victims, to reintegrate into societies and continue living safe and decent lives. With over 440 million USD of donations entrusted to ITF and over 3,100 programs and projects implemented, ITF today is recognized as a trusted and reliable partner in humanitarian mine action globally. ITF continues to operate in demanding and often dangerous environments, helping those in greatest need. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Slovenia is proud that ITF has become an internationally reputable institution in the fields of demining, disarmament and humanitarian assistance. As one of the most successful Slovenian foreign policy institutions, our Government will continue to support ITF, as it has done so from the beginning, in the implementation of its noble humanitarian mission

ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2017

ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) is a humanitarian, non-profit organization specializing in land mine clearance, eradication of explosive remnants of war and other impacts from conflict. Established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in March 1998, ITF’s initial purpose was to help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the implementation of the peace agreement and to provide assistance and support in post-conflict rehabilitation. Since its inception, ITF has been continuously developing and enhancing its mission by expanding the scope of its activities and geographic area. ITF’s mission is to address the problems of an ever-changing human security environment, the needs of beneficiary countries, and the priorities of the donor community