PSALM students attended Morgantown, West Virginia, USA City Council to receive a proclamation recognizing November 18th as Landmine/Cluster Munition Awareness Day .
Morgantown Mayor, Jennifer Selin stated as the Proclamation was presented, ” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Morgantown, West Virginia hereby urges our national leaders to join the Ottawa Treaty to Ban Anti-personnel landmines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions”.
PSALM students are preparing an art and photo exhibit focusing on the effects of landmines and cluster munitions on children around the world. The exhibit, “THE MOST VULNERABLE” will open on January 9th, 2015 at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, WEST VIRGINIA. PSALM spokespersons stated, “We are trying to raise awareness about the issues children face the world over when it comes to these indiscriminate weapons of war and the need for countries to join the treaties banning them”.
Marking Universal Children’s Day, 20 November, the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Victim Assistance Team released a fact sheet on “The Impact of Mines/ERW on Children,” attached and available online (http://the-monitor.org/index.php/content/view/full/25198). The latest factsheet, produced annually since 2009, provides an update on casualty data and assistance to child survivors in 2013. Children, especially boys, are one of the largest groups of survivors of landmines, unexploded cluster munition remnants and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Evidence shows ERW, usually found on the surface and often appearing interesting to children, cause the majority of child casualties. ERW are especially prevalent, with a devastating impact, when countries are in conflict or are transitioning out of an emergency situation. Landmines and ERW also remain in the ground killing and injuring children for years and even decades after conflict has ended. Child survivors have specific and additional needs in all aspects of victim assistance. The Mine Ban Treaty’s Maputo Action Plan (2014-2019) as well as the Convention on Cluster Munitions’ Vientiane Action Plan (2010-2014) both require that victim assistance be age-appropriate.
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PSALM students are preparing an art and photo exhibit focusing on the effects of landmines and cluster munitions on children around the world. The exhibit, “THE MOST VULNERABLE” will open on January 9th, 2015 at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, WEST VIRGINIA. PSALM spokespersons stated, “We are trying to raise awareness about the issues children face the world over when it comes to these indiscriminate weapons of war and the need for countries to join the treaties banning them”.