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Victim Assistance: Summary and Statements

Tuesday 10 February

1. Opening of the meeting

The meeting was opened by its Co-Chairs, Ambassador Mike Smith of the Australia and Ms. Dijana Plestina of Croatia, and, with the support of its Co-Rapporteurs Ms. Maria Pia Hernandez of Nicaragua and Ms. Mariann Murvoll of Norway.

2. Updates from relevant States Parties on the status of implementation

The following States Parties provided updates on the problems they face, their plans, progress and priorities for assistance pertaining to the responsibility to provide for the care, rehabilitation and reintegration of landmine survivors:

Ms. Margaret Orech, Co-Chair of the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance, provided a response on behalf of the ICBL to these updates.

  • Statement by Ms. Margaret Orech, Co-Chair of the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance

3. Introduction of the Raising the Voices initiative

The landmine survivors participating in the Raising the Voices initiative were introduced to the Standing Committee.

  • Introduction of the Raising the Voices participants
  • Presentation by the Landmine Survivors Network PDF 350KB

4. Updates on regional victim assistance initiatives

The following States Parties and organizations involved in regional victim assistance efforts provided updates:

  • Handicap International PDF 335KB
  • International Trust Fund
  • Organization of American States
  • Nicaragua Spanish PDF 16KB 
  • Honduras

5. Updates on assistance and cooperation

The Co-Chairs provided an opportunity for donors to share information on their activities as well as for all actors to discuss the means available to assist States Parties in meeting their obligations. The following took advantage of this opportunity:

  • Canada PDF 14KB
  • Sweden
  • Japan
  • UNICEF, on behalf of the UN system
  • Norway
  • Holy See PDF 17KB 
  • Mexico Spanish PDF 11KB
  • Denmark
  • Danish Church Aid
  • ICRC

6. Successful economic reintegration initiatives

The following shared information on specific economic reintegration efforts, highlighting lessons-learned and elements for successful programming:

In addition, a participant of the Raising the Voices initiative took the floor to provide input on this matter PDF 31KB

7. Enhancing cooperation between providers of prosthetics and orthopedic services 

  • Statement by Ms. Becky Jordan, Co-Chair, ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance PDF 13KB

8. Physical accessibility

A participant from the Raising the Voices initiative took the floor to provide input on the matter of physical accessibility.

Ms. Becky Jordan, Co-Chair of the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance, provided an update on ongoing discussions intended to improve coordinationg between international actors involved in prosthetics and orthopedics.