Our Mission
The United Nations supports States and affected communities to prevent, reduce and manage the threat and impact of explosive ordnance during and after armed conflict, empower affected women, girls, men and boys from diverse groups to live safely, and strengthen national capacities to protect individuals and communities from the threat of mines, Explosive Remnants of War and Improvised Explosive Devices until such time as the assistance of the UN is no longer requested.
Five Pillars of Mine Action
Clearance
Mine clearance is one of the five core components of mine action. In its broad sense, it includes surveys, mapping and minefield marking, as well as the actual clearance of mines from the ground. This range of activities is often referred to as "demining".
Explosive Ordnance Risk Education
Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) refers to educational activities aimed at reducing the risk of injury from explosive ordnance, including mines and unexploded ordnance, by raising awareness and promoting behavioural change through public-information campaigns, education and training, and liaison with communities.
Victim Assistance
Victim assistance refers to addressing the needs and rights of victims of explosive ordnance, including people killed, injured and/or impaired, their families and communities. It is provided through several actions to meet their immediate and long-term needs, such as emergency and continuing medical care; physical rehabilitation; psychosocial support and social inclusion; and laws and public policies that promote effective treatment, care and protection.
Advocacy
Advocacy refers to all activities related to public support, recommendation or positive publicity to remove the risk and impact of explosive ordnance. This includes outreach to encourage universal participation in existing international agreements and treaty meetings that ban or limit the use of landmines.
Stockpile Destruction
UNMAS provides technical support to aid the destruction of stockpiled explosive hazards. Inadequately managed conventional ammunition stockpiles threaten public safety and pose a risk to the security of States.
Watch and Listen
Unity For Mine Action. Forward Not Fragmented!
NYC songwriter and disabilities advocate Tabitha Haly singing at the opening ceremony of the Secretary General's Mine Action Campaign
From Fear to Freedom Mine Action Matters
Beyond removing explosives, mine action builds peace and save lives.
Digital Exhibits
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres launched a campaign in June 2025 to uphold the international humanitarian disarmament norms that seek to reduce human suffering caused by explosive ordnance and to accelerate mine action. The purpose of this campaign is twofold:
- To uphold the international humanitarian disarmament norms that seek to reduce human suffering caused by explosive ordnance.
- To accelerate mine action (clearance, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction) as an enabler for human rights and sustainable development.