Dedicated to the humanitarian removal of landmines in war-torn countries
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who are we?
Freedom Fields USA is a Carmel-based non-profit organization dedicated to the humanitarian removal of landmines in war-torn countries.
What is our objective?
Landmines are explosive devices designed to explode when triggered by pressure or a tripwire. These remnants of war are typically found on or just below the surface of the ground. There are an estimated 70 million landmines in at least 90 countries. The vast majority of landmines are planted in countries no longer at war. Landmines kill or injure 15,000-20,000 people each year. This amounts to 2 people per hour. Most victims are civilians; one third of them are children. By clearing landmines, lives will be saved, casualty rates will be reduced, and land will be returned to productive use. In turn, this will stimulate economic growth through land reclamation, resettlement and renewed access to development of infrastructure such as schools, wells, health clinics and roads. Clearing landmines will provide help to people that have suffered through years of war, and its aftermath.
Where?
FFUSA's current emphasis is in Cambodia, one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. There are an estimated 2 million landmines along a 450-mile stretch of land between Thailand and Cambodia. This region is known as the K5 Mine Belt, and is home to thousands of families.
Why Cambodia?
Cambodia has the largest concentration of landmines in the world.
Reports indicate that 29% of recent Cambodian landmine and UXO victims were children
35,000 Cambodians have lost at least one limb in a landmine accident
Why remove landmines?
The objective of FFUSA's landmine clearance is to free areas from mines so that casualty rates will be reduced and land can be reclaimed and resettled. As the land is cleared, it can safely be returned to productive use. It can be farmed and infrastructure can be developed for schools, wells and roads.
There are nearly 10,000 landmine casualties a year worldwide
There are 45 to 50 million landmines in some 60 countries
The vast majority of landmine victims are civilians; women, children and farmers
How will the mines be cleared?
Through the generosity of our donors, FFUSA is able to raise funds, as well as awareness of the global landmine crisis. These funds enable us to contract with HALO Trust International, an organization specializing in landmine removal. HALO's low overhead ensures that more of FFUSA's donated dollars go directly to our humanitarian de-mining activities. HALO Trust is a world leader in landmine clearance. HALO Trust trains and supervises 48 Cambodian nationals as deminers. Freedom Fields USA and HALO Trust are working at the request of the Cambodian government.
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