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Following is the text of the announcement:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 15, 2002
MEDIA NOTE
New Map and Study Guide Illustrate World's Landmine Problem
The Department of State today released a new map of the world that depicts countries affected by land mines and an accompanying study guide documenting activities that have been successful in eliminating the mines. The map, titled "Land Mines: Eliminating the Threat", and study guide were produced by Newsweek, Inc. through its Education Program, with funding from the State Department's Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs.
The map categorizes the extent of the landmine threat as: "severe", "moderate", or "affected" in the approximately one-third of the world's nations that are mine-affected. Sidebars on the map explain in further detail the nature of the land mine problem for some of the affected countries.
The accompanying study guide complements the world map by discussing the land mine problem's social and economic implications. It also describes mine action activities, especially those supported by the United States Humanitarian Demining Program.
Since Fiscal Year 1993, the United States has committed almost $600 million to mine action activities, including research and development in 44 countries. In Fiscal Year 2002, the Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs will manage the expenditure of some $54 million in humanitarian demining assistance to almost three dozen countries worldwide.
The Newsweek Education Program is a highly respected producer of educational materials that support using Newsweek to teach current events in high school and college classrooms. The program aims to engage students with the issues of the day to prepare them for their future as active citizens in our democracy.
The Department and the Newsweek Education Program will provide 15,000 copies of "Land Mines: Eliminating the Threat" and the complementary study guide to academia, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and other mine action advocates involved in raising mine awareness, reducing the risk of landmines, and related educational programs.
To obtain copies of the map and study guide, please contact: PM/HDP, Room 1829, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.