Skip Links
U.S. Department of State
HomeContact UsEmail this PageFOIAPrivacy NoticeArchiveEspanol
Search
U.S. Department of State
About the State Dept.Press and Public AffairsTravel and Living AbroadCountries and RegionsInternational IssuesHistory, Education and CultureBusiness CenterOther ServicesEmployment
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)
 - U.S. Landmine Policy
 - U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program
 - U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Budget
 - PCC Subgroup on Humanitarian Mine Action
 - Small Arms/Light Weapons
 - Public-Private Partnerships
 - Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Assistance)
 - Remarks
 - Press Releases
 - Fact Sheets
 - Reports
 - Mine Action MESSENGER Newsletter
 - Official Documents
 - Related Sites
 - Archive
  

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)

Logo: Office of Weapons Removal and AbatementThe Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) creates local, regional and international conditions conducive to peace, stability and prosperity by curbing the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war such as light automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, and removing and destroying others, such as persistent landmines and abandoned stocks of munitions, that remain and pose hazards after the cessation of armed conflict.

The Office develops, implements and monitors policy, programs and public engagement efforts that contribute to the prevention and mitigation of conflict, as well as post-conflict social and economic recovery. The focus is three-fold: to curb the illicit trafficking, availability and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons of war that fuel regional and internal instability; to pursue and help manage post-conflict cleanup of such weapons in areas needed for civilian use; and to engage civil society to broaden support for our efforts and enhance U.S. influence.

The Office furthers U.S. foreign policy goals through the development and implementation of comprehensive solutions to the security challenges and harmful humanitarian effects caused by the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war, and the existence of public hazards from such weapons following cessation of armed conflict. Conventional weapons and munitions addressed by the Office include but are not limited to landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), abandoned ordnance (AO), man portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and other small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). The office strives to limit the access of terrorist or criminal groups to such weapons and munitions. At the same time, by addressing acute humanitarian needs, this office demonstrates the United States commitment to a set of values that respects human life. The Office works closely with other U.S. Government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private enterprises. Innovation, strategic vision, responsible stewardship and cooperative team effort are all qualities that are encouraged by this office.

The Office incorporates the functions and responsibilities of the Bureau's former Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs (PM/HDP), to include management of the multi-agency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, the former Office of Mine Action Initiatives and Partnerships (PM/MAIP), to include encouraging public-private partnerships to reinforce the gamut of threats addressed by the Office, and the small arms/light weapons and MANPADS duties of the Bureau's Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (PM/PPA).

For more information, please telephone (202) 736-7132.

  
Highlights

Clearance of unexploded ordnance will enable Rumbek Airstrip to receive more relief aid for southern SudanRelief Aid for Sudan
United States clears unexploded ordnance to help speed relief aid to Sudan's Rumbek region [see photos]

Honduras Completes Landmine Clearance
The United States welcomes the recent declaration by the Government of Honduras that it is now "mine free." 

Report cover:  To Walk the Earth in SafetyTo Walk the Earth in Safety
The Department of State releases fifth annual report on the accomplishments of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program.

"First Steps: The International Response to the Landmine Crisis"
WHUT/Howard University Television broadcasted documentary on the global landmine problem. See the preview to this TV documentary shown on PBS stations around the U.S.

Spotlighting Work That Saves Lives
Read Assistant Secretary Bloomfield's Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post.

Mine Action Event at U.S. Open
Remarks by Special Representative Bloomfield honoring Humanitarian Mine Action intiatives during event at the U.S. Open 2004.

Mine Action Messenger, Volume 1, Issue 3Mine Action Messenger
The third edition of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement's newsletter is now online. 
 

Secretary Powell with Kyleigh Kuhn, Founder of Pennies for Peace. State Department photo by Michael Gross.Pennies for Peace
Secretary Powell honored youth organizers of “Pennies for Peace” initiative.

Image of cartoon characters, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, with Rith, a fictional Cambodian boy who has lost a leg to a persistent landmine. Image courtesy Warner Bros.Mine Risk Education
The U.S. Department of State and USAID have teamed with Warner Bros. to promote mine risk education through the use of cartoon characters familiar to children. Above, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck join Rith, a fictional Cambodian boy who has lost a leg to a persistent landmine.

  
This site is managed by the Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
Copyright Information | Disclaimers