Mine Action and Disarmament

The Norwegian People's Aid's first demining operations took place in Cambodia in 1992. Today, NPA covers the full life-cycle of weapons and ammunitions – with interventions to protect civilians before, during and after conflict.

Since 1992, we have removed more than 2.1 million anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war in 40 countries, freeing 1.3 billion square metres of land for productive use.

Parallel to clearing landmines and explosives, NPA has taken a forward-leading role in civil society's push for states to negotiate, adopt, adhere to, and implement international weapons treaties such as the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

Achievements 2024

39 643

Explosives cleared

85,6 km2

Land released

1 600 000

Beneficiaries

21 countries

Worldwide

News and updates

A New Dawn for Agriculture in Ratanakiri: Mrs. Thung Phoeurn’s Journey to Safety

After 25 years of living with the constant threat of unexploded ordnance, Mrs. Thung Phoeurn and her community in Ban Pong Village, Ratanakiri, can finally expand their agricultural activities without fear. This remarkable transformation is thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which has been working tirelessly in the region since 2013.

Clearing the Path to Safety: Norwegian People's Aid Demining Efforts in Ukraine

Since 2014, Ukraine has been heavily impacted by armed conflict, notably after Russia's annexation of Crimea. The situation escalated significantly on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale military operation targeting Ukraine’s eastern, southern, and central regions. The invasion has been marked by widespread use of explosive weapons, including landmines, cluster munitions, and aerial bombings, posing a severe threat to civilian lives.

The American funding freeze has severe consequences for Norwegian People's Aid and global Mine Action

The Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has suspended all American-funded humanitarian mine action and disarmament activities in 12 countries and is laying off 1,700 of our staff following the American freeze in humanitarian funding. NPA’s Secretary General Raymond Johansen now fears that the world may witness a new landmine crisis.