Handicap International provides this vital information to at-risk populations through our risk-education programs.

With presentations in schools and at public meetings, and the distribution of leaflets warning of the dangers, our teams use the education system or traditional and religious networks to spread the message as far as possible. The general objective is to enable at-risk populations to manage risks on a daily and long-term basis, and to help reduce the number of victims.

On the ground, our teams work on:

• Collecting data on accidents and victims of landmines and unexploded ordnance in order to define at-risk populations and devise appropriate prevention messages.

• Educating and mobilizing local populations, through various information and training campaigns, with the active involvement of local networks (e.g. traditional and religious authorities, local and national administrations).

• Educating and mobilizing children via the school system or other educational networks by developing teaching materials, training courses and specific activities.

We have also been part of an international working group involving the United Nations, other NGOs and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to lay down international standards for risk education

Our risk-education programs help educate local communities, so that they:

• Understand the dangers of landmines and other unexploded ordnance.

• Can recognize a landmine or unexploded ordnance.

• Recognize the common signs that suggest an area that has been mined or is contaminated by unexploded ordnance.

• Know what to do before moving into an unknown area.

• Know which areas are potentially mined or contaminated by unexploded ordnance.

• Know what to do if faced with an unknown object.

• Know what to do if they see an accident.

• Know how to report the presence of landmines or unexploded ordnance.