Two decades of saving lives

Norwegian People’s Aid (Norsk Folkehjelp): 20 Years of Action. Mines and Arms Department, Portfolio 2012.

 

Every day for two decades, men and women from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) have gone out to find, clear and destroy landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war in communities affected by armed conflict. They have saved lives and secured livelihoods all over the world.

At the same time, NPA has been instrumental in the global efforts that resulted in the two landmark conventions that ban all use of anti-personnel mines (1997) and cluster munitions (2008). In both processes, NPA has been a vital civil society advocate for effective international cooperation to promote peace, justice and development.

Systematic effort to address the problems caused by mines and cluster munitions is a new field of humanitarian action. NPA has been at the forefront, shaping both policies and operations for two decades. I am proud that Norway has partnered NPA in its efforts since 1992. What started out as a response to our request to Norwegian NGOs for civilian mine clearance in post-war Cambodia, turned into one of our most successful partnerships ever.

NPA has played a unique dual role as a world-class operator and an effective policy advocate. It has built up invaluable expertise and has never been afraid of letting us know when it has disagreed with us or seen another way forward.

It is a priority for Norway to strengthen the protection of civilians from the devastating consequences of war and armed conflict. NPA has been an invaluable partner in this work and I hope that our cooperation will continue in the years to come.

Congratulations on all your achievements during these 20 years.

Oslo, september 2012, Jonas Gahr Støre

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