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U.S. Statement on Humanitarians Aspects of Cluster Munitions Geneva, The United States is concerned by, and actively engaged in dealing with the humanitarian and security problems created by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and aging and obsolete stockpiles of weapons and munitions throughout the world. We have provided assistance to nearly 50 different countries in this regard. A range of U.S. government programs comprehensively addresses these issues, including mine and UXO clearance, research and development, indigenous capacity building for mine action, conventional weapons and munitions destruction, mine/threat risk education, and victim assistance. When providing assistance to address these humanitarian impacts the United States does not discriminate based on the type of weapons used or the type of ERW that is found, but rather determines assistance based on the most serious and urgent requirements of the requesting state and affected communities. We believe that effective response should be needs driven. We do not support the creation of mechanisms or provision of assistance focused solely on ERW from one particular type of weapon, rather states should provide assistance based on the degree of civilian impact and direct that assistance to the types of programs that will generate the greatest humanitarian returns, whether this is mine clearance, stockpile destruction or small arms/light weapons (SA/LW) destruction. We believe that there are ample international bodies and mechanisms to support this assistance. In particular, we, the States Parties to the CCW, have already created Protocol V and its technical annex which address clearance, removal, and destruction of ERW, international cooperation and assistance, assistance to victims, warning and risk education, and marking, fencing, and monitoring. ERW from unexploded cluster munitions are fully covered under these provisions. We look forward to the informal meetings on the implementation of Protocol V in July and although not yet a party to the protocol, to working with state parties and other CCW parties to make Protocol V a robust and effective framework for action. Clear guidelines for implementing Protocol V will assist in reducing the impact of all ERW, including those from cluster munitions. A narrow focus on the clearance of unexploded ordnance resulting from cluster munitions would reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of existing post-conflict clean-up mechanisms. This potentially could lead to increased civilian casualties if resources are pulled from high to low impact areas just because that area was the target of a cluster munitions strike. To this end, and in keeping with the United States’ commitment to deal comprehensively with all threats posed by conventional weapons and explosive remnants of war, the United States will shortly release a procurement notice to develop a quick reaction force – or QRF. This force will respond globally to short notice and emergent humanitarian operations that require the removal or mitigation of explosive hazards to protect civilian populations. The QRF will be trained and equipped to deal holistically with explosive remnants of war, small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), cluster munitions, landmines, man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), and other types of conventional weapons found in countries suffering from the legacy of war. The QRF will operate as a stand alone capability or – if the situation warrants – it will complement and multiply ongoing efforts on the ground. In short, the QRF represents the United States’ continued commitment to post conflict clearance and destruction programs that address all explosive remnants of war – be they surplus, abandoned, hazardous, or residual conventional weapons – rather than one specific type of weapon or munition. In regards to victims’ assistance, the rehabilitation needs of cluster munitions victims are not significantly different than the needs of victims of other traumatic injury, such as those from landmines. Strengthening and supporting overall rehabilitation efforts of a country is the most sustainable and appropriate response to the needs of victims of conflict. There are many assistance mechanisms in place to provide prosthetic and orthotic services as well as other necessary rehabilitation. Existing mechanisms should be strengthened, not duplicated. We do not see the need for the creation of a separate mechanism to deal specifically with cluster munitions victims. This would serve only to divert scarce assistance resources from programmatic assistance to administrative and organizational activities. The United States maintains a strong commitment to assisting all victims of war. The Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund, managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has been in operation in post-conflict and conflict-affected developing countries since 1989. The Fund was established to provide a dedicated source of financial and technical assistance for civilian victims of war who suffer from mobility-related injuries, including people who suffer from polio as a result of interrupted immunization services. In the past decade, the Fund has devoted the majority of its resources to the establishment and improvement of accessible and appropriate prosthetic and orthotic services, including physical and occupational rehabilitation services. To date, the Fund has provided over $143 million to more than 40 countries. Similar to our assistance for clearance, The War Victim’s Fund program and any other victims’ assistance programs managed by USAID and the United States Department of State do not differentiate victims by the munition that caused their injury.
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