MAG America

Helps communities recover from conflict by reducing the threat from remaining landmines, cluster munitions, ordnance and weapons.  MAG has conducted clearance and education programs in over 35 countries worldwide.

Why do we exist?

MAG America believes that all conflict-affected people have the right to build peaceful and prosperous futures, free from the devastating impact of weapons such as landmines, unexploded ordnance, cluster munitions, and small arms.  These dangerous items are too often left behind after peace is established and are responsible for killing and injuring an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people a year. 
In combating this deadly legacy so that safer futures can be built for communities around the world, MAG provides cohesive and expert solutions. We combine a variety of methods to remove the threat of injury, violence, and economic devastation, including landmine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), mine risk education (MRE), weapons destruction, local training and employment, and coordination with local and international partners. 

Most importantly, MAG works closely with affected men, women, and children - finding out what their priorities are and developing a response that best helps them to rebuild their lives in safety. The success of our programs isn't measured by the number of dangerous items cleared, but by the positive impact we have on the lives and futures of conflict-affected communities.

What have you accomplished?

Over the past 18 years, MAG has worked in over 35 countries and saved countless numbers of people from becoming another statistic amongst the many thousands killed and maimed.  But it is not only lives and limbs we have saved. We have been able to return dignity to people who have had to live with the trauma of war and given them the opportunity to move on from the restrictions that landmines and unexploded munitions impose on their lives.  The positive impact MAG has on the lives of some of the most vulnerable communities around the world are sometimes best expressed through our beneficiaries’ words:

Chuk Naing, a landmine survivor in Cambodia, describes the effects of MAG’s work.   He said, “Now we feel a sense of relief from the fear of danger that we used to face since MAG has come to clear our land.  Before, I used to be so ashamed to be an amputee but when MAG arrived in the village I saw that some of their deminers were also amputees. I felt that they were strong and brave because they had lost their limbs but could still do this hard work, and now I don’t feel so bad.”

Abdulla Khan, the mayor of Darband Village in Iraq described MAG as “true liberators” following the clearance of seven of the 13 mined areas around his village. “We first returned here in late 1991 and found our village destroyed and the ground covered in mines,” he said. “We tried to start our lives again but nearly 70 people have been killed or injured by mines and we have lost hundreds of animals. It was like living in a prison. We cleared small areas ourselves to build houses but that’s it. Most people didn’t come home. When MAG came here we could start our lives again.  Originally 30 families came back. Now there are 84.”

Mr. Hillary Lokudo, Executive Director of Kapoeta South County in Sudan, referred to the day when MAG completed clearance of a major minefield as “one of the biggest days in the history of Kapoeta.”  He continued, “On the land we can earn our living. Cattle can now be herded without fear.  A woman can fetch firewood without danger. A small garden can be harvested. This is all thanks to the efforts of MAG.”

	How do you help people in my community?		Why do you need my support?
	How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?		Can I Volunteer? How?