In 2023 over 34,700 casualties from explosive weapons were recorded, the majority of those civilians. That number will keep growing.
 

The horrific situations in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and many more current conflicts around the world, make the constitution of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons & Their Impact (APPGEW) more relevant than it’s predecessor groups have ever been.

The aim of the APPG is to keep parliamentarians informed on issues relating to Explosive Ordnance Disposal, mine-action and victim assistance with the goal of ensuring suitable and sustainable government policy in those areas. The United Kingdom has an enviable global reputation and our explosive ordnance disposal capability is a powerful political and diplomatic tool.
 

In the coming new Parliament the APPG will explore a number of issues relating to the use and mitigation of explosive weapons, and more importantly, their devastating impact upon innocent civilians and the real human cost.

Statement by our Chair Helen Maguire MP:

It is appalling news that a Mines Advisory Group explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) expert on secondment to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is one of five people to have been injured at a United Nations facility in Gaza, that also claimed the life of a UN worker.

Those working in the humanitarian community should never be considered as targets.

As chair of the APPG on Explosive Weapons & Their Impact, I know just how difficult this job is and the bravery it takes.

I've written to the Foreign Secretary to ensure recent cuts to foreign aid do not impact the Global Mine Action Programme.

My thoughts are with the families affected.

International Day of Mine-Action Awareness
 

Today, the 4th April 2025, is the United Nations International Day of Mine-Action Awareness. A day in which we pay honour to all of those working in the mine-action, explosive ordnance disposal and victim assistance communities.

 

To mark this day the Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons and Their Impact Helen Maguire MP has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons:

 

“That this House recognises International Day for Mine Awareness on 4th April 2025; acknowledges the UK’s proud history in championing the Mine Ban Treaty and producing many of the world’s deminers; notes with deep concern the devastating impact of landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnance, which continue to kill and maim civilians, displace communities, and make land inaccessible for agriculture and economic growth; highlights the urgent need for mine clearance in conflict-affected areas, including Ukraine, where vast contamination threatens lives and livelihoods, and Gaza, now considered the most contaminated place on Earth; further recognises the crucial role of UK aid in supporting global mine action efforts and urges the Government to prioritise and protect this critical area within the aid budget; calls for the diversification of partnerships in mine action, ensuring an integrated approach that includes risk education, land clearance, victim assistance, and advocacy; and stresses the importance of connecting mine action with broader development initiatives to help communities rebuild and thrive.”

 

Yesterday, our vice chair Alex Ballinger MP hosted a discussion in the House of Commons on the current situations of conflict in Ukraine and the appalling bombardment of Gaza. We also discussed the worrying consideration of several countries to leave the Convention on the ban on anti-personnel landmines.

 

Our guest speakers were James Cowan, CEO of the Halo Trust and Darren Cormack CEO of the Mines Advisory Group.

Written question by Baroness Northover concerning the funding of the UK’s mine-action programme.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Land Mines: Bomb Disposal
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are committed to maintaining the Global Mine Action Programme.

Asked 24 March 2025

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Global Mine Action Programme is being maintained through the financial year 25/26. Beyond this, Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of GNI to 0.3 per cent in 2027. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes.
Answered 7 April 2025

By Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour, Life peer)