MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia's Special Representative for Mine Action, Mrs Chris Gallus, today
urged all Australians to support participants in World Vision's 40-Hour Famine,
which begins tomorrow (Friday).
Mrs Gallus, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, said
five per cent of funds raised by the 40-Hour Famine would go towards demining
action in Cambodia through an Australian Government demining initiative -
Destroy a Minefield, Rebuild Lives.
Destroy a Minefield is a partnership between the Australian Government
and World Vision Australia to raise public awareness of the land mines issue and
encourage the Australian public to support demining activities in Cambodia.
Through last year's 40-Hour Famine, World Vision raised over $270,000 to
contribute to Destroy a Minefield and hopes to increase the figure this
year.
World Vision's 2001-02 public fundraising target is $800 000, with total
funds of $504,000 raised to date.
Mrs Gallus said that for every two dollars raised by World Vision for
Destroy a Minefield, the Australian Government would also contribute
another dollar.
'These funds have allowed over 135,406 square metres of Cambodian farmland to
be cleared of mines and unexploded ordinance,' she said.
'That's almost seven times the size of an average football field. While this
may not seem much, it is a very slow and dangerous procedure, and it has allowed
5000 families to live and work on their land again'.
Through substantial support from the Australian Government's Overseas Aid
Program, Australia has played a lead role in landmine awareness, victim support
and clearance in Cambodia - helping to cut by two thirds the number of people
killed or maimed by landmines each year.
The role of the Special Representative for Mine Action is in promoting public
awareness and the benefits of the Government's demining activities.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien (Mrs Gallus's office)0407 604437
Jo Elsom (AusAID)0412 804489