To Walk the Earth in Safety 21st Edition: U.S. Global Leadership in Landmine Clearance and Conventional Weapons Destruction

On April 4, 2023, the 22nd edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety was released. Visit our 2023 fact sheet to learn more.

The United States is the world’s single largest financial supporter of global conventional weapons destruction (CWD) efforts, which promote international peace and security by addressing humanitarian hazards from landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict communities.  We also partner with nations worldwide to reduce the availability of and access to excess, poorly-secured, or otherwise at-risk small arms and light weapons and munitions.

Today’s release of the 21st edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, the Department of State’s annual report summarizing the accomplishments of the U.S. CWD Program and highlights the United States’ enduring commitment to making post-conflict communities safer.  This sets the stage for their recovery and development and improves international security by making it harder for terrorists, drug traffickers, and others to obtain the weapons and ammunition which fuel instability and undermine the rule of law.

• Since 1993, the United States has invested more than $4.2 billion for the safe clearance of landmines and explosive weapons of war (ERW) as well as the securing and safe disposal of excess small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), including at-risk man-portable air-defense systems and munitions in more than 100 countries and territories, making the United States the world’s single largest financial supporter of CWD. In 2021, the United States funded CWD efforts in 62 countries with more than $265 million.
• The United States has funded stockpile management programs worldwide aimed at reducing at-risk weapons and munitions and improving stockpile security to prevent diversion of arms to terrorists and other destabilizing actors.
• Our Quick Reaction Force has the flexibility to assist countries on an emergency, first responder basis, both to prevent a catastrophic explosive event at an ammunition depot and to manage the aftereffects of such an explosion.
• Proactive community outreach through our explosive ordnance risk education programs prevented countless injuries while U.S.-funded survivor assistance provided essential medical and rehabilitation services to people injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
• Working in close cooperation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State has helped numerous countries to declare themselves mine free.

For additional information or to request a printed copy of To Walk the Earth in Safety, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, at pm-cpa@state.gov, and follow us on Twitter @StateDeptPM.  The report is also available on the Department of State website at https://www.state.gov/to-walk-the-earth-in-safety/.