ITF Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2004

The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) is a humanitarian, nonprofit organization devoted to the eradication of landmines in the region of South-East Europe and the world. When first established by the Slovenian government in March 1998, ITF was to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in solving its landmine problem, and help surviving landmine victims with physical and socio-economic rehabilitation. However, as BiH was not the only country in the region affected by landmines (see Mine-contamination in the countries of ITF operations), it made good sense for ITF to spread its operations to include all other mine-affected countries in SE Europe as well. Presently, ITF is working in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro. Some of the activities are also being carried out in Southern Caucasus and Cyprus. ITF seeks to attract public and private donors for Mine Action related activities in SE Europe including mine clearance, landmine victims assistance, mine risk education and training. While ITF has adopted a holistic approach to the landmine and UXO problem, we are however also striving to meet the needs of mine-affected communities on the ground level. ITF has been working very closely with the national governments and Mine Action Centers of the mine-affected countries so as to ensure that donated funds are spent on providing useful help to the local population