Microsoft Turns Landmines into Flowers

Looks like the landmine movement will soon reach the desktop. Microsoft is changing the game MINESWEEPER to placate those who thought the game was insensitive to landmine plagued communities worldwide. With the Vista release you will be able to, at least virtually, turn landmines into flowers...

A Slideshow from the Thailand - Myanmar Border

A slideshow of recent images from Clear Path funded clinics along the Thailand - Myanmar border.

Vietnam: Explosive Remnants of War Incident Report from January 2006 to September 2006

Over the last year Clear Path International's Vietnam staff has been working to create a database for reporting on accidents involving explosive remnants of war that are reported to us and to which we have responded to give assistance. These reports are only the incidents to which we (CPI) have responded and are not representative of the country as a whole. In this blog we post our first report.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADDRESSES BURMA: The Never-Ending Myanmar Nightmare

For well over a decade, the military junta in Myanmar has been trying to bring the Karen ethnic minority under its thumb. This year, the offensive has intensified -- magnifying the ongoing refugee disaster in Southeast Asia. The UN, finally, has decided to pay more attention.

The Beds Fit Sideways | The Clear Path International Medical Supplies Donation Program

The heavy electrical bed frames from the donor in Issaquah had to go sideways on a wheeled furniture dolly to go through the door opening. It was a little extra trouble, but that was nothing new for this crew of volunteers, old hands at the movement of medical equipment and supplies for Clear Path or at least old hands at our whacky resourcefulness.

And Then There's The Coup...

CPI volunteer Lobke Dijkstra writes about the changes for foreigners in Thailand and how they will affect how volunteers can work along the Thailand - Myanmar border... a place that relies on volunteers to serve refugees escaping Myanmar.

Nobelity: Purchase this critically acclaimed film and help Clear Path

Filmed across the U.S., France, England, India & Kenya, Nobelity is a stunning look at the world's most pressing problems through the eyes of nine Nobel Laureates, including Wangari Maathai, Richard E. Smalley, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Three Men Dead: Wartime ordnance continues to kill in Vietnam

Three men were killed in Vietnam’s southern Dong Nai province Thursday while sawing an unexploded US artillery shell left from the Vietnam War 30 years ago. Two of the middle-aged victims, Nguyen Van Hanh and Nguyen Van Nam, who were killed by the 105mm shell, earned their livelihoods by searching for and selling American wartime ordnance, according to a source.

'After the War…the Killing Continues' Photo Exhibit on Bainbridge Island, WA

Photojournalist Erin Fredrichs accompanied a small group from Clear Path International on a three-week tour of its landmine survivor assistance programs in Southeast Asia last year. The compelling and deeply moving photographs Fredrichs took are now on display at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island, Washington (near Seattle) through mid October. The pictures are a selection from Fredrich’s Master’s thesis project, “After the War…the Killing Continues,” towards her degree at Ohio University.

Thomas Nash: It's time to outlaw these ruthless killers

The massacre at My Lai spurred the public conscience to put an end not only to the Vietnam War, but also to the use of napalm, the incendiary weapon. The toll from landmines in Cambodia, Angola and Afghanistan prompted some countries to embark on a new process that banned landmines. The civilian toll from cluster munitions in Lebanon may turn out to be a similar turning point.

Israeli Cluster Bombs Litter South Lebanon Endangering Children

Hussein had just been reprimanded by his father. The reason for the chastisement was that Hussein had been outside playing in a field behind his house picking up “toys”. The bucket shown below is his proud collection of U.S. M-42 cluster bomblets. Some boys think the M-42’s are “lighters” or “batteries”. Some girls told this observer that they look like “perfume bottles”

Raising Landmine Awareness with Ketchup?

Ketchup packets don’t seem like the most controversial ad medium. But in New Zealand, there’s some grousing over this PSA campaign to raise awareness of landmines. To open the packet, you have to rip the boy’s foot off—and then, of course, the red liquid oozes out. “Well it is graphic, it is shocking, but so too is the reality—15,000-20,000 [people] having that sort of thing happening to them as a result of landmines,”

Love Among the Landmines: an epiphany

At NowPublic, we talk a lot about the power of social networks. We marvel at the success of YouTube, the weird goings-ons at MySpace, and the recent turmoil at Facebook. It's all exciting, entertaining, and important. We're proud to be part of how the web is changing the world. But this early morning introduction to Clear Path produced an early morning epiphany for me - and as we all know, in the dark of the night these insights come with extraordinary force.

Anti-weapons Group Says Myanmar Most Active Government in World in Using Land Mines

Myanmar's military regime makes more extensive use of land mines than any other government in the world, a group that lobbies against the weapons said Wednesday. In a global survey published annually, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines said that only three governments in the world use land mines: Nepal, Russia and Myanmar.... at least 231 people were killed or injured by land mines in Myanmar in 2005, it said.

Nepal: Landmines kill nearly 1,300

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - At least 1,290 people have been killed by landmines planted by government troops and Maoist rebels during Nepal's decade-old conflict, a leading anti-mine group said on Monday. The victims, including nearly 200 women and children, are among...

Vietnam: Four Year Old Girl and Father Killed, Others Injured by War Era Ordnance

Another heartbreaking report from our staff in central Vietnam 1. (Ho Vien Khan, born in 1948 and Ho Thi Thia, born in 2002) An accident happened to a man and his daughter on August 5th 2006 in Hong Trung commune,...

Mae Sot Refugee Clinic: It's a bit of a strange day today

It's a bit of a strange day today. The helicopters which use to fly over only once or twice a day, circle around now every ten minutes. There must be something going on at the border. At the clinic it's hectic as well. It only takes a second or two before I know what causes the restless atmosphere

Clear Path assists UXO affected children with scholarships

On the occasion of the new school year 2006-2007, Clear Path International and its local partner, the Section of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (SoLISA) of Vinh Linh district organize a scholarship granting ceremony at the district people’s committee office.

Pictures of Home Office in Vermont: Welcome home, Kristen!

I think that most people are pretty surprised when they learn that Clear Path International is based in Vermont... most ask why we are not in DC or New York. One of the reasons is a really big reason... COST.

Vietnam: Three Children Killed, Five Injured in Two Accidents with War Era Bombs

The accident happened at 5 p.m., in the front yard of Mrs. Vo Thi Ha’s, a local scrap dealer in Cam Nghia commune, Cam Lo district.

Cambodian resurrection: Land-mine victims forge a new pride in an unforgiving atmosphere

From Straight.com of Vancouver, British Columbia Cambodian resurrection: Land-mine victims forge a new pride in an unforgiving atmosphere By roberta staley Publish Date: 7-Sep-2006 San Suo hops down the rough wood ladder leading from the doorway of his one-room house,...

New Department of State - Newsweek Wall Map Charts Global Landmine Problem

The Newsweek Education Program has published the Second Edition of their popular wall map, "Landmines: Eliminating the Threat." Limited copies of this edition are available at no cost from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which commissioned it.

CLEAR PATH SPONSORS LANDMINE SURVIVORS TO ATTEND SPORT EVENTS

Started on September 3rd, 2006, 40 qualified people with disabilities (PWD) athletes entered their 28 days intensive training period in Dong Ha town. After the training, a short list of 30 athletes will be finalized for National round of qualification which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City in late September. Then the chance of being a member of the National team is open for everyone, who would have the best scores, to compete at the Asian Sport Event for PWD called FESPIC games 15 in Malaysia late this year.

YOUTUBE: Lebanese Children Victims of Unexploded Cluster Bombs

'Where to Begin?': Stretching and Learning at the Mae Sot Refugee Clinic on the Border of Thailand and Myanmar

“Where to begin?” That was the main question I struggled with, when I first started to volunteer at The Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot. There was no such thing as physical therapy, let alone some form of rehabilitation treatment. In fact, no one really seemed to have ever heard of it.

Thailand: Care Villa at the Mae La Refugee Camp

Of all the projects we visit and the people we see, my personal highlight of our yearly trip to Southeast Asia is the Care Villa at the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand. Here at this sprawling "city" of huts...

Vanity Fair: The Vietnam Syndrome ...'the effects of war no longer end when the shooting stops'

Vanity Fair: The Vietnam Syndrome In the 1960s, the United States blanketed the Mekong River delta with Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant more devastating than napalm. Thirty years after the end of the Vietnam War, the chemical is still poisoning...

My Own Two Hands: Clear Path Volunteer Writes from the Mae Sot Refugee Clinic on Thailand - Myanmar Border

...It reflects my idea about the work of CPI. People who know that the world can only be improved by using your own two hands. I see, with my own eyes, that we can make a difference. That I can make a difference. By using my own two hands.