To Walk the Earth in Safety is a print and online publication of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). PM/WRA’s mission is to reduce the harmful worldwide effects of at-risk, illicitly-proliferated, and indiscriminately used conventional weapons of war. To Walk the Earth in Safety is co-written, edited, designed, and produced by PM/WRA and the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) at James Madison University. To request a printed copy of To Walk the Earth in Safety, email pm-cpa@state.gov

The United States remains the world’s single largest financial supporter of global conventional weapons destruction efforts, which promote international peace and security by reducing humanitarian hazards from landmines and explosive remnants of war in post-conflict communities.  The United States also partners with nations worldwide to increase accountability and combat illicit diversion of poorly-secured or otherwise at-risk small arms and light weapons, including man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and ammunition.

The Department of State’s annual report summarizing the accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program, 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 that fuel instability and undermine the rule of law. 

• The United States is the world’s leading financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction, providing more than $5.09 billion in assistance to more than 125 countries and areas since 1993. In fiscal year 2023, the United States contributed more than $398 million to support conventional weapons destruction efforts in more than 82 countries and areas.
• The United States continued funding stockpile management programs worldwide aimed at reducing at-risk weapons and ammunition and improving stockpile security to prevent their diversion to criminals and terrorists.
• The Department of State’s Quick Reaction Force maintained the capability to assist countries on an emergency, first-responder basis, both to assess and provide expert guidance on how to prevent a catastrophic explosive event at an ammunition depot, or to help manage the aftereffects of such unplanned explosions.
• Proactive community outreach through explosive ordnance risk education programs prevented countless injuries and deaths from explosive remnants of war and landmines, while U.S.-funded survivor assistance provided essential medical and rehabilitation services to people injured by them.
• Working in close cooperation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State has helped clear millions of square meters of land, helped millions of at-risk people stay safe through explosive hazard risk education, and assisted thousands of survivors recover physically and mentally.

In fiscal year 2023, these efforts resulted in the following accomplishments:

• 191,083,982 square meters (47,218 acres) of land was cleared
• 4,409,998 individuals received explosive ordnance risk education
• 71,576 survivors of explosive ordnance received medical or psychological support
• 16,269 explosive ordnance disposal callouts were conducted in response to urgent requests for unexploded ordnance to be investigated and rendered safe
• 34,935 landmines were destroyed
• 208,977 explosive remnants of war were destroyed
• 3,598 improvised explosive devices or components destroyed
• 20,501 excess or obsolete small arms and light weapons were destroyed
• 12,578 small arms and light weapons were marked for tracing purposes
• 2,850 metric tons of unserviceable ammunition were destroyed
• 1,070 personnel were trained in physical security and stockpile management
• 84 armories were built or rehabilitated
• 47 implementing partners made this success possible