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 Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security > Bureau of Political-Military Affairs > Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)

Date: 01/20/2009 Description: Blue envelope icon, used for email subscriptions. State Dept Photo

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Logo: Office of Weapons Removal and AbatementThe Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) creates local, regional and international conditions conducive to peace, stability and prosperity by curbing the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war such as light automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, and removing and destroying others, such as persistent landmines and abandoned stocks of munitions, that remain and pose hazards after the cessation of armed conflict.

The Office develops, implements and monitors policy, programs and public engagement efforts that contribute to the prevention and mitigation of conflict, as well as post-conflict social and economic recovery. The focus is three-fold: to curb the illicit trafficking, availability and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons of war that fuel regional and internal instability; to pursue and help manage post-conflict cleanup of such weapons in areas needed for civilian use; and to engage civil society to broaden support for our efforts and enhance U.S. influence.

The Office furthers U.S. foreign policy goals through the development and implementation of comprehensive solutions to the security challenges and harmful humanitarian effects caused by the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war, and the existence of public hazards from such weapons following cessation of armed conflict. Conventional weapons and munitions addressed by the Office include but are not limited to landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), abandoned ordnance (AO), man portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and other small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). The office strives to limit the access of terrorist or criminal groups to such weapons and munitions. At the same time, by addressing acute humanitarian needs, this office demonstrates the United States commitment to a set of values that respects human life. The Office works closely with other U.S. Government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private enterprises. Innovation, strategic vision, responsible stewardship and cooperative team effort are all qualities that are encouraged by this office.

The Office incorporates the functions and responsibilities of the Bureau's former Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs (PM/HDP), to include management of the multi-agency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, the former Office of Mine Action Initiatives and Partnerships (PM/MAIP), to include encouraging public-private partnerships to reinforce the gamut of threats addressed by the Office, and the small arms/light weapons and MANPADS duties of the Bureau's Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (PM/PPA).

For more information, please telephone (202) 663-0100.

U.S. Announces $2 Million for Landmine Clearance in Mozambique
Date: 12/03/2001 Description: Former Frelimo rebel soldier clears landmines in Hnadane, 62 miles south of Maputo, Mozambique, in this Dec. 3, 2001 photo. © AP Image Award is latest in more than $47 million for Mozambique's post-conflict recovery under the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action program. Full Text 

MASG Newsletter
The Mine Action Support Group (MASG) newsletter details MASG activities from May 19, 2009 through September 15, 2009. Full Text

Quick Reaction Force Helps Remove Remnants of War
Date: 01/01/1944 Description: A U.S. Marine patrol is seen at Arawe, New Britain Island, in January 1944, during the invasion of New Guinea in World War II. © AP Image U.S. weapons destruction experts partner with authorities in Papua New Guinea to assess lingering dangers from buried munitions left over from World War II. Full Text

Afghanistan: Landmine Clearance Safeguards Communities One Square Kilometer at a Time
Date: 04/16/2003 Description: Afghan mine removal technicians march during a parade at Kabul's stadium in Afghanistan, Wednesday, April 16, 2003. © AP Image "When you remove landmines and other explosive hazards in Afghanistan, you enable socio-economic development that could further the larger goal of promoting stability and security." DipNote Blog

Safe Passage Newsletter
Date: 09/09/2009 Description: Safe Passage Newsletter. State Dept Image A newsletter for the humanitarian mine action and small arms/light weapons communities, September 2009. Full Text

Humanitarian Mine Action Promotes Post-Conflict Recovery in Angola
Date: 09/15/2000 Description: An Angolan boy carries firewood while walking next to a minefield outside the city of Kuito, central Angola, Sept. 15 2000. © AP Image During visit to Angola, Secretary Clinton found a nation working to emerge from nearly 40 years of conflict. Angola's wars have left behind a deadly legacy: abandoned landmines and unexploded munitions. Full Text

Protecting Civil Aviation from MANPADS Attacks: New Milestone Reached
Date: 06/01/2009 Description: A foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs displays a foreign Man-Portable Air Defense System missile in its tube that has been prepared carefully for destruction--one of the 30,000 MANPADS that the U.S. has helped other countries destroy since 2003. © Photo by Dave Diaz, Office of Weapons Removal and AbatementThe United States in close cooperation with 29 countries has destroyed over 30,000 foreign, at-risk Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) since 2003. Full Text

United States Marks International Small Arms Destruction Day
Date: 07/10/2002 Description: Members of the Diplomatic Corps watch as a road roller runs over more than 1,000 confiscated rifles and handguns in a ceremony Wednesday July 10, 2002 at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in suburban Quezon city highlighting the international observance of The United States joined in observing International Small Arms Destruction Day, initiated by the United Nations in 2001, as part of the United States’ ongoing efforts to reduce armed violence and support the rule of law around the world. Full Text

Spirit of Soccer Wins Beyond Sport Award for Mine Risk Education Program
Date: 07/19/2002 Description: Afghan children play soccer on a dusty street in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, July 19, 2002. © AP ImageThe State Department saluted Spirit of Soccer on receiving the Most Courageous Use of Sport Award from Beyond Sport, a non-governmental organization that seeks to celebrate and support positive change through sport. Full Text 

2009 To Walk The Earth In Safety
Date: 07/07/2009 Description: 2009 To Walk The Earth In Safety Report © State Dept ImageWelcome to the 8th edition of To Walk The Earth In Safety. Although we have seen real progress in combating the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), conflicts persist, and the destabilizing effects of other weapons threaten peace and stability around the world. Report | Media Note

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