Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)
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The 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.-Philippines Conventional Weapons Destruction Partnership Promotes Security
Since 2001, the United States has helped more than 40 countries safely dispose of 1.3 million excess small arms and approximately 50,000 tons of munitions. DipNote Blog
State Department Hosts Second Workshop to Further Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction in South East Europe
The workshop was part of a continuing effort to develop a regional approach to the reduction of excess and at-risk conventional weapons and munitions stockpiles in South East Europe that pose dual threats of illicit proliferation and accidental explosion. Full Text
U.S. Announces $2 Million for Landmine Clearance in Mozambique
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
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
"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
2009 To Walk The Earth In Safety 
Welcome 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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