Mines Advisory Group (MAG) America

MAG ensured the safety of 1.5 million people in 15 countries in 2012 alone and cleared over 26.5 million square m of land, and freeing this land for productive use. They educate and employ local residents to help clear the landmines, unexploded ordinance, cluster munitions and other remnants of war and position these countries for economic growth in these impacted regions. MAG is an essential humanitarian organization and has already served in about 35 countries and helped 370,000 refugees return home to Cambodia since 1992. I am proud of the work done by this fine organization and its focus on providing risk education and eliminating deadly weapons in the ground.

Laurence D. Alpert

The staff at MAG America are a group of dedicated, passionate individuals who are working hard every day to mitigate the harm landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) cause to communities living with contaminated land. As a volunteer with MAG America, it has been a privilege to work in this environment and learn from the organization and staff. What MAG does around the world is so important because not only are people being saved from potential loss of life or limb, but communities are able to be rebuilt, livelihoods are restored, and progress and development can resume once contaminated land has been cleared. By supporting MAG America's work, I feel I am able to contribute to solving this terrible problem that still affects the lives of far too many people around the world.

I first learned about MAG and their mission when I was invited to attend a screening of their first short film "Surviving the Peace". This documentary film followed families and MAG field workers to shed a light on the consequences being faced today in my homeland of Laos due to the countless UXOs that still remain from the Vietnam conflict which took place roughly 40 years ago. The film truly touched me as my family was directly impacted by the war and the bombings which led us to escape to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1979.

MAG's work not only impacts my homeland, Laos, but countless other countries, towns, villages, and the millions upon millions of people who are living with anxiety, fears and minimal resources for survival every day. MAGs work of clearing landmines, removing UXOs, removing small arms & weapons, educating communities, hiring and training locals and fundraising is a true humanitarian effort that is fostering peace and saving countless innocent lives across the globe.

To be a small part of their mission for me has meant creating a legacy for myself and others by doing our part, however big or small, to help others heal from wars, provide peace of mind, and create a safer environment where everyone can feel peace and harmony all around them. That's a mission worth standing up for.

I interned with MAG America this summer (2013) and it was by far one of the best jobs I ever held. I could tell that every staff member was dedicated to the cause and they are very much open to new and innovative ideas to carry out their mission.

I signed up about a year ago to do volunteer work for MAG America because I felt the work they do is of the highest value to the world. The work saves lives and creates productive land use. As a US citizen I feel personal responsibility for the actions of the government in foreign conflicts, and working towards removing dangerous remnants of the govt's actions is a responsibility I feel all US citizens should partake in.

MAG has been most accommodating in bringing me into the fold as a volunteer and providing me as much opportunity to help out and get involved in any capacity I wanted to. I highly recommend supporting the commendable efforts of this well run organization.