THE United States said it invested over 2.9 billion dollars to secure and dispose excess small arms, light weapons and munitions.

The State Department made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Washington, and said that the activities had been on since the past 25 years.

It said that during the period, landmines and explosive remnants of war were also cleared.

The Department said that the explosive remnants of war still endangered civilians in over 60 states and other areas in the country.

“The United States is working closely with partners worldwide to address this serious humanitarian challenge that puts innocent people, including many children, at risk,’’ it said.

The Department pointed out that the U.S. was the world’s largest financial supporter of efforts to address humanitarian hazards.

It said that the risks ranged from landmines and unexploded ordinance to reducing the availability of excess, loosely-secured or otherwise at-risk weapons and munitions.

“Through its conventional weapons destruction programme, the U.S. government has collaborated with partner-nations and international organisations since 2003 to destroy over 39,000 excess or poorly-secured man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS).

“The shoulder-fired missiles have, however, posed a serious potential threat to global aviation in the hands of terrorists or insurgents.

“In addition, U.S.-funded Survivor Assistance has provided medical and rehabilitation services to over 250,000 people injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance,’’ the department added.

The Department’s announcement coincided with UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. (Sputnik/NAN)

– Apr. 4, 2018 @ 18:55 GMT

AE