Nicaragua has been steadily destroying its stockpile of 120,000 landmines since last April and plans to clear all of the mines planted by the military and rebels during the civil war.--Stephen V Cole

The Red Cross/Red Crescent reports that volunteer manpower has dropped over 50% in the last ten years, from 220 million in 1990 to 105 million in 1999. Why? Perhaps it's combat and disaster fatigue. Cornelio Sommaruga, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said that the end of the Cold War did not bring "universal peace" but produced new conflicts. He said that these new conflicts not only show no sign of ending but may proliferate. --Austin Bay