In some areas of Croatia landmines still cause social obstacles reducing economic recovery and disabling activities necessary for normal life. According to data provided by the Croatian Mine Action Centre in 2009, there are 954 square kilometers of mine suspected areas with approximately 110 thousand of mines in 12 counties. Since 1991 there have been 1902 mine victims, among these 496 have died. The Republic of Croatia became a State party to the Ottawa Convention in March 1997. In more than 75 countries around the world there are 250 million mines. Between 15 to 20 thousand people become mine victims every year; among them 85 percent are civilians. Landmines and demining are one of the most important responsibilities of humanity.

The Croatian Red Cross Mine Risk Education (MRE) program was introduced in 1996 in response to the widespread mine contamination in 14 out of 21 counties. The strength of MRE lies in the widespread network of 49 local Red Cross branches and 42 trained instructors who ensure that mine risk messages are regularly reiterated and disseminated throughout interactive presentations or various local initiatives. Instructors provide education and promote safe behavior among children and adults in order to protect them from the threat they are still faced with. Interesting TV and radio clips were produced and are regularly broadcasted at local and national level to target groups who are at the highest risk.

Thanks to the variety of ideas, interesting local projects have been initiated (exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, sports competitions etc.) to better promote safe messages in appropriate situations. Such projects contribute to raising awareness and have huge success among children and adults. In 2000 local Red Cross branch of Vinkovci began to construct safe playgrounds for children. The original idea of building playgrounds was developed by the Croatian Red Cross in mine affected counties and made a significant improvement in the quality of life for the children and their parents. Until the end of 2008, 71 children playgrounds have been completed by 26 local Red Cross chapters.

MRE program was included in the Croatian Red Cross Law in 2001 and become a part of everyday core activities, as well as a part of the National Mine Action strategy. A long-term approach of the community based MRE is needed in order to support families that live in or return to the mine affected areas.