From Policy to Practice: HR's Commitment to Employee Safety in Conflict Zones IRAQ

Iraq is one of the most polluted countries in the world by minefields and war remnants. Iraqi cities still suffer from areas contaminated by mines, despite the clearing of more than half of the areas, especially in border cities and governorates. Experts in this field say that most of the existing mines are primitive hand-made and are remnants of the wars that Iraq fought, starting with the Iran-Iraq war and the first and second Gulf wars, and ending with the invasion of the terrorist organization ISIS into a third of Iraq. These mines caused many accidents and left thousands of victims, especially children and young people.

According to the Landmine Monitor, Iraq is one of the most polluted countries in the world in terms of the area of the mined area, in addition to the contamination by cluster munitions and other war remnants.

No village is free of mines

An environmental activist in Diyala Governorate believes that “the Iraqi border strip with several neighboring countries is full of mines and no village or region is free of them, especially with Iran, Syria and Turkey,” adding that “mines, explosive devices and unexploded ordnance are present on the outskirts of cities and in the northwestern governorates occupied by ISIS.” Yar Murad told (BasNews) that “the continued absence of scientific and modern methods to address the crisis means that more victims will continue to fall.”

At the end of August, UNICEF announced that mines and unexploded ordnance have killed 35 children and maimed 41 others in Iraq since the beginning of 2021. This number is large and we must stop at it and not pass it by unnoticed, because lives are being lost due to these explosives.

For his part, the Iraqi representative to the International Mine Action Convention said that “Iraq has been able to clear 53% of the areas contaminated by mines and war remnants since the beginning of the operations to clear the areas in 2004 until now.”

He added that “the areas contaminated by mines, war remnants and explosive devices remaining are estimated at 2,761 square kilometers.” Basra Governorate is the most contaminated governorate in Iraq due to the presence of minefields from previous wars over an area of 883 million square meters, resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, the 1991 Gulf War and the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 on Iraq’s borders with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

10,000 dead and 24,000 wounded

One of the victims' relatives in the village of Balkana, on the border with Iran and affiliated with Diyala Governorate, said that he went with his son to graze sheep, and he knows approximately the locations of the planted mines based on his experience through grazing, but his young son, who is 7 years old, is young and "does not understand" according to him, and when he moved away from his father, a mine exploded on him, causing his death, asking, "What is the fault of my young child that he should be a victim of these mines that have been present since the Iran war until now on the outskirts of our village?"

The American magazine “Foreign Policy” stated that “the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War in 1991, and the US-led invasion in 2003 left behind many old minefields and unexploded cluster munitions since the 1980s, and that this problem was exacerbated by the unprecedented use of improvised explosive devices by ISIS in the northern regions, in addition to a large number of mortar and artillery shells fired by both “jihadist” and government military forces. The magazine explained that “more than a quarter of this explosive bomb contamination was recorded in agricultural areas across Iraq, preventing farmers from benefiting from their lands or earning a living. In addition, a fifth of these unexploded materials were found planted in infrastructure facilities, which hinders reconstruction efforts and attempts to restart the economy.” The magazine continued, "The total number of victims is not clearly known, although researchers estimate that the number of deaths exceeds 10,000 deaths and about 24,000 injuries over the past two decades. In this context, the Iraqi Minister of Environment, Jassim Al-Falahi, said: "We regret to say that as a result of decades of wars, instability and facing terrorist challenges, Iraq is considered the first in the field of pollution from mines, explosive devices and war remnants." He added that "Iraq will be free of mines, explosive devices and unexploded ordnance by 2028, which reveals that addressing this complex problem still requires many years, especially since the terrorist organization ISIS, during its occupation of large areas of the country from 2014 to 2017, proceeded to booby-trap large areas and plant them with explosives and various mines, which caused a delay in the previously set time frame for declaring Iraq free of mines for a full decade, which was initially scheduled for 2020.

HR View and Concerns on the Article

The article highlights the severe impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Iraq, raising several critical concerns from a human resources perspective, particularly regarding employee safety, community welfare, and organizational responsibility.

1. Employee Safety and Well-being

- Risk of Injury or Fatality: The ongoing presence of mines poses significant risks to individuals, especially children and young adults. Organizations operating in affected areas must prioritize the safety of their employees and local communities by implementing strict safety protocols and providing training on mine awareness.

- Psychological Impact: The trauma associated with living in a mine-contaminated area can lead to long-term psychological issues among employees and their families. HR should consider providing mental health support and resources to help individuals cope with these challenges.

2. Community Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

- Support for Affected Communities: Companies should actively engage in CSR initiatives aimed at supporting local communities impacted by mines. This could include funding demining efforts, providing educational programs about mine safety, and offering assistance to victims and their families.

- Building Trust: By demonstrating a commitment to community welfare, organizations can build trust and improve their reputation, which is essential for long-term success in the region.

3. Compliance and Legal Considerations

- Regulatory Compliance: Organizations must stay informed about local and international regulations regarding landmines and unexploded ordnance. Non-compliance could lead to legal repercussions and damage to the organization’s reputation.

- Reporting Mechanisms: Establishing clear reporting mechanisms for incidents related to mine accidents can help organizations respond effectively and ensure accountability.

4. Training and Awareness Programs

- Education on Mine Risks: HR should implement training programs to educate employees about the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance. This training should be mandatory for all employees, especially those working in or near affected areas.

- Emergency Response Training: Providing training on emergency response procedures in the event of a mine-related incident can help minimize injuries and fatalities.

5. Long-term Strategy and Planning

- Sustainable Development Goals: Organizations should align their strategies with sustainable development goals, particularly those focused on peace, justice, and strong institutions, to contribute to a safer environment in Iraq.

- Investment in Demining Efforts: Supporting local and international demining initiatives can be part of a long-term strategy to create safer communities, ultimately benefiting the workforce and local economies.

Conclusion

The situation in Iraq regarding landmines and war remnants presents significant challenges that require a proactive and compassionate approach from HR. By prioritizing safety, engaging with communities, and ensuring compliance with regulations, organizations can play a crucial role in addressing these issues while fostering a positive work environment and contributing to the overall well-being of affected populations.