Mine Action Weekly, 15 - 21 April 2024
Markus Schindler
Strategic Development & Innovation Manager at FSD | Editor of Mine Action Weekly | Capacity Development & Localisation Geek | Researcher
Welcome to the latest edition of the Mine Action Weekly newsletter, your comprehensive source for the most important global updates from the mine action sector. Read about the latest news on EO contamination & clearance, EORE, accidents and victim assistance, advocacy efforts, stockpile destruction, mine action innovation & technology, and assistance, cooperation & funding - right here, every Monday. Dive right in and stay up-to-date!
Disclaimers:
Weekly News Roundup
The weekly news roundup showcases a low-down of the top mine action news and insights from the past seven days.
1. EO Contamination & Clearance
???? Azerbaijan continues demining operations in its liberated territories
The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) continues demining operations in the country’s liberated territories. During the mine-clearing operations conducted in the liberated Azerbaijani territories from 8 to 14 April, 1 anti-personnel and 5 anti-tank landmines, as well as 725 units of unexploded ordnance, were found and neutralised. As a result, more than 476 hectares have been cleared of mines and UXOs.
???? Estonia: NATO mine clearing operation Open Spirit 24 starts in Estonian waters
Thirteen NATO allied warships are participating in this year's mine countermeasures operation, Open Spirit 24, to destroy historical ordnance in Estonian waters. Finland and Sweden are participating as part of the alliance for the first time.
???? Palestine: UN agency finds unexploded 453kg bombs in Gazan schools
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said today that it had found unexploded 453kg bombs inside schools and on roads after Israel pulled troops out of southern Gaza’s main city Khan Younis.
???? Palestine: Unexploded bombs, a long-term threat to life in Gaza
It is estimated that more than 6,000 missiles and bombs that were dropped on the Gaza Strip during the first three months of the war remain unexploded, which constitutes a long-term threat to life in Gaza.
???? ???? Russia’s Turtle Tanks Might Be Mine-Clearing Breaching Vehicles
Russia's "turtle tanks," modified T-72 tanks with heavy armour, may be functioning as DIY mine-clearing breaching vehicles. These tanks, observed in Ukraine, are speculated to have additional armour and mine-clearing equipment to traverse minefields under fire.
???? ???? Russia: Deployment of new Russian BMR-3MA Vepr Armoured Mine-Clearing Vehicles in Ukraine
On April 15, 2024, Vk Channel @Тrimv announced that a significant number of BMR-3MA "Vepr" armoured mine-clearing vehicles, along with their initial modifications, have been deployed to unspecified military units in Ukraine. This deployment is part of a broader effort to enhance the effectiveness of mine-clearing operations in active conflict areas.
???? ???? Ukraine: Russia's 'petal' land mines devastating Ukraine
Russian forces are deploying "petal" land mines across eastern Ukraine, using their petal-like shape for aerial dispersal over large areas. These mines, difficult to detect and highly durable, pose a long-term danger, complicating the Ukrainian military's operations and leading to numerous injuries among soldiers.
???? Ukraine: Bureaucracy and lack of people, equipment hamper demining of agricultural land in Kharkiv region
The process of demining agricultural land in the Kharkiv region mined during the Russian invasion began only at the end of 2023 and is progressing at an “extremely slow pace”, reported Yevhen Ivanov, deputy head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
???? Ukraine: Some 156K sq km in Ukraine potentially mine-contaminated – MOD
As of today, around 156,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory could be contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance.
???? Ukraine: Demining Corps created in Ukraine
Units of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have joined the Demining Corps, which will perform mine clearance tasks on the liberated territories of Ukraine.
???? Ukraine: Units of the Corps of deminers are already working in three regions of Ukraine, in particular, in the Mykolaiv region
The Demining Corps, including units from the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is actively clearing mines in the Mykolaiv area. Despite equipment shortages, they have formed 1,000 demining groups and plan further expansions with international support.
???? Ukraine: Square by square: emergency workers showed how mine-detecting dogs clear mines in Mykolaiv Oblast
Mine-detecting dogs Alf and Quad are methodically clearing mines in Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine. These Belgian sheepdogs work daily to inspect agricultural fields, significantly aiding in the region's demining efforts where extensive contamination persists. Read more here.
???? Ukraine: Everywhere You Look, a Skull and Crossbones - Russia Has Literally Turned Ukraine Into a Minefield
More than two years of fighting with Russia has made Ukraine one of the world's most mined countries. CBN News traveled to a frontline area where Ukrainian forces are in one of the largest mine clearing operations since World War 2.
???? Ukraine: Sappers have already demined 211,000 hectares of Mykolaiv Oblast
As of April 2024, sappers have surveyed and demined 211,000 hectares of the territory of the Mykolaiv region. These are residential buildings, objects of critical infrastructure and agricultural land.
???? Vietnam: 25 years of MAG in Vietnam
MAG celebrates 25 years in Vietnam, clearing over 250 square kilometres of land and destroying 390,000 UXOs. Starting with a team of 30, MAG now employs 700 people, making significant strides in land safety and community rebuilding.
???? Yemen: 19 April Marks Six Months Since the Start of the Red Sea Crisis
Six months into the Red Sea crisis, The HALO Trust calls for heightened humanitarian and peace efforts in Yemen amid severe landmine and UXO challenges. HALO's ongoing urban and frontline demining in Taiz highlights the persistent dangers to civilians, especially children, and underpins the critical role of mine clearance in peacebuilding and urban recovery.
???? Yemen: ‘We have a real disaster’, Yemen President says, commanding Project Masam for its mine clearance
Yemeni President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi described the mine situation as a "real disaster," with over 500,000 mines cleared but millions potentially remaining. Masam Landmine Clearance Project - Yemen and the Yemeni National Mine Action Programme were honoured for their extensive demining efforts, significantly reducing the threat to civilians.
?? Calculating the environmental cost of war
The war in Ukraine has inflicted severe environmental damage, costing an estimated $56.4 billion, including from landmines and unexploded ordnance that pollute landscapes and waterways, posing long-term threats to ecosystems and human health.
?? APOPO: 100 Million Square Meters Cleared of Landmines
In December 2023, APOPO , with over two decades of history in humanitarian mine action, reached an extraordinary milestone. APOPO's clearance efforts over the years reached a total of 100 million square meters of land released since their humanitarian demining work began.
?? How a Scottish charity's work is helping the world
The HALO Trust has been supporting countries affected by war for more than a quarter of a century.
Other EO Finds from Around the Globe:
2. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)
3. Accidents, Survivors, Victim Assistance
???? Colombia: Annual Report 2023 of UNMAS Colombia and the Mine Action Area of Responsibility
In 2023, Colombia reported at least 99 victims of landmines and unexploded ordnance, with 60% being civilians. Most incidents occurred in the departments of Nari?o, Chocó, Cauca, and Bolívar, highlighting ongoing access challenges to comprehensive rehabilitation for victims.
???? Yemen: Mine Action Update Hudaydah Governorate
Throughout March 2024, UNMHA recorded five (5) landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) related incidents, resulting in a total of nine (9) civilian casualties in the Hudaydah governorate. Four (4) of these casualties involved children, resulting in 3 injuries and 1 death.
?? Since the end of WWI, over 1,000 people have died from leftover unexploded bombs
Since the end of WWI, over 1,000 people have died from leftover unexploded bombs, many buried underground or submerged in water, becoming increasingly unstable and dangerous over time.
Other EO Accidents from Around the Globe:
4. Advocacy and Policy
???? Azerbaijan: Why is Azerbaijan's mine problem not discussed at international level? - INTERVIEW with UN rep
Despite Azerbaijan's severe mine contamination, its issues receive minimal international discussion. Over three years post-conflict, landmines continue causing casualties in Azerbaijan. The international community’s support, particularly for obtaining accurate mine maps from Armenia, remains insufficient.
领英推荐
???? Azerbaijan: ANAMA highlights Azerbaijan's mine action efforts in liberated territories
The officials of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) have participated in the 20th International Mine Action Symposium held in Cavtat, Croatia. The Agency’s delegation gave a presentation on the problem of mines and UXOs in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, and stressed the importance of international cooperation and support in this field. Read more here.
???? Cambodia: Ly Thuch thanks UN-ESCAP for helping Cambodia draft a national policy on mine action
Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Chairman of National Committee for ESCAP and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, thanked UN-ESCAP for assisting Cambodia in drafting a National Mine Action Policy which is the first time that UN-ESCAP has participated in mine action.
???? Iraq: Two Iraqi ministries approve a plan to eradicate landmines in the country by 2028
Iraq's Ministries of Planning and Environment have reached an agreement on a strategy to decontaminate unexploded ordnance and declare Iraq free of landmines by 2028.
?? MAG’s Perspective on the Application of the Humanitarian Principles to Humanitarian Disarmament Operations
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) emphasises the crucial role of humanitarian principles in its operations, asserting that these guidelines are indispensable, especially in complex conflict environments. Their new strategy for 2024-28 focuses on adhering to these principles not as limitations but as enablers for effective humanitarian disarmament and conflict response.
?? Latest Submission of Article 7 Reports
In compliance with their obligation under Article 7, paragraph 2 of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on the Destruction to provide updated transparency information annually, Slovenia and Mozambique have submitted their reports to the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.
5. Stockpile Destruction, PSSM and Disarmament
???? Azerbaijan: ANAMA: Large amount of military ammunition found at farm in liberated Khojavand district
A large number of military ammunition have been found in the territory of the liberated Khojavand village of Khojavand district. Read more here.
???? United Kingdom: Explosion at arms factory site in south Wales
There has been an explosion at a site belonging to BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence firm, in south Wales. BAE Systems said safety protocols were "immediately enacted" and emergency services attended the site.
6. Research, Innovation, Technology and Market Trends
???? Ukraine Developing Mine-Resistant Boots With Kevlar Sole
Ukrainian developers are working on mine-resistant boots for the country’s deminers. They will be designed to deflect anti-personnel mine blasts and retain fragmentation, featuring a multi-layer sole of Kevlar.
7. Mine Action Assistance, Funding and Cooperation
???? Angola: $238m needed to clear landmines in Angola: official
More than 238 million U.S. dollars are needed to make the country completely free of mines and other explosive devices, said Leonardo Sapalo, general director of Angola's National Mine Action Agency (ANAM). Angola still has 1,039 minefields to clear, with Cuando Cubango, Bie, Moxico, Hulla, Cunene, Cuanza-Sul, Lunda Sul and Lunda Norte provinces being the most concerned.
???? ???? Azerbaijan: Ambassador: Latvia exploring possibilities of assisting Azerbaijan in mine clearance
In a recent interview, Latvian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Edgars Skuja spoke about the development of economic cooperation between both countries, possible support for demining liberated territories, joint projects on renewable energy sources, and more areas of cooperation.
???? ???? Azerbaijan: US Ambassador: We look forward to the day when Azerbaijan will be free of mines
The United States has provided almost 38 million dollars to Azerbaijan for demining operations, said US Ambassador Mark Libby during his speech at the ceremony dedicated to the start of activities of deminers in Aghdam.
???? Brazil’s participation in international cooperation in Mine Action
The Brazilian Army is a benchmark in demining and deactivating explosive devices. In this article, Captain Davyson Anderson Cavalcanti Sobral, of the Brazilian Army’s Engineering Wing, discusses Brazil’s role in international mine action.
???? ???? Ukraine: Azerbaijan is ready to support Ukraine's meaningful participation in the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties in Baku
Ukraine's Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelets and the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Seymur Mardaliyev discussed the topic of environmentally friendly demining in Ukraine. Azerbaijan is already assisting Ukraine in this regard. In 2023, with the support of the Azerbaijani government, a "Revival" demining machine of Azerbaijani production was delivered to Ukraine.
???? ???? Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada announces new additional support package
Canada has dedicated CAD 76 million (US$55 million) to finance projects under a programme supporting peace and security in Ukraine, including humanitarian mine clearance, as part of a broader support package announced in the 2024 budget.
???? ???? Ukraine seeks to deepen cooperation with Danish manufacturers of demining machines - Ministry of Economy
Ukraine seeks to deepen cooperation with the Danish company Hydrema on the production of demining equipment to accelerate the pace of humanitarian demining of Ukrainian lands.
???? ???? Ukraine: German Vice Chancellor in Kyiv with a delegation from German defence and energy industries
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck leads a delegation in Kyiv, including representatives from companies providing mine-clearing vehicles, to boost Ukraine’s defense and energy sectors. The delegation aims to enhance mine clearance efforts in Ukraine and strengthen ties amid slow aid from allies.
???? ???? Ukraine: Switzerland strengthens humanitarian demining capacities in Ukraine
Switzerland commits US$400 million for border protection and humanitarian mine clearance, focusing on Ukraine's safety and recovery. This funding is part of a broader nearly US$61 billion support package from various international donors. Read more here.
???? ???? Ukraine: US$50 billion of American aid to be spent on defence – Ukraine's PM
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that, if the Senate approves the Ukraine aid bill, US$400 million will be dedicated to border protection and humanitarian mine clearance as part of a nearly US$61 billion package aimed at defence and economic support.
???? Ukraine is preparing to receive five ships from NATO
Ukraine is preparing to receive and integrate five NATO mine countermeasures vessels to tackle the extensive need for mine clearance in the Black Sea. The region faces significant challenges from mines that threaten safe navigation and regional security.
???? UK General Election: The MAG Manifesto
Ahead of the UK General Election, MAG (Mines Advisory Group) advocates for political commitment to reduce the impact of conflict and armed violence globally. It calls for continued investment in clearing landmines and addressing the consequences of conflict, urging parties to champion international humanitarian law and policies that protect civilians in conflict zones.
???? ???? Zimbabwe: Fighting for a mine-free Zimbabwe
Germany is committed to humanitarian mine clearance in Zimbabwe, supporting efforts like those of deminer Rosemary Chigariro. With international aid, particularly German funding, significant progress has been made in removing landmines, enhancing local lives and safety. The goal is a mine-free Zimbabwe by 2025 under the Ottawa Convention.
8. Other News
???? Ukraine: Bacup aid worker who is clearing landmines in Ukraine
Jon Cunliffe, a Bacup aid worker, leads MAG’s demining efforts in Ukraine, focusing on clearing landmines to restore agricultural productivity. His work not only saves lives but also addresses global grain shortages caused by mined lands, reflecting on the broader impact of his efforts on food prices worldwide.
Videos
Officials from Pakistani tribal districts along the Afghan border say uncleared landmines and ordnance remain a deadly legacy. Decades worth of buried explosives continue to end or ruin lives, and locals are calling for the government to step up demining efforts.
This video shows Aerobotics7 's EAGLE A7 platform in action.
From Rafah, Simon Elmont, 国际助残 ’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert tells us about his mission to assess the contamination from explosive remnant and the situation on the ground in Gaza.
The 20th International Symposium Mine Action 2024 has successfully concluded. EOKHUB provides a constructive summary of the event.
Masam Landmine Clearance Project - Yemen ’s medic teams are the primary support for deminers in the field. No mine clearance efforts would be possible without them.
Upcoming Events, Courses & Trainings
There are a number of interesting events for the mine action sector in the coming months, and some of the deadlines are approaching quickly.
Always Stay in the Know – Never Miss an Update
This newsletter is subscribed to by over 1900+ dedicated readers on LinkedIn. To join this community of mine action professionals and supporters, go ahead and subscribe to the Mine Action Weekly newsletter, and find all editions right here on LinkedIn.
Please reach out to me if there are any mine action news, journal articles, events, or updates that you would like to suggest for the next edition of Mine Action Weekly. You can find (and follow / connect with) me here. See you next Monday!
Ukraine Recovery Enthusiast
10 个月FYI Link doesn't work: Throughout 2024, Switzerland will organise a series of events in support of mine action in Ukraine, culminating in the ministerial-level Ukraine Mine Action Conference, taking place on 17-18 October 2024 in Geneva. Read more here.
Capitaine chez C.E.S.A.R. | E-volve !
10 个月Excited to dive into the latest updates ?? #StayInformed Markus Schindler
Director at Definitive Accountancy Limited
10 个月So much to explore in the mine action sector Which article intrigued you the most?