Mine Action Weekly, 25 - 31 March 2024
Markus Schindler
Program Manager at FSD | Expert in Mine Action Capacity Development & Localisation | Published Researcher | Editor of Mine Action Weekly
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!
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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's ANAMA finds 33 landmines and 121 UXOs in liberated territories
Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has announced weekly (18 - 24 March) information on the operations carried out in the liberated territories. 30 anti-personnel mines, 3 anti-tank mines, and 121 unexploded military ordnance (UXO) were neutralised.
???? Azerbaijan: Mexican newspaper illuminates Azerbaijan's mine contamination problem
In a recent article published by El Universal, the prominent Mexican newspaper, titled "Minas terrestres: un flagelo que aún cobra vidas," the dire situation of landmine contamination in Azerbaijan has been brought to light.
???? Cambodia: Manet lauds mine-free provinces
Prime Minister Hun Manet has lauded the announcement of three provinces as mine-free as some of the greatest achievements of the seventh-mandate government, adding that his administration is proud to have freed numerous people from the threat of landmines.
???? Cambodia: 15 out of Cambodia's 25 provinces now mine-free, says senior official
Cambodia on Tuesday declared northeastern Kratie province clear of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs), making it the 15th mine-free province in the South-East Asian country.
???? Germany Uncovers 2,000 Tons of Unexploded Bombs Every Year
Germany uncovers around 2,000 tons of unexploded bombs annually, remnants from World War II. Despite efforts to ensure safety before construction projects, evacuations and risks of toxic pollution from bomb detonations persist, highlighting the ongoing challenge of dealing with wartime ordnance.
???? Iraq: Ministry of Environment: Nebras Petrochemical Project has been cleared of mines
The Department of Mine Affairs in the Ministry of Environment confirmed that the mine-contaminated areas in Basra are far from populated areas and are limited to its borders, while announcing the clearing of the land of the Nebras Petrochemical Project.
???? Palestine: International organization: 3,000 unexplored munitions, ordnance in Gaza
国际助残 (HI) said Tuesday that Israel has dropped 45,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip since it started its war on October 7 up to mid-January, but at least 3,000 did not explode, posing a threat to life in the besieged enclave.
???? Palestine: Army explosives expert sent to Gaza to find unexploded bombs calls for ceasefire
A former British Army incendiary expert sent to Gaza to locate unexploded bombs has called for an immediate ceasefire. Explosive ordnance officer Simon Elmont fears that as many as 5,000 – including several hundred weighing up to 2,000 pounds – remain.
???? Solomon Islands: Surveying Eighty-Year-Old Battlefields in Solomon Islands
In Solomon Islands, surveying old battlefields and ammo depots reveals challenges due to changed landscapes, civilian acclimation to ordnance, and a lack of data on UXO/AXO casualties, hindering effective national casualty reduction strategy and international aid requests.
???? Ukraine: 33 Ukrainian mine action operators obtain certification
Ukraine's Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, announced that 33 demining operators have already been certified, and the number of mine action developments is increasing.
???? Ukraine's Emergency Service warns of Russian bombs in border areas
The State Emergency Service warns of spherical fragmentation air bombs used by the Russians to remotely mine Ukraine's border areas.
???? Ukraine: The deminers handed over 13 land plots cleared of mines to the farmers of Mykolaiv Oblast
On 27 March, The HALO Trust handed over the first demined plots of land to the communities of the Bashtanka district of Mykolaiv Oblast. In total, representatives of the organisation handed over 13 land plots with an area of 357.2 thousand square meters for use.
???? Ukraine: The Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy: 40% of agricultural land in de-occupied Kherson region has been cleared of mines
According to the Kherson Regional Military Administration, 40% of agricultural land on the liberated right bank of the Kherson region is currently demined, which is 206,000 hectares. Every day, more than a thousand sappers work to clear the land of mines in Kherson region.
???? Ukraine: The farmer explained why Mykolaiv farmers have to clear the fields by themselves: ?To stay afloat?
In Mykolaiv, Ukraine, farmers are forced to independently demine their fields to continue agricultural work due to the massive scale of contamination, risking their lives to maintain livelihoods amidst the threat of explosive devices.
???? Ukraine: ?5 cows blew up here?: a resident of Snihurivka grazes cows on a minefield
A 72-year-old in Snihurivka risks grazing cows on a mined field, despite knowing five neighbor's cows have exploded. He calls emergency services upon finding explosives, highlighting the dire situation in a region with 10,000 hectares still needing demining.
???? UK seeking Minefield Breaching Systems
The Ministry of Defence has issued a Pre-Procurement Notice through the Contracts Finder portal, calling for an Industry Request For Information (RFI) regarding minefield breaching systems aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Field Army.
???? United Kingdom: Case Study: Holbeach and Donna Nook
Brimstone - UXO collaborated with Landmarc to deliver explosive ordnance clearance (EOC) and conventional munitions disposal (CMD) services on two active air weapons ranges, commissioned by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
???? United States: California park is urging hikers to steer clear of illegal trails because they risk running into grenades and LANDMINES
A California national park is urging hikers to steer clear of illegal trails because they run the risk of stepping on grenades and landmines. The park is a former U.S. Military base which was in operation from 1917 to 1994 with many areas of the facility used for munitions training.
???? Vietnam: 500,000 hectares of land cleared of bomb, mine in 10 years
Nearly 500,000 hectares of land were cleared of bombs, mines, and explosives in the 2014-2023 period, informed the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre recently.
???? Yemen: Saudi initiative clears over 600 ‘Houthi’ mines in Yemen
A Saudi Arabian-backed mine clearance initiative, Masam Landmine Clearance Project - Yemen , has dismantled 629 mines? between 16-22 March in Yemen. These included 520 items of unexploded ordnance, 105 anti-tank mines and four improvised explosive devices.
???? Zimbabwe: Landmines haunt Zimbabwe 45 years after war
APOPO cleared 244,731 square meters of landmine-contaminated land in Zimbabwe, a crisis persisting nearly 45 years post-war. Their effort in 2023 neutralized 4,348 landmines, aiding in community safety and supporting economic development, with a goal for a mine-free Zimbabwe by 2025.
?? Unexploded bombs from the second world war are getting more dangerous
A study of unexploded shells from the second world war has shown that one of the explosives they contain is becoming more sensitive to impacts, meaning it could be set off if they are dropped during disposal. This explosive, called Amatol, was widely used during the first and second world wars, and is still in some of the ammunition being used during the Russian war in Ukraine.
?? The Detection Problem: An Eight-Decade Challenge: The Difficulty of Practically Detecting and Discriminating Mines, Booby Traps, and Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Devices
Detecting mines and IEDs is challenging for demining organisations and the military, with efforts since WWII showing limited success. This article argues that without a perfect technological solution, systematically analysing field data is the best strategy for managing these risks.
?? The transformative impact of mine action on agriculture and food security
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) ’s Country Director for Vietnam, Sarah Goring, shares her thoughts on the transformative impact that mine action has on agriculture and food security.
?? Russia has turned the Black Sea into a minefield. What should be done about this?
The Black Sea has become a perilous minefield over nearly two years of conflict, posing a grave threat to Ukrainian civilian shipping and the export of Ukrainian grain, as well as endangering the maritime routes of neighbouring states.
Other EO Finds from Around the Globe:
2. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)
???? Ukraine: Emergency Explosive Ordnance Risk Education: Lessons Learned from Ukraine
Post-February 2022, Ukraine faced significant explosive ordnance (EO) risks, prompting urgent need for emergency risk education. To assist, the EORE Advisory Group updated guidelines and the Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehj?lp led a community-wide review, enhancing EORE practices amid evolving challenges.
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3. Accidents, Survivors, Victim Assistance
???? Syria: Over 850 civilians killed and wounded by explosions of war remnants since early 2023 across Syria
In the past 15 months, the Syrian Observatory documented the death and injury of 862 civilians by the explosions of war remnants in all zones of influence throughout Syria. Read more here.
???? Ukraine: ?I don`t have a leg, how will I walk?: the story of two brothers from the Mykolaiv region who survived a mine explosion
Two brothers from Mykolaiv region survived a mine explosion that occurred while they were collecting firewood, resulting in both losing their legs. Despite the dangers, their community continues to face the threat of mines, with ongoing efforts to educate on safety and demining.
?? The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative: Enhancing Coordination Between Humanitarian Mine Action and the Emergency Health Response to Civilian Casualties of Explosive Ordnance
The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative (MA-TCC) bridges the trauma care gap in conflict zones, leveraging the humanitarian mine action (HMA) sector's field presence to improve care for civilian casualties of explosive weapons (EW) amid limited resources.
Other EO Accidents from Around the Globe:
4. Advocacy and Policy
???? Cambodia presidency and host of the fifth review conference ‘the Siem Reap-Angkor summit on a mine-free world’
Ly Thuch, President of the 2024 Ottawa Convention, chaired the third meeting in 2024 of the convention coordinating committee to review the implementation process of the convention on 28 March by online to review the implementation process of the four commissions.
???? Ukraine: UNDP-supported photo exhibition in Kyiv aims to raise awareness of landmine contamination in Ukraine
The United Nations Development Programme ( 联合国开发计划署 ) in Ukraine has opened a photo exhibition in Kyiv called “Defining Futures: People, Tech and Teams for a Mine-Free Ukraine” by photographer Giles Duley, the United Nations Global Advocate for people with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding situations.
?? Together Against Mines
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) 's #TogetherAgainstMines campaign invites individuals and organisations to share stories of unity in the mine action sector. Over 60 states face mine contamination and ammunition risks, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to achieve progress and safety.
?? International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action
The 2024 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action focuses on survivors of explosive hazards with disabilities, emphasizing the need for greater responsiveness to their rights in conflict and peacebuilding settings. The UN highlights the importance of including people with disabilities in these efforts, marking the fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 2475.
?? 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, the Czech Republic, Jordan and Mauritania have submitted their reports to the Geneva Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.
5. Stockpile Destruction, PSSM and Disarmament
?? Working to Prevent and Reduce the Impact of Armed Violence in Coastal West Africa
West Africa, particularly the Sahelian states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, faces rising violence and political instability, with conflicts concentrated near shared borders leading to mass displacement. The UN Secretary-General emphasizes how the misuse of small arms exacerbates these issues, undermining peace efforts.
6. Research, Innovation, Technology and Market Trends
???? Ukraine to demonstrate demining system with artificial intelligence by mid-summer - Svyrydenko
By mid-summer, the Ukrainian government plans to introduce a demining system using artificial intelligence.
???? Ukraine: New Ukrainian Remote Control Demining Vehicle Revealed
Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation has unveiled a mine clearing robot developed through the Brave1 cluster which is approved for support to Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
???? Ukrainian developers test UAV sensor technology for demining purposes
Ukrainian developers are testing sensor technology to look for mines at test sites and are working on the detection of explosive objects.
???? Ukraine: Robots help demining de-occupied territories in Kharkiv region
In the Kharkiv region, robots are assisting in the demining of de-occupied territories, speeding up the clearance process significantly. A single robot can clear an area the size of a football field in a day, a task that would take a deminer much longer by hand. This effort is crucial for restoring essential services and allowing civilians to return home.
?? Inclusive Data Management: Reporting, Storing, and Sharing of Information on Beneficiaries in the Mine Action Sector
This study reviews the shift towards people-centric data management in mine action, focusing on gender, diversity, and inclusion challenges. Analysing case studies from Cambodia, Colombia, and Iraq, it identifies gaps and suggests nuanced, inclusive approaches for data practices.
?? Cash and Voucher Assistance for Protection outcomes in Mine Action tip sheet
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is highlighted by the Global Protection Cluster as a promising yet underutilised method to enhance protection outcomes for communities affected by Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), aiming to improve access to medical services, clear land, and support alternative livelihoods.
7. Mine Action Assistance, Funding and Cooperation
???? Cambodia: China grants $4.4 million for UXO clearance
The Chinese government is providing more than $4 million in grant funding through its Mine Action Assistance Project for demining and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations in a number of Cambodian provinces.
???? Palestine: Japan Supports UNMAS Humanitarian Mine Action Project in Gaza
The Government of Japan has contributed US $1,258,861 to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) , for the project “Humanitarian Mine Action to Reduce Explosive Risk Faced by Civilians''. The funding from the Government of Japan will support UNMAS to deliver explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) and conduct explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) response in the Gaza Strip, responding to the conflict that started on 7 October.
???? ???? Ukraine: New aid package from Germany: ammunition, drones and mine-clearance vehicles
Germany has announced a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which includes artillery and tank ammunition, drones and mine-clearance vehicles.
???? Ukraine: 150 thousand UAH/hectare: Ukrgasvydobuvannya procured services for demining of commercial land
Ukrgasvydobuvannya held a UAH 24.537 million tender through the Prozorro system for demining services for 1.6 million square meters of commercial land, with Ukroboronservice as the only bidder, despite the presence of about 40 national demining companies.
???? ???? Yemen’s president honours Saudi Project Masam
Yemen’s President Rashad Al-Alimi awarded Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam the Medal of Bravery for its humanitarian efforts to clear Yemen of landmines and other remnants of war.
?? Localisation in Mine Action: Where the Possible Meets the Necessary
This article advocates for the support of national NGO development in humanitarian mine action (HMA), addressing its unique challenges, resource demands, and the need for localised knowledge to enhance efficiency and ensure sustainable local efforts.
8. Other News
???? Cambodia: Traveler Cuddles Up With Hero Rat Who Detects Landmines at Cambodian Exhibit
A traveler cuddled with Valerie, a hero rat trained to detect landmines in Cambodia, showcasing the vital role these rats play in saving lives by identifying TNT and undetonated mines, with hopes for a mine-free country by 2025.
???? Ukraine: Meet Patron, the Jack Russell who's a key member of a Ukraine bomb squad — and a celebrity
This Jack Russell terrier, weighing about 4 kilograms, is part of a bomb squad in Chernihiv, Ukraine. He’s received a medal from Volodymyr Zelenskyy and is 联合国儿童基金会 ’s first Goodwill AmbassaDog.
?? DTM Field Companion for Mine Action 2024
DTM worked with the Global Mine Action Area of Responsibility to identify information needed for analysis and response that DTM can collect through the methodologies that DTM field teams use. They also jointly developed short guidance and presentations that can help DTM and Partners in the field better work together to collect and use data for sectoral and inter-sectoral response.
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.
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International Development || Peace and Security || Public Policy ||
8 个月Thanks for sharing @Markus