2022 March International Mine Action Quarterly News and Information Updates

 

International Mine Action Quarterly News and Information Updates

March 2022

 

Contents

• Part 1. Brief News
• Part 2. New Reports and Insights
• Part 3. Recommended Free Online Learning Resources
• Part 4. Upcoming: International Mine Awareness Day on 4 April

 

Part 1. Brief News

 

Sources: https://unmas.org/en/government-of-sweden-renews-its-support-to-explosive-hazards-management-activities-iraq

https://unmas.org/en/press-release-japan-supports-explosive-ordnance-risk-education-northern-ethiopia

https://unmas.org/en/press-release-federal-republic-of-germany-provides-additional-contribution-to-unmas-support-of-mine

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/myanmar-rising-risk-landmines

 

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes an additional contribution of USD 5.7 million from Germany for residential area clearance in support of stabilization initiatives and post-conflict returns in the country. UNMAS is now clearing residential areas in Sinjar, paving the way for a gradual return of displaced Yazidis to their homes.

 

Japan has renewed its commitment to promote peace and stability in Ethiopia by contributing two hundred thousand USD to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action. The recent conflict in northern Ethiopia has contaminated vast swathes of land with explosive remnants of war (ERW), endangering the lives of returning refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the local population.

 

UNMAS welcomes the contribution of SEK 50 million (approximately USD 5.7 million) from Sweden, which will assist UNMAS to support the national mine action authorities in Iraq through technical advice and training for effective management, regulation and coordination of the mine action sector.

 

In 2021, the ICRC supported over 160 people in Myanmar affected by incidents involving landmines and other explosive ordinances. the ICRC provides mobile prosthetic-orthotic services particularly to those living with physical disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and children in communities displaced by armed conflict. These services include counselling, medical referrals and support for those in need of prostheses, mobility aids and wheelchairs.

 

Part 2. New Reports and Insights

 

Source: https://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/2022/02/04/2021-in-review/

 

In 2021, the MINE ACTION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (MA AoR) assessed that 43. 4 million people were in need of mine action in 16 countries. Some 72 mine action organizations (52 of which are national) appealed for USD 253 million to address the needs of the 20 million people most in need through risk education, clearance or victim assistance. At the end of the year, the amount received was USD 130 million (over half of what was requested) and MA AoR has reached 12 million people.  A MA AoR was activated in Ethiopia in the second half of 2021.

 

In December 2021, the global MA AoR officially launched its first-ever MA AoR 2022-2024 Strategy: The Primacy of Protection: Protecting People from Explosive Hazards in Humanitarian Emergencies.  It has five strategic goals outlined below:  

 

1. Offer reliable coordination for humanitarian mine action in emergencies to accelerate and deliver more impactful interventions.
2. Build and strengthen strategic partnerships.
3. Enhance and transfer capacity: strengthen the meaningful participation, representation and leadership of local and national actors in humanitarian mine action coordination structures. 
4. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in operations and workforce. 
5. Contribute to sustainable solutions in collaboration with peace and development actors.

 

Part 3. Recommended Free Online Learning Resources

 

Free Online Course: https://lnkd.in/dFBrgSi

 

Landmines and other explosive ordnance kill and injure thousands of people every year. But removing these hazards is not always possible. Promoting awareness of risks and safer behaviors is a crucial way to protect civilians. 

The ‘Intro to Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (#EORE) Essentials’ e-learning provides the basics of EORE for anyone working with people or in areas affected by explosive ordnance. The #course can be completed in 60 to 90 minutes and no prior mine action knowledge is required.

 

Part 4. Upcoming: International Mine Awareness Day on 4 April

 

Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/mine-awareness-day

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/mine-awareness-day

 

The United Nations' International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4 each year.

 

The day aims to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication. "Mine action" refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas. It also includes assisting victims, teaching people how to remain safe in a mine-affected environment, advocating for universal participation in international treaties related to landmines, explosive remnants of war and their victims, and destroying landmines stockpiled by governments and non-state armed groups.

 

On 8 December 2005, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared that April 4 of each year would be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It was first observed on April 4, 2006.

 

It called for continued efforts by states, with assistance from the UN and relevant organizations, to help establish and develop national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive war remnants constitute a serious threat to the safety, health, and lives of people, or hinders social and economic development at the national and local levels.