MINE ACTION
Violent conflicts continue to wreak havoc in countries and within communities worldwide. Following a period of steady decrease between 1999 and 2012, there has been a sharp rise in casualties from explosive ordnance since 2013. Mines, explosive remnants of war, cluster munitions and improvised explosive devices, killed or injured 20 people on average every day in recent years, leaving many with life-long disabilities and psychological trauma.
Mine action in emergencies refers to the humanitarian activities that reduce the impact of explosive ordnance. Such activities include the removal and clearance of explosive items, provision of risk education to impacted communities, as well as support to persons injured physically or mentally by explosives items.
In humanitarian crises, mine action is coordinated by the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) within the Global Protection Cluster. The MA AoR’s objective is to ensure predictable, accountable and effective mine action responses, including by supporting field based mine action activities and coordination mechanisms.
To achieve its objectives, the MA AoR brings together NGOs, UN Agencies, and academic institutions at the global level as well as within a humanitarian crisis setting. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is the global lead of the MA AoR which is co-led by Humanity & Inclusion. Membership is open to any organisation active in the field of humanitarian mine action wishing to contribute.
As the global lead, UNMAS is also the “provider of last resort” responsible for ensuring the provision of services required to fill critical gaps identified by the cluster in accordance with the IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level [Link] https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/cluster_coordination_reference_module_2015_final.pdf
As part of the overall GPC Help Desk initiative, the Mine Action AoR facilitates a Mine Action Help Desk function through which you can directly send a request for technical support on Mine Action-related topics. Read more.
> MINE ACTION AND HOUSING LAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS
CONTACT
Christelle Loupforest
Global Coordinator Mine Action AoR
loupforest@un.org
Elke Hottentot
Co – coordinator of the Mine Action AoR
e.hottentot@hi.org