Transcript Key clearance challenges

Key clearance challenges summary
1. Incomplete knowledge of the
extent of contamination :
- lack of maps or other information
on mine / CM contamination
(Burundi, Mozambique, Somalia,
South Sudan)
1. Incomplete knowledge of the
extent of contamination (cont.):
- problems with past surveys /
quality of information
(Angola, Chad, DRC, Sudan)
- challenges with current surveys
(DRC, Senegal, Somalia)
- new contamination (Mali, Sudan)
2. Continued insecurity &
consequent lack of access to
certain areas (DRC, Mali, Niger,
Senegal, Somalia, Sudan)
– can affect funding
opportunities (Somalia)
3. Logistical and technical challenges:
- size of country, lack of roads
(Angola, DRC, South Sudan),
- difficult terrain (mountains, sandy or
rocky soils, dense vegetation) or
weather conditions / heavy rains
(Angola, Burundi, Mali,South Sudan,
Zimbabwe)
3. Logistical and technical
challenges (cont.)
- Mines with low metal content
(Senegal);
- movement of mines over time
(Algeria, Chad)
4. Lack of funding & resources.
Specifically:
- lack of equipment, means of transport
& communication
(Burundi, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania,
Zimbabwe)
- shortage of international operators
(Senegal, South Sudan)
5. Need for training / capacity
building
(Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania,
Western Sahara, Somalia, South
Sudan)
6. Prioritisation issues
– AV mines vs. AP mines (Niger);
– reconstruction & development vs.
demining (Angola, South Sudan)
7. Lack of national coordination
office / Mine Action Centre
(Mali, Western Sahara, Somalia)
8. Need for cross-border
clearance / access to other side
of border
(Mauritania & Western Sahara,
Zimbabwe & Mozambique)
9. Establishment of national
capacity to deal with residual
UXO threat after article 5
completion (Mozambique)
10. Need support with advocacy
on CCM (South Sudan)
11. Stockpiles and abandoned
ordnance (Guinea Bissau, Somalia –
stocks often in private hands. MRE
required.)
Lessons learned
• Early planning is essential (Uganda)
• Political commitment at the national level
is crucial (Angola, Mauritania, Swaziland)
• Need to be proactive to find solutions,
e.g. networking with donors and
international operators, using national
resources such as police & army. (Congo
Brazzaville, Uganda, Zambia)
Lessons learned (cont.)
• Ensure effective coordination measures
• Develop national Mine Action Standards &
SOPs
• National surveys helpful if done well (Uganda,
Zambia)
• Secure a clear MoU when working with NGOs
• Value of engagement of local communities
through community-liaison processes. Avoids
hostility, also helps secure information on
contamination
Lessons learned (cont.)
• Progressively release land as part of clearance
operations.
• Specialised machines help in some
circumstances (e.g. lowlands in Uganda); in
others manual clearance is still required
(Algeria, Zimbabwe)
• Value of continuous training & transfer of
knowledge, including through exchanges
between MACs (could be expanded?)
• Constant communication with the ISU – draw
from their expertise.
Lessons learned (cont.)
• After completion of AP mine clearance, ERW
clearance & spot tasks might still be necessary,
stockpile management of other weapons is
often still required, and long-term victim
assistance remains necessary (Congo
Brazzaville, Guinea Bissau, Uganda).