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Welcome to Cluster 7 - Mine Action section of the UN Iraq Web Portal.

The purpose of this section is to provide information on activities related to Mine Action, undertaken by the United Nations and its partners. 

General information on the Cluster

The UN Mine Action Cluster supports the Iraqi National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) to develop and implement an indigenous and sustainable mine action programme to effectively address the humanitarian and developmental problems caused by the serious contamination of Explosive Remnants of War “ERW” (Landmines, Unexploded Ordnance, Explosive Ordnance and Depleted Uranium) and where Victim Support Services are strengthened.  The intended outcome of UN Mine Action Cluster Support is to ensure that NMAA is capable of planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring all mine action related activities in the country within the framework of International Mine Action Standards, and mobilizing the required resources.

The Mine Action Cluster, NMAA and other stakeholders continue to work to develop a comprehensive framework and strategy for mine action in Iraq. The MA cluster maintained regular contacts with NMAA senior staff and held several meetings with them to enhance cluster coordination and support to mine-action implementation.

A strategic planning workshop was held in Amman, Jordan, at the end of May2004 to develop a strategic framework for mine action in Iraq. Senior representatives of UNDP, UNICEF and US Department of State, with Cranfield University as facilitator, attended the workshop. In addition to the development of a vision and mission, the workshop developed strategic objectives for the Iraq Mine Action Programme (IMAP) for the coming 18 months (June 2004 to Dec. 2005). As a follow-up step, NMAA conducted a strategic planning session in the beginning of September 2004 in Baghdad attended by other government ministries, national/international NGOs and a number of donors.

UNDP facilitated and supported a month long mission in May/June 04 of three senior staff members from NMAA to Yemen Mine Action Programme for knowledge/experience exchange and sharing lessons learned.  A senior level staff member from NMAA is currently participation in a Senior Mine Action Managers course in the United States with facilitation and support from UNDP.

UNDP is supporting the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) for Iraq by funding the LIS Team Leader through a contract with VVAF. This project is of vital importance to determine the magnitude of the ERW problem in Iraq. UNMAS supported an emergency survey conducted by Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Northern Iraq and Minetech International (MTI) in Southern Iraq that was completed in February 2004.  The aim of the survey was to establish a contamination pattern south of the green line and to provide a basis for the Mine Action response. UNMAS, through UNOPS, also supported clearance activities by Minetech International in Basrah and Missan. UNICEF continues to support Handicap International (H.I) in implementing a Mine Risk Education (MRE) project in Baghdad, which provides direct MRE to at-risk populations and training courses for teachers and social/community workers. UNICEF also organised and supported implementation of a needs assessment survey to identify risk areas and populations at risk in Baghdad. The survey covered over 650 sites in Baghdad identifying risky areas due to mine/UXO contamination.

The mine action portfolio team developed a draft copy of the 2005 Iraqi Mine Action Portfolio. The portfolio’s principle aim is to serve as a reference tool for donors, policymakers, advocates, national and international managers and programme staff.

The main challenge has been the prevailing security situation inside Iraq. The Mine Action Cluster is utilising various options of increased delivery and project implementation including outsourcing of services to national and international NGOs/Firms.

UNDP and UNICEF have finalised contractual arrangement/process for the provision of seven technical advisors to support NMAA in the field of MRE, Quality Assurance (QA), Capacity Building, Admin/Finance, Public Relations, and Multi-Media/Web-designing. The advisors are expected to be deployed to Iraq in October 04.

UNDP plans to contract Danish Demining Group, InterSOS and MTI to continue with clearance operations in the south of Iraq. UNDP has also developed a comprehensive concept for the development of local/national mine action capacities (NGOs and Private Firms) in support of NMAA to undertake mine action operations in Iraq.

In addition to providing regular technical advice and guidance to NMAA on MRE, UNICEF is working with the Iraqi Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to integrate Mine Risk Education into the school system by training and equipping teachers enabling them to conduct MRE sessions for students. UNICEF will also work with Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Health to integrate MRE into their regular activities at the community level. UNICEF will support MAG to implement MRE Capacity Building and Teacher Training Project in 4 governorates north of Baghdad. UNICEF and NMAA are organising MRE Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning workshop in Amman, Jordan,  in October to discuss the current needs for MRE and develop a plan for different projects/activities required.

UNEP has submitted a project proposal for “Depleted Uranium (DU) Assessment and Capacity Building in Iraq”. Commencement of operations is pending UN steering committee approval.

Partners of the Mine Action Cluster:

UNDP, UNICEF, UNMAS, UNOPS, UNEP, WHO and UNAMI work closely with NMAA and a number of international and national NGOs, including Mines Advisory Group, Handicap International France, Danish Demining Group, Norwegian People’s Aid, IMI, InterSOS, ICRC, HELP, Commercial Mine Action Firms, GICHD and ICBL.

Cluster Manager: Salomon Schreuder
E-mail address: salomon.schreuder@undp.org
Deputy Cluster Manager: Sharif Baaser
Email address: sbaaser@unicef.org

Documents
Library of Mine Action related information - containing repots, assessments and related information.

Mine Action Sector Coordination Meetings Minutes

Note!  Questions / suggestions concerning the content of this section can be directed to the UNAMI Office in Amman through the feedback form
 

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