Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) scattered throughout Iraq pose a significant threat to many urban and rural communities, and due to the tenuous security situation have the potential to lead to massive explosions and loss of life. They also impede the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is responsible for the overall coordination and monitoring of the mine action programme in Iraq.
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| Propellant and artillery rounds in an area adjacent to a village on the outskirts of Basrah. Photo/UNMAS |
A sharp increase has recently been recorded in the number of casualties resulting from people tampering with stockpiles and caches of munitions. Landmines and submunitions used during the recent conflict have exacerbated the existing serious problem of landmine and UXO contamination.
The United Nations is contributing to efforts to address these problems through the use of the Mine Action Rapid Response Plan coordinated by UNMAS. The constituent parts of the overall mine action programme include mine-risk education (MRE) for vulnerable groups, administered by the United Nations Children's Fund. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assists in the rebuilding of the Iraqi Civil Defense Organization's capacity and provides support for national mine action management systems. UN support in the mine action field will eventually be transferred from UNMAS to UNDP.
The World Food Programme initiates mine action activities, such as "the clearance of access routes for food convoys and food distribution points", and "provides mine action support for security assessments and MRE activities", UNMAS reports. The International Committee of the Red Cross is also involved in mine awareness activities in Iraq.
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| Iraqis removing the copper driving bands from artillery rounds for scrap metal in an area adjacent to a village on the outskirts of Basrah. Photo/UNMAS |
UNMAS will also be responsible for the UN-assisted mine action programme (MAP) in northern Iraq after the phase out of the Oil-for-Food Programme in the last quarter of 2003, and intends to continue MAP through the UN Office for Project Services, which is currently responsible for overall technical, contractual, financial, admin-
istrative and logistical support.
The financial requirements, totalling some $13.2 million, to ensure the continuity of MAP activities were outlined in the 28 March 2003 Flash Appeal for the Humanitarian Requirements of the Iraq Crisis, which was launched by the United Nations to garner the $2.2 billion needed for immediate humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq over six months.
The last update on UNMAS activities in Iraq was issued on 25 June and is available online. |
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