South Sudan struggles to clear mines after decades of war as people start returning home

For the first time since fleeing South Sudan’s civil war eight years ago, Jacob Wani returned home excited to rebuild his life. But when the 45-year-old farmer tried to access his land in Eastern Equatoria state’s Magwi County, he was Read More …

Royal Navy divers help clear Baltic Sea of unexploded ordnance during Exercise Open Spirit

Royal Navy divers are supporting Nato security efforts to recover unexploded mines and torpedoes in the Baltic Sea during Exercise Open Spirit. Specialists from the UK are taking part in a multinational explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) exercise hosted by Latvia, Read More …

Ukraine: Mine clearance and tracking down criminals, four-legged “guardsmen” decorated for their dedicated service

Animals, as well as people, do defend the country in times of war. The four service dogs, Dzhuki, Irbis, Antei and Odin, have been decorated with medals for their loyal service. They belong to the Eastern Operational and Territorial Unit, Read More …

UK aid budget cuts have halted vital programmes in Afghanistan

The UK’s aid watchdog has raised concerns over cuts to the humanitarian assistance budget that have led to vital projects in Afghanistan being halted or delayed. In its report, published on Thursday, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact highlighted that Read More …

Ukraine launches new policy on humanitarian demining

Ukraine is launching a new state policy on humanitarian demining, which envisages the update of mine action standards, the government press service reported Wednesday. The new policy stipulates implementing a national mine action program and creating a market for demining Read More …

Over 27,000 explosives removed from Libyan cities in 2022

According to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), 27,400 explosive war remnants were removed from the Libyan cities of Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi and Sirte in 2022. More than 1 million war remnants, which include 82 percent of projectiles Read More …

Ukraine to use Croatia’s experience in demining

The government of Ukraine is stepping up cooperation with international partners in the field of demining, the issue was discussed during an online meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, who is also the Economy Minister, and Read More …

Canada sends US$16.5 million worth of mine clearance equipment to Ukraine

Ukraine has received the first batch of mine clearance equipment from Canada, with a total value of 22.5 million Canadian dollars (16.53 million US dollars). The Canadian Embassy in Ukraine noted that the equipment for mine clearance was received by Read More …

Denmark to send $250 million worth of military aid in record package to Ukraine

Denmark will provide Ukraine with the biggest military aid pacakage to date worth $250 million, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reported on May 2, citing Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. The package will include mine clearance machines, ammunition, field bridges, Read More …

Cambodia: Lao delegation on Kingdom visit to discuss mine action

A delegation from Laos visited Cambodia and exchanged experiences on mine action and relevant work experiences on management, information gathering, planning and prioritising mine action in the Kingdom. The Lao delegation visited Cambodia in coordination with the Norwegian People’s Aid Read More …

Two percent of BiH territory is mined: “After suffering from landmines, you don’t live, you survive”

The hostilities were over, but there were so many mines that it was impossible to pass. I am not the only one, more of us were injured. Walking through a forest, we came across minefields and that is where got Read More …

Lithuania to assist Azerbaijan in addressing Mine Action

Lithuania will be assisting Azerbaijan in the area of mine action through the EU Team Europe Initiative in 2023, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. “Azerbaijan is one of Lithuania’s strongest partners in terms of the number of Read More …

Austria to join mine clearance efforts in Ukraine

Austria will support humanitarian mine clearance efforts in Ukraine, as part of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Support Programme for Ukraine. According to Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Read More …

Sri Lanka: Army de-miners in full swing to complete de-mining process in North

During the last phase of the Humanitarian Operation, mines remained scattered haphazardly all over the North posing serious threat to human habitation. In 2002, the Sri Lankan Government initiated the National Mine Action Programme aiming to create a mine and Read More …

Cambodia: Kratie on track for ‘mine free’ status in June

Kratie is expected to be declared the next mine-free province in June, becoming the 13th provincial-level region to receive the status, according to Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA). “Thanks to the Read More …

Laos: Over 1.8 mln unexploded bombs cleared since 1996

Over 1.8 million unexploded ordnance (UXO) devices have been cleared from 79,599 hectares of land from 1996 to February 2023, making agricultural land safe for farmers and freeing up other areas for development. The figures were released by Lao Deputy Read More …

EU provides explosive and mine detection dogs to Ukraine

The EU has launched a project to train and donate 50 explosive and mine detection dogs to the Ukrainian authorities. Nine of them have already been paired with Ukrainian dog handlers. According to the European Commission, 30% of Ukraine’s territory Read More …

Ukraine needs $37 billion for humanitarian demining

Ukraine needs $37.4 billion to carry out humanitarian demining of its lands, the country’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 4, citing an assessment by the World Bank. This sum includes more than $397 million needed just for the Read More …

On international day for mine awareness, UN reaffirms commitment to a mine-free Somalia

Mogadishu – Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the United Nations today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to rid Somalia of the threat from explosive ordnance. “Whether measured in the number of casualties Read More …

Angola landmines: The women hunting for explosives left from civil war

An increasing number of women in Angola are working to get rid of the scourge of landmines left from the 27-year civil war, which are still claiming victims long after the fighting finished. “I don’t want my daughter, or any Read More …