Eritrea

 

Background

 

Eritrea has a major contamination problem with landmines and Unexploded Ordnances (UXO), dating back to the struggle for independence with Ethiopia (1961–1991). Landmines were used to defend strongholds around cities and populated areas, military camps and roads. Landmines are also found in rural farmlands, near water sources and along borders, primarily in areas near former battle zones. The recent conflict (1998 – 2000) has seen further landmine and UXO contamination. Hardest hit is rural inhabitants, nomadic people, internally displaced persons (IDPs), landmine survivors and refugees.

The problem is not confined to the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), but has a nationwide impact. On 27 August 2001 the Eritrean signed the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. In June 2002, the Eritrean Demining Authority (EDA) was established by Proclamation. A Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) was conducted in 2004 with accredited publications being issued in 2005. It identified the socio-economic effects of landmine contamination on the population. The major components of mine action are:

1. Mine risk education;

2. Minefield, survey, mapping, and marking;

3. Victim assistance, including rehabilitation and reintegration;

4. Advocacy to stigmatize the use of landmines and support the total ban on landmines and

5. Mine clearance

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the MACBP is to expand national capacity for mine action.

PROGRAMME DETAILS

The Mine-Action Capacity Building Programme (MACBP) is fully integrated into the Recovery and Reconstruction process in Eritrea. The LIS data assisted in the preparation of the National Mine Action Strategic Planning Process. Assistance is offered to the following components:

• Capacity Building of the EDA includes the development of a national Strategic Plan for Mine Action that takes into account the development needs of the country.

• Building the operational and managerial capacity of the EDA’s Operations department that is responsible for mine clearance and mine risk education (supported by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds).

• MACBP has also a component to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare (MLHW) the Eritrean ministry responsible for all disabled people in the country, including War-affected and landmine victims. The MACBP, after a successful initial thrust, is now in the process of being closed due to a number of events triggered by the government regarding the use of project cars. A new agreement is expected to be signed between UNDP and the Government in early January 2007.

RESULTS

The EDA has become the National Authority responsible for policy and regulation of the Mine Action Sector. The EDO is now absorbed to the structure of EDA and all operational aspects of mine action (mine clearance, mine risk education, etc) now falls under the purview of EDA. An Information and Mapping Department has been established within EDA. EDO had a capacity to field 3 X 60 and 2 x 20 person manual clearance teams, before their contracts were terminated. These teams were trained and accredited by EDA in accordance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Two Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams have been established, equipped and trained and were operational till March 2005. The accredited publications for the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) and National Strategic Mine Action Plan were issued in 2005.

Emergency access to the Regional Orthopedic Workshop (Rehabilitation Centre) has been initiated; the linkage between Centre and the physiotherapy department# of the Ministry of Health is going well.