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Mine Action Programme (MAP)

The Mine Action Programme (MAP) is facilitated by UNOPS. It is concerned with mine action activities such as mine clearance, Permanent Marking of minefields, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) activity, and Impact Survey, Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Victim Support in the three northern governorates of Erbil, Dahuk, and Sulaymaniyah in N.Iraq.

As part of the ongoing local capacity building programme being implemented, Permanent Marking Teams, Manual Clearance Teams, and EOD teams of the International contractor S3, have been transferred to the local Demining NGOs - Pirmam Demining Organization, Bawajy Demining Organization, Tiroj Demining Organization and Aras Demining Organization. They are now fully operational.

The exchange rate utilised in the Northern governorates, continues to fluctuate having an adverse impact on MAP operations. At present the rate is 1 USD = 8.5 Old Iraqi Dinars.

MAP activities in the governorates of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Dahuk

Manual Clearance Teams (MCTs) from local NGOs supported by UNOPS, continued with mine clearance tasks. Clearance tasks were completed in 03 minefields in two villages in Amedi and Ashawa sub-district in Dahuk Governorate by MCTs of Tiroj Demining Organisation (TDO).

In addition, currently clearance tasks are ongoing in 64 minefields in 44 villages in the three northern Governorates of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah by MCTs of Aras Demining Organisation (ADO), Tiroj Demining Organization (TDO), Pirmam Demining Organization (PDO) and Bawaji Demining Organization (BDO).

Permanent Marking Teams of Local Demining NGOS have completed tasks in 11 minefields in 9 villages in Mergasur, Choman, Sidakan, Haji Omeran, Khalifan, Shaqlawa and Taqtaq sub-districts in Erbil Governorate by PMTs of ADO & BDO. In Sulaymaniyah Governorate, PMTs of PDO and BDO have completed tasks in 10 villages of Surdash, Khalakan, Tanjaro, Said Sadiq, Darbandikhan, Koysinjaq and Kalar sub-districts. In Dahuk Governorate, PMTs of TDO have completed tasks in one village of Amedi sub-district. Permanent Marking activities are ongoing in 18 minefields in 18 villages in the three northern Governorates of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah.

For the period 28 June - 23 July, a total of 22 minefields covering 17 villages, encompassing an area 1,537,343 square meters have been permanently marked in the three northern governorates.

From 18 March - 23 July a total of 102 minefields covering 69 villages, encompassing an area 7,543,903 square meters have been permanently marked in the three northern governorates of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Dahuk.

EOD teams from the local demining NGOs, funded by UNOPS, completed UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) activities such as reconnaissance, recovery and destruction in the Choman sub-district (Erbil Governorate), Chwarqurna, Khurmal, Penjwin, Sirwan, Aghjalar, Barznja, Byara, Surdash, Pebaz, Zarayan and Mawat sub-districts (Sulaymaniyah Governorate), Amedi and Duski (Dahuk Governorate).

From 28 June - 23 July, 75 EOD tasks have been completed and 2,024 UXO and 14 AP mines have been recovered.

From 18 March to 23 July, EOD tasks have been completed in 235 villages. 12,162 UXO and 164 Anti-Personnel Mines have been recovered. 1,623 BLU 97 Cluster Bombs, 28 Anti-personnel mines and 229 UXO have been destroyed.

MRE teams of the two NGOs, Kurdistan Organization for Mine Awareness (KOMA), continued with the ongoing Mine Risk Education programme in the three Northern Governorates, with UNOPS support. In Erbil Governorate, seven KOMA MRE teams operated in the Diana, Harir and Sidekan sub-districts. In Sulaymaniyah Governorate, sixteen KOMA MRE teams operated in Mawat, Chwarta, Basne, Penjwin, Sirwan, Byara & Said Sadiq sub-districts. In Dahuk Governorate, six KOMA MRE teams operated in Amadiya sub-district.

For the period of 16 - 23 July 2003, the Regular MRE instruction sessions reached 905 beneficiaries (273 men, 174 women and 458 children) in 16 villages in the three Northern Governorates (Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah).

From the 19 March to 23 July 2003, the Regular and Emergency MRE programmes have carried out safety instructions for 118,878 beneficiaries in 578 villages / camps in the four Northern Governorates.

UNOPS National Survey teams continued the Impact Survey process in the 5 Km zone and the previous restricted villages, gathering data from former GOI areas and the process of follow up of mine/UXO incidents investigations in Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah Governorates.

The two Emergency Surgical Hospitals (Erbil & Sulaymaniyah) and 20 First Aid Posts (all UNOPS supported) continued their activities of providing victim support for those involved in mine/UXO accidents along with related war accidents.

Current victim support figures in above UNOPS funded facilities can be illustrated in the following table: