MAG's methods have developed from the traditional landmine clearance projects (often made up of military-style 'platoons') and advanced our approach in developing smaller, more flexible multi-skilled Mine Action Teams.
It was clear that in small communities, around river banks and near homes especially that army-style platoons proved less effective than MAG's compact and more efficient 'MATs'.
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Photo: A Mine Action Team in Sudan moves unexploded ordnance before transporting it to demolition site. The ordnance was reported to Community Liaison staff by villagers. |
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Large platoons would invariably be tied up clearing larger areas over longer periods and in fact benefiting fewer people. Our MATs are usually made up 15 local people and each person is trained to have at least two out of the following skills: demining, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, technical survey, medical and first aid, training and management capabilities.
The beauty of the multi-skilled MAT is that it can be split into smaller targeted teams as required. It also means the MAT reduces costs, duplication of effort and response times. In short our MAT provides a 'one-stop shop' for all conflict clearance and weapons removal and is the template used in our country programmes.
Capacity-building
MAG invests in, trains and employs staff from the local population in order to build a robust and sustainable national workforce. Around 95 per cent of our 3,000-strong staff around the world are natives of the countries in which they work.
Experienced local employees also train MAG's new recruits and the focus is to encourage a community's economy through employment and a family's prospects by getting people out of poverty and making them breadwinners with a future and not just survivors of a devastating conflict.
