MAG Iraq, in coordination with the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA), will hand over two cleared minefields, more than 30,000 square metres of land, to local communities in Dohuk governorate on 4 April.
The handover is taking place on the International Day for Mine Awareness, celebrated throughout the world every year in countries affected by landmines. During the ceremony IKMAA will also hand over two minefields they have cleared.
With funding from the Irish Government, MAG has cleared and released 30,555 square metres of land in Barmerne and Sarsink sub-districts since May last year. It will be used for agriculture as well as to build homes for internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled the dangerous security situation in central Iraq and are currently living in temporary structures in Badarashke village, Sarsink.
Among the MAG and IKMAA representatives at the ceremonies will be Governor of Dohuk Mr. Tamar Kuchar, General Director of IKMAA Mr. Siran Barzani, IKMAA Director of Technical Affairs Mr. Niazi Aragoshi and MAG Iraq Technical Field Manager Andy Crump.
The mayors of Bamerne and Sarsink sub-districts, villagers from Badareshke and representatives from local authorities and media are also expected to attend.
Early last year, MAG’s Community Liaison (CL) team met with local communities in the two districts and found that the large minefields were having a significant impact on the safety and livelihoods of people living nearby. They prioritised the area for clearance.
In consultation with IKMAA and supported by Irish Aid, a MAG Mine Action Team (MAT) began clearance operations in Cheya Derke, a minefield in Barmerne sub-district, in May 2009. Later, in October 2009, MAG sent a MAT to Banya Sor (Merge) minefield in Badarashke village of Sarsink sub-district. By December 14, when clearance finished, MAG had removed and destroyed 45 anti-personnel landmines and 13 lethal items of unexploded ordnance from the fields.
MAG Technical Field Manager Andy Crump said: “We reacted at very short notice, starting clearance almost immediately after the MAG CL team alerted us to the urgent priorities of the communities.
"The IDPs were trying to build houses to expand their settlement in the area but were hampered by the dangerous ground at their feet as they tried to rebuild. We are hopeful our work will help at least 2,400 people build safer futures for themselves and their families.”
At the ceremonies MAG Iraq technical staff, alongside IKMAA staff, will present a display of the technical equipment used to clear the minefields.
Photo (MAG Iraq): A MAG Iraq deminer using a metal detector as part of clearance operations.
1 April 2010
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