Partners in Progress and Life
Story by Ali Shuaib, MAG contact officer
Almashref is a Lebanese farming village located on a beautiful hill full of oak, pine and olive trees and facing the Al Damour beaches and sea. However, the picturesque location belies a hidden danger the residents have lived with for over 23 years.
Until recently, landmines were buried across the agricultural lands and between the olive trees as a result of the Israeli occupation in 1982. This meant that the villagers were unable to farm in safety, a factor that hit the local economy hard even after the war ended in 1990 and villagers started to return.
Contact Officer, Ali Shuaib with landowners and a
community representative
In 2000 a Saudi Arabian businessman began to invest in the village, building residential areas, public gardens, parks and a sports club. He also helped to restore the local church, university, nun seminary and health centre. The residents were delighted with these investments, but they were aware that mines were still present and still a danger.
Recently, MAG were asked to help to deal with the problem and, after gaining permission from the Lebanese National Demining Office, sent a team to conduct emergency clearance. A Mine Action Team (MAT) started a manual demining operation by clearing an access track 40 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. This track allowed four families, who owned the adjacent lands to access the olive groves and to cultivate their lands. The work was finished in April 2005 and now more than 60 families are able to safely use other land close to the track.
Cleared access track to the olive groves
Almeshref is now much safer and the residents are delighted that the work carried out by MAG means that they can farm without fear and their children can play in safety. They wanted to thank MAG and those who supported the clearance operation; as one resident said: "MAG are our partners in progress and in life."
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