Japanese Support Helps Mechanical Clearance in Vanni and Batticaloa
The support provided by the Japanese government in Vanni and Batticaloa has had a significant impact on MAG's demining efforts in these regions.
We have been conducting activities in partnership with the Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU) and the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) since July 2002. In January 2003 we successfully secured funding from the Japanese government to deploy the first mechnical flail unit in Sri Lanka, in our northern operationa base in Kilinochi. As a result of the successful integration of mechanical clearance in our activities, we were able to secure further funding from the Japanese government for a second Bozena mini-flail based in our Batticaloa operations.
The mini-flails have proven to be a great asset in demining operations across the country. They provided valuable assistance to the emergency relief effort following the devastating effect of the 2004 tsunami. We received reports that landmines had been displaced by the waves in areas where there were, or had been, former military camps. In some cases landmines were found as much 500 or 600 metres from the original marked position. The Bozenas were utilised on large areas of land to determine whether further landmines had been dislodged and moved, which would have taken a manual deminer considerably longer to verify.
Up to August 2005, the two Bozenas have cleared 523,938 square metres of land. This is a significant achievement that has had a positive impact on individuals and communities affected by the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as further enabling development and reconstruction work by other NGOs.
The Bozena mini-flail undertaking area verification in Batticaloa District
We appreciate that a significant number of lives and limbs have been saved as a result of the financial contribution made by the Japanese government and that these activities have assisted in the resetllement process, which is a vital element to the normalisation of life for communities and therefore helps to promote the peace process.
Back to top
