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Working closely with the National Demining Centre to implement the National Demining Strategy, MAG provides technical assistance so that local demining teams can tackle Chad's widespread landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination. |
The problem
Regular armed hostilities, some as recent as May 2009, between the Government and rebel groups mean that landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contaminate vast areas of the country.
Widespread contamination in Eastern Chad poses a daily risk for many people in the region, including refugees, internally displaced people and the host population.
How MAG is helping
MAG works closely with the National Demining Centre to implement the National Demining Strategy, by providing technical assistance to local National Supervisors who then conduct the actual clearance activities with their teams.
“MAG is an important partner of the National Demining Centre and will remain so for the next few years," says Mahammat Abdallah Kari, Coordinator of the National Demining Centre. "Their contribution to Humanitarian Mine Action in Chad is highly significant.”
Due to the nature of the work, teams in Chad move constantly through the country, rarely staying in one position for more than a month at a time. This approach enables teams to clear the UXO as quickly as possible and minimise the threat of accidents.
See these pages for detailed information on MAG's latest work in Chad:
Your donation to MAG helps us to move into current and former conflict zones to clear the remnants of conflict, enabling recovery and assisting the development of affected populations.
Beneficiaries
Local and displaced communities are given a safer living environment and improved access to their homes and agricultural lands. Clearance of water points removes a threat to their safety, and enables the wells to be used once more as a source of water for themselves and their animals.
In 2009, more than 2,500 dangerous items were cleared from Kouba Olanga in the Sahara – the last water point for at least 300 kilometres in all directions – making the town and water point safe for 2,000–3,000 members of the local and nomadic population.
Beneficiaries also include Chadian National Demining Centre staff,
whose skills and experience are developed, and other emergency
relief and development organisations who will obtain safer and easier
access to communities in need in the region.
Find out more
- MAG Chad in depth
- Alertnet country profile: Chad [external site]
- BBC country profile: Chad [external site]
- Landmine Monitor: Chad [external site]
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MAG would like to express its thanks to the following donors to its Chad operations: Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT); European Commission; Chad National Demining Centre.
October 2009
