Chad is contaminated by landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned explosive ordnance (AO) as a result of 30 years of internal conflict and the 1973 Libyan invasion, when the first mines were laid.
Ninety percent of the known mined areas are located in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region in the north. In addition to the large areas contaminated with landmines and UXO / AO in the north, there is recent widespread UXO / AO contamination in central, eastern and southern parts of Chad as a result of regular fighting between the National Army and various rebel groups since the end of 2005.
The contamination has been responsible for large numbers of casualties over the years. By the end of 2007, the total number of recorded mine and UXO victims had reached 2,616 (1,142 fatalities and 1,474 injuries). The 1999-2001 Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) identified 249 mine-affected communities, covering an area of more than 1,000 square kilometers. The LIS found that mine and UXO / AO contamination directly affects the safety and livelihoods of more than 280,000 Chadians, blocking access to water, pasture and agricultural land, roads and trails.
In eastern Chad, in particular, there are also large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) - according to UNHCR figures, in January 2008 these totalled 179,000 - and Sudanese refugees, estimated at 250,000 by UNHCR in March 2008. These groups are particularly vulnerable to the contamination in the region as they are displaced from their home and possess limited knowledge regarding their current living environment.
MAG is working in Chad towards removing the threat caused by landmines, UXO and AO for the most affected communities, so that they will have safer access again to their homes, water and agricultural lands.
