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Hidden danger: the POMZ-2M anti-personnel mine. |
As part of the survey of areas suspected to be contaminated by remnants of conflict in north-west Burundi, MAG and the Burundian Civilian Defence located and quickly cleared a landmine close to a school and church outside the city of Bubanza.
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While interviewing victims from mine and unexploded ordnance accidents in the provincial capital, the MAG-DAHMI* survey team received information from students about a mine under a tree next to Bubanza Technical College. [*Direction de l’Action Humanitaire contre les Mines – the Burundian humanitarian mine action authority.]
The team went to the location, confirmed the presence of a POMZ-2M anti-personnel mine and immediately marked the area. They then conducted a basic Mine Risk Education session to more than 60 people, to reinforce safety messages.
Bubanza |
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Because of the mine’s position – near a road, a church under construction and the college – the risk of accidents was evaluated as high.
Due to the poor state of the fuse, the MAG-Civilian Defence mobile team – which normally works to collect and destroy surplus Small Arms and Light Weapons from the police – destroyed the mine in situ.
They used a specialised technique to limit the disturbance of a big noise for a population which has just found peace and could easily be frightened by an explosion, as well as to limit the damages to the households and the environment.
The local administrator was then notified of the successful clearance of the mine and expressed his satisfaction at the speedy, professional intervention.
Thirteen other large areas have been confirmed as contaminated by mines or explosive remnants of war during the survey. MAG and the Civilian Defence are now looking for funding to clear these areas, in order to reduce the risks to the life and limb of the population and remove blockages to socio-economic development.
The survey of suspected hazardous areas in the Kibira Forest area was funded by the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs.
The MAG-Civilian Defence mobile team (working on a Physical Security and Stockpile Management project with the Burundian Police) is funded by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs.
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The location of the mine, by a road. |
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Mine Risk Education is given by the MAG-DAHMI survey team at the site of the mine. |
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MAG Burundi Technical Field Manager Didier Perardel (right) and Joseph, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal operator from the MAG-Civilian Defence mobile team, prepare the in situ controlled demolition. They surround the mine with sandbags to contain the explosion. |
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All the explosives components of the mine have been 'burnt out'. All that remains is a wreck of the lethal device. |
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[Photos: MAG Burundi] |
29 September 2010
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