» Why does MAG work in Sri Lanka?
In February 2002, MAG was the first specialist international agency to deploy staff to Sri Lanka.
The priority of the teams was to address the outstanding problems of landmine and UXO contamination apparent in the wake of the ceasefire MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
By deploying emergency Mine Risk Education (MRE), survey and demarcation assets in northern Sri Lanka, MAG teams sought to safeguard those most affected by the conflict which had plagued the region since 1983. Later in 2002, clearance assets, including manual, mechanical and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were introduced to the programme structure.
In August 2003, this extended into the eastern district of Battacaloa, where MAG remains, providing vital conflict recovery assistance.
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By clearing the threat of death and injury, MAG Sri Lanka enables communities to get on with their daily lives. |
Since the start of operations in 2002, MAG has cleared 15,500,000 square metres through manual, mechanical and Battle Area Clearance (BAC) techniques.
During 2007, operations were hampered significantly due to security concerns affecting the east of the country, but restarted in September of that year when MAG undertook tasking in Trincomalee district, responding to support the Ministry of Resettlements in their resettlement plans.
All MAG assets returned to Batticola in October 2007 following the handover of the task site in Trincomalee. Since then, MAG has concentrated on tasks only in Batticaloa district, due to a lack of access to the northern region, under tasking from the Government of Sri Lanka.
MAG currently fields one Community Liaison team, three Manual Mine Clearance teams and two Mechanical Ground Preparation team, each deploying a 'Bozena 4' mini flails.
Partnerships and coordination
Mine action in Sri Lanka is coordinated through the National Steering Committee for Mine Action (NSCMA), which is supported by UNDP.
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Community Liaison staff work with communities to identify and tackle the threat of remnants of conflict. |
MAG works in coordination with the NSCMA and also through district Mine Action Committees, where consultation with all stakeholders allows contaminated areas to be prioritised for clearance and district work plans to be produced.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of MAG Sri Lanka’s work are resident and returning populations, government authorities and local and national NGOs working to reconstruct affected areas. Principally, land is used for resettlement and redevelopment, including work undertaken by other NGOs who were previously unable to access the land due to the threats posed by the remnants of the former conflict. Additionally, the cleared land is used for agriculture and grazing, as well as traditional sustainable livelihoods such as brick-making and cane-cutting.
Donor partnership opportunities
MAG is actively seeking funding for all teams and assets to ensure that it can continue to contribute to the much needed mine action efforts in Sri Lanka, in order to assist the government in meeting the target of a country – or at least the government-controlled areas – free from the impact of mines by the end of 2009.
September 2008
