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Children orphaned as a result of the civil war in DRC. |
The majority of cluster bombs found in the war-torn town of Likbanda are discovered by people farming their land.
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Likbanda is located in Bolomba Territory, Équateur Province [see map below]. While the conflict in this western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo ended in 2001, large amounts of lethal submunitions remain.
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Two days after the MAG teams arrived in the town, four submunitions were found in the nearby fields by a woman planting cassava. MAG also discovered a submunition less than five metres from where the abbot was constructing a pit latrine. |
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The caretaker of Likbanda Catholic Mission talks to a MAG Community Liaison team about how he placed many submunitions in a hole in the aftermath of the conflict. [Photos: MAG DRC] |
A cluster bomb dispenser casing typically contains 500 submunitions, of which 50 may fail to explode on impact.
In a densely forested area like Bolomba, this failure rate is likely to be even higher than 10 per cent, as the foliage can prevent the submunitions from hitting the ground with sufficient force for detonation.
They can then lie dormant for many years, only to be triggered when eventually moved or disturbed, with deadly consequences.
People here depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, but as they burn and prepare the land they are at risk of coming into contact with these explosive remnants of war.
And, as well as the threat to life and limb, cluster bombs also hinder the development of communities trying to rebuild their lives after war.
Bolomba is increasingly being targeted by other non-governmental organisations for rehabilitation projects, but before these can take place there must be security.
MAG's work is a prerequisite for recovery in these areas.
From September to November, MAG DRC demolished 30 submunitions in Likbanda, plus more than 2,000 small arms ammunition items.
Likbanda |
"I thank the men and women who work for MAG, for protecting the people of Likbanda," said the local abbot.
"When I took over the parish in January, I was unaware of the constant danger that was all around.
"Now, land is now being used for planting cassava and the proceeds from the sales of this will fund the continuing reconstruction of buildings destroyed during the war."
The "Survey and clearance operations in South Equateur" project is being funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
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A cluster submunition in Bolomba. See also: Photo galleries [Photo: Sean Sutton / MAG] |
9 December 2011
Related articles:
D.R. CONGO: 100,000 weapons destroyed
D.R. CONGO: 'Anyone with a weapon prefers to sell it to have a good life'
See also:
What are cluster bombs/munitions/submunitions?
Why does MAG work in DR Congo?
More news and case studies from MAG DRC
Other resources:
Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor 2011 – DRC profile
Donor website:
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
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