The real measure of MAG’s success is not based on the number of mines or square meters cleared, but rather on the real impact that this clearance will have on people’s lives and their ability to recovery from conflict.
Borne out of a commitment to address the real humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities, MAG’s approach to landmine clearance is far more advanced than simply getting mines out of the ground. We view the removal of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other remnants of conflict as just one part of the process in an integrated response to a country’s development needs.
Making an impact
It is clear that by removing obstacles to emergency aid, social services, agriculture and trade, both the social and economic potential of a community is improved. MAG strategically concentrates its activities where the impact will be the greatest by:
- Providing safe access to water, shelter and food for at-risk communities
- Assisting the safer movement of refugees and IDPs
- Opening up access routes between villages and creating the potential for new or renewed trade
- Creating safe land for wide-scale agricultural development and farming
- Providing safe land for construction or reconstruction of housing, schools, health centers and other parts of a community's infrastructure
Talking to communities
In order to develop a clear understanding of the problems faced by conflict-affected communities, MAG goes directly to the source. Through liaison with villagers, authorities, hospitals, governments, aid agencies and other partners, MAG is able to prioritize its work based on the needs of affected communities.
For this, MAG utilizes a capacity of its own invention: what we call Community Liaison (CL) teams. CL teams map the need for and anticipated impact of landmine clearance in close participation with the beneficiaries and, after conveying the data to MAG’s technical teams, the appropriate response can then take shape.
Providing the appropriate solution
What is clear today is there is no 'silver bullet' approach to landmine clearance - it often combines a set of tools working in unison. MAG has adopted a multi-faceted "toolbox" approach to conflict clearance, which includes manual clearance, mechanical methods and the use of mine detection dogs.
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MAG is able to fit together complementary methods of mine action from its toolbox and come up with the best plan to suit each country's unique conditions . Integrating these tools and deploying them where most appropriate results in greater productivity and quality of service.