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MAG established its conflict recovery program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2004, destroying landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and small arms and light weapons (SALW). Many years of civil war in DRChas claimed 5 million lives, displaced nearly 1.5 million people and resulted in widespread mine and UXO contamination in DRC. In addition,there are numerous stockpiles of weapons located throughout the country, which present a major threat to peace and human security. MAG has focused its efforts on the improvement of livelihoods, infrastructure development, and a renewal of economic activities, while enabling a safer environment for civilian populations and refugees. MAG's sustainable approach to addressing the threats in DRC is achieved by using highly-trained national staff and developing partnerships with the local Congolese authorities.
MAG's conflict recovery program provides a safe environment for affected communities through the following activities:
- Community Liaison teams work within communities to identify and prioritize at-risk areas
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams locate and destroy dangerous explosive items
- Landmine clearance teams using both manual and detector search techniques clear minefields
- Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) teams use a combination of saws and shears to cut up assault rifles and other weapons that have been collected and stockpiled for destruction by the Congolese authorities
- Mine Risk Education (MRE) teams work in communities to make people aware of the dangers from UXO and mines to enable them to reduce the risk to them and others
MAG has contributed to DRC's Security Sector Reform Process and plans to destroy all known unserviceable and surplus weapons and ammunition, as well as ensure the safe storage of safe items before 2012. MAG's clearance, education and rehabilitation activities are essential for DRC to begin the process of recovery and building the future of the country. To ensure sustainability MAG has also concentrated on building national expertise at all levels.
"We need you so that we can be free."
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The parents of Mbangi Mutaku are intimately familiar with the danger explosive items pose, particularly to children. Their fourteen year old son was killed by a grenade, nearly a decade after the end of the conflict that left the area around their home in Kenge littered with UXO. After only two weeks in Kenge, MAG had discovered 331 items of unexploded ordnance. Mbangi's mother told MAG workers that "What MAG is doing is important for the security of everyone. We need you so that we can be free. I have lost a child, and for me, this is irreplaceable." |