MAG restarted its operations in Chad in May 2008, with a new project aimed at clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned ordnance (AO) contamination in central, eastern and southern parts of the country.
This contamination mainly originates from fighting in recent years between the Chad National Army and various rebel groups. Two mobile destruction teams are conducting technical surveys, identifying clearance requirements and carrying out clearance and demarcation activities. The mobile destruction teams work closely together with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and with MRE teams from the Haut Commission National de Déminage (HCND), the National Chad Demining Office.
MAG worked successfully in Chad between 2004 and early 2007 carrying out landmine, UXO and AO clearance, and technical capacity building.
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In the arid environment access to water is a key factor in the survival of communities. |
A project focusing on restoring access to water points in the northern provinces of Borkou and Ennedi, and in the last phase of operations the province of Tibesti, was carried out between 2004 and 2006 in partnership with the US Department of State. The Landmine Impact Survey carried out in 2000-2001 highlighted the extent and socio-economic impact of mine and UXO contamination in northern Chad, particularly in these provinces.
In this arid desert environment access to water is key factor in the survival of desert communities. Many water points were suspected of contamination by landmines and UXO. MAG conducted a technical survey of the area, cleared water point contamination and munitions caches, and also marked impacted roads and tracks in the region.
MAG also implemented a project to manage, train and supervise national mine clearance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams working in Wadi Doum and Fada in northern Chad. This forms a part of MAG’s wider ethos and its commitment to build appropriate national capacities in all of its programmes. Over the course of the project, which ended in December 2005, MAG cleared a total of 274,904 square metres of land and destroyed 44,420 items of UXO as well as 691 anti-tank mines and 740 anti-personnel mines.
Partnerships and coordination
MAG carries out its activities in Chad in close partnership with the Haut Commission National de Déminage (HCND), the National Chad Demining Office. MAG has established a good cooperation with HCND over the years and has provided substantial training to HCND Demining / EOD staff in order to enable HCND to mount and implement its own clearance activities.
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MAG worked successfully in Chad between 2004 and early 2007, before resuming activities in the country in May 2008. |
Beneficiaries
MAG’s clearance projects in northern Chad have benefited local nomadic populations. Clearance of the water points removed a threat to their safety and also enabled them to use the wells again as a source of water for themselves and their animals, as well as for watering date palm plantations around the water points.
MAG’s new project in central, eastern and southern Chad will benefit local and displaced communities there, providing them with a safer living environment and improved access to their homes and agricultural lands.
Beneficiaries also include Chadian HCND staff, developing their clearance skills and experience, and other emergency relief and development organisations who will obtain safer and easier access to communities in need in the region.
Donor partnership opportunities
In the light of widespread landmines and UXO / AO contamination in Chad, the large numbers of people at risk and the lack of organisations addressing the problem, MAG is intending to expand the size of its operations. The main objective is to remove the threat caused by landmines, UXO and AO for the most affected communities, so that they will have safer access again to their homes, water and agricultural lands
For this reason MAG is currently actively looking for new partners/donors who are interested in working together with MAG to reduce the widespread threat of remnants of conflict for the people of Chad.
May 2008
