 |
It is estimated that in 2006 a total of 96,000 munitions were fired into southern Lebanon, delivering over four million cluster submunitions. |
The problem
The civil war between the 1970s and '90s, the Israeli occupation until 2000, and the summer conflict with Israel in 2006 have left remnants of conflict across Lebanon.
Contamination takes the form of anti-personnel landmines along the Blue Line border region with Israel and in the Mount Lebanon area, as well as cluster munitions across the south.
It is estimated that in 2006 a total of 96,000 munitions were fired into southern Lebanon, delivering over four million cluster submunitions. Cluster munition contamination continues to hinder the social and economical wellbeing of those living in the largely rural areas of south Lebanon.
The Lebanon Mine Action Centre (LMAC) estimates over 54.7million m2 of land was contaminated with cluster munitions and 550,000 landmines were laid through the country.
By April 2011, LMAC identified that 66 per cent of the land that was contaminated with cluster munitions and 25 per cent of landmines have been cleared. The majority of the remaining landmines (87 per cent) are on the Blue Line.
Your donation to MAG helps us to move into current and former conflict zones to clear the remnants of conflict, enabling recovery and assisting the development of affected populations.
How MAG is helping
MAG has been working in Lebanon since 2000. We initially focussed on landmine clearance work and in 2002 conducted a Landmine Impact Survey. Since 2006, focus has been on clearing cluster munitions in south Lebanon in support of the LMAC priorities, with some return to minefield clearance on the Blue Line and Mount Lebanon since 2009.
MAG was the only landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance non-governmental organisation operating in Lebanon prior to the 2006 conflict and, as such, was in a position to play a key role in providing immediate support.
We deployed four emergency teams into the field the day after the ceasefire on 15 August 2006, and during the first week of operations alone MAG cleared 955 items, primarily cluster munitions.
Since the end of the 2006 conflict, MAG has cleared more than 13 million square metres of land, helping thousands of people to get back to work, replant their crops and rebuild their homes.
MAG works closely with regional and national authorities, and with other mine action and development operators within Lebanon to ensure we support efforts to integrate mine action into development strategies, enabling MAG's work to have the maximum impact for local communities.
We work closely with LMAC and its regional centre in Nabatieh (RMAC) to support the goal of a Lebanon free from the impact of landmines and UXO by 2015.
We are committed to building the capacity of Lebanese staff and demining organisations through the provision of training, mentoring and, where possible, making mechanical resources available.
See this page for information on MAG's latest work in Lebanon:
Beneficiaries
By removing cluster munitions, landmines and other items of UXO, MAG is improving safety in Lebanon. There has been a year-on-year decline in accidents in recent years, with the number of injuries and fatalities in the south Lebanon area falling from 157 in August-December 2006, to 20 in the whole of 2009, and nine in 2010.
By creating a safe environment, we are supporting the reconstruction of Lebanon’s primary infrastructure, which is vital for the mid- to long-term recovery and development of the country.
Land cleared by MAG since 2000 has been used for a variety of purposes, including agricultural and infrastructure development, housing, and industrial
production.
The villages and communities where we work in south Lebanon are primarily rural and dependent on agriculture and natural resources. Land clearance enables families and communities to safely recover their livelihoods.
Operations overview
 |
|
MAG currently operates from Nabatieh in ‘Area 6’ in southern Lebanon, conducting Battle Area Clearance and minefield clearance from a sub-base in the Mount Lebanon area. |
Find out more
- AlertNet country profile: Lebanon
- BBC country profile: Lebanon
- Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor 2010: Lebanon
- Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC)
MAG is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Our thanks to the donors to MAG's Lebanon programme: AECID (Spanish Government); AusAID; European Commission; German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Japanese Government; Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; NVESD; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State.
June 2011
Back to top
