Summary
The impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has presented a considerable barrier to national development. This has been acknowledged in the Mozambique Action Plan for the Reduction of Poverty for 2006-2009 (PARPA II), which highlights mine action as one of eight key cross-cutting issues that affect development potential. It states: “In the context of the Government’s efforts to reduce poverty, demining becomes a strategically crucial activity, because it has a direct impact on the key priority areas.”
To address the hindrances caused by landmines and UXO, the Government of Mozambique is implementing a comprehensive National Mine Action Plan (2008-2014) through its coordinating body, the National Demining Institute (IND); the UN; and international and national mine action operators. The focus of the national plan is on supporting agricultural productivity and development activities in the six remaining affected provinces in the south and centre of the country.
In its Article 5 mine-ban treaty extension request, which was granted in December 2008, the Government reiterated its goal of clearing all known mined areas by March 2014. The mine action programme has been designed to support that goal, and provide for a nationally managed capability to direct and implement activities that will address any potential residual risks after that date.
Funding continues to be a key challenge to the programme and, despite enhanced resource mobilization by the Government and international community, additional funds to support the programme from 2010-2014 have yet to be identified.
Each year, UN entities, nongovernmental organizations, national and local authorities and donors collaborate to assemble a national portfolio of mine action project proposals that together reflect the strategic response developed in the field to all aspects of the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war. A Country Portfolio Coordinator, usually a representative of a UN agency or a national authority, coordinates meetings where all mine action actors agree on a set of projects and priorities and determine funding needs. The proposals in each country's portfolio are assembled with those of other participating countries and published jointly by the UN Mine Action Service, the UN Development Programme and UNICEF in an annual "Portfolio of Mine Action Projects." This publication serves as a tool for collaborative resource mobilization, coordination and planning of mine action activities. The Mozambique Country Portfolio Team's funding appeal for mine action projects in 2007 totals US $9,486,300.
Scope of the Problem
In 2007 and 2008, a baseline assessment of the remaining suspected hazardous areas was conducted in six affected provinces in the central and southern regions. This has considerably reduced the inconsistency of existing data, and provided estimates of time and costs to address the problem.
The survey indicated that all six provinces are contaminated, with approximately 12,164,401 square metres of confirmed mined areas in 541 sites. In addition, 33 sites along roads have been identified. Borders with neighbouring countries and other potential hazardous areas remain to be surveyed.
The district-by-district approach will be used to survey and clear all affected roads and infrastructure identified by the assessment and possible new suspected mined areas.
Progress has already been made since the assessment, including through the cancellation of suspected mined areas. In 2009, the number of suspected hazardous areas stands at 344, including approximately 9,600,000 square metres.
Over time, the number of casualties from landmine and UXO accidents has fallen dramatically, suggesting a decreasing level of risk to civilians. By August 2009, three new casualties had been reported for the year. Mozambique remains committed to the goal of reducing casualties.
Even when the mine threat has been addressed, an incalculable number of other explosive remnants of war (ERW) remain, posing daily threats. Addressing problems associated with ERW will be a key challenge for the Government. For that, national capacity will be developed to mainstream clearance work into existing civil protection systems and budgets.
Coordination and Consultation
The Government is represented by the IND at the national and provincial levels. The IND is mandated to coordinate and oversee implementation of demining programmes, including quality assurance and control, and information management, comprising data gathering, mine action database maintenance and information dissemination.
The IND is responsible for mine action coordination with different stakeholders at the national, provincial and international levels. Through the Mine Action Stakeholders Forum, communication and consultation occur regularly between the IND and its partners. All interested parties engage in the definition of and decisions related to strategic mine action activities. This approach has consolidated coordination efforts, resulting in synergies that contribute to better management.
The development of the 2010 Mine Action Portfolio submission was based on the existing coordination mechanism and evolving plans, which are well established under the 2008-2014 National Mine Action Plan. Four projects are included in the portfolio, involving the IND, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and three humanitarian operators (APOPO, HALO Trust and Handicap International or HI).
The portfolio development process ensures that the programme objectives and activities are understood by all stakeholders. It creates additional opportunities for interaction among government representatives, implementing partners and donors.
Strategy
The Government of Mozambique has declared a goal of clearing all known mined areas by March 2014. The Mozambique mine action strategy is to focus on supporting agricultural productivity and development activities in the six remaining affected provinces.
Successful work in the north and in numerous areas in the south and central regions can be attributed to the district-by-district approach. It entails eliminating any suspicion of mines and ERW, and completing all tasks in each distinct or province before demining teams move to other locations.
The approach aims to verify and document that all communities at the lowest level in all districts are comfortable that there are no remaining known suspected areas. To ensure harmonization of the strategy, the IND has established a national policy on standards for applying all reasonable efforts to identify or better define confirmed hazardous areas, and remove all suspected mines and ERW through non-technical surveys, technical surveys and clearance based on evidence and documentation.
At the technical operations level, three humanitarian operators are implementing demining activities in the six provinces. HI in the provinces of Inhambane and Sofala; APOPO in Gaza province; and The HALO Trust in Maputo, with clearance to be concluded during 2010, and commenced in Manica and Tete. For investment and development projects, national commercial demining companies, with funds provided by the Government, are playing an important role in contributing to the renewal of socioeconomic infrastructure.
In order to address the current and, hopefully, final phase of clearance in Mozambique, the IND has developed a detailed annual operational plan and estimates for both demining and coordination for the six provinces. Demining operators are appointed to be responsible for designated provinces.
Mine- and ERW-affected communities are fully involved in data-gathering processes and regularly follow up on activities in their area. This active participation instills confidence, and encourages thoroughness and acceptance of the demining results. Quality assurance and control play an important role, in accordance with approved plans and standards.
The Mozambique programme intends to support all stakeholders to incorporate gender perspectives in all relevant mine action initiatives and operations. This includes ensuring that the most comprehensive and representative information on the threat of mines and ERW is collected from affected communities. When prioritizing areas for clearance, the various needs of women, men, boys and girls are taken into consideration. All individuals, regardless of gender, should have equal access to the benefits of mine clearance, including employment opportunities and training. The programme contains provisions so that the behaviour and attitudes of demining teams do not adversely affect local populations.
Through the return of land to productive use in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza Inhambane, Manica, Sofala and Tete, communities will increase food security, have access to social services, and enjoy better economic and local trading opportunities. All of these opportunities will reduce levels of poverty, in lines with Mozambique’s obligations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Date Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty signed: Dec 03, 1997
Date of Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty ratification or accession: Aug 25, 1998
Consents to be bound by Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Consents to be bound by Amended Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Date signed Protocol V of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A