Summary
Since the recommitment to peace in April 2002, major advances have been made in the implementation of national mine action in Angola. The National Inter-Sectoral Commission for Demining and Humanitarian Assistance (CNIDAH) has been established as the national authority for demining and humanitarian assistance, and coordination extended to the provincial level. These steps, along with the process of developing provincial plans, have provided an opportunity to engage more consistently with national institutions and organizations in the national programme. The National Demining Institute (INAD), the main national operator, has been developing its capacities with the support of a UN Human Development Programme (UNDP) technical assistance project, and has strengthened its operational resources to handle the high number of requests from ongoing investment projects in the country.
Despite these positive developments, Angola remains one of the most mined countries in the world. The Landmine Impact Survey (LIS), completed in May 2007, provided a realistic picture of the situation throughout the country, and supports the planning and prioritization of mine action tasks among various operators. It requires CNIDAH to improve coordination and quality control procedures for specialized mine action operators, operational outputs and increased coverage.
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 Angola Country Portfolio Team's funding appeal for mine action projects in 2007 totals US $14,270,155.
Scope of the Problem
The LIS identified 1,988 communities affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). These represent 8 percent of Angola's 23,188 communities, across all 18 provinces. An estimated 2.4 million people live in these communities, with 0.6 million people in localities deemed highly or moderately affected. They comprise approximately 17 percent of all citizens. Sixty percent of impacted communities have a single suspected hazardous area, and 85 percent have one or two of these areas. Overall, the LIS reduced suspected hazardous areas from an ill-defined "30 percent of the national territory" to a very conservatively estimated less than 1 percent.
While these figures represent a significant reduction from past estimates, infrastructure and livelihoods remain significantly affected by mines and UXO. The Government has allocated sizeable funding through INAD for mine action operations. It has prioritized the clearance of major provincial and inter-provincial highways, railways, bridge reconstruction, communications and energy. This focus on infrastructural rehabilitation is vital to open up the country for trade and ensure sustainable economic development. In the meanwhile, humanitarian priorities are only being covered by international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This distinction in service provision was established to ensure that the broad scope of needs in Angola were addressed as best as possible. Unfortunately, a general decline in donor funding has affected most development actors. This is particularly the case in demining, which has seen a sizeable reduction in the number and scale of NGO demining operators in recent years.
Coordination and Consultation
The Government of Angola coordinates mine action through CNIDAH. It has responsibility for policy development, planning, priority setting, coordination and management of all mine- and UXO-related activities, including external quality assurance monitoring.
Establishing CNIDAH has been achieved through the setup of its organizational structure, and, at the national level, a mechanism for regular consultation and coordination with the mine action community. Coordination includes plenary sessions, monthly meetings of the Demining Sub-commission, and the work developed by technical groups in the areas of mine risk education, victim assistance, information management, national mine action standards and clearance.
Preparation of the 2010 Mine Action Portfolio projects was undertaken in consultation with mine action partners including national institutions, UN agencies, and national and international NGOs.
Strategy
Angola's 2006-2011 mine action strategic plan, developed by CNIDAH and approved by the Government, unifies the actions of all mine action partners as they develop their annual work plans around achieving the same vision, goals and objectives.
In its development, the strategic plan had extraordinary participation from relevant national organs, UNDP and, other national and international partners. It encompasses both humanitarian demining and mine action in support of national reconstruction and development.
CNIDAH has proposed three objectives to support its overall aim:
- Consolidate CNIDAH as the national mine action authority so it can efficiently regulate and coordinate the sector, with priority given to completing the LIS;
- Develop national institutions (INAD, Armed Forces, National Police and NGOs), with priority given to developing the INAD’s operational capacity and its Demining School; and
- Support a careful and sustainable expansion of operational capacity, with priority given to promoting improved operational outputs without compromising the safety and quality of the work; improve the operational efficiency of existing capacities; and advance coordination and collaboration on the provincial level and generally within the sector.
The mid-term review of the strategic plan to assess progress and validate targets and guidelines will take place in 2010.
Date Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty signed: Dec 04, 1997
Date of Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty ratification or accession: Jul 05, 2002
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