UNMAS
United Nations Mine Action Service

Lebanon

a girl is smiling and holding an UN flag
Children attend a mine risk education (MRE) event in Suwwana village, south Lebanon, organized by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL to raise awareness about the threat posed by explosive ordnance. UNIFIL

About

Contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) affects over 6.9 million square meters within the UNIFIL area of operations, threatening the safety of civilians and United Nations personnel. Lebanon’s economic crisis has increased engagement in high-risk activities, contributing to ongoing injuries and fatalities.

The 2023 conflict has significantly increased contamination, creating new hazardous sites and worsening existing risks. Civilians, peacekeepers, and humanitarian actors face higher exposure to explosive hazards, while displacement and limited access have constrained clearance, marking, and risk-reduction efforts.

In response, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) within UNIFIL, in line with Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006) and 2650 (2022), works to support the parties in marking the Blue Line, equips UNIFIL and Observer Group Lebanon (OGL) personnel to operate safely in contaminated areas, and coordinates explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) for schools and communities through the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC).

 

Impact

Since the early 2000s, building on the establishment of the regional UN Mine Action Coordination Centre in 2001, UNMAS has played a crucial role in reducing the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in southern Lebanon. By providing technical guidance, quality assurance, training support, and oversight, UNMAS ensures that UNIFIL demining and EOD teams operate safely and effectively, in line with national and international standards, enhancing the efficiency and safety of clearance operations along the Blue Line.

UNMAS also coordinates explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) activities with UNIFIL, contributing to the safety of civilians, particularly school children, in affected areas. In doing so, UNMAS directly supports UNIFIL in achieving its mandate by strengthening its capacity to manage contamination risks, protect lives, and promote stability in the area of operations.

Activities

Support to the Lebanon Mine Action Centre (LMAC) for the coordination of UNIFIL demining operations to contribute towards humanitarian clearance of landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) impacting communities in the UNIFIL area of operations.

QA / Quality Control (QC) of UNIFIL demining and EOD teams from Cambodia and China through training support, validation, and monitoring to ensure they are operating safely and in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, National Mine Action Standards, and relevant International Mine Action Standards.

Provision of landmine / ERW and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) safety and awareness trainings for UNIFIL, Observer Group Lebanon (OGL), and other United Nations agency personnel, along with support to Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) events and school engagement activities, contributing to safety and security of communities and United Nations personnel.

Provision of technical guidance to UNIFIL on managing explosives and ammunition, helping to address hazards and ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal.

 

Funding

UNMAS activities within UNIFIL are financed through the UNIFIL Assessed Budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year, ending 30 June 2026.

 

Data as of January 2026

A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL /Pasqual Gorriz
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED).
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED). UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance.
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
a girl is smiling and holding an UN flag
Children attend a mine risk education (MRE) event in Suwwana village, south Lebanon, organized by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL to raise awareness about the threat posed by explosive ordnance. UNIFIL
A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL /Pasqual Gorriz
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED).
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED). UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance.
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
a girl is smiling and holding an UN flag
Children attend a mine risk education (MRE) event in Suwwana village, south Lebanon, organized by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL to raise awareness about the threat posed by explosive ordnance. UNIFIL
A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Cambodian team leader revises safety requirements before entering the hazardous area on a minefield near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL /Pasqual Gorriz
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The players from the Lebanese Association for the Care of the Disabled participate in a football match, coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) and supported by UNMAS and UNIFIL, to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A deminer pauses as he checks the ground in front of him along the Blue Line in the vicinity of Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon.
A Chinese deminer works along the Blue Line near Rmeish, south Lebanon. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED).
A deminer demonstrates disposal of an improvised explosive device (IED). UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance.
A puppet show for kids acted by MAG at Blat Public School during an MRE event coordinated by the Lebanon Mine Action Center ( LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL, as part of its mine risk education activities; and to highlight the danger of unexploded ordnance. UNIFIL/Pasqual Gorriz
a girl is smiling and holding an UN flag
Children attend a mine risk education (MRE) event in Suwwana village, south Lebanon, organized by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), UNMAS and UNIFIL to raise awareness about the threat posed by explosive ordnance. UNIFIL

Programme Quick Facts

Established

2001

Explosive Ordnance (EO) Removed

 

Land Released

 

Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Reached

 

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Resources

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Programme Latest News

  • News

Chinese peacekeepers start demining in second UNIFIL base

UNIFIL deminers from China started work in a second UNIFIL position this week to clear the base and its perimeter of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and other explosives from the recent hostilities. The operation is taking place…
  • News

Spanish Blue Helmets in UNIFIL hold conference on unexploded munitions to promote safety in southern Lebanon

BRILIB XLII provides information to the local population on how to act in the event of unexploded munitions and explosive devices 27 March 2025 - As part of Spain's ongoing commitment to the Lebanese people, the Spanish blue…
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United Nations Mine Action Service

The United Nations Mine Action Service works to protect civilians, enable humanitarian access, and support peace and development by coordinating and delivering mine action responses.