Iraq pledges to clear all landmines by 2028 despite funding shortfall

Iraq remains committed to clearing all landmines and war remnants from its territory by the end of 2028, the Ministry of Environment said Sunday, warning that a lack of funding poses a major challenge to meeting the deadline. Iktifaa al-Hassnawi, Read More …

Belgium gives €1.35 million to UN mine clearance in Iraq and Syria

Belgium contributed €1.35 million last year to mine clearance work by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq and Syria, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday. Since 2019, Belgium has invested more than €13 million in mine Read More …

Deadly ground: the hidden explosive threat in Afghanistana

In Afghanistan, the guns have fallen silent, but the war remains buried beneath the soil in the form of deadly explosive items, including landmines and unexploded remnants of war. The European Union supports mine clearance efforts so communities can safely Read More …

China’s Mine Action Support Reduces Risks, Improves Livelihoods in Cambodia

A senior Cambodian minister has praised China’s support for humanitarian mine action, saying it is helping reduce risks and improve livelihoods across the country. Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, Read More …

Syria, Netherlands explore cooperation on mine clearance

Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, met with Dutch envoy to Syria, Alexander Geerts, and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday in Damascus to discuss prospects for joint cooperation in infrastructure rehabilitation and recovery efforts, with a particular Read More …

Cambodia: US provides US$4mil for demining, pledges to clear UXOs from homes of displaced persons

The United States has earmarked US$4 million in aid to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) for the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), while pledging to help Cambodian war refugees affected by UXO return to their homes. In Read More …

Laos: United States boosts UXO operations in Luang Prabang

The United States has contributed more than USD 2.5 million to strengthen UXO Lao operations, supporting office upgrades, staff facilities, and field activities across five provinces, including Luang Prabang. The funding, provided between 2024 and 2025, aims to improve working Read More …

UN reviews mine clearance efforts in Libya

The United Nations has reviewed progress and challenges in mine clearance operations across Libya, highlighting significant gains but warning of funding and capacity constraints. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), operating under the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said Read More …

Cambodia: CMAA, Norway bolster landmine clearance pact

Cambodia’s national mine action authority and Norwegian People’s Aid signed an agreement on Monday to enhance the country’s demining capabilities, emphasising local oversight and long-term safety as the nation approaches its goal of being mine-free. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Read More …

Ukraine: Japan to allocate USD 25 million for humanitarian demining and rehabilitation

Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko and Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Ukraine Osamu Hattori signed a Grant Agreement for the implementation of the Emergency Response Program related to humanitarian demining and clearing Read More …

Ukraine: Kyiv bomb disposal experts neutralized the warhead of a Russian Iskander-M missile

Fragments of a missile with a warhead weighing about 500 kg were located near residential buildings and a gas station in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv. This posed a high risk of explosion and civilian casualties. Police explosives technicians and Read More …

Sudanese slowly rebuild their war-ravaged capital

A jungle of weeds fills the Sudanese finance ministry’s courtyard in central Khartoum, where the army-backed government says it plans a gradual return after nearly three years of war. Abandoned cars, shattered glass and broken furniture lie beneath vines climbing Read More …

Zimbabwe: ‘I lost my job’, US aid cuts hit women clearing mines

Hundreds of women hired by charities to clear deadly landmines across Zimbabwe are now struggling to survive after the United States and other big donors slashed foreign aid – and with it, axed their jobs. The women were working for Read More …

Japan Donates $11.3M to Support Cambodia’s Demining Efforts

Cambodia’s demining efforts have received another major boost after Japan granted $11.3 million to support efforts to rid Battambang, Pursat and Koh Kong provinces of landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO). On January 12, officials from Japan and Cambodia signed Read More …

Belgium supports Iraqi mine action sector

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) acknowledged Belgium’s ongoing financial assistance for the mission in Iraq. According to a statement released by the UNMAS, the contribution improves cooperative efforts with the Iraqi government and other partners to protect people Read More …

Cambodia: China Donates Tools to Support Demining Operations

China has donated various equipment to support Cambodia’s demining efforts, in the form of metal detectors, tools, equipment and vehicles that will aid the Kingdom’s goal of becoming landmine free. During a ceremony on January 8, Ly Thuch, First Vice-President Read More …

Lebanon: Chinese peacekeepers obtain UN mine clearance, EOD qualifications

BEIRUT, Jan. 7 — A total of 69 members of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping force to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) successfully passed the assessment by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and obtained the UN Read More …

France and UNDP Partnering for Peace, Building Resilience in Lebanon

When Lebanon emerged from the November 2024 ceasefire, the country faced daunting challenges: over 113,000 people still displaced, 1,526 contaminated sites, and strained public services. Turning this fragile peace into lasting stability requires concrete solutions that restore trust, rebuild communities, Read More …

Palestine Seeks International Cooperation To Clear Gaza’s Unexploded Ordnance

The Palestinian government said on Tuesday that it is partnering with international organisations to remove unexploded ordnance in Gaza, reported Xinhua. Field surveys, marking of contaminated areas, and training of local personnel have already begun in Gaza, and the Palestinian Read More …

Cambodia, Japan review mine action progress, express concern over border hostilities

Cambodia and Japan have reaffirmed their strong cooperation in humanitarian demining while voicing concern over the ongoing Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, which has caused civilian casualties and widespread social disruption. Heng Ratana, Royal Government Delegate in Charge and Director General of Read More …