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FROM THE FIELD

MAG's CWMD global update - July 2008
02 Sep 2008 16:02:00 GMT
 Source: MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Website: Website: http://www.maginternational.org

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Background

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•  Congo (DR) conflict

•  Iraq in turmoil

•  South Sudan fragile peace

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Burundi:

MAG is working to reduce the CWMD threat in Burundi through the destruction of Man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and other weapons, and through ensuring safe storage of weapons and ammunition currently stored at the military logistics base in Bujumbura. In addition, MAG is in the process of establishing a mobile CWMD destruction team in partnership with the National Police of Burundi (PNB). Under this initiative, MAG has carried out an initial training of eight police officers who have been seconded to work on the project.

Cambodia:

Operations during July were affected by the Government ban on the use or movement of explosives from the middle of the month until after the national elections on 27 July, followed by a stand down period during the last week of the month. Prior to this teams conducted 122 tasks in 52 villages in Krong Pailin and the provinces of Battambang, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham. A total of 783 items were destroyed, which included 590 SALW items (amongst these were 222 60mm mortars, 106 82mm mortars, 48 B40 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 59 PG-2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 23 PG-7 Rocket Propelled Grenades and 80 M40 rifle grenades). The activities undertaken by the five teams benefited 975 people in total.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):

This month saw the start of operations financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Weapon Destruction took place in Lufalanga near Mbuji-Mayi in the 5th Military Region (Kasai Oriental). In total, 183 weapons were destroyed and the team supported the FARDC in the storage of ammunition to implement safe practices. Over 200 anti-personnel mines were earmarked for destruction in a later bulk demolition, another good step in the respect of the Ottawa Treaty by DRC. The second team deployed to Kindu, 7th Military Region (Maniema), at the end of the month, and ammunition destruction will start next month.

The teams funded by the United States Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA), destroyed 12 tons of ammunition (mainly from Djolu) in the 3rd Military Region (Equateur) and prepared operations in the 6th Military Region (Katanga) after the leave period at the beginning of the month.

Due to circumstances beyond MAG's control, destruction of weapons at the Central Logistics Base has been temporarily suspended, but is expected to resume shortly.

Iraq:

During the month of July SALW team deployed 244 times from four operation bases (Diyana, Dahuk, Sulaimaniyah and Chamchamal) to complete 196 emergency small arms and light weapons destruction tasks in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Dahuk, Mosul, Kirkuk and Diyala governorates. During this month 5,707 SALW items were safely destroyed in 69 different villages. Items included different types of projectiles, mortars, bullets, RPGs and fuses. During July teams destroyed 52 SALW stockpiles.

The SALW awareness program was launched by CL teams during the month of July. The programme aims to warn children and other vulnerable groups about the dangers of SALW. A children's activity book, as well as posters and leaflets, were specially designed to support the project. Teams conducted 7 awareness sessions, distributing 163 posters and leaflets in support of their activities during the month of July.

Sudan:

In July the team worked in Maridi and Tambura County in Western Equatoria. They completed 17 spot tasks throughout the month. The area cleared will assist in the development of community facilities and agricultural land.

Vietnam:

During July, teams conducted five clearance tasks, 13 EOD Response Tasks and visited 2,789 houses and 36 scrapyards, searching 11,046 square metres and clearing 35,455 sq/m of land, removing and destroying 1,276 items of UXO while performing 267 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tasks, and, including 584 items removed from scrapyards. 1,231 SALW items were removed and destroyed. These activities benefited 42,751 people.

MAG would like to express our gratitude to the following current donors to our CWMD projects around the globe: US Department of State, Political Military Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement; Conflict Prevention Pool (UK Government); Royal Government of the Netherlands; Isle of Man Government / Manx Landmine Action; Adopt-a-Minefield.

For a downloadable pdf version of this and previous CWMD reports, please visit www.maginternational.org/reports.


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Background information

Briefings
Congo (DR) conflict - [Who works where]
Iraq in turmoil - [Who works where]
South Sudan fragile peace - [Who works where]
Sudan conflicts - [Who works where]

Topics
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