Japan continues to support Battle Area Clearance and Minefield Clearance in Lebanon
Thursday, September 22, 2016 – Ambassador Otsuka visited Baaloul in West Bekaa to monitor the progress of a demining/ battle area clearance project, which aims to remove the threats of death or injuries and increase access to safe lands to facilitate social and economic development. The project has been implemented by an international NGO, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) with the close coordination and the supervision from the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC).
Lebanon is heavily contaminated by landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive materials from the civil war and the conflict in 2006. These contaminations not only threaten people’s safety but also hinder local development. In addition, since 2011, more than 1 million Syrians fled to Lebanon, staying in informal settlements or being hosted in local communities. They often stay extremely close to the contaminated lands without knowing the danger.
MAG has been working in Lebanon since 2000, identifying and removing landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive materials. MAG deploys manual clearance teams and it is the only NGO in Lebanon working with mechanical assets.
Through the project, Japan is supporting MAG to fund the operational costs of one clearance team, and equipping an Orbit Screener and a Backhoe Front Loader. The equipment is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the manual clearance operations.
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Ambassador Otsuka visiting the clearance site in West Bekaa |
Newly equipped Orbit Screener |
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Newly equipped Backhoe Front Loader |
A demonstration of Orbit Screener: the Orbit Screener can separate mines and other larger objects from other small particles and soil. |