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MAG: A decade on in Angola

2002 – 2012

Presentation for Chatham House 17th April 2012

Lauren Cobham, Desk Officer, Angola.

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• 27 years of civil war (1975-2002) have left a deadly legacy of landmines and ERW • More than 70 per cent of the population live on less than US$2 a day1. • Angola remains one of the most mine affected countries in the world • Since 2002 there have been more 531 accidents the majority of which were recorded in Moxico ‘The presence of landmines throughout the country inhibits access to land and is an environmental limitation that undermines development’ World Bank 2009.

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HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION IN ANGOLA

• Angola became a State Party for the Ottawa Treaty (MBT) in 2003 • Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) 2007. Over 3,293 SHAs identified in 1,988 impacted communities in 383 Districts. • Moxico is the most heavily impacted of these Province. • It is unlikely that Angola will meet its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 deadline of 01 January 2013.

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MAG IN ANGOLA •MAG began operations in 1994 in Moxico Province Operational in the Provinces of Moxico, Cunene, Lunda Sul, Lunda Norte since 2002 Partners • National mine action authority (CNIDAH) • Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) • local Police • National and International development organisations (NGOs) Funding: The European Commission, US Department of State's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, and Government of the Netherlands, small scale support from Chevron, small islands and Trusts and Foundations.

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Operational base

Main Operational area

Shared office with DCA

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS STATISTICAL OVERVIEW

2002-2012

• 90,391,925 m2 of land has been released through clearance and survey to benefit 898,500 people. • 30% of land released has been utilised for housing and settlement, roads (25%), agriculture (20%), water (10%) and schools and health care centres (10%) • 7,335 landmines (7,053 AP mines, 282 AT mines). 29,270 ERW (including Cluster Munitions and SALW) have been found and destroyed • 3,120 MRE sessions provided to benefit 274,473 people

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INNOVATIVE METHODS Programme roll out of Hand Held Stand Off Mine Detection Systems (HSTAMIDS) to increase efficiency and maximise outputs.

A ‘tool box’ approach. • Rapid Response Teams • Mine Action Teams, • Mechanical Operation Unit, • Community Liaison teams • Road Operations Unit Providing clearance, survey, MRE and community liaison.

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A decade of impact: highlights • Completed clearance in the bairro of 4 De Fevererio enabling

10,000 people to live in safety

• Facilitated continuation of UNICEF WATSAN projects in Musseringinge • MAG ROU team cleared 106 km2 of road between Cangamba and Moye increasing access for 12 communities and 11,300 beneficiaries • Safe perimeter of school in Chafinda cleared of mines to enable 300 students to have safe access to education

• Created safe access to water in Lunangrico and assisted in the excavation of a water canal

• Facilitated the construction of a new bridge and road project in one of the most isolated areas of Moxico

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rg Case study example

Improving access to education Location: Luzi, Moxico province Community: 1,700 people Problem statement: School located in SHA 2, mine accident 2010 meant school closure. Over 290 students attended school. 70% reduction in attendance ‘There is no school. I need my daughter here to work and, if we do not have a proper school for her to learn in, why should my family suffer without her help at home?’ Mother, Luzi Commune.

Result: MAG and partners assisted with identification of new location for school, securing remaining funds and assisting with logistical support and transportation of materials. Land released and handed over in June 2011. Now more than 400 children registered in the school. Building took place as of January 2012 Follow up: Conduct MRE teacher training to enable teachers to deliver safety messages to community members and children

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Students at the interim school outside teacher’s house. MAG held MRE sessions to encourage school children not

to play in the area of the old school.

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• Develop new programmes in the area of national capacity building, PSSM and MRE outreach programmes

• Increase gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Continue to increase efficiency through the roll out of new detector technology and innovative methodologies

• Continue to seek funding to maintain currently levels and expand operations

• Develop and integrate further integrated partnerships with NGOS to jointly deliver vital services to communities; such as agricultural training, water/sanitation and infrastructure development

• Look towards new and innovative models to ensure the continuation of MAG’s vital work in Angola.

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Questions?