United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

“I encourage Member States to join the campaign and work collectively to raise awareness of explosive ordnance risks and take action.” — Jean-Pierre Lacroix, USG for Peace Operations Together, we protect lives and move #ForwardNotFragmented. #SGcampaign #MineAction FAO Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion Human Rights Watch Humanity & Inclusion International Campaign to Ban Landmines - Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC) International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC MAG (Mines Advisory Group) United Nations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) The HALO Trust United Nations Peacekeeping UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) UNICEF UNDP UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations Human Rights United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) UNOPS United Nations OCHA United Nations

[Arabic translation below / الترجمة العربية أدناه] UNMAS #Iraq expresses its gratitude to its donors for their generous support in advancing mine action across Iraq. On 2 November, UNMAS Iraq launched an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (#EOD) Level 3+ training for 10 Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (#IKMAA) officers at the Erbil Mine Action Center in Soran. Mr. Ali Miran, Director General of Technical Affairs, emphasized the importance of enhancing team capacity for safe bulk demolitions in line with international mine action standards. Ms. Lina Moreno, UNMAS OiC Chief of Mine Action, reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening technical expertise to reduce the threats posed by explosive remnants of war and mines to civilians. Together, we move toward a safer and more secure Iraq. -  تود دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام في العراق ان تعبر عن امتنانها للمانحين لدعمهم السخي في تعزيز جهود الأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام في جميع أنحاء العراق. في 2 نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني أقامت دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام في العراق دورة تدريبية على التخلص من الذخائر المتفجرة من المستوى 3+ لعشرة موظفين من المؤسسة العامة لشؤون الألغام في كردستان العراق في مركز أربيل لشؤون الألغام في سوران. وأكد السيد علي ميران المدير العام للشؤون الفنية في المؤسسة العامة لشؤون الألغام في كردستان العراق، على أهمية تعزيز قدرات الفريق على عمليات التفجير الضخمة بطرق آمنة، بما يتماشى مع المعايير الدولية للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام. وأكدت السيدة لينا مورينو، مديرة دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام في العراق وكالةً، التزامها بتعزيز الخبرة الفنية للحد من التهديدات التي تشكلها مخلفات الحرب المتفجرة والألغام على المدنيين. معاً نمضي قدماً نحو عراق أكثر أماناً وسلامة.

As part of the Secretary-General’s campaign on humanitarian disarmament and #MineAction, USG Lacroix underscores the urgency of safeguarding international norms and commitments that protect civilians from the devastating impact of explosive ordnance. #ForwardNotFragmented #MineAction Amnesty International Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention FAO Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion Human Rights Watch Humanity & Inclusion International Campaign to Ban Landmines - Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC) International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC MAG (Mines Advisory Group) United Nations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) The HALO Trust United Nations Peacekeeping UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) UNICEF UNDP UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations Human Rights United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs UNOPS United Nations OCHA United Nations

[Français version below] As the month marking the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security (#WPS) agenda comes to an end, we want to spotlight two #CentralAfrican women who are living it, not just talking about it. Luisa Diane Namboua and Chief Sergeant Laure Christelle Djimadoum-Narom-Ko work with explosive ordnance alongside #MINUSCA and #UNMAS. Through training, discipline, and courage, they are protecting civilians, helping build national mine action capacity, and showing other women that they can do it too. Read their story and close #WPS25 with inspiration https://lnkd.in/ebE7HAGW #WomenPeaceSecurity #UNMAS #MINUSCA #MineAction #CAR #SheLeads -- Alors que se termine ce mois de célébration du 25e anniversaire de l’agenda Femmes, Paix et Sécurité (FPS), nous voulons mettre en lumière deux Centrafricaines qui l’incarnent au quotidien. Luisa Diane Namboua et l’Adjudant-chef Laure Christelle Djimadoum-Narom-Ko travaillent sur les engins explosifs aux côtés de la MINUSCA et de l’UNMAS. Grâce à leur formation, leur discipline et leur courage, elles participent à la protection des civils, contribuent au renforcement des capacités nationales en lutte antimines et montrent à d’autres femmes que ce domaine leur est aussi accessible. Lisez leur histoire et clôturons ensemble ce #FPS25 avec inspiration https://lnkd.in/ebE7HAGW #FemmesPaixSécurité #UNMAS #MINUSCA #LutteAntimines #RCA #EllesMontrentLaVoie

Strengthening National Ownership in Arms Control in Central African Republic [Français version below] From 16 to 20 October, the Commission for the fight against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM-SALW) conducted a mobile arms marking operation in Sibut, Kémo Prefecture. A total of 105 weapons were marked, including 53 from the Gendarmerie, 41 from the FACA, and 11 from the National Police. This operation was initiated and led by the NATCOM-SALW, demonstrating technical capacity and strong national ownership and commitment to advancing arms control and accountability, just weeks after the NATCOM-SALW successfully concluded the French-funded three-month arms marking project benefiting FACA in Bangui. UNMAS extends its sincere appreciation to the French Embassy in the Central African Republic for its crucial support to NATCOM-SALW and security governance, and remains committed to continuing to provide multifaceted support to NATCOM-SALW. #UNMAS #WAM #ArmsControl #UNinCAR #Partnerships #France #Security #Governance #NationalOwnership #StateAuthority -- Renforcement de l’appropriation nationale dans la lutte contre la prolifération des armes en République centrafricaine Du 16 au 20 octobre, la Commission nationale de lutte contre la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre (COMNAT-ALPC) a mené une opération mobile de marquage des armes à Sibut, dans la préfecture de Kémo. Au total, 105 armes ont été marquées, dont 53 appartenant à la Gendarmerie, 41 aux FACA et 11 à la Police nationale. Cette opération a été initiée et dirigée par la COMNAT-ALPC, démontrant leurs capacités techniques, et une forte appropriation nationale et leur engagement à renforcer le contrôle et la traçabilité des armes, et ce, juste quelques semaines après la clôture réussie du projet de trois mois de marquage d’armes FACE à Bangui financé par la France. UNMAS adresse ses sincères remerciements à l’Ambassade de France en République centrafricaine (@FranceBangui) pour son appui à la COMNAT-ALPC et à la gouvernance sécuritaire, et reste engagé à poursuivre son soutien multiforme à la COMNAT-ALPC; #UNMAS #GAM #ContrôleDesArmes #ONUenRCA #Partenariat #France #Sécurité #Gouvernance #AppropriationNationale #AutoritéDeLEtat

Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Action in the Central African Republic [Français version below] After supporting the training development, #UNMAS recently conducted the accreditation of DanChurchAid Explosive Ordnance Risk Education #EORE teams ahead of the launch of a new humanitarian project funded by the Humanitarian Funds (United Nations OCHA) in Bocaranga, Koui and Ngaoundaye. A total of fourteen EORE members of the team were successfully accredited, including DCA’s national implementing partners Zo-Kwe-Zo and AFPE. In the absence of a fully operational national mine action authority, UNMAS ensures the coordination and quality control of mine action activities in CAR, ensuring that teams operating in affected areas are able to deliver risk education safely, effectively, inclusively, and in line with national and international standards. Together, we build a safer Central African Republic. #UNMAS #MineAction #HumanitarianResponse #ProtectionOfCivilians #EORE #Partnerships #DCA #ZoKweZo #AFPE #UNinCAR -- Renforcement de la lutte antimines humanitaire en République centrafricaine Après avoir appuyé le développement des formations, l’UNMAS a récemment procédé à l’accréditation des équipes d’éducation aux risques liés aux engins explosifs #EREE de @DanChurchAid, en amont du lancement d’un nouveau projet humanitaire financé par les Fonds humanitaires (@OCHA CAR) dans les préfectures de Bocaranga, Koui et Ngaoundaye. Au total, 14 membres des équipes EREE ont été accréditées avec succès, incluant les partenaires nationaux de mise en œuvre de DCA, Zo-Kwe-Zo et AFPE. En l’absence d’une autorité nationale de lutte antimines totalement opérationnelle, UNMAS assure la coordination et le contrôle qualité des activités de lutte antimines en RCA, assurant que les équipes déployées dans les zones les plus affectées répondent aux standards nationaux et internationaux pour délivrer l’EREE de manière sûre, inclusive et effective.    Ensemble, construisons une République centrafricaine plus sûre.  #UNMAS #ActionAntimines #RéponseHumanitaire #ProtectionDesCivils #EREE #Partenariats #DCA #ZoKweZo #AFPE #ONUenRCA

On 22 October, #UNMAS #Libya carried out a field mission to #Misrata (Western Libya). Together with Libyan Mine Action Centre (#LibMAC), UNMAS carried out Quality Assurance monitoring in the Kararim area, where two tonnes of explosive remnants were safely destroyed. UNMAS and LibMAC have also conducted a quality control visit to the site of the 31 August ammunition storage explosion incident in Misrata, where clearance activities are being implemented under a project funded by the Government of Italy. The project aims to reduce explosive threats, protect civilians, and build national mine action capacity. Since 1 September, LibMAC, with technical support from the UNMAS, has led a coordinated response plan to the ammunition storage explosion with several mine action NGOs, supported by various donor states, carrying out clearance operations and risk education activities. -- في 22 أكتوبر، نفذت دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام مهمة ميدانية إلى مدينة مصراتة (غرب ليبيا). وبالتعاون مع المركز الليبي للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام، أجرت الدائرة عملية مراقبة لضمان الجودة في منطقة الكراريم، حيث تم تدمير طنين من مخلفات الحروب القابلة للانفجار بطريقة آمنة. كما قامت دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام والمركز الليبي للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام بزيارة لضبط الجودة في موقع حادث انفجار مخزن الذخيرة في مصراتة الذي وقع في 31 أغسطس بمدينة مصراتة، حيث تُنفَّذ أنشطة إزالة مخلفات الحروب القابلة للانفجار ضمن مشروع ممول من حكومة إيطاليا. يهدف هذا المشروع إلى الحد من التهديدات الناتجة عن المتفجرات، وحماية المدنيين، وتعزيز القدرات الوطنية في مجال الأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام. ومنذ الأول من سبتمبر، يقود المركز الليبي للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام، بدعم من دائرة الأمم المتحدة للأعمال المتعلقة بالألغام، استجابةً منسقة تشمل عدة منظمات غير حكومية تعمل في إزالة الألغام والتوعية بمخاطرها.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix,  Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Member States to uphold their commitments on #MineAction Mine action is not only about removing explosives — it is about restoring access, dignity, and safety for communities affected by conflict. Together, we must move #ForwardNotFragmented toward a Mine Free World. Amnesty International Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention FAO Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion Human Rights Watch Humanity & Inclusion International Campaign to Ban Landmines - Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC) International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC MAG (Mines Advisory Group) United Nations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) The HALO Trust United Nations Peacekeeping UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) UNICEF UNDP UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations Human Rights United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs UNOPS United Nations OCHA United Nations

We welcome the announcement by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office United Kingdom, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper of £4 million in new funding to support the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in expanding life-saving operations in #Gaza. This contribution will enable #UNMAS to deploy additional explosive ordnance experts, equipment, and risk education to address the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions that currently obstruct humanitarian access and endanger civilian lives. UNMAS is working closely with the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, striving to deliver critical aid and initiate the process of rebuilding communities and neighborhoods. "The generous support from the United Kingdom is an essential boost to this effort.” — Richard Boulter, Chief of Design, Operational Support and Oversight, UNMAS We thank the UK Government for its continued partnership in advancing humanitarian #MineAction. Press release: https://bit.ly/3Jm44uh The HALO Trust MAG (Mines Advisory Group)

United Nations Day 2025 – Together for Life and Solidarity [Français version below] From 24 to 31 October, the United Nations Country Team in the Central African Republic is marking United Nations Day with a Blood Donation Week. This initiative reflects the spirit of the UN Charter, solidarity, humanity, and collective action for a better world. In the Central African Republic, more than 829 women die for every 100,000 live births, often due to preventable causes such as postpartum hemorrhage and the lack of available blood. The country faces an estimated deficit of nearly 40,000 bags of blood every year, leaving countless patients, especially women and children, without a vital chance of survival. UNMAS CAR proudly joined this initiative, alongside colleagues from across the UN system, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives, not only from the threat of explosive ordnance, but also by standing in solidarity for the health and dignity of communities in need. We extend our sincere thanks to the World Health Organization for its leading contribution to this joint effort. Together, we act for peace, for protection, and for life.  #UnitedNationsDay #UNDay2025 #Solidarity #UNinCAR #UNMAS #HealthForAll #BloodDonation #PeaceAndHumanity -- Journée des Nations Unies 2025 – Ensemble pour la vie et la solidarité Du 24 au 31 octobre, l'équipe pays des Nations Unies en République centrafricaine a marqué la journée des Nations Unies par une Semaine de Don de Sang. Cette initiative reflète l’esprit de la Charte des Nations Unies, la solidarité l’humanité et l’action collective pour un monde meilleur,   En République centrafricaine, plus de 829 femmes meurent pour 100 000 naissances vivantes, souvent en raison de causes évitables telles que l’hémorragie post-partum et le manque de sang disponible. Le pays fait face à un déficit estimé à près de 40 000 poches de sang chaque année, privant d’innombrables patients, en particulier des femmes et des enfants, d’une chance vitale de survie. UNMAS RCA a fièrement rejoint cette initiative, aux côtés de collègues de tout le système des Nations Unies, réaffirmant son engagement à protéger des vies, non seulement contre la menace des engins explosifs, mais aussi en faisant preuve de solidarité pour la santé et la dignité des communautés dans le besoin. Nous adressons nos sincères remerciements à l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour sa contribution majeure à cet effort conjoint. Ensemble, nous agissons pour la paix, la protection et la vie. #JournéedesNationsUnies #ONU2025 #Solidarité #ONUenRCA #UNMAS #SantépourTous #DonDeSang #PaixEtHumanité