‘Safe futures start here’: UN calls for global action to eliminate mine threat
More than 100 million people worldwide are at risk from landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices ( IEDs) Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, in his message for the International Day for Mine Awareness. “Even when the guns fall silent, these remnants of war…
Hidden explosives continue to threaten communities
After a conflict, after the guns fall silent, the legacy of war often remains hidden beneath the soil, lying on roadsides and scattered across farmland. Landmines and explosive remnants of war are left behind, threatening communities that are already reeling from the effects of violence. This is the…
UNMAS Syria and the Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Discuss Future Cooperation on Mine Action
Damascus, Syria – May 15, 2025 – A meeting was held at the end of last month between Mr. Joseph McCartan, Chief Mine Action Programme of UNMAS Syria and H.E. Mr. Raed As-Saleh, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, to discuss humanitarian mine action in Syria. The discussion focused on the…
Chinese peacekeepers start demining in second UNIFIL base
UNIFIL deminers from China started work in a second UNIFIL position this week to clear the base and its perimeter of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and other explosives from the recent hostilities. The operation is taking place at UN Position 6-50, located along the Blue Line southwest of the village…
UNMAS South Sudan welcomes support from the Government of Japan to strengthen the National Mine Action Authority
Juba, South Sudan - May 28, 2025 The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) recently welcomed a contribution from the Government of Japan to support the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) of South Sudan in strengthening its capacity to coordinate and oversee the mine action sector. South…
UNMAS Demining Paves the Way for the Construction of Transitional Shelters
In a remarkable effort, in the heart of Malakal, a story of hope is unfolding. One built on the foundations of collaboration and resilience. For years, families displaced by conflict and flooding have lived in precarious conditions, their futures uncertain. But now, a significant transformation is…
UNMAS Welcomes a New Contribution from the Government of Denmark in Support of the Iraqi Mine Action Sector
عربي (Arabic) Baghdad, 25 July 2025 – The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes a generous contribution of DKK 22,000,000 (approximately US$3.4 million) from the Government of Denmark. This funding will support mine action efforts assisting the Government of Iraq (GoI) in…
Japan Supports UNMAS Humanitarian Mine Action Project To Reduce Explosive Risk Faced by Civilians
The Government of Japan has contributed US$1,000,000 to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), for the project “Humanitarian Mine Action to Address Explosive Ordnance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory''. The funding from the Government of Japan will support UNMAS to deliver explosive…
Japan Supports UNMAS to Strengthen National Mine Action Capacity in South Sudan
Juba, South Sudan, 18 August 2025 - The Government of Japan, via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) , has contributed JPY 335,000,000 (approximately USD 2.2 million) to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for the 18-month project “Improvement of the Working Environment for…
UN welcomes launch of Somalia’s new strategy to counter IEDs
Mogadishu – Attending the launch of a national plan to counter the threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) across Somalia, the United Nations today commended Somali authorities on the move and welcomed the “important step forward.” “This [National Counter-IED] Strategy is the product of…
European Union Supports Life-Saving Mine Action for Civilians in Sudan
Port Sudan, 15 September 2025 – The European Union, through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO), has contributed €4 million to fund emergency mine action activities in Sudan, implemented by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and its partners in Sudan…
The Lasting Promise of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
By Paul Heslop and Sonia Pabley Paul Heslop is Senior Mine Action Advisor, Resident Coordinator Office, United Nations Ukraine; Sonia Pabley is Communications Specialist, United Nations Mine Action Team, Ukraine. Originally published in UN Chronicle. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use…