AFGHANISTAN| SOUTHERN AFRICA | ANGOLA |
Map - Mineclearance  History of minelaying Mines were laid in Angola during the 27 years of bitter conflict that followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Government and Cuban forces laid extensive minefields around their bases in and around towns. Mines were laid extensively around infrastructure such as airports, pylons, water sources and bridges. During the course of the war, positions were often taken and re-taken and more mines laid at each stage. UNITA and other factions laid some mines when they took a permanent position or before withdrawing from a captured post. Both sides laid mines on roads, in low density, in locations that years later no longer look significant. After the conflict ended in 2002 and to this day anti-tank (AT) mines on roads are a problem to a far greater extent than in any other mine affected country. Even though Angola is a huge country with wide open spaces, the vast majority of mines were laid in or around towns and villages that are now growing economically and in population: thus there are concentrations of mines where there are concentrations of people. HALO has conducted extensive survey of the four provinces in which it operates and there are 840 confirmed minefields remaining that require clearance. Minefields affect people’s lives in different ways: most prevent people from using the land for housing or agriculture. Accidents occur when people inadvertently wander into a danger area or take the risk through expediency. Anti-tank mines on roads deny access to certain areas, restrict the movement of aid organisations and strike unexpectedly causing multiple casualties. The mines problem in Angola is large and requires scale to clear all known minefields within a reasonable timeframe. Since 2002, HALO has expanded its programme to over 1,100 Angolan staff with 6 full time expatriates in support. Very considerable progress is being made; even so, HALO estimates that there is still in the region of 10 years’ work to rid Angola of all landmines. To tackle the threat from AT mines on roads, HALO developed the Road Threat Reduction (RTR) system. RTR is a two part process: first, systematic sweeps are made with a large detector to find metal cased AT mines; this is followed by heavy detonation trailers designed to detonate any minimum metal mine still capable of operating. It is not classed as clearance but provides a significant reduction in threat at a practical speed where there are thousands of kilometres of suspect road. Weapons & Ammunition Disposal (WAD) HALO has WAD teams working in support of the Força Aérea de Angola and the Angolan Army to destroy the considerable stocks of weapons and ammunition that were amassed during the Civil War. By November 2007 HALO’s team had destroyed more than 500 tonnes of ammunition and over 20,000 Small Arms and Light Weapons. The majority of ammunition destroyed is made up of aircraft bombs but includes guided missiles and cluster bomb sub-munitions. The teams, which are mobile and independent and operate across the entire country, are equipped with heavy trucks and cranes, and weapons cutting equipment. They operate in support of the military and have liaison officers with them. Requirement for continued clearance HALO is seeking funds to maintain the current mineclearance capacity as well as to increase the number of deminers. New mine detectors, that use ground penetration radar, have recently become available and HALO Angola is seeking funds to purchase 20 units that will greatly increase demining output and deliver safe ground more quickly. |
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