Key
developments since May 2001: A comprehensive Landmine Impact Survey began in
Somaliland in May 2002 and due for completion in February 2003. Three
non-governmental organizations are conducting mine clearance. In 2001, 33
people were killed and 70 injured in 98 reported landmine/UXO incidents.
MINE BAN POLICY
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland is not
internationally recognized as an independent state and cannot therefore accede
to the Mine Ban Treaty. However, it indicated as early as December 1997 that it
would unilaterally abide by the Mine Ban Treaty. A parliamentary resolution on
1 March 1999 supported the Ban Treaty fully, but the Somaliland government has
not passed any legislation implementing prohibitions on landmines. A National
Mine Action Policy was formulated during a February 2002 workshop organized by
the Somaliland Mine Action Center (SMAC) in consultation with other mine action
organizations, and is awaiting approval by the
government.[1] An
Inter-Ministerial Commission on Mine Action was established in January
2002.[2]
The Somaliland Mine Action Center and UNICEF have become more active in
advocacy concerning the Mine Ban Treaty. SMAC includes sessions on the treaty
in all of its training workshops and UNICEF emphasizes the Mine Ban Treaty in
its new mine risk awareness education
program.[3]
PRODUCTION, TRANSFER, AND USE
Somaliland does not produce landmines and there
has been no indication that it has acquired new landmines.
No new landmines have been used in Somaliland since 1995. There are no
militias or armed factions operating in Somaliland at the present time. A
conflict in nearby Puntland could affect the eastern regions of Somaliland, but
there are no reports of new landmine use in Puntland.
STOCKPILING
The Danish Demining Group (DDG) is assisting the
Ministry of Defense and the Army to destroy stockpiled mines, and accepted 5,135
antipersonnel mines from them for
destruction.[4]
The HALO Trust (HALO) has entered into several written agreements with the
Ministry of Defense to destroy stockpiled mines across the country, in military
camps including Borromir, Daraweyne, and
Gore-Awl.[5] HALO told Landmine
Monitor that the government is giving HALO full access to the stockpiled mines
when HALO is ready to start destruction of the
stocks.[6]
HALO told Landmine Monitor that mines held by villages and individuals are
less in number than mines held in the military camps, but pose a far greater
risk. HALO has reported increased success in addressing this problem in 2001,
partly through the use of local liaison
officers.[7]
MINE ACTION COORDINATION
The Ministry of Resettlement, Rehabilitation, and
Reconstruction (MRR&R) is the government agency responsible for coordinating
mine action. In 1998, MRR&R established the National Demining Agency (NDA)
to develop a landmine policy and to oversee activities related to humanitarian
mine action. In 1999, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), under its
Somali Civil Protection Program (SCPP), helped establish the Somaliland Mine
Action Center (SMAC), based in Hargeisa. SMAC is composed of an external
quality control unit, an information management unit for the Information
Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), six regional mine officers, and a
training unit.
SMAC/UNDP held a three-day mine policy strategy meeting 14-16 January 2002
and plans to present recommendations from the meeting to the Somaliland
government. The principal goal of the strategy adopted at the meeting is to
render Somaliland free of the effects of mines in 7-10
years.[8]
LANDMINE PROBLEM, SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT
Somaliland is heavily mined, following a long
history of border conflict with neighboring Ethiopia and the persistent feuding
of internal warlords. In March 2001, the Somali Mine Action Center in
Somaliland reported the existence of 402 mined
areas.[9] However, the location
and extent of these mined areas remains largely unknown, and the socioeconomic
impact is not yet fully understood.
A number of surveys have been conducted in Somaliland over the past five
years. During 2000, HALO conducted a comprehensive level one survey of the
regions of Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed. During 2001, HALO carried out a survey of
a minefield at Gore Awl in July, and later a survey and confirmation of a route
to be used by refugees returning from Aisha camp in Ethiopia to Zeila (Awdal
region). HALO intends to do surveys in the regions of Togdheer and Sool during
2002.[10]
The Survey Action Center (SAC) conducted an Advanced Survey Mission to
Somalia and Somaliland in March of 2001 and developed a plan for a comprehensive
Landmine Impact Survey (LIS). Due to the uncertain security conditions in the
south, east, and west of Somalia, the plan calls for collection of data in the
Somaliland area as a first phase. The Danish Demining Group is implementing the
Landmine Impact Survey. The survey was initiated in March 2002 and field work
began in May 2002. A SAC training team was in Somaliland from 20 June to 15
July 2002 and trained the senior national staff and supervised the first
pretest. The recruitment of the interviewers will take place in early August
2002. The main data collection will start around 1 October 2002 after the
completion of the second pretest and the pilot test. The survey should be
completed in February
2003.[11]
MINE CLEARANCE
Three international demining agencies have active
projects in Somaliland: the Danish Demining Group, the Santa Barbara Foundation
(based in Germany), and
HALO.[12] In addition,
SMAC/UNDP contracted with the UK-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to train a
quick reaction Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team for the six regions of
Somaliland. The first phase of the training involving 12 police officers was
completed April 2001.[13]
According to SMAC, 1.5 million square meters of land in 35 areas have been
demined in Somaliland and turned over to local
communities.[14] Information
provided by the mine clearance organizations indicates that in 2001, a total of
387,944 square meters of land was demined, plus an additional 21.4 million
square meters of battle area was cleared.
HALO Trust
During 2001, HALO deployed four manual teams, an
EOD team, and a Mine Detection Dog (MDD) team in four regions in Somaliland
(Awdal, Galbeed, Togheer, and Sool, as well as in and around the city of
Hargeisa. In addition, a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) team has worked to clear
stray ammunition and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the land around Hargeisa in
preparation for the resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in the area. The following ground was cleared by HALO during 2001:
111,790 square meters manually excavated; 11,486 square meters cleared by the
MDD team; 21,172,500 square meters surface battle area
cleared.[15] In 2001, HALO
cleared and destroyed 76 antipersonnel mines, 248 antivehicle mines, 3,003 items
of UXO and destroyed 24,509 small arms
ammunition.[16]
In October 2001, the HALO team completed clearance in Mohammed Mooge (east of
Hargeisa), considered a high priority due to returning refugees. Since then,
approximately 800 IDP families have moved into the area. HALO also cleared
areas in Hado, north of the city, in 2001.
Apart from these operations around Hargeisa, HALO clearance operations have
primarily concentrated on minefields along the Somaliland/Ethiopia border to the
west and south of Hargeisa. In 2001, clearance was completed at Jifu (Awdal
region), and continued at Harirad and Gore Awl/Au Bare Road in Awdal, and
Belishere and Bali-Abane in Woqooyi Galbeed. At sites such as Belishere and
Bali-Abane, a large amount of time has been spent on area reduction in large,
relatively low-density minefields.
HALO carried out extensive trials with mine detection dogs (MDDs) in
Somaliland during 2000-2001. These trials were completed in April 2001 and
convinced HALO that further use of MDDs in Somaliland would enable better
clearance rates. It is anticipated that an MDD team will return to Somaliland
in late 2002.
HALO reports having cleared 45 percent of the mine sites in western
Somaliland, and projects that it will have completed clearance of the highest
priority tasks by the end of 2002, after which it will redeploy clearance
resources into the eastern districts of Somaliland. HALO states that “the
mine problem in Somaliland is at a manageable level, and HALO would expect
priority clearance to be finished within 3-5
years.”[17]
Danish Demining Group
DDG started its mine clearance program in
Somaliland in 1999, focusing on repopulation of rural areas and clearance of
infrastructure. DDG has three demining teams, three mine detection dog teams and
two quick response teams (QRT). In 2001, they cleared a total of 136,000 square
meters through clearance operations and a total of 261,000 square meters through
battle area clearance, destroying 7,076 mines. With respect to use of the
cleared areas, DDG enjoyed "an excellent cooperation with a number of
development NGOs in Somaliland such as Danish Refugee Council, ICRC and
GTZ."[18]
DDG operates in the area between the three major cities of Hargesia, Burao
and Berberam (in the Galbeed, Sahil and Toghdheer regions). DDG has opened the
infrastructure in the primary repatriation area, including the Jaraarto Road
that connects lower land to upper land. DDG is conducting clearance at the
Hargesia airport, the Berbera airport, and the Bebera Naval Base (which is no
longer military). In addition, DDG is clearing 170 SAM-2 and Styx
missiles.[19] At Hargesia
airport, the contaminated area is approximately 180,000 square meters containing
a great deal of scattered ammunition from an exploded ammunition dump. In 2001,
DDG cleared a total of 177 UXO and landmines from this area, while a total of
2,357 UXO and landmines have been cleared so far in
2002.[20]
Santa Barbara Foundation
The Santa Barbara Foundation began mine clearance
in Somaliland in 2000, and continued in 2001, focused in the "Gabiley District"
and the city of Burao and its immediate surroundings. It cleared a total of
128,668 square meters of land, and destroyed 230 antipersonnel mines, five
antivehicle mines, and 2,066 UXO
pieces.[21] More than 40
Somaliland deminers are now clearing mines in the Gabiley, and approximately 70
demining specialists are working manually, with the support of detectors and
mine detection dogs, in
Burao.[22]
MINE RISK EDUCATION
In recent years, limited and ad-hoc Mine Risk
Education (MRE) projects have been implemented in Somalia. UNICEF has created
the Mine Risk Education Advisory Group to advise the National Demining Agency
and SMAC on the development of effective MRE strategies and to improve the
collection and dissemination of relevant data on mine incidents. UNICEF and
Handicap International will conduct a “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
(KAP) Study” between August and October 2002 in affected communities of
three regions (Toghdeer, Awdal and Galbeed) of
Somaliland.[23] Based on the
results of the survey, existing mine awareness communication material will be
field-tested, and additional communication materials and strategies will be
developed. [24]
UNICEF held a National Workshop on Mine Risk Education on 29-30 October 2001
in Somaliland.[25] On 22
November 2001, UNICEF, the National Demining Agency and SMAC presented a draft
policy on Mine Risk Education in Somaliland to the Ministry of Resettlement,
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (MRR&R) for adoption by the government.
The draft policy has not been adopted yet as a national policy. An MRE
specialist has been hired by UNICEF to develop mine awareness programs for
Somaliland.[26]
SMAC and Handicap International have completed MRE projects in refugee camps
in Djibouti and Ethiopia, respectively, for Somaliland refugees who plan to
return to Somaliland under a UNHCR voluntary repatriation program. Action
NordSud/Handicap International also plans to run a pilot MRE project in the
Togdheer region during the summer of
2002.[27]
MINE ACTION FUNDING
Donors generally report funding simply to
“Somalia,” but nearly all mine action activities are taking place in
Somaliland, and thus Landmine Monitor is reporting the funding here. It appears
that donors provided about US$4.3 million for mine action in Somaliland in
2001.
The UN Mine Action Investments database lists the following contributions for
2001: Germany, $456,622; the Netherlands, $159,776; Switzerland, $80,000; United
States $1.4 million; and the European Commission,
$600,480.[28] Germany funds
the Santa Barbara Foundation. The Netherlands funds HALO Trust. Switzerland
provides in-kind assistance to UNOPS and SMAC. The U.S. funds HALO Trust. The
EC funds are for the Landmine Impact Survey.
In addition, Denmark reports $864,345 for the Danish Demining Group and
$240,000 for the UNDP.[29]
Sweden reports $300,000 for DDG and $300,000 for the Landmine Impact
Survey.[30]
LANDMINE/UXO CASUALTIES
In 2001, 33 people were killed and 70 injured,
including 44 children, in 98 reported landmine/UXO
incidents.[31] This
represents a small reduction from the 107 casualties reported in 2000. Of the
total casualties, 72 were male and 31 female. Antipersonnel landmines were the
cause of 36 incidents. Activities at the time of the incident included: tending
livestock 38 percent, tampering 16 percent, traveling 14 percent,
passing/standing nearby nine percent, collecting water/food/firewood eight
percent, playing seven percent, and other or unknown eight percent.
Landmine/UXO Casualties – January to December
2001[32]
Region
Casualties
Incidents
Killed
Injured
Loss of limb
Male
Female
Adult
Child
UXO
AP
AT
Unknown
Awdal
5
5
2
3
3
3
2
2
3
2
0
1
2
Galbeed
12
11
4
8
3
11
1
7
5
5
1
3
2
Sahil
7
3
5
2
0
5
2
0
7
2
0
0
1
Sanaag
5
5
3
2
5
0
5
1
2
2
1
0
Sool
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Togdheer
74
74
19
55
38
48
26
45
28
29
33
8
4
Total
103
98
33
70
44
72
31
59
44
40
36
13
9
SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE
Mine survivor assistance is coordinated through
the Somaliland Mine Action Center with the assistance of UNDP Somalia; however,
the focal point for execution is the World Health
Organization.[33] Public health
facilities with the capacity to assist landmine casualties in Somaliland are
reportedly minimal. Hospitals throughout Somaliland are poorly equipped and
poorly staffed. Mine incident survivors are often treated at a surgical
hospital in Berbera, run with the assistance of the Italian NGO,
COOPI.[34] This hospital is on
the northern coast of Somaliland and is far from the most mine-affected regions.
However, first aid is available and there is transport to take casualties to the
nearest medical facility.
The majority of the people in Somaliland are nomads, where mobility is
essential for their livelihood, but there are no training or reintegration
programs for landmine survivors to help them seek alternative means of survival.
Disabled survivors, therefore, become dependant on their families. The Somali
Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and Action NordSud/Handicap International (AN/HI)
continue to provide survivor assistance in Somaliland. SRCS runs an orthopedic
workshop in Hargeisa, funded principally by the Norwegian Red Cross. The center
provides physiotherapy, lower limb prostheses, orthoses, crutches and a repair
service. In 2001, the center fitted 318 patients with prostheses including 86
landmine survivors.[35] Since
1999, the center has operated a mobile clinic that makes periodic visits to
regions outside of Hargeisa. AN/HI runs a physiotherapy center and a low cost
prostheses workshop, and also makes crutches and wheelchairs. In 2001, the
center assisted two landmine survivors. As the AN/HI center charges patients a
small fee, most amputees prefer to go to SRCS center, which does not charge a
fee.[36]
[1] The workshop took place in Hargeisa
from 14-16 January 2002. Interview with Jab Swart, Chief Technical
Advisor/Program Manager, Somali Mine Action Centre (SMAC), Hargeisa, 9 February
2002. [2] The Inter-Ministerial
Commission has been proposed and formed twice, at two national workshops
(October 2000 and January 2002). Landmine Monitor is not aware of any meetings
of or actions by the commission. [3] The
Landmine Monitor researcher participated in a UNICEF workshop on mine risk
education in Hargeisa from 29-30 October 2002.
[4] Email to Landmine Monitor (NPA)
from Bo Bischoff, Head of Mine Action Unit, Danish Demining Group, 27 July
2002. [5] Email to Landmine Monitor
(HRW) from Hugh McNally, Program Manager, The Halo Trust Somaliland, 30 July
2002. The agreements date as far back as June
2000. [6]
Ibid. [7] HALO Trust Activity Report for
2001, received by email on 17 April
2002. [8] Interview with Jab Swart,
Somali Civil Protection Program/UNDP, 13 February 2002; interview with Mohamed
Osman, SMAC Manager, 9 February
2002. [9] Report received from
Somaliland Mine Action Center. Additionally, Landmine Monitor received mine
survey data pooled from regional mine officers reporting to SMAC, from
SMAC/Hargeisa, 10 February 2001. [10]
HALO Trust Activity Report for
2001. [11] Email to Landmine Monitor
(HRW) from Mike Kendellen, SAC, 30 July 2002. See
www.sac-na.org. [12] While HALO is based
in the UK, the work in Somaliland operates under HALO
USA. [13] Inrterview with Mohamed Osman,
SMAC Manager, 9 February 2002; interview with Jab Swart, Somali Civil Protection
Program/UNDP, 13 February 2002. [14]
UNDP SOMALIA, “Preparatory Assistance Document January to June 2002, Mine
Action Program-SCPP,” SOM/02/00X (February 2002,
draft). [15] HALO Trust Activities
Report for 2001. [16] Email to from Hugh
McNally, HALO, Somaliland, 30 July
2002. [17] The HALO Trust, 2002,
website: www.halotrust.org, visited 10 July
2002. [18] Interview with/Mine Action
Questionnaire with Bo Boshiff, Head of Mine Action Unit, DDG, Copenhagen 16 May
2002; from Bo Bischoff, DDG, 27 July
2002. [19] Email to from Bo Boshiff,
DDG, 27 July 2002. [20] Danish
Demining Group, “Somaliland, Progress Report,” May
2002. [21] Santa Barbara report to SMAC,
provided to Landmine Monitor. [22] Santa
Barbara Foundation website, visited 11 July 2002, at
www.stiftung-sankt-barbara.de/. [23]
Telephone interview with Hugues Laurenge, MRE Coordinator, Handicap
International, Lyon, 31 July 2002. [24]
Ibid. [25] Landmine Monitor participated
in the workshop and Landmine Monitor researcher facilitated one of two working
sessions. [26] Landmine Monitor received
a copy of UNICEF’s report on the workshop on 7 February
2002. [27] Information provided by
Florence Thune, Handicap International, 17 February
2002. [28] UNMAS, Mine Action
Investments, visited 10 July 2002, at
http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/mai/frameset.asp. [29]
See Landmine Monitor country report on
Denmark. [30] See Landmine Monitor
country report on Sweden. [31] Landmine
incident/casualty statistics were obtained from SMAC. The data is collected by
6 regional mine officers. SMAC acknowledges that many incidents are not
reported to police stations, hospitals or mine
officers. [32] Casualty statistics
provided to Landmine Monitor by SMAC on 9 February
2002. [33] “UNDP Somalia Mine
Action Plan-Work Summary September 2001-December 2001,” dated September
2001. However, Landmine Monitor has witnessed little WHO activity in
Somaliland. [34] COOPI has turned over
the hospital to the Ministry of Health and is reported to be leaving the
hospital altogether. [35] SRCS document
on activities for 2001, obtained by Landmine
Monitor. [36] Interview with Florence
Thun, Handicap International, 3 March 2002.
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