In the current climate of protracted and violent crises, mine action stands out as a specialized protection activity that cuts across all spheres of humanitarian action. Explosive hazards inhibit freedom of movement, put civilian infrastructures at risk and limit access to food, water, schools, hospitals and shelter, and ultimately, they jeopardize the safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
UNMAS reduces danger and protects people from the physical and psychological harm caused by explosive hazards. Mine action is a vital component of humanitarian responses.
UNMAS and its partners save lives and limbs by surveying, mapping, marking, detecting and destroying explosive hazards as well as providing risk education. Mine action helps people survive, for instance, by clearing vital access routes and making arable land available for farmers to grow food. Mine action improves the quality of life, for example, through assistance to survivors, which is vital to meet the immediate and long-term needs of explosive hazard survivors, affected families and communities. UNMAS work builds on the five “pillars” of mine action, a concept commonly referred to in the mine action sector.
In response to recent humanitarian crises and a need for quick deployment of mine action teams, UNMAS established in February 2024 a UNMAS Standing Capacity in Brindisi, Italy. This team responds to requests to conduct explosive ordnance threat assessments, leads the start-up of mine action programmes and supports strategic and operational planning, quality assurance and technical support in field programmes. In 2024, the Standing Capacity deployed to UNMAS mission and non-mission settings, including in Ethiopia, the occupied Palestinian Territory and Somalia.
UNMAS work in humanitarian contexts usually results from a request for assistance from the United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator or an affected State. In addition, UNMAS participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Emergency Directors Group includes mine action, from the outset, in humanitarian response planning, programming and financing. includes mine action, from the outset, in humanitarian response planning, programming and financing.
UNMAS is a member of the Protection Cluster led by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and is the ‘provider of last resort’ for mine action. The former Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR), composed of UN agencies, NGOs and international organizations that work together to improve the impact and reach of mine action, has been integrated into this new Cluster. UNMAS works with other Cluster entities to promote the integration of mine action in humanitarian planning, policies, and responses.
UNMAS works closely with OCHA and is a recipient of CERF and country-based pooled funds.