MAG and SALW - As the scale of the
Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW)1 problem has become apparent across the
world, MAG has been increasingly involved in addressing the threat posed
by these items. The illicit proliferation of SALW prolongs conflicts, causes
instability, undermines development, and is now well established as the
leading threat to human security globally. MAG is currently undertaking
SALW projects in Burundi, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
Iraq and Sudan. In addition, MAG conducted an assessment to the Central
African Republic during February 2008 and is currently seeking funding
for operations there.
Burundi
MAG is working to reduce the SALW threat
in Burundi through the destruction of Man-portable air-defence systems
(MANPADS) and other weapons, and through ensuring safe storage of weapons
and ammunition currently stored at the military logistics base in Bujumbura.
Activities are carried out in partnership with the Burundi Army. In June
2008, 46 MANPADS and 188 rifles were destroyed.
Cambodia
MAG continues to address the threat
of SALW across Cambodia through the deployment of five Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) teams country wide. As a result of the large amount of SALW
found in East Cambodia, MAG is planning to deploy SALW specialist teams
in Kampong Cham province to find and destroy specific SALW items, as well
as other UXO as needed.
In June 2008 the EOD teams conducted
234 tasks in 104 villages in Krong Pailin and the provinces of Battambang,
Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham. A total of 1,218 SALW items were
destroyed, including 60mm mortars (469),
82mm mortars (210), B40 propelled grenades (110), PG2 propelled grenades
(109), PG7 propelled grenades (42) and M40 rifle grenades (100).
These activities benefited 1,952 people
in total.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
MAG DRC launched a nationwide SALW programme
in September 2006. In May 2007 MAG received written authorisation from
the Ministry of Defence to destroy surplus military stocks in all Military
Regions. Also in May 2007, a destruction centre was established by MAG
at the Central Logistics Base in Kinshasa with funding from the United
States Department of State.
In June 2008 the Technical Operations
Manager conducted an assessment mission in the 7th Military Region (Maniema).
He was accompanied by the Technical Field Manager, leading one of the newly-trained
SALW mobile teams funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the
same time, the mobile teams based in Mbuji-Mayi prepared for their upcoming
deployments in Kasai Oriental and Maniema, planned for July 2008. One of
the SALW mobile teams funded by the United States Department of State,
Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) performed Quality Assurance
on MAG destruction sites around Mbandaka in the 3rd Military Region (Equateur).
The other WRA-funded team prepared a destruction in Kamina in the 6th Military
Region (Katanga). Most MAG SALW teams have now received medical training
by Global Medic and the remaining teams will be trained in July 2008. Due
to circumstances beyond MAG's control, destruction of weapons at the Central
Logistics Base has been temporarily suspended, but is expected to resume
shortly.
Iraq
Iraq has been subjected to protracted
and intense conflict for over 25 years is one of the countries most affected
by SALW. The conflict in 2003 led to further, extensive SALW contamination
and resulted in large numbers of unsecured and abandoned stockpiles and
caches of SALW.
During the month of June 2008 MAG SALW
teams deployed from four operation bases (Diyana, Dahuk, Sulaimaniyah and
Chamchamal) and completed 234 emergency SALW destruction tasks in Erbil,
Sulaimaniyah, Dahuk, Mosul, Kirkuk and Diyala governorates. During this
month 4,555 SALW items were safely destroyed in 79 different villages across
the six northern governorates mentioned above. Items destroyed included
different types of shells, mortars, bullets, RPGs, fuses and other explosive
items. Two new SALW response teams and one new Community Liaison team were
recruited in June. Twelve new staff were trained to undertake Small Arms
and Light Weapons tasks in Chamchamal.
Burundi + 3 more