HIGHLIGHT
The Evaluation Team from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) completed its second week of its evaluation exercise of the MACC Programme. The Team continued to meet with several key representatives of the mine action community in Eritrea, including representatives of the national mine action programme, which is managed by UNDP's Mine Action Capacity Building Programme. The Team also met with UNMEE's Force Commander and Senior Management Team.
The MACC Programme Manager prepared for his duty travel to Sarajevo during the period 8 - 15 November 2004. In Sarajevo, he will be participating in a Mine Action Programme Manager's Workshop, which is organised and carried out by UNMAS and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Updates
OPERATIONS
The Operations Section staff spent ample time with the UNMAS Evaluation Team, which was collecting relevant technical information related to the MACC programme. The Team also traveled to Shilalo in Sector West where the MACC Regional Liaison Officer gave them a thorough briefing and tour of the demining operations in the area.
The MACC Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team deployed to Senafe and Tserona in Sector Center where they identified, inspected and disposed off nine UXO. During their deployment, the Team received new reports of UXO discoveries from the local police in the Tserona area. These too were immediately inspected and disposed off.
As per November 2004 task order, the Bangladeshi and Kenyan deminers continued to conduct clearance operations in Sector West. The Bangladeshi deminers continued to clear the road from Mukuti to Sheshebit and the Kenyan deminers continued to clear the Tselim Ruesu minefield and areas of the Mai Hbey minefield.
MECHEM verified 71.7 km of roads in the Western part of Sector Center. MECHEM also continued to train the mine detection dogs and handlers that did not pass the first round of the accreditation exercise.
INFORMATION
The Chief of Information gave a thorough briefing to the UNMAS Evaluation Team on the past and present status of operations within the Information Section. This included an overview on the current use and applicability of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) in Eritrea. The Evaluation Team also met and discussed with the MACC IMSMA Officer all issues related to IMSMA.
In the enhancement process of the recently developed add-on tasking database, the Information Section has entered a series of tasking reports from 2001 and 2002. This data entry process continues.
The Section is currently integrating land cover information in the production of maps. The conceptualised ideas are currently being documented and will be implemented shortly.
NOTE: Agencies and clients who would like to obtain standard maps of Eritrea, including maps at scales of 1:100,000 and 1:150,000 are requested to contact the UNMEE Geo Cell (Chief of Geo Cell, Rob Gray, Ext. 6974). Customers who would like to obtain mine/UXO specific maps are requested to contact the MACC Information Section where they will have their requests fulfilled within 24 hours. Please contact the Chief of Information, Gerhard Bechtold at Ext.2123.
MEDICAL COORDINATION
The MACC Medical Coordinator (MC) assisted with the repetition of an accreditation process of medical personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Field Team of the Eritrean Demining Authority (EDA) in Barentu, Sector West.
The medical ambulances and trucks which have been donated to the national mine action programme by the Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) arrived at the port of Masawa two weeks ago. The Port Authorities have not yet released this equipment. The MC is working on retrieving this equipment so that he can commence the necessary training on the use of these new ambulances.
Mine Risk Education (MRE)
The two MACC MRE Field Teams deployed to the Gash Barka zoba in Sector West. Team One conducted community-based MRE activities in the subzoba of Molki and Team Two carried out MRE in the subzoba of Om Hajer. Activities of Team One included provision of MRE to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Dembe Doran IDP camp. To support their MRE outreach, the Teams also distributed small media materials, including posters and games. In total, the Teams provided MRE to 925 people.
The MACC Intern traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she had the opportunity to meet and liaise with the Ethiopian Mine Action Office, which manages a third MRE Team.
MRE BRIEFINGS
The MACC conducts regular MRE Briefings for all newly arrived UNMEE personnel, including civilians, UNMOs, etc. For time and location, please contact Lt. Col. Francis Kiilu at the MACC at Ext. 2114. All other newly arrived UN agency and NGO staff in the Mission area must contact UNICEF for MRE Briefings. UNICEF's MRE Coordinator is Ms Lejla Susic. (Tel 1511 99, Ext 363)
(pdf* format - 643 KB)