HIGHLIGHTS
It has been 28 days since all demining
operations have been suspended after the Eritrean Government banned all
UNMEE helicopter flights. The UNMEE MACC along with other UN agencies is
continuing to evaluate the medical facilities available in the Mission
in order to determine ways to upgrade facilities to allow operations to
recommence.
Two United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) consultants arrived in the Mission area on October 28, 2005. The consultants are carrying out an 'Implementer Analysis' review of the UNMEE MACC programme. By examining the realities on the ground of the MACC programme, the consultants will present support options for future programme implementation taking into account the need for cost-effectiveness, accountability, coherence, timeliness and flexibility.
Updates
OPERATIONS
The UNMEE MACC released a revised Mine/UXO (unexploded ordnance) Threat Assessment for the Mission area. In response to the newly laid mine accident reported during the week of 1st October 2005, a new Travel Advisory was also issued by the MACC.
The Regional Liaison Officer (RLO) of Sector Center/East, the Operations Assistant and the Data Gathering Clerk liaised with the Administrator of the sub zoba of Tsorena. The Administrator informed the Team about plans to return some of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) to their villages. Most of these villages are situated in areas contaminated by UXO and mines and the Team suggested a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) exercise to be conducted in the villages. It is also being suggested that the MRE Teams visit the IDPs prior to their return to their villages of origin.
The RLO of Sector Center/ East, the Operations Assistant and the Data Gatering Clerk also located four UXOs in the Egrimekel, Mihrad Chelle, and Tsorena areas. All UXOs were reported to the MACC EOD Team.
In addition to the above four UXOs, the Team also discovered two Anti-Personnel (AP) mines in the Tsorena area. The area was previously declared as safe and cleared. The Team has advised that the MACC Operations and Informations Section review the status of mine contamination of the area again.
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