New British support for Libyan mine clearance

15 September 2011

British support will help protect around a million people in Libya from the threat of deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance, the Prime Minister said today as he announced new support for vital mines clearance and safety work during a visit to Libya.

The new British support will help Libyans to return safely to the homes and businesses they have fled. It will go through the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and comes from Britain’s existing development budget. It will contribute to:

• Deploying mobile teams to the west of Libya and the northern coastal region to identify and mark areas where there are landmines or other unexploded ordnance
• Working with the UN’s Joint Mines Action Co-ordination Team to ensure that hazardous areas are quickly cleared
• Providing emergency mines risk education to local communities to ensure that those returning to conflict areas – including children – are aware of the risk of unexploded material

MAG's work continues to focus on areas worst affected by the fighting.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said:

"Millions of men, women and children across Libya are at risk from landmines. Many Libyans have been uprooted by the conflict and are unable to return to their homes for fear of unexploded shells and grenades. 

"With the support I have announced today, MAG will identify and dispose of unexploded material to prevent a secondary wave of death and injury as people return to communities in conflict-affected areas.
 
"Public information on the risks is also vital, and will help to prevent children treating shells and grenades as toys and trophies, something that we have already seen can have tragic results."

For more information, contact Chris Kiggell on tel. 020 7023 0504 or 0600, email c-kiggell@dfid.gov.uk