30 November 2009
Civil war ended in Angola in 2002, but the spectre of war lives on in the landmines that lie buried around the country.
Today, over 2 million Angolans are thought to be at risk from explosive remnants of the decades-long conflict. Not only do mines kill and maim – they also interfere with economic growth, as land that could be used for farming or other development stays out of bounds.
Mines also have other, perhaps unexpected impacts. Earlier this year in one village in Moxico Province, in the east of the country, an anti-tank mine and five other pieces of unexploded ordnance were found close to a well-attended local school.
Children were at risk every day as they made their way to and from the school. “They told us not to play in that area because there are mines,” says Nora Benita, 10. “I was really worried.”
Practical action
The discovery of the mines also put a number of local education projects, run by Unicef, in jeopardy, as it was not possible to guarantee safe access for staff. Attempts to improve education in the area – just over half of children in Angola are enrolled in primary school – were being threatened by a legacy of war.
Fortunately, contact was soon made with a DFID-funded organisation set up to clear mines in conflict-affected areas. The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) used both mechanical and manual clearance techniques to clear the land around the school, eventually destroying two anti-tank mines and six other dangerous explosive items.
All 270 of the school’s children were also provided with “mine risk education”, along with local adults and Unicef staff. By eliminating mines and providing people with advice on protecting themselves against unexploded devices, MAG helps not only to heal wounds in places scarred by war, but to prepare the ground for sustainable recovery. Ensuring that children can be schooled in safety is an essential part of this work.
Now local children are able to walk to and from school without fear. “I’m not afraid any more,” says 9-year-old Adao Zachia, gesturing to the land that was once a minefield. “We can play football there now!”
Facts and stats
- Between April and June 2009 in Angola MAG cleared 213,480 square metres of land and 25 kilometres of road in Angola and provided mine risk education to 6,277 people.
- Over the same period MAG also identified, removed and destroyed nine anti-tank mines, 11 anti personnel mines, 347 items of ammunition, 629 weapons and 39 other items of unexploded ordnance.
- Since 1995 the UK has provided more than £15 million to the MAG Trust. Currently MAG has programmes in countries including Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.