International Mine Awareness Day 4 April

Today is the International Day of Mines Awareness. This is a Global day, where we not only reflect on what has been achieved in ridding the planet of this scourge, but what is left undone. We are based down in south-west Africa, continuing to remove threats so that life can go on as normal for people and animals in Angola's National Parks in the isolated south-east of the country. Although not high profile, the work does a threat that has been facing people for more than 30 years. We do think about areas where mines are being laid as we consider this day. Where people are falling victim, particularly the Middle East. They are not only suffering under constant bombardment, but also at risk from mines and booby-traps. There are men and women there trying to eradicate this threat as quickly, and safely, as they can. We all dream that one day we will have a planet to hand on o our children, grandchildren, etc, we need more awareness. Today we are aware of the blight landmines cause. Please keep an eye out in your local media, and attend/support any Mines Awareness initiatives in your area today. http://www.un.org/en/events/mineawarenessday/

Manual Demining around Jamba - former headquarters of UNITA

Removal of all suspected hazardous areas in the national Parks, will eliminate any further threat to the wild animals who live here. This Elephants trod on a small anti-personnel mine. Although the damage to the Eleophant isn't as extensive as those suffered by humans, it is still extremely painful. This Elephant could barely walk 100 metres before having to rest the pained pad. Thorns and stones get into the exposed flesh. This Elephant was spotted north-west of jamba. Now we have to find the area this happened so we can remove any further threat.

Maps - Kuando Kubango

This map gives an indication of the number of minefields cleared around Jamba, along with their locations. The barrier minefield around Jamba was 8 kms long, laid by the FAA (Angolan Armed Forces). They also laid the two minefields to the north of the airfield, on old tracks, to prevent any forces moving back along the tracks and attacking forces defending the airport. All other minefields were laid by UNITA forces, mostly from the time of the Border War. Radio Vorgan was the voice of UNITA. These studios were also shared by other international radio stations during the time the area was occupied by the allies of UNITA (SA, USA, France etc). The Paiol was an ammunition stockpile left behind by UNITA forces when they retreated from the area. This used to be a large training area when foreign forces were training UNITA trooops. When UNITA withdrew from the area they scattered all the Land Service Ammunition over an area of about 5 Ha. They then laid anti-personnel mines amongst the ammunition, as booby-traps. North-west of this stockpile was a small minefield around a waterhole, this is where UNITA troops rested before withdrawing further north. Unfortunately, this minefield was found when a young man stepped on a mine. The stockpile north of the River Luiana was left by US Special Forces Trainers, who were billeted in this area.

LADbible

This would be the perfect safety vehicle for demining operations in the sandy savannah, that makes up much of Kuando Kubango.

Maps - Kuando Kubango

These maps give an overall perspective of the demining work carried out in the south and south-east of Kuando Kubango. In particular wdsemining work carried out in the Luengue-Luiana National Park, and the tasks and roads that need to be demined to make the remaining areas safe for eco-tourism, animals and people living in the parks. These tasks need to be carried out before the National Parks can be included into the KAZA-TFCA.

Maps - Kuando Kubango

Day trip route throughLuiana Partial Reserve, the KAZA TFCA Core area of the Luengue-Luiana National Park. Although not yet developed, this demined route is used by eco-tourists, particulrly Angolans. This route takes tourists through the former UNITA Base at Jamba and then on to the Kuando River, where many animals will be seen, particularly Elephants and Buffalo. These animals constantly move between the parks in Zambia, Angola and Nambia, between the Kavango and Kuando Rivers. Beware, during the heat of a summers day, the sandy roads become heavy requiring low ratio 4x4. This will eat up your fuel. There are no fuel stations in the parks at present, the nearest filling station is at Kongola, 10 kms to the east of Susuwe, across the bridge over the Kuando River.

Maps - Kuando Kubango

Map of south and south east of Kaundo Kubango, giving an overview of the demining carried out, and how much still needs to be done, particularly in the Luengue-Luiana national Park.

Demining the road from Likua to Jamba, Cuando Cubango.

Demining roads in the secondary and tertiary road network throughout the National Parks of Cuando Cubango Province, in south east Angola, is essential for the development of the area, especially for inclusion into the KAZA Trans-Frontier Conservation Area. Not only for the people and animals that live and move through the Parks, but also for the evolution of eco-tourism and conservation. Opening this network is also a priority now for the mobility of the Park Rangers, who are fighting the tide of poaching. Re-opening roads will allow them to become motorised, enabling them to react immediately to reports of ivory poaching, in particular. Without these roads demined and serviceable, the Rangers would have to reply on reacting to reports on foot.

Manual Demining around Jamba - former headquarters of UNITA

This town, once the headquarters of UNITA, had a number of defensive minefields surrounding it. Some were laid by UNITA, others by the FAA )Angolan Armed Forces) when they took control of the town in 2001.

Demining the road from Likua to Jamba, Cuando Cubango.

Demining roads in the secondary and tertiary road network throughout the National Parks of Cuando Cubango Province, in south east Angola, is essential for the development of the area, especially for inclusion into the KAZA Trans-Frontier Conservation Area. Not only for the people and animals that live and move through the Parks, but also for the evolution of eco-tourism and conservation. Opening this network is also a priority now for the mobility of the Park Rangers, who are fighting the tide of poaching. Re-opening roads will allow them to become motorised, enabling them to react immediately to reports of ivory poaching, in particular. Without these roads demined and serviceable, the Rangers would have to reply on reacting to reports on foot.

QC visit from CNIDAH

To make sure that the demining work carried out by MgM meets National and International Standards, the demining sites are periodically visited by CNIDAH, the national entity responsible for controlling demining in Angola.

End of Year Update – 2016 As part of the development of the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA), MgM has demined and re-opened infrastructure in the Luiana Partial Reserve. This Reserve, which borders with Zambia and Namibia, makes up the core area of the Angolan National Parks, in the Province of Kuando Kubango, to be integrated into KAZA. Roads have been demined that allow a safe circuitous route from Chetto, in Namibia, to Jamba (former stronghold of UNITA), then on to the Kuando River at Boa Fé, back to Namibia along this river towards Kongola. The towns along this route have also been demined, in particular Jamba, to make safe for further development. This development by the Provincial Government that will include the upgrading of these roads, historical sites, lodges, game viewing sites, etc.. Once the Game Parks and Reserves are developed, they will eventually integrated into the KAZA, creating an attraction for eco-tourism and safe haven for wild animals, while creating jobs and opportunities for the local population. MgM has also started demining roads, from Luiana Partial Reserve, into other Kuando Kubango Partial Reserves and Game Parks that will be integrated into KAZA. At the moment MgM has demined over 1,000 kms of road, utilising systems including armoured graders, demining dogs and manual deminers. There is still a further 2,000 kms to be demined and rebuilt for free movement throughout the parks. These roads will also allow MgM’s Manual Demining Teams safe access to towns and villages that still need to be demined and made safe for their populations. It has taken MgM some four years to demine around 20% of these Angolan Parks. All of these Parks need to be demined, since they were the site of many battles between forces involved in the Border War, particularly from 1982 to 1990, and the Civil War that ended in 2002. With much of the area in South east Kuando Kubango Province closed to vehicles, poaching has now become a major problem. Southern Africa is now suffering from poaching of Rhinoceros and Elephants for their horn and tusks. Also, African hardwoods, particularly Rosewood, are being plundered and shipped out of country illegally. To prevent further plundering, the Rangers and Forestry need roads throughout the National Parks to be demined and re-opened. MgM can speed up the productivity, and demine the remaining 80% with an increase in funding. Humanitarian Mine Action is costly, especially road demining that requires mechanisation, as well as support from dogs and deminers. MgM is actively seeking new donors and contributers to help re-open all National Parks in the south-east of Kuando Kubango.