Text
The National Mine Action Authority “Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise” sums up the activities implemented in 2024.
As a result of non-technical survey carried out in the RA in 2024 by the "Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise” ("CHDE") SNCO, 6 confirmed hazardous areas contaminated with explosive ordnance were added, with a total area of 1 588 427 m².
In 2024, a total of 91 948 m² of hazardous area was demined and cleared from explosive ordnance by "CHDE" deminers in the bordering settlements of Tavush and Vayots dzor regions, of which 75 186 m² were cleared according to the state plan and 16 762 m² were in the frame of additional state order.
As a result of alerts received from the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs and individuals, 2 rockets and 4 100mm shells were identified in Vayots dzor, Syunik and Aragatsotn regions of the Republic of Armenia. The identified ammunition was destroyed. As of the end of December 2024, there are 114 confirmed and 22 suspected hazardous areas contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance in the Republic of Armenia, with a total area of 43 536 583 m². According to records, explosive ordnance contamination is highest in Gegharkunik and Syunik regions.
In parallel with demining operations, in 2024, "CHDE" specialists conducted explosive ordnance risk education in Syunik, Vayots dzor, Gegharkunik, Tavush, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Shirak regions and Yerevan. In total, 11 920 citizens were informed about the rules of safe behavior: 10 250 - with state and 1670 with donor support.
This year, with the trilateral cooperation of "CHDE" SNCO-MESCS-UNICEF, the pilot project “Support to the Development and Integration of a Module on EORE into the School’s Curricula” (educational module) was introduced in schools of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots dzor regions of the Republic of Armenia. Within the framework of the project, "CHDE" SNCO provided professional training and certification to 48 teachers from the aforementioned regions on the topic of explosive ordnance risk education.
In 2024, 1 case of RA citizens being injured by a mine/unexploded ordnance was recorded. As of December 2024, there are 807 mine/ERW victims in the Republic of Armenia.
This year, representatives of various organizations involved in mine action received professional education at "CHDE" SNCO training center. A total of 162 trainees were trained on topics such as "Manual Demining", "Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Trainer", "Battle Area Clearance", "First Aid", "Non-Technical Survey" and others, and were certified for a period of one year. In 2024, for the first time, female deminers also were involved in demining operations in Armenia. The latter received professional education at "CHDE" training center. Those who successfully passed the exams were included in the humanitarian demining process.
In 2024, “CHDE” SNCO continued the cooperation with international organizations involved in mine action both in Armenia and abroad. Particularly, meetings, discussions, exchange of experience took place with the representatives of the French Republic, USA, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Lebanon as well as Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining. In this context, Memoranda of Understanding were signed with Lebanon Mine Action Center, French “Association For the Promotion of People’s Safety, Property and Environment” (ASPEBE).
In 2024, within the framework of the “National Mine Action Coordination Platform,” meetings and discussions were held with international and local organizations involved in mine action.
"CHDE" SNCO constantly carried out and will continue demining operations, detection of unexploded ordnance, marking of hazardous areas, clearance, raising awareness of safe behavior, as well as coordinating and monitoring the humanitarian mine action activities in the Republic of Armenia in 2025.