National Mine Action Authority i.e. the Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise sums up the activities carried out in 2023.
As a result of non-technical survey implemented by the Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise SNCO in 2023, 2 more confirmed hazardous areas contaminated with explosive ordnance added with total 234 192 m² surface. “Green Label” signboard were placed at cleared areas, confirming that they are safe, and were provided to the local authorities for future intended use․
As of the end of December 2023, there are 11 confirmed and 25-suspected hazardous areas contaminated with mines and explosive ordnances in the Republic of Armenia with total 42 165 966m² surface. Gegharkunik and Syunik regions have higher level of explosive ordnance contamination.
National Mine Action Authority constantly emphasizes the importance to increase the level of people's awareness. In 2023 our specialists implemented explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) in Tavush, Vayots dzor, Gegharkunik, Armavir, Syunik regions and in Yerevan city, RA. EORE was conducted for totally 5086 citizens. This year NGOs were also included in risk education process to increase the level of awareness of RA population higher. The NGOs conducted EORE for 8570 citizens. In the current year in the framework of cooperation with UNDP, the CHDE SNCO organized a summer camp for 60 children from mine/explosive ordnance impacted communities of RA at “Ari Chambar” (“Come to the Camp”) rest area, Dilijan community, Tavush region. In general, EORE was conducted for 13 656 residents in 2023.
In parallel with non-technical survey, clearance operations, explosive ordnance risk education activities, mine/explosive ordnance victim data gathering was implemented. In 2023, there was no mine/unexploded ordnance accident. Now there are 805 mine victims in Armenia.
In the current year, both CHDE specialists and representatives of organisations involved in mine action received professional education at CHDE training center.
“Manual clearance”, “Explosive Ordnance Risk Education”, “Battle Area Clearance”, and other training courses were organized for 105 specialists who were certified for a period of one year.
In 2023 the CHDE continued its cooperation with international structures both based in Armenia and outside. Meetings, discussions, exchange of experience were held with the mine action centers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Lebanon, People's Republic of China, Cambodia and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining.
In 2023 the “National Mine Action Coordination Platform” was launched. It enables both international and national stakeholders to combine efforts and to implement planned socio-economic activities more coordinated. The platform is a place to coordinate mine action sphere, to discuss the challenges and priorities and to plan the activities that coordinates the cooperation among international and RA organizations, regions and stakeholders.
In the current year, “Humanitarian Mine Action Strategy of the National Mine Action Authority of the Republic of Armenia (2023 – 2027) has been put into use, the activities to re-develop national mine action standards of the Republic of Armenia have started.
The activities of identifying unexploded ordnance, marking dangerous areas, clearance, awareness of safe behavior have been constantly carried out by the CHDE SNCO in Armenia and will continue in 2024, as well as the humanitarian mine action activities being carried out in Armenia will be coordinated and controlled by CHDE.
