UNMAS/Humanitarian Mine Action in Afghanistan

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

UNMAS’ project will build on Finland's long history of support to the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA) through supporting the coordination of the MAPA over twelve months. The continued financing will support developing a sustainable national capacity for full ownership of MAPA coordination. The new funding (250,000 Euros) is to the same project with the same aim of supporting the Government of Afghanistan in making progress towards goals and objectives in the 2016 – 2020 National Mine Action Strategic Plan (NMASP). The Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA), a project of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), is responsible for coordination of the MAPA. Its core activities, to be funded under this proposal, include government capacity development, project planning and prioritization, quality management, information management and resource mobilization for the full breadth of mine action activities—from manual and mechanical clearance to explosive ordnance disposal, risk education on mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) and victim assistance. The UNMACA is also supporting the Government of Afghanistan’s Directorate for Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) in developing and implementing the national mine action strategy. Objectives of the programme area: 1) risks to individuals and the socio-economic impacts of mines and ERW are reduced, 2) comprehensive support is provided by national and international actors to mine and ERW victims, 3) the transfer of mine action functions to national actors is accelerated, 4) mine action is promoted and integrated in multilateral instruments and frameworks as well as national plans and legislations and 5) gender specific needs are mainstreamed in mine action activities. The main beneficiary is the Afghan national authorities. Finland funded the programme with 0,5 million euros during 2017.