In order to reduce the risks associated with explosive devices, from 2019 to 2020, the Korean Agency for International Cooperation (KOICA) provided a generous support of 2.6 million US dollars to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for the implementation of the project "Consolidation of peace and stability in the DRC through the reduction of explosive devices and armed violence" in the provinces of Tanganyika, South Kivu and Ituri.
Completed on 14 March 2020, this project enabled UNMAS to clear a total of 191,365 sqm, out of 741,559m2 [1] representing 53 mined areas within the whole DRC territory. In addition, 148 submunitions, 3 mines and 39 explosive remnants of war were destroyed. UNMAS also provided Risk Education awareness sessions on the risks posed by explosive devices and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the target provinces to 80,627 community members (corresponding to 5.75% of the total of people living in contaminated and conflict zones needing risk education activities in the intervention areas of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2020) including 8,287 men, 8,090 women, 31,736 boys and 32,514 girls.
This funding has also led to the capacity building of 3 national NGOs: BADU (Emergency Development Action Office), GADDE (African Group of Mine Action, Development and Environment) and AFRILAM (Africa for Mine Action). The training improved their capacities to implement activities as per national and international standards in the field as well their management skill of humanitarian mine action projects.
In June 2019, UNMAS launched the #SafeGround campaign at Divin Maître Primary School in Shabunda territory, South Kivu province. With support from KOICA, UNMAS delivered risk education to the 530 students and teaching staff who resumed their studies safely and the school expanded the building after the removal of a submunition from the premises in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality education) and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Safe land).
[1] Mine Action Review/ Clearing the Mines 2019, page 103 available on http://www.mineactionreview.org/assets/downloads/NPA_Clearing_the_Mines_2019_Democratic_Republic_of_Congo.pdf