Press Releases

The Government of New Zealand donates USD 160,000 and deploys in-kind specialized personnel to support UNMAS explosive hazard management activities in Iraq

25 Sep 2018 | Baghdad

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) welcomes a contribution of NZD 250,000 (USD 160,000) from the Government of New Zealand and is grateful for the deployment of an in-kind Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation Advisor to support explosive hazard management activities in Iraq.

The Federal Republic of Germany supports joint Ministry of Interior and UNMAS training to respond to explosive hazards

13 Aug 2018 | Baghdad

Baghdad – This week marked the beginning of a 75-day training course in Anbar jointly organized by the Ministry of Interior and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). This course will be the first of its kind, with Iraqi Police instructors and UNMAS instructors working closely side-by-side to train local police in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive devices disposal (IEDD).

The Government of France supports Explosive Hazards Management to enable Humanitarian and Stabilization Efforts in Liberated Areas

25 Jul 2018 | Baghdad

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) welcomes a first contribution of EUR 500,000 (USD 590,000) from the Government of France dedicated to explosive hazard management in support of humanitarian and stabilization efforts. The presence of explosive hazards, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in areas liberated from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), will continue to impede security and stability efforts until they are cleared and rendered safe.

UNMAS life-saving work in Iraq continues with support from the Government of Australia

13 May 2018 | Baghdad

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) welcomes the contribution of AUD 11 million (USD 8.6 million) from the Government of Australia dedicated to explosive hazard management in support of humanitarian and stabilization efforts.

Assisting stabilization and early recovery in liberated areas by mitigating explosive threats

10 Apr 2018 | Baghdad

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes a renewed contribution of twenty five million (25,000,000) Danish Kroner (USD 3.7 million) from the Government of Denmark in support of UNMAS’ activities that are providing an explosive hazard management response in areas liberated from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Estonia renews its assistance to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts through support to explosive hazard response

5 Apr 2018 | Baghdad

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) welcomes an additional contribution from the Republic of Estonia in support of mine action activities in Iraq. The Republic of Estonia has prioritized mine action, including clearance of explosives in areas liberated from ISIL, as essential activities before the rehabilitation and reconstruction work can be carried out and civilians can start to return home safely.

UK Commits to Rid Deadly Mines in Afghanistan and Sudan

4 Apr 2018 | New York

The United Kingdom, through its Department for International Development (DFID) has committed to clearing a further 20 km² of land and 1,000 km more of priority routes for humanitarian aid delivery in Afghanistan and Sudan, in partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). This funding is part of DFID’s global efforts to address the landmine issue through a multi-year £100 million UK aid package announced last year.

Japan Donates USD 9.3 Million to Humanitarian Mine Action

1 Apr 2018 | New York

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has received a contribution of USD 9.3 million to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action (UN VTF) from the Government of Japan to undertake critical humanitarian mine action programming in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. Japan is one of the largest donors to the UN VTF providing over USD 132 million since 2010. In addition to its financial support, UNMAS benefits from the provision of Japanese in-kind personnel.

Launching of the project “Protecting Civilians in Syria through Humanitarian Mine Action Coordination (1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019)” funded by the Government of Japan

1 Apr 2018 | Beirut

Beirut, 1 April 2018 – with the support from the Government of Japan (USD 1.3 million), the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Syria Response launched the project “Protecting Civilians in Syria through Humanitarian Mine Action Coordination” to reinforce the protection of civilians in Syria through humanitarian mine action activities.

UNMAS welcomes an additional contribution from the UK to enable the safe, dignified and voluntary return of people to Mosul

31 Mar 2018 | Baghdad

The UK Government has donated an additional 1 million GBP (1.3 million USD) to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), increasing the UK total contribution to 14.2 million GBP (20 million USD). The additional funding will boost UNMAS support to stabilization efforts by increasing survey and clearance of critical infrastructure in liberated areas. This is important before rehabilitation can commence and crucial for the safe, dignified and voluntary returns of displaced people.