ABOUT
UNMAS has long been supporting mine action activities throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory. However, since the resumption of hostilities on 7 October
2023, UNMAS operations have considerably evolved to adapt to the emerging needs of local populations and humanitarian partners amidst the ongoing conflict.
Since 2009, UNMAS has provided explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) support at UN and humanitaria partner sites, has delivered explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to the civilian community and humanitarian workers, and co-coordinates the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR ) in Gaza. In the West Bank, UNMAS supported the establishment of the Palestine Mine Action Center (PMAC) in 2012, with ongoing capacity enhancement activities. UNMAS provides EOD response at UN and humanitarian partner projects sites, delivers EORE to the civilian community including humanitarian workers, and co-coordinates the MA AoR under the Protection Cluster. In the West Bank, UNMAS supported the establishment of the PMAC in 2012. Since then, UNMAS has been providing capacity building and technical assistance to the PMAC towards meeting its obligations under the relevant international treaties. UNMAS provides training to the PMAC personnel in the delivery of EORE, information management (IM), coordination and reporting, gender responsive programming. UNMAS carries out capacity gap assessments to identify the changing needs and plan appropriate support.
UNMAS oPt continues to implement its work in alignment with the provisions of UN Security Council resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2728 (2024) and UN General Assembly resolutions A/RES/ES-10/21 (2023) and A/RES/ES-10/22 (2023) on the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and the provision of humanitarian activities in the current conflict. It also aligns with the Humanitarian Response Plan for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (HRP oPt) 2023, the Flash Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2023, the renewed Flash Appeal for April - December 2024 and the UNMAS Palestine Programme Strategy (PS). Once development efforts can re-start, this programme will again contribute to the achievement of SDG 16 "Peace Justice and Strong Institutions", target "Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere", and play an essential function to enable other humanitarian actors to achieve other SDG goals, such as SDG 2 "Zero Hunger", SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-being", SDG 4 "Quality Education", SDG 5 "Gender Equality", SDG 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation" and SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" by minimizing the substantial explosive threats posed to the UN and humanitarian actors in Gaza.
Lastly, and while the UNMAS oPt Programme addresses the threat of explosive remnants of war (ERW), it is aligned with the Oslo Action Plan by the States Parties of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in the sense that EORE and the collection of victim data are part of best practice and are as important in providing effective responses to the threat of ERW as they are to the threat of anti-personnel mines.
Achievements (Oct 2023 - Dec 2024)
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* 342 for humanitarian sites (IDP shelters and camps, medical and WASH facilities, UN offices etc.)* 299 for routes in support of interagency missions delivering fuel, food and medical supplies* 253 route and site EHAs canceled, aborted or denied due to security concerns or incidents
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UNMAS has long been supporting mine action activities in Palestine, both in Gaza and in the West Bank. However, since the resumption of hostilities on 7 October 2023, UNMAS operations have considerably evolved to adapt to the emerging needs of local populations and humanitarian partners amidst the ongoing conflict.
ACTIVITIES
The UNMAS oPt programme has strengthened its resources and adapted to the present situation, focusing its efforts in Gaza through specific pillars and
activities. In the West Bank, it continues supporting EORE and the PMAC capacity building.
In Gaza, humanitarian mine action is integrated with aid delivery to address the high threats faced by the population and humanitarian actors, as well as initial debris
management efforts. UNMAS work serves as an integral enabler of humanitarian activity, also recognising that EOD response be an essential prerequisite for all early recovery and reconstruction efforts including debris management and rubble removal.
UNMAS as a Coordinating Body in Gaza
UNMAS is designated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator to lead the coordination of mine action response in the Gaza Strip. UNMAS tasks and prioritizes the work of humanitarian mine action actors in Gaza including by providing a comprehensive information management system. It co-chairs the MA AoR under the Protection Cluster with the NGO Humanity & Inclusion. The MA AoR ensures that all humanitarian actors harmonize and coordinate humanitarian mine action responses and houses multiple Technical Working Groups to tackle thematic issues with a focused perspective.
Unique Context for EO Response
Right now, all humanitarian organizations are operating in a very challenging context. As conflict is ongoing, the kinetic environment continues to be extremely dangerous for humanitarian actors who serve the population in need. UNMAS is a key risk mitigation actor within this environment, assessing explosive hazard threats at sites or along route areas where humanitarian actors plan to provide humanitarian assistance.
With Gaza being 87% urbanized and experiencing immense levels of debris and rubble accumulation (42 million tons estimated as of September 2024), access to those in need is an enormous challenge. In any aftermath of a war, as individuals come back to their homes, it is expected that explosive ordnance will be found under the debris. Currently, UNMAS works together with UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, and other organizations through the Debris Management Working Group and actively contributes to the Early Recovery Plans developed by the UN Country Team. Since September 2024, the Debris Management Working Group has initiated a Pilot Project to begin early rubble removal efforts, with UNMAS providing explosive hazard assessments at sites and risk education to construction workers involved in debris management efforts.
FUNDING
UNMAS oPt is committed to delivering in this increasingly difficult context and has adapted its operations to ensure its presence as the war continues. Ensuring that adequate funding, resources, and coordination are in place for mine action will be crucial to guarantee the safety of people during the recovery and reconstruction efforts. UNMAS is making appeals to donors to continue supporting its work as it reaches a critical stage in continued emergency response and preparedness for ceasefire and postwar recovery efforts.
Data as of March 2025