Thursday, September 9, 2010 - Second Day of Mine Action Activities

Thursday, September 9, 2010 - Second Day of Mine Action Activities

Our day began with a visit to the Lebanon Mine Action Center, which is headed by Brigadier General Mohammad Fehmi.  After a cordial meet and greet session, Brigadier General Fehmi and his staff presented a comprehensive brief on the landmine and cluster munitions challenge in Lebanon, with cluster munitions constituting the more serious threat, particularly in southern Lebanon.

Brigadier General Fehmi also presented a dramatic and compelling video highlighting the impact of the 2006 conflict with Israel, after which hundreds of thousands of unexploded cluster munitions – some estimate the number at more than one million -- littered the land.

The conflict dealt a severe blow to Lebanon’s economy.  It affected every aspect of the country’s resources and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of citizens.  The post-conflict reconstruction of Lebanon continues to depend on the development of basic services such as water, health, education and agricultural production.

As a result of the contamination, the risk to Lebanon’s population increased significantly.  This risk affects economic growth and limits the capacity to increase agricultural output and rebuild vital infrastructure.  Additionally, the availability of safe land to rebuild villages and homes is severely limited, and the activities of relief and development agencies working to rehabilitate the affected regions are impeded.

Since 2006, there have been 386 landmine/UXO casualties in Lebanon, 46 of which were fatalities.  Cluster munitions, as opposed to landmines and other unexploded ordnance, caused a large majority of these casualties.

Since 1975, there have been a total of 3,868 landmine/UXO casualties.  Of that number, 963 have been fatalities.

Brigadier General Fehmi praised the work that has been done in his country over the years, particularly the clearance efforts of the Lebanon army.  He clearly believes that Lebanon has the skills and experience necessary to allow Lebanon to become “free” from the impact of landmines and UXO by 2014.  LMAC’s greatest challenge, he said, is funding.  Without sufficient funds, the target of 2014 is in jeopardy.

After our visit with Brigadier General Fehmi and his staff, the group traveled to Nabatieh, in southern Lebanon, to visit the operational headquarters of MAG Lebanon.  There, we benefitted from a briefing by MAG’s interim Country Manager, Llewelyn Jones.  MAG expanded its existing operations in late 2006/early 2007 and, at one time, employed over 400 staff.

MAG has 10 Battle Area Clearance teams, demining teams, two mechanical teams, and three community liaison teams.

After the briefing, we headed to a demonstration by MAG clearance teams. The group donned protective gear to get a sense of what deminers (or mine clearance technicians) had to deal with when undergoing the tedious and dangerous process of mine/UXO detection and clearance.  With gear still on, the group observed the work of these extraordinary individuals, who put themselves at risk so that others might live.  Hats off to them and others like them around the globe.

When we completed our visit with MAG Lebanon, we traveled to the coastal city of Tyre, which traces its routes to the third millennium BC.  We visited Roman and Byzantine ruins before returning to our hotel in Beirut.

Our day ended with a fantastic dining experience at the Restaurant Babel, an event hosted by Jennifer Lachman, MAG America’s Executive Director.