INTEGRAL MINE ACTION ECUADOR-PERU RIO CHIRA. Humanitarian Demining in the Rio Catamayo-Chira, on the border between Peru and Ecuador.

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1 INTEGRAL MINE ACTION RIO CHIRA PROJECT: COVERAGE: PARTNERS: EXECUTIVE AGENCY: Humanitarian Demining in the Rio Catamayo-Chira, on the border between Peru and Ecuador. Loja and El Oro Provinces, Ecuador Piura Department, Peru National Demining Center of Ecuador (CENDESMI); Peruvian Mine Action Center (CONTRAMINAS) Humanitarian Demining R&D program, U.S DOD Ecuadorian Army Demining Command PERIOD: August December 2011 TOTAL COST: US $ 102, Objectives Conclude humanitarian demining operations in the Rio Catamayo-Chira border region using specialized mechanical equipment in a safe, secure and efficient manner. Prevention of landmine accidents in the mine-affected communities in the cantons of Zapotillo, Huaquillas and Arenillas in Ecuador and Pampa Larga in Peru. Baseline Reference At the extreme southwestern region of Ecuador there are three known border zones affected by land mines. One of these zones lies in Zapotillo Canton where nine separate areas are suspected of mine contamination; another zone is in Huaquillas Canton with one suspected area, and the third zone is Arenillas Canton, with three suspected areas. Most affected is the zone in Zapotillo Canton where the Chira River runs along a portion of the Peru-Ecuador border between the Ecuadorian province of Loja and the Peruvian department of Piura. Mine clearance operations in the area generally northeast and southwest of the town of Zapotillo, along the Chira, began in 2001 with the first impact surveys. By July 2004 technical surveys in 22 of 24 objectives areas had been completed. However, between 2004 and 2008 nine areas along the Chira where the river comes in contact with Zapotillo Parrish were determined suspect of containing mines and therefore hazardous to the inhabitants. After surveying, it was determined that the zone could not be

2 cleared by manual technique due to the rocky terrain and the riverbed soil conditions in these nine areas. Since then, all dangerous areas have been permanently marked and the markings monitored regularly. Additionally, semi-annual mine risk education campaigns have been conducted for nearby populations. The population most directly affected by landmines is that living along the river in Zapotillo Parrish. The Parrish has about 4,000 inhabitants with about half of them living in town and the other half dispersed around the rural surroundings. The populations of Zapotillo, both within the Parrish and the Canton, are mostly dedicated to agriculture, raising cattle, mining, and tourism. Carrying out these activities implies taking risks due to the danger of mines in the zone. Likewise, the population of Pampa Larga in Piura, Peru, is affected because of its proximity to Zapotillo. Mine risk education campaigns have been regularly conducted in the area since 2002, and no landmine accidents have been reported in these communities in recent years. However, during the first half of 2008, two anti-tank mines were found by local inhabitants in Zapotillo Parrish. Map is for illustration only; limits or positions are not authoritative Between August 2005 and August 2011 mine risk education campaigns were carried out in Arenillas, Huaquillas, and Santa Rosa cantons in El Oro province. These preventive education campaigns are planned throughout 2012 along with monitoring and maintenance of the marking signs around suspect areas.

3 By 2004, the Ecuadorian national demining authorities had cleared fifteen areas identified as suspect in Arenillas Canton in El Oro Province. In January 2005, a resident of the canton reported mines in an area known as La Isla in the Chacras Parrish of Arenillas. A technical survey at La Isla indicated the inapplicability of manual techniques for mine removal. Two additional suspected hazardous areas were identified in November 2008 and in October 2009, and another suspected area in nearby Huaquillas. The suspected area in Chacras Parrish is estimated at 12,000 square meters, while the other three areas are estimated at about 10,000 square meters each. In 2008 the Humanitarian Demining Directorate within the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command which supports the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Program, began searching for a solution to the suspect areas in the Rio Catamayo-Chira. The program evaluated two potential mechanical solutions to the problem of antipersonnel mines in the Loja province and possible applicable also to the problem in El Oro. A stationary sifter with an orbit screener, and a mobile rock crusher, were modified and tested. After testing, these possible solutions, the R&D program recommended a prototype system combining both pieces of equipment for field evaluation in demining operations along the Río Chira. In 2010 the German government donated to the Ecuadorian demining program a front loader with backhoe to be armored for use of this project, completing the mechanical component necessary for clearance operations. The front loader was armored from June to July 2010 to ensure protection of the operator, courtesy of the German government. Also in 2010, the AICMA program along with project partners assisted in the deployment and operational readiness of the mechanical component for the project with the preparation of an operator s manual and the conduct of nine non-technical surveys in the suspected areas along the Rio Chira banks. In October project partners conducted training for machine operators, the demining team, and for monitors and supervisors. On 5 November clearance operations began at the priority area denominated CG-5-3 on Zapotillo s waterfront. The project continued clearance operations of suspect areas and is scheduled to conclude no later than end of September Methodology The Demining General Command and EOD is the Ecuadorian Army organization responsible for the conduct of mine clearance operations, as specified in the National Demining Plan of Ecuador. The Demining General Command directs two Regional Demining Commands denominated Tarqui and Amazonas. The Tarqui Command is conducting humanitarian demining operations in Loja Province with 18 demining personnel. The OAS ASICMA program supports Ecuadorian units in the field with technical expertise and logistical support for the machinery used in clearance operations. AICMA provides support for the conduct of technical surveys in the remaining suspect areas and for the conduct of non-technical surveys in the suspect areas in Huaquillas and Arenillas cantons.

4 The OAS AICMA program, in coordination with CENDESMI and CONTRAMINAS will assist in conducting mine risk education campaigns in three Ecuadorian communities and one in Peru. On-site monitoring of procedures will be accomplished by personnel coordinated by AICMA-Ecuador to ensure adherence to National and International humanitarian demining standards. AICMA will provide technical coordination and administrative and logistic support with a staff of ten personnel in the AICMA-Ecuador office in Quito. One staff engineer for technical and logistical support to the project will be located in Zapotillo during all periods of operations. Activities and Anticipated Results Main activities and expected results to successfully complete the project include: Objective 1 Conclude humanitarian demining operations in the Rio Catamayo-Chira border region using specialized mechanical equipment in a safe, secure and efficient manner: Activity 1.a: Provide logistical and maintenance support for mechanical demining operations. o Result: All operations sustained through 30 September Activity 1.b: Provide technical advice and monitoring of mechanical demining operations through September 2012, ensuring appropriate and safe employment and required maintenance. o Result: Clearance of six confirmed hazardous areas in the canton of Zapotillo, province of Loja, Ecuador. o Result: Release or clearance of four suspected hazardous areas in the cantons of Arenillas and Huaquillas, province of El Oro, Ecuador. o Result: More than 4,000 residents of the provinces of Loja and El Oro, Ecuador, and the department of Piura, Peru, benefitted by the elimination of the threat of landmines. Objective 2 Prevention of landmine accidents in the mine-affected communities in the cantons of Zapotillo, Huaquillas and Arenillas in Ecuador and Pampa Larga in Peru. Activity 2.a: Coordinate and conduct two campaigns in 2012 to reinforce mine risk education en the affected communities of Arenillas and Zapotillo, Ecuador and Pampa Larga, Peru.

5 o Result: Approximately 8,500 people in the provinces of Loja and El Oro in Ecuador and the department of Piura in Peru educated on the risks of landmines. Risks and Mitigation Strategies The principal factors affecting humanitarian demining operations in this region are rains and a subsequent rise of the river level making access to suspect areas difficult, particularly from December to March. To mitigate this effect, clearance operations are planned for clear days and maintenance operations during rainy days to take advantage of the workshop facilities provided by Ecuador for the project. In case water overflows into the suspect areas being worked the Humanitarian Directorate of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command provided drainage water pumps. In case of imminent flooding from a rise in the river current plans call for total evacuation of personnel and equipment. Human Resources Clearance operations will be carried out by a team of 18 deminers from the Regional Command Tarqui. The AICMA program contracted a mechanical engineer to ensure the equipment is correctly maintained and employed. AICMA also provides a specialist in designing and conducting mine risk education campaigns. The specialist conducts all campaigns in Ecuador in conjunction with personnel from the Demining General Command and EOD. Monitoring and Evaluation The AICMA program will provide on-site monitoring of humanitarian demining operations through its staff. The mechanical engineer conducts site visits and prepares monthly field reports of operations as well as an evaluation on technical aspects of the machinery used. Project advances will be monitored and evaluated by the national mine action authorities based on monthly field reports. The National Coordinator for AICMA in Ecuador will evaluate all reports. At the conclusion of each mine risk education campaign, AICMA-EC will provide results from field reports. The mine risk education specialist will provide reports to the AICMA-EC Coordinator for evaluation and to update the AICMA-EC/PE data base. The AICMA Coordinator, in conjunction with Ecuadorian field personnel, will also provide a technical evaluation on the effectiveness of the mechanical means applied. This information will be provided to the Humanitarian Demining Directorate for further technical evaluation for research and development purposes.

6 The AICMA Coordinator will provide quarterly progress reports to AICMA-OAS for evaluation and subsequent reporting to project donors. Additional reports that might be required will be provided upon request. Project Innovations The adaptation of commercially available hardware for use in humanitarian demining in the Rio Chira area is innovative in itself. The hardware has been purposely adapted and selected for the sandy and rocky riverbanks and riverbeds of the Chira. The selected hardware is expected to allow completion of the clearance operations begun in Project Impact The project benefits people on both sides of the Rio Chira. The population living near this international border will live without fear of minefields, and will have safe access to the river for leisure. The positive impact of mine clearance in the Rio Chira contributes to foster tourism and economic integration among communities on the border regions. Sustainability This project is entering its second year of implementation. The project has been sustained by the partners. The National Authorities for Demining and the Ecuadorian Army s Demining General Command and EOD provided the 18-member demining team, and facilitated coordinated with local authorities and other government institutions. Germany and the United States provided the machinery that enables mechanical solutions in the field. The OAS AICMA program has sustained technical and logistical support thanks to international donors, especially the Kingdom of Belgium. The positive impact of this project can be sustained through further national or bilateral development projects. Budget Summary Direct Costs $USD Personnel 31, Community Liaison and Mine Risk Education 36, Logistical Support 14, Operational Support 9, Total Direct Costs 91, Indirect Costs Recovery (11% OEA Exec. Order 07-01) 11, Project Total $ 102,318.00