UXO HOTSPOTS CLEARANCE IN ALBANIA RASR Meeting 24-25 25 April 2012 Durres- Albania Albanian Mine & Munitions Coordination Office (AMMCO)
UXO HOTSPOTS OVERVIEW UXO hotspots are mainly a result of explosions at ammunition storage sites. AAF general surveys have identified 18 UXO hotspots. The contamination includes unexploded ordnance of various types. 109 people have been killed and 510 injured by unexploded ordnances throughout Albania. The last accident recorded in April 2012.
UXO Hotspots Clearance Programme Mine Action capacities transited to UXO hotspots clearance. AMAE transformed to AMMCO external coordination and monitoring body. Local demining teams trained to UXO hotspots clearance. Transfer of Mine Action equipment to the Demilitarization Programme (EOD AAF) and UXO hotspots clearance (Clearance Organization). MoUs signed between MoD-USA and MoD-UNDP Albania on the implementation of unexploded ordnance hotspots clearance in Albania. The National Action Plan for UXO Clearance is developed and to be approved by Minister of Defense this month.
Hotspots Clearance Management Scheme
Albanian Government Contribution UXO Hotspots Clearance Storage of the ammunition collected in the UXO Hotspots, in the AAF depots designated for this purpose. Transport of ammunition to the approved demolition ranges with vehicles of the Armed Forces. Disposal of ammunition in the demolition ranges by the EOD experts of the Logistics Brigade. Disposal in site of ammunition and their components found in the UXO Hotspots and considered dangerous for transport. Standby Medical Evacuation Support with helicopter by the Albanian Air Forces.
UXO Hotspots Clearance UNDP Contribution Support AMMCO to Coordinate and Monitor the UXO Hotspots Clearance operations in Albania. Provide seed funding for the preparation and operation of AMMCO activities. Provide technical support through AMMCO in developing a Humanitarian Framework and Standards for UXO Hotspots clearance and ammunition disposal. Support the Demilitarization and Hotspots Clearance Programme by providing several equipment procured with funding from the European Union Delegation and other donors in framework of the Mine Action Programme.
UXO Hotspots Clearance AMMCO-s s Roles and Responsibilities Conduct technical assessments of all Hotspots and prepare Action Plan for clearance. Prepare UXO Hotspots clearance standards in compliance with the International Standards and consultation with implementing partners. Prepare the UXO Hotspots clearance priorities and propose for approval to the Demilitarization Board. Accredit clearance operators and field tasking. Application of Quality Control and Quality Assurance of all clearance operations. Issue handover certificates for the areas cleared. Develop adequate community liaison and risk education mechanisms for local communities in hotspot areas. Expand Albania s existing victim assistance programme to include ERW survivors.
Hotspots Technical and Socio-Economic Assessments Aim of the Technical Assessments: Exact location of the threat Estimation of the highest threat area within the hotspot area Description of location Determine clearance operation data for the start of the operation (creating task dossier) Determine clearance requirements Develop an adequate SOP (Standard Operation Standard) for Quality assurance & Control Impact of the threat to the communities Aim of the Socio-economic Assessments : Assesment of the socio- economic situation of the area surrounding the UXO hotspots and the potential beneficiaries. Identify the needs for Risk Education and Victim Assistance Establish the basis for community liaison Identify the UXO survivors and their medical and socio- economic needs.
Hotspots assessed to date 1. Sinanaj - Tepelene 2. Gjeroven - Berat 3. Ura e Gjadrit - Vau Dejes 4. Picar - Gjirokaster 5. Kordhoce - Gjirokaster 6. Jube-Sukth - Durres 7. Mbreshtan - Berat 8. Lac 9. Palikesht - Berat 10. Malesia e Lezhes- Manati 11. Rreshen- Mirdite 12. Pilur- Himare 13. Shen Vasil - Sarande 14. Klos- Burrel 15. Suc- Burrel
Hotspots to be assessed: Ongoing Assessments: Peshkopi- Diber Selixe Mat Shëmrisë - Gramsh
Hotspots Clearance Priorities Nr UXO Hotspot Risk Socio-Economic Hazard area Priority for Assessment Assessment m2 Clearance 1 HS Sinanaj-Tepelene High High 200,000 High 2 HS Gjeroven High High 12,000 High 3 HS Ura e Gjadrit High Medium 95,000 High 4 HS Picar Low Medium 62,000 Medium 5 HS Kordhoc Medium Medium 2,400 Medium 6 HS Jube-Sukth Low High 1,326,714 Medium 7 HS Mbreshtan Low Low 30,720 Low 8 HS Laç Low Low 1,117 Low 9 HS Palikesht Low Low - Low 10 HS M.Lezhes - Manati Low Low - Low 11 HS Rreshen - Mirdite Low Low 10,000 Low 12 HS Pilure - Himare Low Medium 12,000 Medium 13 HS Shen - Vasil Vlore Low Low - Low 14 HS Klos - Burrel Medium Low 180 Medium 15 HS Suc - Burrel Low Medium 84,000 Medium
Hotspots Clearance Progress Ura e Gjadrit - Shkoder Clearance was carried out by Sterling/DCA with funding from US State Department/ITF (Nov.2011- April 2012). Ammunition disposal and transport was carried out by the EOD AAF Team s. Coordination and monitoring of operations carried out by AMMCO. The total area cleared at this hotspot is 93,200 m2 and ammunition found include: 509 artillery ammunition, 877 fuses, 209 hand grenades, 184 mortar shells, 18 RPGs, 19,681 small arms ammunition. The cleared area is in process of being handed over to the community. Operations were carried out with NO accidents, based on humanitarian safety standards and in close cooperation with the local authorities & community.
Hotspots Clearance Plan Gjeroven-Berat Ammunition found during the assessment Small arms ammunition Hand grenades & fuzes Mortar s 60/82/120 mm Projectiles fuzed/unfuzed Recommended for clearance The hotspot needs urgent clearance of the confirmed hazard area. A full excavation of parts of the hotspot area will be partially needed. Vegetation needs to be cut to provide access for operators. Clearance difficulties Steep hill sides, rocky terrain, rubble, iron containing minerals. Parts of hardly accessible vegetation. Presumably ammunition dumps, deep in the earth (full excavation).
IMSMA NG Overview Visualisation via GIS Detailed structure of the location Detailed overview of the operational activity
Hotspots Information Management Hotspot Task Process: Designation Priorities setting Plan Involvement Completion Handover Requirements: Hotspots location Perimeter of the infected area Expected ammunition Assessment Impact Development Plans Task Dossier Assets Time frame Terrain Other UXO clearance Operational activities Area cleared-m2 Findings Marking task Task sketch Completing documents Handover of documents Archive
IMSMA NG for ASD
Risk Education/Community Liaison & Victim Assistance Activities Risk Education/Community Liaison Surveys and field visits within local communities to identify and update priorities to address during the clearance season. Obtain official approval of clearance priorities from Demilitarization Board prior to starting field activities. Distributing awareness materials with risk education messages to all residents at risk. Victim Assistance Continue support to Landmine and UXO survivors in northeast Albania. Address the needs for medical and physical rehabilitation as well as for socio-economic reintegration of mine/erw survivors in compliance with the National Strategy for the People with Disabilities.
Partnerships US State Department and Germany are funding currently through ITF hotspots clearance operations. UNDP is supporting AMMCO for coordination and monitoring of hotspots clearance activities. ITF is continuing support with training/equipment in use by AMMCO and the clearance organizations Sterling/DCA/EOD Solutions. GICHD is supporting through adaptation of IMSMA to hotspots clearance and training for AMMCO. Swiss General Staff is supporting with in-kind EOD Specialist to AMMCO. ICRC is funding the Albanian Red Cross for risk education and providing emergency EOD and RE team in case of any stockpile explosion.
Thank you