Weapons and ammunition disposal (WAD) - Liberia

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) such as guns, mortars and grenades have been the principle weapons used during conflict in Liberia. The continued presence of these weapons is a threat to safety and a hindrance to peace and development.

Landmine Action’s weapons and ammunitions disposal (WAD) programme which commenced in February 2006, works to find effective ways of removing weapons from circulation and reducing armed violence.

As well as addressing explosive remnants of war (ERW), Landmine Action’s risk education process encourages communities to hand in weapons and ammunition which are passed to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for destruction.

Landmine Action provides an impartial focal point for communities to improve safety and rid themselves of dangerous weapons in the absence of an established police force. Our well trained local staff are able to enter communities, and work to build trust and cooperation over many months, in a way that the police and UNMIL personnel are not. The programme helps to bridge the gap between affected communities and the authorities.

The risk education programme aims to raise awareness and understanding of the potential harm that can be caused by ERW and change attitudes to guns and armed violence. Landmine Action’s encourage safe practices for individuals living in contaminated environments and develop systems for recording and reporting dangerous items.

As well as marking and reporting ERW, communities “find” weapons and ammunition which are either given to the designated community focal point or held by the owner or finder. Community focal points are trained to enter details of identified weapons into a log book provided by Landmine Action. During community visits, the risk education team checks the log book, records the detail and collects any weapons or ammunition for disposal.

Communities that have received risk education and training have developed a sense of pride and responsibility in confronting the threat of small arms and explosive remnants of war.