Minefield and UXO clearance - Guinea Bissau

In May 2007, Landmine Action commenced the first stage of a landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance programme in Guinea Bissau, West Africa, in partnership with the Guinean non-governmental organisation (NGO) Humanitarian Aid (HUMAID).

Landmine Action first visited Guinea Bissau in September 2006 to carry out an assessment of mine and ERW contamination and to identify potential local partner organisations. 

The overall objective of Landmine Action’s Guinea Bissau programme is to reduce the adverse affects of mines and ERW by building and strengthening the capacity of HUMAID.

A further objective of the organisation’s programme is to help the Government of Guinea Bissau meet its mine clearance obligations under the 1997 Anti-personnel Mine Ban Treaty. Under the treaty Guinea Bissau is obliged to clear all mines from mined areas by November 2011. Landmine Action’s assessments have shown that this deadline is achievable. By working alongside HUMAID in Guinea Bissau Landmine Action is able to demonstrate is support to the treaty and in particular articles V and VI.