ITF visits Cluster Munitions Clearance operations in South Lebanon
ITF representatives, namely Mr. Dorijan Maršič, Director and Mr. Iztok Hočevar, Adviser for International Relations visited DanChurchAid (DCA) Mine Action Programme in Lebanon, which ITF has been supporting from 2009 on.
ITF representatives, namely Mr. Dorijan Marši?, Director and Mr. Iztok Ho?evar, Adviser for International Relations visited DanChurchAid (DCA) Mine Action Programme in Lebanon, which ITF has been supporting from 2009 on. Donor funding for battle area clearance (BAC) operations through ITF was provided by CyprusAid in 2010 until 1 September 2011 and the support continued by US Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, which will support one BAC team until end of February 2012.
ITF team visited DCA BAC task in Ghandouriyal, where cleared land will be used for olive plantation. In period from 23 May 2011 until 1 August 2011 clearance on task was performed by CyprusAid supported BAC team, which continues to perform for the donation of US DoS, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. The task in Ghandouriyal is expected to be finished and cleared land handed over to local population by the end of November 2011.
Based on the visit on the field and DCA overall results in Lebanon, being the best operator for the third year running (according to Lebanon Mine Action Center) in terms of professionalism, productivity and safety, ITF plans to continue seeking for support landmine and cluster clearance operations of DCA in Lebanon.
For 2012 ITF already received pledge from Germany, which decided to join other donors through ITF in supporting clearance operations to achieve the goal of Lebanon being safe from the impact of mines and cluster munitions.