Iraq

More than 30 years of conflict and unrest in Iraq has left it with one of the world’s highest incidences of contamination by landmines, cluster munitions and other weapons. These remnants of conflict cause continued devastation to communities, both through the physical danger they pose and by preventing access to land, development of infrastructure and threatening the fragile security of the whole region.

Improvised explosive devices, such as car bombs which are too frequently used in Iraq, are often created from the material plundered by insurgents from unexploded bombs.

Act for Peace in Iraq

Act for Peace’s disarmament partner in Iraq, the Mines Advisory Group, has removed more than 1.5 million landmines, cluster munitions and other weapons since 1992. This demining work significantly reduces the threat of accident and injury to both resident and displaced populations, and has supported rehabilitation and socio-economic development initiatives.

Cleared land can now be used by communities, and agencies and local government can access areas to provide basic services to the local population. This work acts in support of peace-building initiatives which aim for long-term stability in Iraq.

In the past year alone, the program achieved:

•	4,000,000m2 of land released, through a combination of manual mechanical, mine detection dog clearance and area reduction, completing clearance operations
•	80,000 hazardous items removed and destroyed
•	2,000 Mine Risk Education sessions held

 

 

 

 

Click here to read about how monthly giving by Act for Peace Partners is supporting churches in Syria to help Iraqi refugees to rebuild their lives.