Many Libyans have been injured or killed by mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO) like one of the children in this TV reportage from from the Arabic TV network and channel Al Jazeera English. Others are afraid of growing their land because of UXO – real or imagined - in the fields.
DCA operator in action
DanChurchAid’s Humantarian Mine Action teams have been active in Libya since May 2011, clearing hospitals, schools, homes, streets and fields. At the moment, they are active in the Zlitan area, as seen in this TV reportage. The person with the DCA logo on his black jacket is Kaido Keerdo, one of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators at the programme. Local people finding unexploded items call a helpline number. Handicap International responds to the calls, and brings in DCA’s disposal teams.
Once UXOs have been identified, it is the EOD operators who decide what should be the next steps – whether the items should be removed or detonated at site.
2,000 UXOs removed
Since the start of its operations, DCA has identified close to 2,000 UXO in Libya.
DCA is receiving funding from the Danish development agency, Danida, LEGO and ECHO in Libya.