The Issue
Explosive hazards scattered across Tripoli and Sirte constitute both a physical and psychological barrier to development. Clearing this threat is a first step to enabling reconstruction and socio-economic development, essential for basic services, and further to move beyond immediate needs and start the process of promoting social cohesion and national reconciliation.
The Project
Through the clearance of explosive remnants of war (ERW), the provision of explosive ordnance risk education, the implementation of psychosocial support, and the capacity building of national actors, the project improved human security and the resilience of Libyan communities enabling the reconstruction and socio-economic development of the country. In addition, the project contributed to a broad range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including SDG 1: No Poverty (prioritizing vulnerable communities and restoring access to livelihoods), SDG 2: Zero Hunger (leasing land for farming), SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (reducing casualties), SDG 4: Quality Education (clearing schools and access routes), SDG 5: Gender Equality (empowering women through skills and incomes), SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (creating safe access for the reconnection of proper utility supply), SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (improving safe access to restore public infrastructure), SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (ensuring inclusion of marginalized groups), SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (enabling reconstruction), SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (promoting safe disposal and environmental protection), SDG 13: Climate Action (enhancing land restoration and resilience), and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals(strengthening coordination with national stakeholders).
The Change
The project addressed the threat of explosive hazards in Tripoli and Sirte through survey and clearance of land contaminated with explosive remnants of war ERW), removing hazardous items from sites including medical centres, educational facilities, and critical infrastructure, the project has enabled reconstruction and socio-economic development. Explosive ordnance risk education sessions also empowered community members with the knowledge to safely behave and to mitigate the risks associated with explosive remnants of war further enhancing safety and well-being. The provision of psychosocial support activities for children and youth baffected by conflict and displacement, has contributed to improving mental health and resilience. Finally, through the establishment and capacity building of local humanitarian mine action NGO, Al Thiqa Al Amina, the project aimed to ensure more local ownership and participation in mine action efforts.
Partner
Al Thiqa Al Amina (TAD) is a locally founded developing Libyan humanitarian mine action organization, working for a safe Libya free of explosive contamination. DCA Libya supports TAD with organizational and technical trainings with the aim of enhancing its sustainability as a self-sufficient, well-rounded HMA NGO, while reinforcing local ownership of the mine action sector in Libya.
The Results
Throughout the duration of the project from 15 May 2022 until 15 August 2024, the project achieved the following:
- 9,500,000 square meters have been surveyed, declared safe and returned to the communities benefitting more than 150,000 individuals in Tripoli and Sirte.
- 4,246 items of ERW have been removed or destroyed and no longer poses a threat to the inhabitants of Tripoli and Sirte.
- More than 48,000 individuals have received messages of safety and learned how to stay safe in areas contaminated with ERW through 1,700 EORE sessions.
- 46 educators and social workers trained in providing PSS, and more than 6,566 children and youth have benefitted from PSS activities.
- Al Thiqa Al Amina’s first EOD team trained, accredited, and operational.
About this project:
- Project title: Creating safer and more resilient communities to enable socio-economic development in Libya
- Period: 15 May 2022 – 15 August 2024
- Partner: Al Thiqa Al Amina
- # of people reached by end of project: 200,000+
- Donor: European Union
