Ensuring Safe and Dignified Returns Through Mine Risk Education

The Issue

Following political shifts in Syria in 2024/2025, refugees residing in Iraq consider returning home to Syria. However, the refugees face life-threatening dangers from widespread unexploded ordnance, especially in Northeast Syria. Current mine risk education efforts only reach individuals after they return, leaving those conducting exploratory visits, often male breadwinners, highly vulnerable.

Refugee-led organisations lack the capacity and accreditation to deliver pre-return risk education, and with federal pressure to close camps and reduced donor funding, the risk of premature, unsafe returns is increasing.

This project addresses this gap by equipping a refugee-led civil society organisations to deliver Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) in and outside camps, targeting those most at risk. By doing so, it is aiming to prevent injury, loss of life, and further strain on fragile systems, while supporting safer, informed, and dignified returns.

The Project

The Vanguard Project responds to the growing risks faced by Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where over 100,000 individuals reside in camps amid political uncertainty and funding constraints. To address the life-threatening risks faced by Syrian refugees returning from camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Vanguard Project implements targeted Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE).

In partnership with MILE, the project trains a refugee-led civil society organisation to deliver EORE sessions both in and outside camps, focusing on individuals planning exploratory visits or permanent returns to Syria.

The training includes capacity building of staff in EORE delivery, enabling them to conduct weekly session for men, women and children affected by unexploded ordnance. The training is implemented to align with the International Mine Action Standards and the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency.

At the same time, the project focuses on building the organisational capacity of civil society organisation, in order for them to integrate EORE into future funding applications and programming, and enhance coordination with mine action authorities to ensure legitimacy and sustainability.

Combined, this approach equips refugees with life-saving knowledge before they return home, reducing exposure to unexploded ordnance while improving their preparedness.

The Change

As a result of the intervention, over 2,000 refugees will be better informed about the dangers of unexploded ordnance, leading to safer decision-making and fewer casualties.

Breadwinners will be less likely to suffer injury or death during exploratory visits, preserving family stability and reducing strain on local systems.

Refugee-led civil society organisations become better equipped with skills needed to sustain EORE activities independently, which will foster community resilience in the future. Ultimately, the project will enable safer, more dignified returns and strengthen local capacity to respond to future displacement challenges.

The Partner

DCA Iraq partners with the Mile Organization for Environmental Protection. Mile’s aim is to contribute to the national effort to prevent the risks to human life and property caused by climate change and soil pollution.