The Issue
Since the 2011 revolution, Libya has faced continuous cycles of conflict that have left behind extensive contamination from landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The Islamic State/Da’esh occupation of key towns in 2016, the battles to retake them in 2017, heavy fighting between Eastern forces backed by Russia and the internationally recognized government in 2019 and 2020, and more recent inter-militia clashes in 2025 have created overlapping layers of ERW contamination. Entire neighbourhoods, farmlands, and infrastructure corridors remain unsafe, delaying reconstruction and forcing families to live in constant insecurity.
Accidents and injuries as a direct result of landmines and ERW occur regularly in Libya making survey and clearance as well as risk education critical. Compounding the problem of contamination is a lack of national and international mine action NGOs. As a result of the lack of clearance capacity, many development projects have stalled or been prevented from being implemented at all. Given the huge scale of ERW contamination and limited number of clearance teams, more resources are urgently needed.
The Project
The purpose of the project is clear ERW in Tripoli to reduce the threat to human life in Libya, allow the safe return of internally displaced people (IDP) ensure safer access to education and healthcare facilities, as well as basic services such as water and electricity, facilitate productive use of farmland to mitigate Libya’s food security situation, and support reconstruction and development projects planned by the government, municipal councils, NGOs, and UN agencies. Second, DCA teams will provide explosive ordnance risk education to girls, boys, women, and men so that they are better equipped to understand the risk of landmines and ERW, respond safely if they encounter an item, and report items for clearance, ensuring greater freedom of movement. In addition, capacity sharing with DCA’s local partner Al Thiqa Al Amina will ensure that TAD becomes a more well-rounded and self-sufficient humanitarian mine action NGO and enhance local ownership of the mine action sector. Finally, the project contributes 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 addresses the immediate threat to human life posed by ERW through survey and clearance and explosive ordnance risk education sessions, while also building local mine action capacity. The project aims to increase freedom of movement for ERW-affected communities, pave the way for the return of IDPs, release land for the safe implementation of agro-ecology and socio-economic development projects, and overall, contribute to a more resilient and stable Libya.
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 is currently supporting 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.
About this project:
- Project title: Mine Action and Custer Munitions Programme (MACM) III
- Timeline: 1 June 2025 – 31 May 2030
- Partner: Al Thiqa Al Amina
- Amount: EUR 5.8 million
- DCA Theme: Save Lives
- Expected number of people reached: 60,000+
- Donor: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
