Sida's Contributions to Humanitarian Mine Action

ing that demining has any effect at all. NPA’s presence in Angola dates to the mid-1980s, when theorganization supported South African refugees in camps run by the African National Congress (ANC). 11After signing an agreement with the Angolan government in 1989, NPA gradually expanded its engagement.The mine action programme began in early 1995, with demining in Malanje province,traditionally a target area for Swedish assistance. NPA’s programme expanded rapidly, culminatingwith a partial national survey in 1996–97, the introduction of MDDs in 1996 and the testing of variousmechanical approaches from 1997 onwards. Currently, NPA is the largest demining initiative in Angola.NPA’s programme in Angola has been characterized by the use of conventionally organized deminingteams and a variety of mechanical means of demining. In the past, the combination of largeplatoons and strong technical proficiency was accorded greater prominence than concerns aboutimpact. Given the current political situation (i.e. ongoing conflict), such an approach can be unproductive.More recently NPA has, as will be elaborated in later sections, attempted to respond to the changingneeds of the population through the development of impact-assessment tools. The latter call forthe combined use of different demining techniques (e.g. manual, machines and MDDs) to improve thespeed of demining.ImpactLike many mine-action organizations built on military knowledge, MAG has had difficulties in givingimpact the same prominence as techniques. The shift that has taken place within the Northern Iraqprogramme since 1995 grew out of a synthesis of staff with a military background and staff with adevelopment background. In MAG’s case, the latter were often brought in to conduct mine-awarenessactivities. Communities often became increasingly frustrated with repeated mine-awareness visits thatdid not lead to mine removal. 12 MATs were developed as a response to this.In Northern Iraq, MAG establishes priorities based on data drawn from mine-affected communities andcollected prior to 1998. If needed, MAG collects new data, but only after a particular village or area hasbeen categorized as a priority. MAG also uses a less systematic type of data in the form of communityrequests and MAG evaluation reports. HMA organizations have often dealt with impact in a rather staticmanner, collecting baseline data before moving on to the technical operation. MAG operates with theconcept of ’Community Liaison’. In practice, this relies on the MAT team’s ability to maintain a dialoguewith the local community during operations, conduct mine awareness, and monitor and evaluate impact.MAG now systematically returns to projects for post-clearance impact assessments.In March and April 2000, MAG in Northern Iraq hired a consultant to review its system of prioritization.13 As a result, MAG adopted new guidelines and survey forms. MAG’s basic approach to prioritizationhas three stages (see Fig. 3.1). The three-tiered selection system, in which constraints do notaffect the priority ranking of a particular task, is regarded here as sound practice. 14 However, a fullassessment of the success of MAG’s procedures would require a detailed study, one that we are notable to undertake within the scope of this report.11Anthony Hodges & Walter Viegas, 1998. Country Strategy Study, Angola, Luanda: Norwegian People’s Aid.12Rae McGrath, 2000. Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance: A Resource Book, London: Pluto Press, p. 199.13Valerie Warmington, 1999. Final Report: Monitoring and Evaluation Mission to Northern Iraq (March 5–April 14, 1999). MAG.14For a longer discussion, see Ananda S. Millard & Kristian Berg Harpviken, 2000. Reassessing the Impact of Humanitarian MineAction: Illustrations from Mozambique, PRIO Report 1/2000. Oslo: International Peace Research Institute (PRIO).30 Sida’s CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION – Sida EVALUATION 01/06