United Nations

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

The UN General Assembly created the UN Mine Action Service, or UNMAS, in 1997 to serve as the UN focal point for mine action and to support the vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, where the needs of victims are met, and where victims are fully integrated into their societies.

The United Nations Mine Action Service is located in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  Fourteen different UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds provide various mine action services, and UNMAS helps coordinate their efforts.

Coordination, policies and strategies

UNMAS fulfills its coordinating role partly by chairing an Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action, comprising representatives of all 14 UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds that provide mine action services in 30 countries and three territories. UNMAS also fulfills its coordinating role through a Steering Committee on Mine Action, which includes members of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group as well as nongovernmental and international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

UNMAS leads the development and oversees the implementation of all policies and strategies related to mine action.

Advocacy and information

UNMAS coordinates UN advocacy in support of international legal instruments related to landmines and explosive remnants of war and the human rights of people affected by these devices.  It undertakes public information about landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the efforts to eliminate them.

Resource mobilization and management

UNMAS administers the Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action, which received $92 million in contributions from 18 donors in 2008.  The fund primarily pays for coordination and operation of UNMAS-managed field programmes, missions to assess landmine problems, and coordination services.

Programme management and project implementation

In peacekeeping situations and complex emergencies, UNMAS establishes and manages mine action coordination centres, plans, prioritizes and oversees landmine clearance and survey operations, mine risk education, public information, and victim assistance.  UNMAS also collects data about landmines and victims and provides technical advice on stockpile destruction. As of March 2009, UNMAS provides direct support and assistance to ten Peacekeeping Missions, and technical advice to a further four.  In these programmes, UNMAS deals with the full gamut of mine action activities in countries such as Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and Sudan.