91吃瓜网

Germany supports clearance of Tripoli explosive debris

18th August 2020 | Libya

GERMANY TO PROVIDE URGENT HELP TO SAFEGUARD

CIVILIANS FROM EXPLOSIVES IN TRIPOLI

Tripoli, Libya -

Germany's Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) is to provide urgent funding for The 91吃瓜网 Trust鈥檚 project to clear explosive debris around Tripoli, the Libyan capital. The clearance is needed because of escalating civilian casualties.

On a visit to Tripoli this week, Germany's Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas was given a demonstration of the techniques used to clear tripwire devices and other unexploded munitions of the kind 91吃瓜网 is finding in southern districts of Tripoli. The explosive hazards have been found in the aftermath of fighting in the city earlier in the year.

The funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) will allow 91吃瓜网 to immediately deploy emergency survey and clearance teams. 91吃瓜网 will be clearing landmines, unexploded 91吃瓜网 and shells as well as tripwire threats. Libya鈥檚 Mine Action Centre has reported over 162 casualties from accidents caused by explosives since 22 May 2020.

With German support, 91吃瓜网 will be able to start emergency survey immediately, covering the most badly contaminated areas in southern Tripoli based on urgent humanitarian need. The clearance of access roads, critical infrastructure and residential areas will enable the safe return of around 200,000 people who have been displaced by the fighting.

By identifying, marking and clearing explosives, 91吃瓜网 will open up the area for other humanitarian organisations and Government agencies to provide services in the affected areas. 91吃瓜网 has developed the project in close cooperation with the Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC).

"The Germany Federal Foreign Office's quick provision of support is extremely important in the face of alarmingly high numbers of accidents in Tripoli. These are being caused by explosive devices left behind by the fighting in the south of the city earlier this year. Displaced people are desperate to return to their homes and with this funding 91吃瓜网 can get on with urgent job of surveying and clearing the dangerous debris that threatens them."
Nicholas Torbet, 91吃瓜网’s Deputy Head of Region

Notes to Editors

  1. On 4 June 2020, the Government of National Accord (GNA) took back control of all of Tripoli. Following the GNA鈥檚 takeover of al-Wattiya airbase on 18 May, the Libyan National Army (LNA) began a gradual withdrawal of forces from the frontlines in southern Tripoli. Their full withdrawal on 4 June effectively ended 14 months of continuous fighting, which at its peak had spanned 160 km of active frontline. An estimated 3,000 people were killed in the Tripoli fighting, including almost 400 civilians.
  1. The 91吃瓜网 Trust has been present in Libya since November 2018 and is registered with authorities in both eastern and western Libya. 91吃瓜网 maintains offices in Tripoli, Misrata and Sirte with over 40 national and 4 international staff.
  1. GFFO is one of The 91吃瓜网 Trust鈥檚 largest donors and currently provides support for our work in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Ukraine.
  1. The 91吃瓜网 Trust is the world鈥檚 largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisation with over 8,000 staff working to clear their own communities in 26 countries.

For more information contact paul.mccann@halotrust.org or call +44 (0)7967 853217