The Contribution from the Republic of Korea Enables UNMAS Iraq to Continue Supporting the Government and the National Mine Action Operators

Explosive ordnance contamination across Iraq, including improvised explosive devices in the areas liberated from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, continues to threaten the lives of civilians in many governorates of Iraq. As of November 2023, there are approximately over 2,800 square kilometers of recorded contaminated areas across Iraq (federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq). Explosive ordnance threatens public safety, hinders the safe return of displaced communities, and prevents access to infrastructure and livelihood activities.

The financial contribution from the Government of the Republic of Korea will assist UNMAS Iraq in continuing to support national mine action operators. After the three-year implementation of the ‘partnership model,’ UNMAS Iraq will proceed to the next step of localization of mine action responses - introducing the ‘direct grant model’ in 2024, which will further strengthen national mine action capacity and ownership. Through this model, National Non-Governmental Organisations will become fully autonomous and with the knowledge and best practices gained through the partnership model, implement survey and clearance operations, as well as explosive ordnance risk education activities in the most devastated and vulnerable locations in Iraq.  

Remarking on the contribution, Mr. Choi Sung-soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, stated “I am pleased to announce Korea’s contribution which will enhance and promote UNMAS activities in Iraq. We hope that this financial assistance will bring a safer and more stable future to the affected communities in Iraq. And I look forward to further strengthening trilateral cooperation in Iraq.”

Mr. Pehr Lodhammar, UNMAS Iraq Chief Mine Action Programme, added: “UNMAS Iraq is grateful to the government of the Republic of Korea for its generous contribution. This financial assistance will boost national ownership of the mine action programme in Iraq and protect civilians from the legacy of explosive ordnance.”