Jab Swart Introduces the Mine Action Program for Somalia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 20, 2010 --

Jab Swart - Following years of devastation caused by civil war, clan conflict and power struggles, large areas of Somalia have regained a measure of peace and security and begun to move towards recovery. The experience of northwest and northeast Somalia in particular has shown security and restoration of law and order as essential to the creation of an enabling environment for the advance towards economic and social recovery, and in many areas, credible authorities have emerged. However, Somalia is still a divided country, and in some instances, such as Mogadishu, even single cities are ruled by up to four different authorities. The end of conflict in these areas has, however, not eliminated continued threats to security. The lack of resources to re-establish peace and security is often reflected in continuing instability, and while basic rules of law are being established by the emerging administrations, their actual capabilities remain limited. Large numbers of landmines deployed during the conflicts of the past two decades pose serious threats to people and their livestock and limit access to valuable resources.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) strategy for the Somalia program is based on an integrated and coordinated approach aimed at bridging the gap between relief and development and fostering an enabling environment for sustainable human security and development. According the Jab Swart, the UNDP country program is implemented through interventions in three broad program areas:

Peace and security, including civil protection.

Capacity building for governance.

Economic recovery and poverty reduction.

The Somali Civil Protection Program (SCPP) aims to consolidate and reinforce the still fragile peace and enhance economic and social recovery, by establishing a secure enabling environment. According to Jab Swart, this will be achieved through the SCPP’s program activities in five project areas:

Social mobilization.

Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former militia.

Small arms control.

Rule of Law.

Mine Action.

For the purpose of post-conflict recovery and development and in this case, Mine Action Somalia is divided into four regions, namely northwest (Somaliland), northeast (Puntland), central and south Somalia. The UNDP Mine Action Program for Somalia (UNMA) is in effect managing four separate projects, with an additional fifth sub-project in Mogadishu to provide for the opposing factions there.

For more information on Jab Swart please visit: http://www.jabswart.org

Jab Swart