Established in 1997, UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under U...
Established in 1997, UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under United Nations legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, which include explicit references to remnant IEDs. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies."
UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.
Background Information - UNMAS Sudan
The UNMAS Sudan Programme is based in Port Sudan. The UNMAS Sudan Programme works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners with an aim of reducing the impact of explosive hazards on the civilian population. Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in April 2023, the explosive ordnance contamination has spread extensively across the country, particularly in urban centers including the country’s capital, Khartoum, in addition to legacy contamination from the previous conflicts. UNMAS Sudan has since then launched emergency explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), expanded technical advisory capacities in support of the humanitarian community, re-activated and continues to lead the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MAAoR), and is now preparing to resume survey and clearance operations. UNMAS also contributes to strengthening national mine action capacities by supporting the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) and providing training support to national partners.