UNOPS supports the
successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and
development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need
by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners
to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and
efficient manner.
Working in some of
the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable
implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’
expectations.
With over 7,000
personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical,
technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.
A flexible
structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners'
needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background
Information – UNMAS
Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the
United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal
point for mine action and supports its vision of ‘aworld free of the threat of
landmines and inexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a
safe environment conducive to development, and where survivors are fully
integrated into their societies.’
UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN
departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive
and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of
war.
UNMAS establishes, manages and provides strategic
direction to mine action coordination centres in countries and territories as
part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises. In these situtions, UNMAS may plan and carry
out mine action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and
international mine action service providers, and set priorities for the mine
clearance, mine risk education and all other aspects of mine action.
Background Information – UNMAS Syria Response
Recognizing the
magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, the systemic gaps in
coordination, and following the adoption of resolutions 2139, 2165 and 2191 by
the United Nations Security Council, humanitarian actors operating inside Syria
from Damascus and from neighboring countries launched the Whole of Syria (WOS)
approach to develop a principled, predictable and coherent response to
prioritized humanitarian needs.
UNMAS deployed
to Gaziantep at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in
August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Cluster under the
Protection Cluster to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria.
UNMAS is the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub Cluster for WOS, and its
office in Gaziantep works in support of the mine action response within Syria.
UNMAS provides
leadership of the sector, working to reach affected civilian populations
through the expansion and provision of mine action services inside Syria,
strengthening participatory approaches to programming, and mainstreaming risk
education into wider humanitarian activities.
Given the limited access that international mine action actors have
inside Syria and the reliance on national actors to identify issues and deliver
mine action responses, coordination and capacity building of Syrian NGOs and
civil society on protection has been identified as one of the priorities.