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 HALO Trust’s 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 HALO 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 HALO to immediately deploy emergency survey and clearance teams. HALO will be clearing landmines, unexploded bombs and shells as well as tripwire threats. Libya’s Mine Action Centre has reported over 162 casualties from accidents caused by explosives since 22 May 2020.

With German support, HALO 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, HALO will open up the area for other humanitarian organisations and Government agencies to provide services in the affected areas. HALO 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 HALO can get on with urgent job of surveying and clearing the dangerous debris that threatens them."
Nicholas Torbet, HALO’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’s 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 HALO Trust has been present in Libya since November 2018 and is registered with authorities in both eastern and western Libya. HALO maintains offices in Tripoli, Misrata and Sirte with over 40 national and 4 international staff.
  1. GFFO is one of The HALO Trust’s largest donors and currently provides support for our work in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Ukraine.
  1. The HALO Trust is the world’s 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