Projects

Survey and Clearance of High-Priority Hazards in Baghlan Province

Project Code: CBFP-AFG24-R-NGO-28094
Implementing Organization: Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC)
Donor: Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), through OCHA
Project Location: Baghlan Province, Afghanistan
Project Duration: 12 months

ATC implemented a humanitarian mine action project in Baghlan Province to survey and clear high-priority explosive hazards and release land for safe community use.

The project initially targeted the release of 495,773 square meters of land and the clearance of 17 hazardous areas, with 65 staff and six operational assets. The project also included Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), first aid training, community engagement, and rapid response activities to reduce the risks posed by explosive ordnance to affected communities.

Key Achievements:

Due to a delay at the beginning of the project (signing MOU with ANDMA and first installment by donor), the project started three months later than the planned date. Despite that delay, ATC could achieve the following:

• Released 357,543 square meters of land,
• Cleared 10 targeted hazards,
• Delivered Explosive Ordnance Risk Education to 7,446 people.
  • Conducted 338 EORE sessions for community members.
  • Reached 2,213 men, 1,753 women, 1,724 girls, and 1,756 boys through risk education.
  • Provided EORE to 387 newly returned individuals from Pakistan and Iran.
• Completed six first-aid training for 3 female and 3 male community members.
• Completed 20 PSEA training sessions and 80 PSEA awareness assessments.
• Recorded 397 mine/ERW victim reports.
• Completed two IM hazardous areas and destroyed 15 IMs.
• Responded to 46 hotline reports through the Quick Response Team (QRT).
• Surveyed five hazards, released three hazards, and cancelled one hazard through QRT team.
• Identified and managed explosive ordnance and other devices through technical survey and clearance operations.
• Completed clearance of high-priority hazards located inside residential areas and a high school.
• Provided first aid support to community members.

Community Safety and Risk Education

A major component of the project was community-based Explosive Ordnance Risk Education. ATC’s EORE team provided safety messages and awareness sessions to communities exposed to explosive ordnance risks, including vulnerable groups and newly-returned populations.

The project also strengthened the capacity of EORE trainers and the Gender Focal Point through specialized training covering risk education sessions, victim data collection, case study development, and information gathering from internally displaced persons, returnees, and people affected by explosive ordnance and floods.

Quick Response and Emergency Activities

ATC’s Quick Response Team supported communities by responding to hotline reports and conducting rapid surveys and explosive ordnance-related activities. These efforts enabled the identification and management of hazards reported by communities and contributed to safer access and improved protection for affected populations.

Safety Record

The project was executed with remarkable success and safety, as there were no demining accidents happened throughout its duration. This achievement further enhances the organization’s outstanding safety record, with ATC having maintained a flawless demining safety record since 2020.