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🛒 تسوق الآنUN Mission: Reducing Explosive Ordnance Risks Threatening Libyan Lives
UN Mission: Reducing Explosive Ordnance Risks Threatening Libyan Lives
Explosive remnants of war endanger thousands of civilians as UNSMIL scales up mine action operations across Libya
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the risks posed by explosive ordnance (EO) that continue to threaten civilian lives across the country. In a statement Friday, the mission outlined ongoing efforts to mitigate the dangers of what it described as "explosive ammunition" scattered throughout residential areas, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
Libya remains one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries globally, with hazards dating back to successive conflicts since 2011, compounded by unsafe ammunition storage practices. The widespread presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines poses a constant threat to civilians and hinders development efforts in affected regions.
The Scale of the Threat
Explosive ordnance contamination is widespread across Libyan territory. Residential neighborhoods, roads, farmland, and critical infrastructure have all been affected by remnants of conflict. The Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC), in coordination with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and international partners, has been working to identify affected areas and coordinate clearance operations.
The scale of the problem far exceeds current response capacity. UNICEF's Representative to Libya, Michele Servadei, recently called for an additional $2.4 million in mine action funding, stressing the urgent need to reach 450,000 more people — 270,000 of them children — with explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), which he described as the "first line of defense."
UN-Led Coordination and Capacity Building
UNSMIL has been hosting regular coordination meetings with implementing partners, bringing together national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and Libyan authorities. A recent gathering in Tripoli included 22 participants, co-organized by LibMAC and the UNSMIL Mine Action Programme.
Discussions highlighted key challenges: reduced funding for mine action operations, limited non-technical staff capacity to identify minefields, and the dangerous practice of civilians collecting metal remnants of war for resale — a phenomenon that has contributed to a rise in UXO-related casualties. To address these gaps, the UN has expanded cooperation with Tunisia's "Centre d'Excellence," established in 2015 and recently recognized by the United Nations for its ordnance disposal training and risk education programs.
Awareness Campaigns Making a Difference
Libyan NGOs contracted by the Libyan Mine Action Centre have conducted awareness campaigns reaching approximately 19,500 beneficiaries, including more than 4,700 women. These campaigns deliver vital safety information about the dangers of approaching or tampering with suspicious objects and guide civilians on how to report findings to authorities.
These efforts are particularly critical in rural and peri-urban areas where contamination levels are highest and access to information is limited. Children, who are naturally curious and less able to recognize danger, remain among the most vulnerable groups targeted by these programs.
International Support and Urgent Challenges
The Government of Spain renewed its support for UNMAS Libya in 2026, reinforcing ongoing mine action work to enhance civilian safety across Libyan territory. Security Council Resolution 2796 (2025) mandates UNSMIL to support Libyan institutions in securing weapons stockpiles and clearing explosive ordnance and remnants of war.
The August 2025 ammunition depot explosion in Misratah — which originated from unstable munitions in a populated area — underscored the urgency of this work. The Libyan Mine Action Centre and UN partners led the response. Despite progress, contamination remains extensive, funding is insufficient, and security constraints in several regions continue to hinder the work of clearance teams.
Protecting Civilians as a Core Priority
UNSMIL has emphasized that protecting civilians from explosive hazards is a core priority requiring sustained international support. Reducing explosive ordnance risks is not merely a technical operation — it is a moral imperative and a fundamental prerequisite for stability, reconstruction, and sustainable development in Libya.
The mission called on all stakeholders to prioritize mine action and ensure that Libyan civilians, particularly the most vulnerable, are protected from these hidden dangers that continue to claim lives and limbs across the country.
— Libya Press / News Desk
