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Civilians have started returning to Gadaffis birthplace of Sirte, which was the scene of intense fighting during the rebellion in Libya. Danish Refugee Council's demining unit the Danish Demining Group (DDG) is working to secure the civilian population against unexploded missiles, mortars and ammunition.
Approximately 25% of the civilian population have returned to Sirte. Major parts of the city have been destroyed in the intensive bombing during the uprising in Libya and large areas are contaminated by unexploded ammunition.
"The city of Sirte is covered with unexploded rockets, mortars and ammunition and it is necessary to protect the civilian population,“ says head of desk for the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Christian Jacob Hansen, who just returned from Libya, and continues: “especially children are vulnerable because they are curious and pick up dangerous items when they play. A little girl lost her hands in an explosion while I was in Sirte. "
The Danish Demining Group (DDG) has seconded six international demining experts to head demining teams with local demining staff. More than 500 explosive devices have been removed in just two weeks. The effort will focus on areas of vital importance to the civilian population.
"Clearing schools, health clinics, universities and mainroads, is our main focus. Civilians are most exposed in areas of the city they need to visit. And it is crucial for normalization of Sirte, and a safe reconstruction that unexploded ordnance are removed, "says Christian Jacob Hansen.
Sufficient resources from local and international donors can ensure that Sirte will once again becomes a safe area, but the task is complex and reconstruction efforts will be lengthy.
"When the explosive ammunition is removed from public areas, there will still be risks - in places like collapsed buildings and under the sand on long stretches of the coast. The long-term efforts will require both mine-risk education of civilians and local capacity building through training and education of local demining units, "says Christian Jacob Hansen.
Danish Refugee Council and the organisations demining unit, Danish Demining Group, has been focusing on Libya since March 2011 and as the situation evolved activities have increased.
Facts:
DDG has Mine Action activities in the city of Sirte, which is funded by The European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) and Danida.
DRC is providing protection activities for internally displaced persons, focusing on the temporary settlements located on the coastline between Tripoli and the border with Tunisia. Activities are supported by UNHCR and Danida.
DRC is working in refugee camps in Tunisia, where 3000 refugees mainly from Somalia and Sudan has fled to after living and working in Libya for years. Activities are supported by UNHCR.
