The removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Moxico Province is helping the construction of houses and roads, and giving safe access to water and agricultural land.

Housing

Houses have already begun to be built on land cleared this year by MAG in the 4 de Fevereiro area, close to the city of Luena, where a large number of returnees had settled close to a minefield.

More than 300,000 square metres of land has been made safe, allowing residents to begin construction and agricultural work. The government is also now building homes in the area.

"We are very happy and very grateful - to MAG for clearing this area near our houses, and that the population will have land available for houses and for cultivation," said Mr Alexandre Saki, the community's chief (soba).

Roads

The clearance of three secondary roads in Chafina (about three hours south of Luena) has given six communities, comprising around 1,900 people, a more direct and shorter access route to Lucusse - the centre of their commune, where they can access basic services, particularly health services.

The clearance also helps give access to agricultural areas and to a rural development project in nearby Luchaji. Said the Lucusse communal administrator, Mr João Caiombo:

"Life for the population in the region will be easier from now on. Now that the roads are cleared, we at the communal administration will be able to ask the municipal administration and provincial government to repair the bridges that are damaged or broken, and to improve the conditions of the roads."

Elsewhere, a road construction company found an anti-tank mine on the verge of the road in Musseringinge, 23 kilometres north of Luena. Further investigation of the area by MAG Angola's Rapid Response Team resulted in the discovery of more mines and other explosive remnants of war.

Between January and June 2009, MAG cleared a total of 191 km of road in Moxico.

Water

UNICEF requested that MAG clear a suspect area blocking access to a water tower, located close to a school and a health clinic. MAG removed two anti-tank mines and six items of UXO. As a result, 1,239 people in the area now have safe access to water.

Rapid Response Team

From January to June this year, MAG Angola's Rapid Response Team removed 67 anti-personnel mines, 13 anti-tank mines and 794 items of UXO from areas around Luena, Cassamba and Musseringinge.

Community Liaison

The Community Liaison team carried out Mine Risk Education in 180 mine-affected communities, such as Camanongue, Lumbala Kaquengue, Lucusse and Cazombo.

What next?

To further help improve the social and economic potential of communities in Moxico, MAG will continue to work in 4 de Fevereiro during the second half of 2009. In Luangrico, land will be cleared for agricultural use, while the road between Kamanongue and Pensamento will also be made cleared.

For more information on MAG"s work around the world, please visit www.maginternational.org.