Launch of a Japanese funded mine clearance project

Project Launch and Partners

Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, represented by the National Mine Action Center, officially launched a joint project on 15 May 2025 to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and rehabilitate agricultural infrastructure in conflict-affected areas. The project brings together the Ministry of Agriculture, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding provided by the Government of Japan.

Geographic and Temporal Scope

The project will be implemented over two years, from March 2026 through February 2028, targeting the governorates of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib. It places particular emphasis on agricultural zones near former frontlines, as well as the barrier minefield stretching approximately 200 kilometres across northwestern Syria.

Project Components and Activities

The project encompasses a set of integrated activities, including:

• Field survey and clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance
• Community awareness programmes on explosive hazard risks
• Rehabilitation of irrigation wells and agricultural canals
• Technical assistance and essential agricultural inputs for farming households
• Enabling safe access for communities to farmland and water sources

National Context for Mine Action

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh has underscored that Syria ranks among the world's most heavily mine-contaminated countries, a reality corroborated by United Nations data indicating Syria has been among the highest globally in unexploded ordnance casualties in recent years. The Minister noted that the Ministry is advancing its technical capacities through consultations with specialised institutions in Germany aimed at transferring and localising advanced mine clearance technologies.

Institutional Coordination and Outlook

The National Mine Action Center leads coordination among the various agencies and organisations involved in this effort, developing comprehensive national plans that encompass clearance operations and public awareness campaigns. The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management affirms that this project represents a concrete step toward consolidating stability and creating a safer environment for affected communities, as part of a broader trajectory supporting agricultural recovery and improved livelihoods.