News & Events

Dec 2008
Humanitarian Demining

Horizon deployed two demining teams at Sri Lanka during the year 2008 and cleared an area of 29.98 million Sq mtrs and recovering 108 mines and 241UXOs. The teams were deployed at Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts with the strength of the task force of 31 expatriate deminers and 102 local deminers (as against 31 expatriate deminers and 66 local deminers till December 2007). This also included 15 women deminers thus giving the distinction to Horizon in improving gender balance by imparting skill & encouraging women to take part in all facets of project activities as enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, Security. Trincomalee District. · Uppural TR - 27 Horizon conducted GMMA of Uppural TR 27 in Jan 2008 and commenced demining on 28 Feb 08. This area was cleared and handed over on 11 Jun 08. Details are as under :

Mine Clearance - 30,107 sq mtrs.
BAC - 13,20,000 sq mtrs.
Total Area handed over - 13,50,107 sq mtrs.

Batticaloa District. · Pulipanchakel TR – 15 :
Demining commenced on 04 Feb 2008. Cleared areas were handed over in parts for resettlement. Final QC was done on 29 Aug 2008. ·
Total Area Handed over - 21,40,950 sq mtrs
Recoveries AP Mines - 75
UXOs - 15

Koraveli TR – 17
Demining commenced on 22 Mar 2008 after conducting GMAA. Cleared areas were handed over in parts for resettlement. Final QC was carried out and area handed over on 16 Jun 2008 as under :
Total Area Handed over - 1,08,90,000 sq mtrs.
Recoveries - 16 UXOs.

Eralikulam TR - 41
GMAA was carried out for TR 39, 40, 41 and 42 as tasked by DMAO during 09 Aug to 22 Aug. Demining commenced on 01 Sep 08
Total Area Handed over - 12,500,000 sq mtrs.
Recoveries AP Mines - 10
UXOs - 115

Eralikulam TR – 39
Demining commenced on 01 Nov and completed on 28 Nov. Details are as under :- ·
Total Area Handed over - 31, 00,000 sq mtrs.
Recoveries - UXOs 94

Eralikulam TR – 40
Demining commenced on 27 Nov and work had to be suspended due to heavy rains and inundation of Mine fields and approaches to it. The task will be completed during Jan – Feb 09. ·

Eralikulam TR – 42
Demining will commence during Feb 09 after completion of TR 40. Rehabilitation Area demined during the year was handed over in parts to hasten early resettlement. 970 IDPs were resettled in Trincomalee District and 1869 IDPs were resettled in Batticoloa District. MRE MRE activity has been carried out by HORIZON MRE team in areas cleared for resettlement prior to the IDPs moving in as also during the initial phase of their settling down. Mine Ban Treaty Advocacy Presentation on Land Mine Ban Advocacy was organized during Rotary District Conference on 26 Jan 2008, at Colombo by MMIPE in association with Horizon and SARVATRA. A presentation on “Why should Sri Lanka ban the use of anti personnel land mines” was made by Mr Brandman Weerakoon, former Secretary to Prime Minister. Approximately 750 invitees including representatives from the Missions which have been supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka, attended the function.

Rehabilitation

Area demined during the year was handed over in parts to hasten early resettlement.  970 IDPs were resettled in Trincomalee District and 1869 IDPs were resettled in Batticoloa District.   

MRE

MRE activity has been carried out by HORIZON MRE team in areas cleared for resettlement prior to the IDPs moving in as also during the initial phase of their settling down.

Mine Ban Treaty Advocacy

Presentation on Land Mine Ban Advocacy  was organized during Rotary District Conference on 26 Jan 2008, at Colombo by MMIPE in association with Horizon and SARVATRA.  A presentation on “Why should Sri Lanka ban the use of anti personnel land mines” was made by Mr Brandman Weerakoon, former Secretary to Prime Minister.  Approximately 750 invitees  including representatives from the Missions which have been supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka, attended the function.

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