In February 2002, a unique state-level Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) structure was created. The adopted law created a legal framework for demining operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following is an overview of the BHMAC structure and operations.

by Marija Alilovic, BHMAC

Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a country with the largest mine contamination problem in the region of southeastern Europe. There are an estimated 670,000 mines and 650,000 pieces of UXO on 10,000 locations. The contaminated area is estimated to be over 2,000 sq km, which is over four percent of the total territory of BiH.

BiH started demining activities in 1996 in cooperation with United Nations Mine Action Centre (UNMAC). Local authorities took over the responsibility for the demining operations in 1998 (which included Entity Mine Action Centres with BHMAC as a coordination body and, consisted of entity employees).

In February 2002, a unique state-level BHMAC structure was created. The adopted law created a legal framework for demining operations in BiH. Demining operations are being conducted in accordance with the National Demining Plan, approved by the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers is the authority responsible for mine action implementation—to ensure the implementation of Demining Law through the Demining Commission in BiH. The following is an overview of the structure and operations of the BHMAC since the law was created.

BHMAC Mission and Vision

The mission of the BHMAC is to undertake all available measures and procedures in humanitarian demining operations, risk-area marking and education of the population of BiH, in order to minimize the effect of mines in BiH by 2010.

The BHMAC vision is to enable continuity, stability and long-term conduct of humanitarian demining operations, as well as other mine action, in order to eventually remove all the mines and UXO in BiH.

BHMAC Activities and Operational Goals

BHMAC activities include the following:

• Survey (general, technical, socio-economic, area reduction)
• Planning
• Prioritisation
• Definition of tasks
• Inspection/quality control (QC)
• Certification and handover of cleared areas
• Central database maintenance
• Establishing technical, safety and training standards
• Accreditation
• Coordinating all mine-related operations and activities

The currently available demining capacity includes 86 mine detection dogs and 32 ground preparation machines. Approximately 2,000 trained deminers and 42 governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and commercial companies are also accredited in BiH. Table 1 outlines the required level of humanitarian demining operations for 2003.

The following are BHMAC’s operational goals for 2003:

• Increase demining operations to the level of 20 sq km per year by the end of 2003. Refugee returns are the first category of priority.
• Undertake emergency demining operations on risk areas in the second and third categories of priority in order to reduce mine danger.
• Increase technical survey within demining operations.
• Increase the level of risk-area permanent marking based upon national ownership.
• Improve mine risk education in high schools.
• Adopt new mine action standards at the state level, on the basis of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
• Assist in conducting the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS).
• Participate in preparing and presenting projects for sustainable return to relevant donors, in cooperation with authorized ministries for refugees.

Contact Information

Marija Alilovic
BHMAC
Zmaja and Bosne 8
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel: +387-33667-310
Fax: +387-33667-311
E-mail: marija_a@bhmac.org