Egypt is contaminated with Landmines, Unexploded Ordnances (UXO), and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW)
which are normally buried under deep layers of sand and mud from World War II. Most of the battles took place
in the area between the Quattara Depression and Alamein at the Mediterranean coast. Other affected areas lie around the city of Marsa Matruh and at Sallum near the Libyan border. In addition, Explosive Remnants of War
and Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines MOTAPM) from armed conflicts between Egypt and Israel in 1956, 1967, and 1973 remains unclear, especially in the eastern areas (Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea coast). No reliable figures for the extent of contamination exist. The joint Egypt/UNDP project document of November 2006 referred to 2,680 km^2 of contaminated area, which is almost four times the estimated ontaminated area in Afghanistan. Similarly, the number of landmines, UXO, ERW and MOTAPM that remaining unclear can be little more than speculation. The Egyptian army has estimated that 16.7 million explosive items have still to be found, including both antipersonnel landmines (APL) and anti-tank landmines (ATL) and much larger quantities of UXO. This problem has a serious impact on Egypt National Income. This paper presents the scope of Egypt landmine problem, and clearance efforts. The paper is organized in the following main sections:
– · Scope of Egypt Landmine Problem
– · Egypt Socio-Economic Effects
– · Egypt Landmine Monitoring Reports.
– · Difficulties in Humanitarian Demining
– · Egypt Landmines Clearance Efforts |
