The mission of German demining experts
German demining experts (Demira) are working around the globe to remove the dangers of landmines and explosive ordnance. An interview with the programme manager Marcia Hamzat on International Landmine Awareness Day.
Ms Hamzat, you are a qualified expert in landmine and explosive ordnance clearance and work for the German Demining organisation (Demira). How did you come to do this work?
After I graduated from school I served as a soldier in the reserves of the Royal Signals, and while I was studying political science I took part in officer’s training. I graduated from university in 2004. I first encountered the topic of landmine and explosive ordnance clearance with the pioneers in the British Army and found it very interesting. When I heard about the terrible tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December 2004, I happened to be in India. So I packed my bags and flew to Sri Lanka. I worked as a volunteer alongside the colleagues from Demira to provide medical aid to victims in the Arugam Bay area. When I was back in Germany, I applied to join Demira and they accepted me. I trained as a landmine and explosive ordnance clearing expert and took part in anti-kidnapping exercises and other safety courses. Today I’m a leading member of the organisation’s team and I’m responsible for the planning, implementation and conclusion of the international projects.
Your job is very dangerous. Why do you take such risks?
That’s right, it’s always risky. And I’m always happy when a project has been successfully concluded. But we work at a highly professional level, and we are excellently trained and equipped. Our work is very important: at the moment more than 60 countries are affected by landmines and unexploded bombs. Often the war-torn countries are unable to clear these dangerous explosive devices themselves. They don’t have the money, the technology and the specialised personnel to detect mines and munitions in the ground and render them harmless. Demira clears these kinds of mines and munitions. And we develop innovative mechanical equipment to help us in our clearance projects. We are working worldwide in our mission. We also train people in former war zones to clear mines and munitions, give them a grounding in mechanical engineering and in metallurgy. In this way we support sustainable self-help in the long run.
Demira also provides medical aid in armed conflicts or following natural disasters. What are your exact tasks?
In 2005 we founded an Emergency Response Unit (ERU), a rapid reaction force consisting of doctors, surgeons and paramedics as well as technical and logistics personnel. We can set up a field hospital very quickly and run it on a permanent basis to provide the affected population with medical aid. In addition to this, we help countries to set up or further develop a health system.
International Landmine Awareness Day on 4 April 2016
