MAG has been working in Chad since 2004 to reduce the daily risk of death or injury from landmines and unexploded bombs, and create safe and secure conditions for development free from armed violence.

Northern Chad is heavily contaminated with landmines and other unexploded bombs, largely from the conflict between Libya and Chad (1979-1987) – a major obstacle to local development.

They also have a humanitarian impact, particularly on the nomadic communities in the north. Significant numbers of accidents in some areas have forced the nomads to abandon traditional camel trade routes for longer ones, putting them and their animals at risk of thirst and exhaustion.

Clearing land of explosives also reinforces local economies. Clearing roads, for instance, will help improve trade and opens the path for economic, social, administrative, health and security improvements.

Chad is now considered a relatively stable state in an otherwise unstable region, yet, ongoing conflicts in Chad and in neighbouring countries show how non-state armed groups can exploit instabilities and porous borders. This regional instability is compounded by the widespread proliferation of small arms and ammunition. Large amounts of unsecured explosives increase the likelihood of them entering the illicit market, which affects the country's stability.

After having cleared several areas in the Lake Chad region and in Borkou and in particular freed by a non-technical survey a 167 km road between Kouba Olanga and Faya, MAG is now intervening in Ennedi, in Fada and Kalait, to demine several areas. This work will make life easier for the populations by simplifying their movements as well as that of their livestock or their goods and will improve their access to basic government services. At the same time, risk education sessions are organized in order to make the populations aware of the risks posed by mines, ERW and mines of an improvised nature. 

We are clearing a minefield that hinders the region’s camel trade. As economic opportunities are scarce here, this work is important. MAG will respond to community reports of explosive items in both the Tibesti and the Lake Chad regions, as well as conduct risk education.

We deliver weapons and ammunition management projects at various locations across the country. By building and rehabilitating quality storage facilities, MAG reduces the risk of weapons and ammunition being diverted to the illicit arms trade, and lessens the devastating human cost of unplanned explosions at munitions sites. We have also developed an innovative storage concept using mobile armouries.

We’ve developed a range of training courses, including armoury storekeeping, armoury store management, ammunition storekeeping, ammunition store management and ammunition and weapons destruction courses to help build national capacity.