MAG has completed a two-year, €2.2 million mine action project in Lebanon, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO).
The project, running from May 2023 to February 2025, targeted minefield and cluster munition contamination in southern Lebanon, West Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon.
This work has taken place against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and the escalation of conflict in southern Lebanon, which has significantly increased humanitarian needs and highlighted the urgency of mine action across the country.
The project was implemented by two mine action teams and one community liaison team. Originally aiming for 344,032m² of land clearance and 180 Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions, the teams surpassed their targets significantly and reached over double the expected number of people through digital campaigns.
Project highlights include:
Over 280,000 square metres of land cleared and released
MAG’s technical teams safely cleared 286,846m² of land contaminated by landmines and cluster munitions – equivalent to around 40 football pitches. This land can now be used safely by communities for farming, housing, and other daily activities.
10 hazardous areas handed over to communities
Clearance operations were completed on seven priority tasks across southern Lebanon, West Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon. Each of these areas was officially handed back to local farmers and families, eliminating the threat of explosive ordnance and enabling recovery and development.
Support delivered to 13 villages
Operations directly benefited 13 communities living with the daily risk of unexploded bombs. MAG’s work improved safety and access to land, infrastructure, and basic services in these areas.
230 in-person Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions, reaching 2,903 people
MAG’s community liaison teams conducted more than 230 sessions, providing around 3,000 people – many of them children – with information on how to stay safe from unexploded ordnance. This surpassed the initial target of 180 sessions. The tailored sessions were delivered in schools, community centres, and public spaces, helping raise awareness of explosive risks and promoting life-saving behaviour change.
Six national digital campaigns, reaching 4.44 million people
MAG launched six nationwide digital campaigns on the risks of explosive ordnance, more than doubling the original outreach target. These campaigns harnessed social media, online ads, and local media partnerships to reach millions across Lebanon, including hard-to-reach or displaced populations.
8,779 people directly supported
The project directly supported nearly 9,000 people with clearance, education, and community engagement, exceeding the original target of 8,000. Salim Hazra, a community member in Bekaa West, said: “It's a great achievement, after MAG’s clearance, my sheep can graze safely in this area. Having more secure pasture will increase my income, which is crucial during this challenging economic situation.”
Despite operational pauses in late 2024 and ongoing access and security constraints, the project maintained strong momentum and flexibility.
The project not only made land safe but also strengthened local capacity and supported long-term recovery and food security.
Sylvain Lefort, MAG Country Director in Lebanon said: “Thanks to the generous support of the German government, MAG teams have been able to clear deadly remnants of war across 13 villages, return large areas of land to communities for farming and critical infrastructure, and help thousands of people rebuild their lives in safety. We remain committed to the communities we serve and are sincerely grateful for Germany’s continued trust in our work."
MAG will continue to respond to emergency needs in Lebanon through rapid response, non-technical survey, rubble removal, and community engagement.
Thank you to the German government for their support.
Learn more about MAG's work in Lebanon here.
