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Colombia
Field Evaluations

More than 50 years of conflict between the government of Colombia and leftist guerilla movements resulted in significant improvised landmine contamination. The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace (OACP) reports that Colombia has suffered almost 11,800 mine incidents since 1990, the highest number of recorded casualties in the Western Hemisphere. The exact extent of contamination is highly uncertain, although at least 28 of the country’s 32 departments are suspected to be affected. Descontamina, the national demining authority, reported 644 confirmed hazard areas over 2,045,425m2 of land with an additional 692 SHAs over 2,920,525m2. The Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor reports that all of the uncleared landmines are suspected to be improvised in nature, laid by non-state armed groups (NSAG) in isolated areas to protect positions. Mines left behind block access to roads, paths, schools, and other infrastructure. The impact of mine contamination is social, economic, and humanitarian. The presence of mines divides and isolates rural communities, prevents the use of agricultural land that is suspected of contamination, and reduces access to services such as schools and rural development projects. The HALO Trust is evaluating the US Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program developed Bearcat Area Preparation System in the Meta Department.

Sources: To Walk the Earth in Safety, 2023
Landmine Monitor Report, 2020

Bearcat

Bearcat

The Bearcat is a remote controlled, skid-steer chassis integrated with a vegetation cutter and a remote monitoring system for operation in suspect mine and UXO contaminated areas. Bearcat utilizes a completely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), plug-and-play, remote control system, and is designed for a wide range of area preparation tasks. The system allows demining and battle area clearance teams to quickly and efficiently remove vegetation for follow-on manual clearance teams. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

PARTNERS: Mines Advisory Group - Cambodia; The HALO Trust - Colombia; Norwegian People`s Aid - Vietnam

 

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