Large areas of Kosovo were contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war ( ERW ), including cluster munition remnants ( CMR ) as a result of the conflict between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and NATO in 1999. More than 500 casualties were reported due to landmines and ERW, with over 100 dead and more than 400 injured.
Treaty Status: The international status of Kosovo remains the subject of a dispute, therefore, Kosovo is not state party to neither the MBT nor the CCM .
Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) started its operations in Kosovo in 1999 as one of the first organisations to establish a Humanitarian Disarmament programme in country.
From 1999-2001 the UN managed the initial response following the conflict, and declared far too early that the problem had largely been solved when it pulled out its resources. The Kosovo Mine Action Centre (KMAC) has confirmed that Kosovo still has a mine and ERW problem.
NPA was asked by KMAC and by the Norwegian Embassy to assist in survey and clearance operations.
NPA re-engaged in Kosovo in the Fall of 2014.
The focus is on survey and clearance with manual deminers and mine detection dogs , in partnership with the KMAC.
- Treaty Status: The international status of Kosovo remains the subject of a dispute, therefore, Kosovo is not state party to neither the MBT nor the CCM.
- NPA started its operations in Kosovo in 1999 and the initial project was phased out in 2001.
- NPA reengaged in Kosovo because the mine/ERW problem is not solved and NPA is strong in the region and are in a position to help.
- The vast majority of casualties (77 %) were recorded between 1999 and 2000, owing to the return of refugees immediately following the war.
Land mine and Cluster Munition Monitor
Report: Cluster munition remnants in Northern Kosovo