Mine Action Review Project Manager Lucy Pinches Awarded OBE, a Royal British Order

Lucy has worked for Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) since 2015 managing Mine Action Review, an independent project published by NPA, that monitors and analyses global anti-personnel mine and cluster munition remnant contamination, as well as the survey and clearance efforts undertaken to address it. Mine Action Review is widely regarded as a leading source of independent analysis on progress towards the fulfilment of international obligations to clear landmines and cluster munition remnants.

Mine Action Review collates and analyses global mine action data from national mine action centres, national authorities, clearance operators, and other implementing partners such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Its annual Clearing the Mines and Clearing Cluster Munition Remnants reports include country profiles for every affected state and territory. The reports provide recommendations for action and serve as key implementation tools for the mine action sector, helping States overcome challenges and fulfil their clearance obligations as efficiently and effectively as possible.

On receiving the award, Lucy said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award. At a time when international law is under strain, support for and implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions are more important than ever. Anti-personnel mines and cluster munition remnants cause long-term suffering, killing and injuring civilians long after conflict ends. Clearance of contamination saves lives, protects livelihoods, and enables communities to live free from fear. The Mine Action Review project is a collective effort, and this recognition belongs equally to my dedicated colleagues on the project and to others in the wider mine action community who contribute to and support both the project and the Conventions, advancing the shared goal of ridding the world of these indiscriminate weapons.”

Huge progress has been made, with vast areas of contaminated land cleared and returned to safe and productive use, but plenty of work remains to be done. Globally, at least 55 States and 2 other areas are contaminated by anti-personnel mines, including 33 States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention; and 24 States and 2 other areas are contaminated by cluster munition remnants, including 10 States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Through Mine Action Review and the wider efforts of the international mine action community, work continues to advance the shared goal of a world free from the threat of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.