Needs Assessment
Report
on the risks posed by the
ammunition demolition (UXOs and ERW) in 5 open demolition centers of
Dates of the
completion of the Survey :Survey: 1-20 December 2010
Demolition Places visited: 1.Livadhet e Hamzit (Puke), 2.Jube, (
Survey completed by : 1. Gentian Palushi, 2.Riza Ademaj, 3.
Gertion Cobo
Report Prepared by : Jonuz Kola and Gentian Palushi
Date of the
publication of the Report: 15 January
2011
1. Background on the situation of
weapons and munitions[1]
in the
Before the ‘90s,
In the ‘90s, following the fall
of communism regime,
The collapse of the pyramid schemes and the civil unrest, poverty and
other reasons lead
After 1997, the Albanian Government with the
assistance of international agencies stimulated the voluntary handing over of
weapons in exchange for development projects. Later on, the Albanian government
approved strict laws about the possessors of weapons. The war in Kosovo was
another period that contaminated
Another serious threat in Albania is the concentration of huge unused munitions, shells and projectiles in 26 military depots near the populated areas, badly maintained and with the lack of security reasons. In the end of 1990 Albania had 294.000 tons of conventional munitions of Rusian and Chinese origin[3]. Although a lot of munitions have been demolished, Albania still has surplus about 63,000 tons of dangerous munitions in 26 depots near the inhabited places spread in all Albanian territory[4]. Many accidents have been registered in these depots causing deaths of civilians in the last 10 years.
In March 15, 2008 an ex- military depot used for the demolition of munitions, in Gerdec ,suburbs of Vora, about 12 km far from Tirana, exploded scattering shells and UXO’s to the surrounding villages at a distance of 5 km, contaminating an area of 1000 km2. As a result of the incident 26 persons died 300 injured, 4200 houses, 32 businesses and 34 agricultural farms destroyed[5]. The Explosion caused dramatic consequences for the population of the area. 7 villages with a population of 17,620 inhabitants, out of which 2,820 children were heavily contaminated with scattered munitions and ERW.
After the riots of 1997 the government took action in collaboration with
other foreign stakeholders to address the problems of collection of munitions
and SALW looted from the military depots. Many efforts have also been made in
order to reduce the quantity of surplus old munitions scattered in 26 depots
allover
Albanian government has started a
new projects[6] which intend to complete in 2013 the
demolition of all stock Soviet-Chinese ammunition inherited from the time of
communist dictatorship. The projects aim to avoid the potential danger in time of
their explosion near the areas where depots, where these munitions are located.
The process of its destruction and demolition of surplus munitions began in
1999 as an obligation of one of the conditions of the process of membership of
In the time frame of 11 years over 90 thousand tons of ammunition have been
destroyed, not including in this amount mines, torpedoes and missiles for MIG
fighter jets. The military
destroyed 20,660 tones of old ammunition in 2010, Deputy Defense Minister Ekrem Spahiu said in an interview January 4th at News 24,
(Balkan Web - 04/01/11). The army continues to destroy old ammunition inherited
from communism and its main aim is to eliminate all of it by 2013, he added,
pointing out that under such plans another 24,000 tones should be dismantled
only during this year (2011). The Deputy Minister declared that “there are
still about 63,000 tones of old ammunition on Albanian territory to be
destroyed.” (News 24, Balkan Web - 04/01/11). Removing ammunition and dismantling
depots from populated areas is one of the successes that the ministry is
promoting.
Brigadier General, Xhemal Gjunkshi, in command of the Logistics Brigade,
who heads the new project of the government talks about this goal:
"Disposal of all ammunition by 2013 and reducing the ammunition depots
near the inhabited places in order to increase the level of security in the
country and the region.[7]”
2. Methodology used
ALB-AID with its own
recourses conducted a survey in 5 most exposed Demolition pits in December
2010. The aim of the survey was two fold: 1) to collect information of the
risks posed in the demolition
centers ; 2) to identify
the needs for ERW/UXO risk educations and Victims assistance in the areas,
The evaluation for UXO
RE went through three stages.
In terms of methodological approach, this evaluation combines
quantitative and qualitative ways of collecting and processing information
which helped build the core and frame of the needs assessment report
On a more specific level, quantitative methods were applied to take
surveys from community, local institutions, middle and high school students of
the demolition areas of Livadhet e Hamzit (Puke), Jube, (Durres), Bize,
(Tirana), Voskopoje (Korce) and Zgare (Librazhd). A total of 150 questionnaires
have been filled in the areas where the risk is evident. Such surveys extended
to school level on a random pick based on their class registers proportionately
to the number of students in attendance per academic year. This survey will
help to identify the needs as regard to RE on UXOs/munitions.
Qualitative methods consisted in taking semi- structured interviews and gathering information from focus groups.
Semi-structured interviews were taken from the community members, local
institutions near the demolition areas.
These interviews will help us to better understand if there is a
potential risk for the community from UXOs and to plan RE activities in the
area.
3. Analysis of Questionnaires
(Surveys) conducted
The team of ALB-AID has conducted field visits to 5 demolition areas to fill
the questionnaires with community members, heads of villages, heads of communes
and school children. The visits consisted in : a) gathering
information on the risks posed by the munitions remained unexploded at the
demolition area; b) gathering information about UXO/ERW victims and their needs.
We will analyze the situation according to the data gathered in each demolition
areas (centers) as follows.
Livadhet e Hamzit, Puke:
On November 23, 2010 the team of ALB-AID visited the polygon of
“Livadhet e Hamzit” in Puka. “Livadhet e Hamzit” belongs to the Gjegjan commune
of Puka district. The polygon is placed in the south of city of
From the data gathered in the field results
that the Gjegjan commune inhabitants are exposed to the risk posed by the demolition
activities taking place in this polygon. This is also favored from the short
distance between village and the polygon/demolition area (only 8 km). Villagers
also use the area to collect mushrooms and in the period of summer for daily
activities. They move up in the mountains with livestock. The high level of
poverty has urged the inhabitants to collect the remained UXO for scrap in
order to sell it to reduce their poverty.
The commune of Gjegjan has around 4960 inhabitants and it is composed by
9 villages as follows: Gjegjan, Gojan i Vogel, Gojan i Madh, Shkoze, Rrase,
Kuzhnel, Kalivare, Kimez, Mesul, Dome; from these villages, the most exposed to the risks from UXOs are Gjegjan, Gojan
i Vogel, Gojan i Madh. Nearly all of them use the lands around demolition
center to graze their animals and other daily activities
From the survey conducted in Gjegjan Commune results as follows;
Chart nr 1: Does the munitions destruction present a risk
in your area?
According to the chart above 64 % of the respondents interviewed mentioned
that there is a potential risk from the demolition process as regard to incidents
from the scrap collecting from the inhabitants especially children. Also the
community is concerned about the damages that the demolition of the ammunitions
brought to the agriculture plants and fruit trees. Based to the gathered
information agriculture products and fruit trees are decreased comparing to the
last year.
Chart nr 2: Has any one/ authority/agency/NGO visited your village to
explain the demolition process and the dangers posed by UXOs/ERW in
the last 5 years?
92 % of respondents explained that no one showed up to the village to make people aware about the risks of UXOs. Based in these figures the community is not aware of the risks posed by UXOs.
During the survey we met several people that in reality collect scrap metal (UXO) but they hesitated to answer the questions. This is shown also by the piles of scrap munitions collected by the community in order to sell it. (Look at the picture)
Chart nr 3: What do you do in case you come in front of UXO/REW/What information
should be given to your community about UXOs/ERW?
19 % of interviewed persons answered that the basic UXO recognition is one of the main information that should be provided to the community and in schools as well. Also location of the demolition area, identifying different types of UXO, danger from UXO are ranked as necessary information for the communities.
- Jube,
On November 24, 2010 the team of ALB-AID
visited the polygon of “Jube” in
placed in the north of
Meanwhile the director of Bisht-Kamez village school confirmed that the
Risk Education on the recognition of the danger from UXOs is necessary for the
schools pupils in order to prevent incidents that might happen because children
often graze animals in the surrounding areas.
The inhabitants of this area mainly use the land for agricultural
purpose and the explosion of the ammunition has directly affected their
agriculture products. Based on the interviews with the fishermen, they
expressed concerns about the explosions in this polygon because fishing is one
way of their incomes and explosions have made difficult fish catching.
The distance from the polygon with the nearest village is only 3 km and
this make easier for inhabitants to go and collect scrap metal. During our
visit at the polygon we met people collecting scrap at the area and it is worth
to mention that they belong to the community of Egyptians. Egyptians is a poor
community called as nomad and the only way of living is scrap collecting for
sale.
The population of Katund i Ri commune is 15,665 inhabitants and it is
composed by 9 villages. Highlighted villages are the most affected from the risk
of UXO.
Population and nr of families per village
|
Nr |
Village |
Population |
Nr of
families |
|
1 |
|
1631 |
414 |
|
2 |
Katund i Ri |
2018 |
621 |
|
3 |
Qerret |
1868 |
504 |
|
4 |
Fllake |
593 |
158 |
|
5 |
Sukth |
3000 |
924 |
|
6 |
Erzen |
2699 |
771 |
|
7 |
Bisht-Kamez |
840 |
300 |
|
8 |
Rinia |
1555 |
344 |
|
9 |
Adriatik |
1461 |
344 |
|
10 |
Total |
15665 |
4380 |
Bize, Tirana
On November 25, 2010 the team of ALB-AID visited the polygon of “Bize”
in Tirana. Bize is located between three districts Tirana, Librazhd and Diber
in a remote area and it is an abandoned military settlement. The nearest
village from the area of demolition is 7 km away. Shengjergji commune is
approximately 9.5 km far from the demolition polygon. The population of
Shengjergji commune is 3000 inhabitants. Shengjergji commune is composed by 9
villages (Shengjergj, Vrri, Ure, Shemri, Shengjin, Porpaj, Fog, Vakune, Faqesh)
and Biza belongs to Shengjergji commune as an administrative area. ALB-AID team
during conduction of the survey had several meeting with commune inhabitants
and the head of commune too. Based on findings of interviews with inhabitants,
local institution personnel and the officer in charge for the demolition the
Shengjergji commune inhabitants do not collect scrap around the area of
demolition. Instead, citizens from Bathore often go and gather scrap metal there.
This is because of the long distance from the polygon. During our visits
at demolition polygon we did not met any inhabitant from the surrounding villages.
According to the chief of the commune only during summer vocations few
inhabitants from the surrounding villages go with their livestock up in the
Voskopoje, Korce
On December 9, 2010 the team of ALB-AID visited
the polygon of Voskopoje in Korca. Voskopoje is a commune of Korca district and
it is located in the west of the city in a distance of 21 km in 1162 m
altitude. The polygon of demolition is around 7 km from the village. Voskopoja
is known as a touristic zone and the community has the possibilities to get
employed in different service units.
Voskopoja commune has a population of 2,633 inhabitants. The respondents
asked about the risk of UXO’s confirmed that the children do not go to the demolition
area to collect scrap. From our visit to the polygon of demolition and the
interviews with the head of the village we concluded that there are community people
around the area that collect scrap metal. The head of the commune mentioned
that only recently ( 2009) 2 incidents were registered
in the area. The persons injured lately came to the demolition area from the
city of
Considering the location of polygon, it results that the commune of
Voskop is affected from the demolition process too. The commune of Voskop is
located at the other side of the polygon.
The Dersnik is the village that has a highest number of villagers that
collect scrap metal. The director of the
Highlighted village in the table
below is the most affected from the risk of UXO
|
Nr |
Village |
Population |
Nr of
families |
|
Voskopoje
Commune |
|||
|
|
Voskopoje |
2633 |
696 |
|
Voskop
Commune |
|||
|
1 |
Voskop |
2115 |
568 |
|
2 |
Dersnik |
1233 |
305 |
|
3 |
Polene |
697 |
170 |
|
4 |
Vincani |
500 |
125 |
|
5 |
Goskove Poshtme |
459 |
111 |
|
6 |
Goskove e Siperme |
960 |
248 |
|
7 |
Damianec |
213 |
248 |
|
8 |
Total |
6177 |
1775 |
Although the army is providing limited information for the community about
the area of demolition and the danger from the explosions still exist a potential
risk for the inhabitants that collect scrap.
The officer in charge for demolition process in Voskopoja polygon
appreciated the initiative and he considers very useful the UXO risk education
of the community and school children.
- From the survey conducted in Voskopoja and Voskop Communes results that;
Chart nr 1: Does the munitions deemolotion present a risk
in your area?
The chart gives a clear opinion of the community of these two areas on the different risks that comes from the UXOs/ERW.
Considering that 2 incidents have been registered in this area recently the need for Risk Education activities is obviously necessary.
Chart nr 2: Has any one/ authority/agency/NGO visited your village to explain the
demolition process and the dangers posed by UXOs/ERW in
the last 5 years?
According to the findings from the interviews there is a total lack of risk
education activities which is confirmed by the 98 % of respondents interviewed.
Chart nr 3: What information
should be given to your community about UXO?
Based on team finding during interviewed with community members in Voskopoje, and Voskop communes, inhabitants lack the information about UXOs. The community is not informed about risks from the UXO in their area. The risk is most evident for those people and children that collect scrap metal in order to survive. The army officer personnel that our team members met during the visits in the demolition polygon stressed the need to conduct awareness and Risk Education activities with the community, especially with children of the areas. 26 % of persons interviewed replied that the immediate information must consist in how to identify different types of UXOs, 23% of respondents mentioned that the basic education for the UXO recognition is one of the main information that should be provided to the community and in schools, whereas 20% expressed that it is so important to make the community aware for the risks/dangers posed by UXO. Also the location of the demolition area, identifying different types of UXO, danger from UXO are ranked as necessary information.
Zgare, Librazhd
On December 10, 2010 the team of ALB-AID visited the polygon of Zgare in
Librazhd. Zgare is an area 8 km from the city of
Based on our conversation with the head of the
commune recently an incident has been registered in this village, a child while
playing with a fuse of the grenade lost 2 fingers. During our visit at polygon
of demolition we met persons of Kuturman village who were waiting for the army
to finish explosions in order to collect the remained metal. When asked for
incidents in the demolition polygon, they mentioned that such incidents have
happened frequently, but they were afraid to give details, otherwise they were
not allowed to gather scrap after the demolition process.
Kuturman village which is part of
Qender commune is the most affected from the risk of UXO.
|
Nr |
Commune |
Population |
Nr of
families |
|
1 |
Librazhd-Qender |
11107 |
2250 |
|
Village at
high risk from UXO |
|||
|
2 |
Kuturman |
850 |
170 |
|
3 |
Total |
11957 |
2420 |
-
From the
survey conducted in Qender commune focusing
at the Kuturman village it results that the community considers the
demolition as a chance which provide incomes for their familes as they use
scrap left behind for sale.
-
Lack of
other recourses of living constrains the heads of families to involve also
children in scrap collecting in order to benefit as much as they can, without
considering the chances of possible accidents. They mentioned that they did not
have any idea about the risks posed by munitions demolished there. They were
not instructed for the dangers posed by the REW. Only the old persons who used
to do military training during Hoxha time mentioned that they were very careful
while collecting scrap.
-
During our
visit at the elementary school of the Kuturman village the director and school
pupils stressed that the community and school pupils need education programs/trainings
and seminars on
the risks posed by UXOs/ERW and ammunitions. Specifically the topics they are
interested to know are explained in the chart below.
Chart nr 1: What information
should be given to your community about UXO?
4. Summary of the semi-structured interviews.
The respondents of the questionnaire below present information on the
general situation as regard to the ammunition over the years. The main concerns
of the respondents have been listed as follows:
|
No |
Questions |
Responses |
|
1 |
Around your residential area are there ammunition found? |
·
There is no
ammunition in the street, but after the riots of 1997 different persons
looted the munitions from the depots and when they realized that it is does
not serve for anything they have thrown them in different places; environment
is contaminated, there is a potential risk for the children, no one is taking
care to clear the areas. |
|
2 |
Are you aware on the risks posed by unexploded ordnance UXO/ERW? |
·
The majority
asked answered that they do not have any idea, besides old people who had
served in the army during Communist system ·
The majority of
interviewed persons confirm that no one has gone to their villages to conduct
awareness on the risks
that UXOs/ERW present. |
|
4 |
Does the demolition process pose a risk in the
area, where you live? |
·
The risk of incidents,
environment pollution, damage to buildings blowout, damage to agriculture,
road infrastructure etc ·
Yes, besides
striking wave and noise, agriculture and tree fruit are affected by pollution. ·
There are cases of incidents registered
where persons either have been injured or lost their lives |
|
5 |
Do you consider a necessity awareness
campaigns on the dangers posed by UXO/ERW in your area? |
·
The risks is present, there are unexploded UXOs in
the forests and bushes. ·
Education is a
preventative measure. ·
It is necessary
especially in schools because school children collect scrap. ·
Children have not the necessary
information regarding to the UXO risks |
|
6 |
What other concerns brought the demolition of UXOs/ERW in your residential area? |
·
Ecological, noise, fear etc. ·
Damage to agricultural crops,
environment pollution. ·
Concerns
livestock, reducing products on agricultural and livestock. ·
Accidents,
people are injured and have become with disabilities for the rest of their
life |
|
7 |
According to your opinion what can be the best way to prevent
incidents with UXOs/ERW? |
·
Awareness Risk Education is considered as an
important means/step. ·
Education, prevention of
destruction of demolition of ammunition.
·
Reduce the size of the explosion
of the blows. ·
Open risk education sessions with schools at the beginning
of the academic year. ·
Awareness,
meetings at school, preferably awareness sessions / these joint meetings
conducted with students and parents, recognition of students to the danger
that presents UXOs, / variety shows. ·
Conversation,
coordination, working with different groups in the villages ·
Coordination/Liaison
of all actors. |
|
8 |
Do you know what types of monitions/ UXOs are being destroyed at the
polygon area; do you have information from the Army? |
·
In the majority
of cases respondents do not know the types of munitions/UXOs destroyed. |
5. Recommendations:
Demolition in the areas visited are conducted without any security measure and without information of the communties. Although the authorities of the demolition and the government pretend the oposit and speak of “strict security measures applied during demolotion”, during file visits and discussions with the communties it was confirmed that there are NO technical safety procedures in place and that such procedures are notapplied at all in the demolition process. The munitions are blasted openly in the eyes of people waiting for the demolition to be compelted in order to run and collect the remannats and the scrap left behid. At one case the Alb-Aid team was presnet when the poeole were waiting for “the military trucks” to make use of the chance of collecting some scrap thus adding to their family incomes for survival. The Albanian Media has also transmited reportages of demolition taking place without any technical safety and people running to collect scrap left behid as soon as the trucks of the army have left the place...”
ALB-AID considers the situation in such demolition areas as extreemly dangerous with regards to the risks posed by UXO/ERW and scatered munitions and application of safety procedures. While during de-mining in nortehast Albania very strict safety procedures in compliance with International standarts were applied, in the demolition proces we find out that not a single standart is in place and demolition is carried out in very unprofessional way, thus posing a serius threat for the communties where the demolition is conducted
In such chircumstances ALB-AID recomands as follows:
· The problem of Risk Education in demolition centers/pits allover Albania should be addressed immediately by AMAE or any other Internal agency before any other type of accident happenns like the Gerdec one. This includes cooperation and Coordination of Activities with the Minsitry of Defence, Ministry od Education and specialised NGOs in order to help reduce accidents.
· The poeple, especially children does not have enough information about the risks posed by ERW/UXO’s and scatered munitions. As such it is important UXO/ERW Risk Education with communties and school children of the villages around UXO demolition pits and centers is an imediate step that should be conducted as soon as possible in order to discourage life threat behaviours
· Immediate MRE sesions should be organized by qualified RE Organizations in the areas where demolition is taking place
· Intensive UXO/ ERW Risk Education activities should be conducted with school children first as they are largely exposed to the threat because of necessity and curiosity .
· Involvement school children to diseminate RE messages to the villages as it is the cheapest aproach that has resulted very efective both in Northeast Albania and Gerdec
· Detailed information should be collected for UXO/ERW incidents/accidents, as well as for the the needs of injured persons , as well as identification of any assistance provided to them.
· To adress through the VA programme those survivors identified, as well as the communties
· Coordination/Liaison activities should be established as soon as possible in the targeted demolition pits/centers between all actors , operators, army, other contractors, police, school, village authorities.and RE organisations..
· ERW/UXO Risk Education should gradually be mainstreamed in the school curricula
· Alb-Aid should approach urgently potential donors including UNICEF , US Embassy, UNDP or any other interested agency to find funding posibilties for quick MRE Activities /Sessions with the targeted communties and school children.
Annexes: Photos from Survey
activities
Annex 1: Photos from the demolition areas
Livadhe
Hamzes demolition polygon Livadhe
e Hamzies Demolition poligon
Annex 2: Photos from the
interviews
Interviews
in Jube, Durrës
