Lebanon Mine Action Centre (LMAC), in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon, and Jammal Trust Bank, organized a Mine Risk Education Seminar at Phoenicia Hotel Beirut, on Monday 1^st of October 2018.

Mine risk education activities and awareness campaigns are essential pillars to mine action operations.  

The seminar was attended by Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon, H.E Mr Matahiro Yamaguchi, Director of LMAC, Br. Gen. Ziad Nasr, Chairman of boards of Directors of Jammal Trust Bank, Mr. Anwar Jammal, Minister of Social Affairs, H.E Mr. Pierre bou Assi, Minister of Tourism, H.E Mr. Avidis Guidanian,  and 2 members of the Lebanese parliament, H.E Mr Ayoub Hmaid and H.E Mr Fadi Saad, Representative of MEHE, Mrs. Sonia El Khoury, LMAC Officers, organizations of the United Nations, Mine Action NGOs, members of the National Steering Committee, heads of municipalities and mayors of different towns in Lebanon.

The seminar included two sections: Impact of Mine Risk Education in Mine Action in North and South and started by the following activities:                    

• Lebanese National Anthem.
• Japanese National Anthem
• Speech of H.E. Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi where H.E. presented all Japanese Government activities and funding related to Mine Action Operations in Lebanon since 2001. He also said that mine action remains incomplete without awareness activities, and Japan has recently funded mine clearance operations near touristic sites and near houses and agriculture lands. Finally H.E. assured that Japan has been and will remain a major supporter for the ongoing mine action activities in Lebanon to reach the main goal: Lebanon Free of mines and cluster munitions.

• Speech of Br. Gen. Ziad Nasr where first he welcomed all the attendees and thanked the Japanese Embassy and Jammal Trust Bank for this seminar and for all the efforts and supports to the Mine Action and Mine Risk Education in Lebanon. In addition, Br. Gen. Nasr stressed on the permanent need to the international and national support to the Mine Action operations in Lebanon by conducting series of Mine Risk Education Seminars.

• Speech of Mr. Anwar Jammal where he thanked the Japanese Embassy for their support to Lebanon and he said that spreading awareness is very important issue. Also, he said that Jammal Trust Bank will do what they can to raise awareness to save lives. At the end, one minute silence for innocent people gone by mines and cluster munitions explosions.

Colonel Marie Abdel Massih, Head of MRE Section in the Lebanon Mine Action Center, was the official facilitator of this seminar. First of all, Col. Abdel Massih welcomed all participants and thanked them for their support, and stated the agenda of the day. In addition, she held the two discussions between the members of the panel;

First section was about mines/UXO in North Lebanon:

• Dr. Habbouba Aoun: presentation about LMAC MRE activities
• Mr. David Ligneau: presentation about HI activities
• Discussions about mines/UXOs, and clearance progress in North Lebanon with the Panel:
  • H.E. Mr. Avidis Guidanian (Minister of Tourism)
  • Mrs. Sonia El Khoury (Representative of MEHE)
  • Mr. Bahaa Harb (Head of Tannourine Municipality)
  • Mr. David Ligneau (HI PM)
  • Mother Melanie (Responsible of St. Joseph Monastery – Jrabta)

Second Section was about mines/UXO in South Lebanon:

• Mr. Dave Willey (MAG PM): presentation about MAG activities in South Lebanon
• Mr. Samaha Falakha (LAMiNDA Project Manager): presentation about LAMiNDA activities in South Lebanon
• Discussions about mines/UXOs, and clearance progress in South Lebanon with the Panel:
  • H.E. Mr. Pierre Abi Assi represented by Mr. Nasser Abou Lteif (National Steering Committee)
  • Dr. Chady Karam (Member of board in Jammal Trust Bank)
  • Mr. Ali Al Zein (Head of Municipalities Union of Jabal Amel Villages)
  • Mr. Hassa Hammoud (Vice Head of Municipalities Union of Sour)
  • Mr. Craig McDiarmid (NPA PM)
  • Mr. Zechariah Johnson (DCA PM)

At the end, Brig. Gen. Ziad Nasr thanked everyone for the seminar, and specially Japanese Embassy, Jammal Trust Bank, NGOs, WRA, EU, Norway, Netherlands, UK, UNDP, and every effort to the mine action operations in Lebanon.