Introduction

Mines and other Explosive Ordnance (EO) remaining from previous conflicts threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent citizens in Lebanon, sometimes inflicting injury that results in severe disabilities or death. In this NMAS, EO hazards remaining from previous conflict are called ‘legacy EO hazards’. To assist these innocent victims of legacy EO, Victim Assistance has been an integral part of Lebanon’s mine action strategy from its inception. The aim of Victim Assistance (VA) is to bring about positive and sustainable improvements in the daily lives of citizens and communities that have been directly or indirectly harmed by the presence of legacy EO hazards. The term ‘victim’ has been traditionally used to describe those affected, but ‘survivor’ is now increasingly used. The expression ‘Mine Victim Assistance’ is usually used and covers the victims of all legacy EO including mines.

VA in Lebanon is undertaken on the basis of a tiered approach, founded on the IMAS definition of a ‘victim’ as any person who has been negatively affected (physically, psychologically or economically) by the presence of the explosive remnants of previous conflict. The term ‘victim’ is not limited to the person directly suffering injury or death: it includes indirectly affected individuals and their families, as well as affected communities. This definition also complies with that provided in the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

People injured by legacy EO hazards need immediate, and sometimes intensive, medical assistance, often followed by lengthy physical and psychological rehabilitation and measures to ensure socio-economic reintegration. Assistance also involves supporting measures to protect survivors with appropriate laws and with policies against discrimination. A number of governmental decrees in Lebanon have ensured that in most cases, all victims of legacy EO hazards can be provided with free-of-charge emergency care services and medical treatment but more work is needed to cement victims’ rights in the broader context of their injuries (e.g. economic and social reintegration, and long-term physical rehabilitation).

To help reduce the impact of injury on victims/survivors of legacy EO hazards, and as described in the National Mine Action Policy 2007, the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) is required to design and implement, directly or indirectly, comprehensive and extensive victim assistance interventions and support initiatives based on the standards and guidelines set out in this document. The LMAC has the responsibility to manage, coordinate, prioritize, monitor, evaluate, and follow-up all activities implemented nationally within the framework of Victim Assistance in mine action. The implementation of such activities is managed and coordinated with and through the Mine Victim Assistance Steering Committee. The LMAC and its partners are required to be active in the support of efforts to reduce any discrimination or stigmatization that victims of mines/EO may experience in Lebanon.