Context
Chad continues to suffer from the extensive mine and
explosive remnants of war (ERWs) resulting the 1973
Libyan invasion and more than 30 years of ongoing internal
conflict.
Mines and ERW continue to obstruct safe access to
housing, roads, pastures, water points, and mining areas -
especially in northern Chad.
Mine and ERW contamination is an ongoing threat to
communities and has a severe negative impact on the
socio-economic development in the regions of Borkou,
Ennedi, and Tibesti (among the poorest regions).
These activities are carried out as part of the PRODECO (Protection sociale, Déminage des terres et voies de communication et Développement économique) project. The project's primary aim is to offer essential information management (IM) support and capacity-building initiatives to the National Mine Action Authority in Chad (HCND). This is intended to enhance their capabilities in information management for humanitarian mine action (HMA), which is one of the main areas of expertise.
Background
The National Mine Action Authority in CHAD (HCND) utilizes the Information Management for Mine Action (IMSMA) software. IMSMA offers users support in data collection, data storage, reporting, information analysis, and project management activities. To enhance HCND's competencies in information management and humanitarian mine action, Fondation Suisse de Déminage (FSD) sought assistance to provide information management services.
An information management specialist was deployed to the FSD France office in Chad. The technical expert conducted an assessment of HCND personnel's information management capabilities, the available equipment, and the IMSMA database. The evaluation revealed a need for improving current resources and strengthening the capacity of those responsible for managing IMSMA at the local authority level. Additionally, issues were identified with the completeness of the IMSMA database and irregularities in hard-copy archiving.
Actions Taken
• Developed an action plan for a period of 2 years for
HCND which has been approved
• Provided ArcGIS training to HCND IM team together with
ArcGIS and Adobe Illustrator training to HCND, HI and
MAG.
• Developed new forms for IMSMA on a need basis
which are pending final verification by the Geneva
International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).
• A basic GIS training (Google Earth, GPS, GPS
TrackMaker) is planned for the HCND operation team
and implementing partners.
• An IMSMA administrators training program is planned
for the HCND IM team.