The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the PSC on behalf of its clients.

Background – UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background – UNMAS Libya

UNMAS deployed to Libya in March 2011 and was integrated into the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in July 2012.  As its Mine Action Service, UNMAS Libya is mandated by UN Security Council resolution 2365 (2017) on Mine Action, as well as UNSC resolution 2656 (2022), in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to, inter alia: support Libyan authorities with ceasefire implementation; provide support to key Libyan institutions; support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, in accordance with humanitarian principles; provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related material and countering their proliferation; and co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones and to provide support to the Libyan led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism and Action Plan agreed by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission. UNMAS has been delivering and coordinating humanitarian mine action responses in Libya since 2011 which include; training and capacity building of Libyan nationals in non-technical survey and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD); direct project implementation in Tripoli, Benghazi, Tawergha, Gharyan, and Misrata; the provision of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education; advocacy; technical support and coordination; and quality control and assurance of ongoing mine action.