The responsibility for mine action must rest within the host mine-affected nation if UN action or other donor contributions are to result in success. A plethora of agencies and entities exist that are willing to address the humanitarian demining challenge in all its many aspects. However, within a specific country, assisting agencies can more effectively function with a central coordinating body acting as a single point of contact. This enables supportive organizations to focus on key problems, identify locations for the most productive operations, and maximize the payoff for the limited resources available to invest in clearance. A mine action center of this type can assist nongovernmental and international organizations in avoiding duplicative effort, eliminating waste, and saving time and lives.
Every situation is different.
The type of unexploded ordnance or landmine encountered varies across mine-affected nations. Because humanitarian demining resources also vary and are limited, a mine action center should effectively control the priority of demining effort, directing clearance operations to the locations and situations that have the quickest social and economic payoffs. It can identify key goals, strategically important objectives, and the scope of work required to employ demining teams in an effective and collaborative way. Such a center can clarify host nation policy decisions, aims, and measures of success, all tailored to local requirements. This multiplicity of factors must be taken into account whenever a strategic plan is devised for clearance operations.