Quick Response Capacity for Humanitarian Clearance of Explosive Ordnance in Afghanistan Under this project, The HALO Trust will deploy 11 quick response teams (QRT) to carry out explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), survey, explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), and victim data collection. HALO will coordinate its activities with two sub-grantees, Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA) and Demining Agency for Afghanistan (DAFA). The Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) will direct the workplan for these teams, as per the existing process, in order to systematically respond to countrywide call-outs from communities.

This project will reduce explosive remnants of war (ERW) in 22 provinces listed in the workplan. Contaminated land will be returned to communities and explosive hazards removed to reduce accidents. QRT staff will increase and improve data collection on accident survivors to strengthen referral processes and contribute to the needs assessments coordinated by the DMAC. This will be done by all members of the QRT so that  improvements are sustained by operators who will continue to work in the mine action sector, and are not dependent on temporary data collection staff.   The disposal of ERW will contribute to a reduction in ERW-related accidents, the improvement of local livelihoods, and improved contamination information for DMAC’s mine action planning and VA coordination. 

The project will support 11 QRTs, 5 will be mixed-gender which will allow for more gender-inclusive outcomes. DAFA, MCPA and HALO staff will work together, allowing more experienced staff to share their expertise with their colleagues from the other organisations. Each QRT will consist of a team leader, assistant team leader, deminers, EORE assessor, and drivers.
 
Activities:
Survey and EOD: Conduct non-technical and technical surveys, spot EOD tasks, and clearance of small confirmed hazardous areas. Respond to requests for ERW clearance received by DMAC’s hotline, or by local community members. Currently HALO disposes of 85 percent of the items reported across the country though the Hotline.

Provide Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to populations in mine-affected areas.  EORE further reduces the risks of accidents through life-saving information that increases awareness of the threats and promotes safe behaviour. Mixed gender teams ensure that women, men, girls and boy are reached.

Victim Data Collection: collect data on casualties from all mine, ERW, and victim-operated improvised explosive device (VOIED) in areas where teams are conducting survey, EOD and EORE. Share with DMAC to identify and provide support to people via the victim assistance sector. Data collection is done in conjunction with government, UN agencies and NGOs, whose input strengthens the quality and reach of the data collection. HALO will also use collected data to make referrals to local VA providers in the areas where they are working. 

On arrival in a community, the team leader will be responsible for visiting and collecting data using the prescribed DMAC form. They target the following groups for data collection:
Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS): In 2019, QRTs made 29 visits to ARCS locations. This allowed them to gather data on 35 ERW survivors. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH): In 2019, QRTs made 30 visits to MoPH locations. Through these combined visits, HALO collected data on 80 survivors and shared the information with DMAC. Finally, survivors themselves are contacted and, where possible and appropriate, interviewed to provide first-hand information . The teams will also begin visits to the Conflict Mitigation Assistance for Civilians (COMAC) to additionally verify information. 

Capacity of HALO, MCPA and DAFA will be developed though field-level training with Humanity Inclusion (HI) in Herat, Kunduz, Nimroz and Kandahar provinces. This training teaches field staff how to identify and report on people who may need additional support and to make more accurate and comprehensive referrals.