FAQ

Which regions in Tajikistan still have a landmine/UXO contamination?

Landmines and UXO are still a threat in three regions of Tajikistan. At the Tajik-Afghan border, the Russian border troops laid mines in 1995 to secure the unguarded parts of the Panj river borderline. The mines are all laid in a fenced area and are unaccessible to the local population.  At the Tajik-Uzbek border (Districts Tursunzoda, Panjakent, Aini, Shahriston, Isfara, Asht) the hazard areas are accessible, however most of them are surveyed and strictly marked by the Tajik authorities. In case of uncertainty, information provided by the local population in the settlements close to the borders is the most reliable source. The third affected region, lies in the central part of the country (districts of Rasht, Tojikobod, Nurobod, Tavildara and Darband). These areas experienced heavy fighting during the civil war (1992-1997) and explosive remnants of that time can still be found. In case of a need to visit remote areas in these districs, strictly adhere to the guidance of the local population/authorities and obey the marked areas.

When will mine clearance be completed and Tajikistan declared a mine-free country?

Tajikistan signed the Ottawa convention in 1999 and successfully applied in 2009 for an extension until 2019. TMAC was founded in 2003 under the administration of UNDP and was able to report success in all spheres of mine action, including significant advancements in land release and hazard area clearance. The recent deployment of demining teams of Norwegian People’s Aid and OSCE’s ongoing support for a demining unit within the Ministry of Defense has drastically enhanced the capacities in the field. The present progress in the field indicates that Tajikistan shall  be declared mine-free by 2019.

How many persons suffered from mine accidents in Tajikistan?

Since the start of the civil war in Tajikistan, accidents with landmines or unexploded ordnance have taken the lives of 367 citizens of Tajikistan and injured a further 474 persons. However, in recent years (since 2009) the annual number of new victims has never exceeded 10.

Are landmines/UXO a threat to foreign travelers or expat workers in Tajikistan?

Except for two accidents of international demining staff, no foreigner has ever been involved in any mine accident in the country to date. It is extremely unlikely that tourists or NGO workers would ever be involved in a mine accident in Tajikistan, if common sense is applied. The hazard areas are located in remote areas (see maps in the resource section), to which foreigners would usually go in the company of a local guide.

How are demining operations performed in Tajikistan?

Under the overall supervision of TMAC, three demining organizations are accredited to carry out demining operations. First, the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), which has been present in Tajikistan since the start of the Programme, makes use of several manual multipurpose teams, non-technical survey teams, mine detection dog sets, as well as an MV4 demining machine. Second, Norwegian People’s Aid, an NGO, deploys a number of manual multipurpose teams and mine detection dog sets to the Tajik-Afghan border. Third, with the support of OSCE, the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan has established a demining unit, operating with manual multipurpose teams and a Minewolf machine.

Who finances humanitarian demining activities in Tajikistan?

The Tajikistan Mine Action Centre is a UNDP Project, financed by UNDP funds (TRAC, BCPR), as well as other donors (DFAIT Canada in 2012/13). The INGO’s and Governmental Agencies, who conduct land release Operations in Tajikistan are raising their own funds. The biggest donors are Germany and Japan (FSD), the Norwegian Government (NPA) and the OSCE (UST, MoD)