Charles Birch, also known as Mungo, has been working with his team in Gaza for about ten years. Their primary operations involved clearing deeply buried aircraft bombs and conducting explosive threats assessments of UN facilities. However, all of their earlier work has been undone by the bombardments that have occurred over the last six months. Before the conflict on October 7th, they would clear about one deep buried aircraft bomb per month. Since the war between Hamas and Israel in 2021, 21 deep buried aircraft bombs have been reported, and their work will likely shift to focusing on surface-level ordnance due to the scale of contamination.
The eventual reconstruction of Gaza will be a monumental task, with ordnance removal playing a crucial role in the process. Mungo Birch highlights that 10% of ordnance doesn’t function as designed, and with more rubble in Gaza than in Ukraine, explosive ordnance clearance will be a significant challenge. This task will require years of work and will be an unprecedented operation. The impact of the conflict on October 7th was intense for Mungo and his team, with the bombardment being described as unlike anything he had ever experienced. The UN compound where they were located was severely damaged by blasts, although it was not directly hit. Despite the difficult situation, Mungo commends the dedication of his national staff who continue to work in Gaza.
Mungo Birch emphasizes the importance of explosive ordnance clearance in the reconstruction process of Gaza. With the significant amount of rubble in the area, this task will be crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the region. The work of UNMAS in Gaza has been vital in clearing unexploded munitions and ensuring the safety of UN facilities and the local population. The dedication and commitment of the team, both international and national staff, have been commendable in the face of such challenging circumstances.
The scale of contamination in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict will pose significant challenges for UNMAS and other organizations involved in explosive ordnance clearance. The impact of the conflict on the region has been immense, with deep buried aircraft bombs and other unexploded ordnance posing a threat to reconstruction efforts. The work of organizations like UNMAS will be essential in addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety and security of the local population. Despite the difficulties faced, Mungo Birch and his team remain committed to their work in Gaza and are dedicated to supporting the reconstruction efforts in the region.
