Derek and me

I'm in the MAG (Mines Advisory Group) office with 'Derek' the deminer in full gear. MAG is a world leader in the clearance of landmines, unexploded ordenance and leftover weapons.

Pam and 'Derek'

Early in my career I worked for World Vision in southern Sudan where some of the ground was filled with landmines. I recall an incident when a convoy of trucks that I had dispatched to Bahr el Ghazal with seeds and tools hit mines. Some convoy members lost their lives and others were badly hurt and lost limbs. That was when I came to understand the devastating nature of this hidden evil.

This week my colleague, Gilles Marion, and I were in Manchester to provide consultancy for MAG. We were privileged to hear a presentation by CEO, Nick Roseveare, on his recent programme visit to DRC which gave us much insight.

What appeals to me most about MAG is the humanitarian aspect of their work. Removing the mines impacts whole communities by restoring safe access to water, shelter, food, and provision of emergency aid and essential life-saving information. People can walk without fear to fetch water from rivers and children can go to school and play in the fields once 'owned' by landmines.

I hope that our consultancy over the next three months will contribute to the impact of MAG worldwide.