Research overview
Research funded by AusAID’s Palau country program targets the country’s specific development challenges. Under the Palau-Australia
Partnership for Development , Australia supports the clearance of unexploded ordnance – including landmines, cluster munitions and other
explosive remnants – around the islands of Palau.
Unexploded Ordnance Surveys (to be completed in 2013)
Cleared Ground Demining Palau team members at their storage facility in Peleliu, Palau.
Photo: Erin Magee, AusAID
Since September 2009, the non-government organisation Cleared Ground Demining has been conducting a range of mine action activities such
as risk awareness, survey, land and underwater clearance, and demolitions across Palau’s states.
In 2013, with the support of AusAID funding, the Cleared Ground Demining team will undertake extensive surveys throughout the western
Palau states of Aimeliik, Ngatpang, Ngeremiengui, and Ngardmau. These states have been prioritised under these survey activities, as they
were the scene of intensive bombardment throughout World War Two.
The team will conduct a door knock survey of every household in these states to ask for information on the known location of unexploded
ordnance, whilst also reminding householders of the dangers they pose. The team will meet with community leaders such as Chiefs and women’s
societies, and risk awareness pamphlets will be distributed to the community.
Underwater survey tasks will also be carried out in conservation areas, as well as heavily populated areas that are visited regularly
for fishing or diving.
This support to Palau is part of Australia’s global efforts to reduce the threat and impact of landmines and other explosive remnants of
war. Since 1997, Australia has provided more than $200 million in assistance, making it the sixth largest contributor to mine clearance
efforts in the world.