A ceremony was held at the Logistic Brigade in Kfarchima for the handover of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment to the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The equipment includes vehicles equipped with mounted cranes, advanced care ambulances, and intrinsically safe field communication devices, aimed at strengthening LMAC’s capacity to support safe and efficient EOD operations and respond to evolving contamination risks.

The mounted cranes and mobile platforms are specifically designed for operations in rubble and debris environments, where conflict-related destruction and debris have concealed explosive ordnance across residential areas, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure. This support contributes to civilian protection, safe access to affected areas, and ongoing recovery efforts, including enabling displaced communities to safely return to their homes. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Sandra De Waele, Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon; Brigadier General Haydar Skayneh, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Representative of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal; Ms. Blerta Aliko, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon; Brigadier General Roger Khoury, Head of LMAC; as well as officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces, and representatives from the European Union, UNDP, and relevant partners.

At the end of the ceremony, Brigadier General Haydar Skayneh, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Representative of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal, presented a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief to Ambassador De Waele, commending the role of the United Nations and the European Union in supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces during the current phase. The Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, H.E. Sandra De Waele, said: “The European Union has been a long-standing partner of Lebanon on mine action — including through our support in establishing the Regional School of Humanitarian Demining — and we are proud to deepen that partnership with both LMAC and the LAF Engineering Regiment. Our programmes cover training, equipment for disposal and large-scale clearance operations, awareness and risk education, and assistance to victims. In today’s context, the needs are great, and more support will come.”