New graduates ready to join DRC demining efforts

This summer, once again, the Danish Refugee Council-Humanitarian Disarmament and Peace Building (DRC-HDP) successfully delivered the course on Conventional Munitions Disposal, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) - IMAS Level 3. The course was carried out in collaboration with the Engineering regiment of the Danish Army, which provided valuable coordination and support. As in previous years, the five week course took place at the EOD training centre of the Danish Army in Skive, Denmark - from 19 June to 21 July 2023.

The course is internationally recognized and provides high-level training in EOD for humanitarian practitioners operating in the harshest environments around the world. Most of the students in this year’s course were DRC-HDP personnel operating in different DRC countries, such as Afghanistan, Ukraine and Yemen with one external student operational in Somalia. Students were taught in ammunition identification, demolitions theory and safety, EOD task management, as well as practical experience in conventional munitions disposal operations. Nine students successfully completed the course: 3 women and 6 men.

The primary aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations. By achieving a high level of proficiency in this course, students will be well-prepared to contribute to humanitarian efforts to protect vulnerable populations from the hazards associated with explosive devices.