ArmorGroup’s widespread and long term operational network across the developing world, enables us to provide sustainable support to post-conflict arms management programmes and to the local enterprises which emerge from such programmes.

Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR)

DDR programmes are intended to create a more secure environment in countries either emerging from conflict or downsizing their military institutions. This improved environment should lead to the sustainable improvement in the economic prosperity of the population, enhanced by the re-integration of ex-military personnel into the community. ArmorGroup has undertaken such programmes across Africa and the Middle East, including offering training and employment in humanitarian Mine Action roles to former combatants in Mozambique, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslavia.ArmorGroup recognises that as post-conflict planning often demands a transformational change in attitudes and behaviour, prolonged support to certain individuals and groups is vital to support future conflict prevention strategies. ArmorGroup’s network gives it the capacity to track the progress of ex-combatants, once trained, to assist donors, who fund such programmes, during the period when a degree of self-sufficiency is expected.

ArmorGroup has the proven ability to provide DDR programmes using its comprehensive international, regional and local logistics infrastructure, supported by its extensive security and training skills and with its development partners to deliver integrated packages to former combatants. ArmorGroup’s extensive fieldwork with the humanitarian and NGO community also provides it with the ability to work in parallel with civilian communities to improve their living and working conditions. ArmorGroup is currently providing services in Kenya to UNHCR, World Food Programme and the International Organisation for Migration and providing the security and support for two refugee camps, at Lockichoggio and Dadaab, which house over 200,000 displaced persons, primarily Sudanese but also including Congolese, Rwandans, Somalis and Ugandans.

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)

ArmorGroup’s considerable capability in the first phase of disarmament programmes is based on its mine action and stockpile reduction operations in 22 countries over the last 10 years. ArmorGroup has extensive experience in working with local communities and engaging with international and local humanitarian and mine action partners to support national strategies to remediate and eradicate discarded or outdated weaponry in SALW programmes.

ArmorGroup has carried out a wide range of such conventional and non-conventional weapons removal and abatement programmes in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and southern Asia. ArmorGroup is also contracted to support the US Department of State’s Weapons Removal and Abatement Services Programme which includes the destruction of small arms, light weapons and hand held surface to air missiles in areas of recent conflict world-wide, with recent operations in Cambodia and Laos.

For more information on our Mine Action experience and capabilities please click here.