Parts of central Colombia remain affected by legacy landmine contamination, restricting safe access to land and infrastructure and placing civilian populations at continued risk. In regions where terrain and vegetation complicate manual clearance, the careful introduction of mechanical support can improve both safety and operational effectiveness when applied within humanitarian mine action frameworks.

Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) has been supporting Humanity & Inclusion (HI) for several years. The partnership extended in early 2021, with the deployment of new mechanical clearance capacity for a new humanitarian demining project in Vista Hermosa, located in Colombia's Meta department. The area is among those most affected by landmine contamination and has recorded a high number of minerelated casualties over the past decades.

Applying mechanical support in challenging terrain

Vista Hermosa is characterised by hilly topography and dense vegetation, conditions that place significant demands on clearance teams. Improvised antipersonnel mines were emplaced over many years along access routes, footpaths and near civilian infrastructure, limiting the productive use of land and hindering recovery.

To support clearance operations in this environment, HI started using the compact, remotely operated mechanical platform, the GCS-100, suited to constrained and uneven terrain. The system is intended to support mechanical ground preparation and clearance tasks across several project sites, covering an estimated 22,000 square metres, and to complement manual clearance activities in line with humanitarian mine action standards.

Training and technical support

Next to the unmanned platform, GCS provided onsite technical support to ensure the safe and effective introduction of the mechanical asset. A local GCS field technician conducted a two-week training programme in March for HIcertified operators and mechanics, focusing on operation, safety procedures and basic maintenance.

In addition, GCS is supporting the early operational phase through ongoing service and maintenance assistance, helping to ensure reliability and to build confidence and selfsufficiency within the local teams.

Enabling safer access and recovery

Vista Hermosa has been affected by decades of conflict involving non-state armed groups, with landmines used to restrict movement and access to civilian infrastructure. Clearance of antipersonnel mines is a prerequisite for improving safety, supporting victims and enabling the return of land to productive use.

Through the careful integration of mechanical support, training and technical assistance, GCS contributes to humanitarian mine action efforts in Colombia aimed at reducing explosive risks and supporting longer-term social and economic recovery in affected communities.