UNMAS stands for United Nations Mine Action Service. It is a department of the United Nations (UN) that was established in 1997 to lead and coordinate the UN’s efforts to reduce the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war in countries affected by armed conflict.

The role of UNMAS is to provide operational support to the UN system, governments, and other partners in mine action activities. This includes clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war, providing risk education to communities, and assisting victims of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

UNMAS works closely with national authorities, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and implement mine action programs that are tailored to the specific needs of affected communities. It also works to promote international cooperation and coordination in mine action, and to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

In addition to its operational role, UNMAS also serves as a technical advisor to the UN Security Council on issues related to mine action and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It works to ensure that mine action is integrated into broader UN efforts to promote peace, security, and development around the world.

Hierarchy of UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service)

The hierarchy of UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service) is as follows:

• Director of UNMAS: The Director of UNMAS is the head of the department and is responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to the organization. The current Director of UNMAS is Agnes Marcaillou.
• Deputy Director of UNMAS: The Deputy Director of UNMAS assists the Director in providing leadership and strategic direction to the organization. The current Deputy Director of UNMAS is Mariko Horie.
• Chief of Operations: The Chief of Operations is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNMAS’s mine action programs around the world.
• Chief of Policy, Planning and Resources: The Chief of Policy, Planning and Resources is responsible for developing policies and strategies for UNMAS and for managing the organization’s human, financial, and other resources.
• Chief of Information Management: The Chief of Information Management is responsible for managing UNMAS’s information management systems and for providing information and data to support the organization’s mine action programs.
• Regional Directors: UNMAS has regional offices in various parts of the world, and each office is headed by a Regional Director who is responsible for overseeing the organization’s mine action programs in that region.
• Country Directors: UNMAS has country offices in several countries around the world, and each office is headed by a Country Director who is responsible for overseeing the organization’s mine action programs in that country.
• Program Managers: Program Managers are responsible for overseeing specific mine action programs implemented by UNMAS, including mine clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and advocacy.