Youth Mine Awareness Training in Mostar

The camp, which was attended by nearly fifty young people, provided an excellent opportunity for them to forge new friendships and to strengthen their cooperation through shared experiences. During the mine awareness session held as part of the camp, the young people were briefed by Hungarian bomb disposal experts on the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance that remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on the rules for behaving safely in mine-affected areas. Such initiatives help to raise security awareness within local communities, whilst strengthening cooperation and trust between EUFOR and the local population.

The primary task of the Hungarian explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to provide EOD support to Operation EUFOR Althea. As part of this, they contribute to the safety of EUFOR operations by neutralising the threats posed by conventional mines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices, thereby contributing to the safe execution of EUFOR operations and the protection of the civilian population. Their tasks also include delivering mine awareness training sessions for EUFOR personnel, organising sessions at LOT centres for groups most at risk from landmines, and, upon request, for civil society organisations and diplomatic missions. Where necessary, they also assist in the rescue of soldiers and civilians who have suffered accidents. In addition, the Hungarian EOD team maintains professional ties with the body primarily responsible for mine clearance in the Western Balkans, namely the Demining Battalion of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The work of the Hungarian EOD personnel is a good example of how service in Operation EUFOR Althea goes beyond the execution of military tasks: it actively contributes to enhancing the security of the local population, to building trust with local communities, and to strengthening cooperation with international peacekeeping forces.