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Treaty Status | Management & Coordination | Impact (contamination & casualties) | Addressing the Impact (land release, risk education, victim assistance)

Country summary

Palau remains contaminated with explosive remnants of war (ERW) including both unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) dating from World War II, primarily as a result of land and naval battles between American and Japanese forces.[1] An estimated total of 2,800 tons (2.8 million kilograms) of ordnance was dropped or fired on the archipelago.[2]

In 2010, two cluster munition remnants were identified and destroyed, but since then no more have been identified through survey or clearance. Palau is believed to be free of cluster munitions.

In its most recent Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report, Palau stated that no operators had found any antipersonnel mines in 2017.[3] Palau also stated that no areas suspected or confirmed to contain mines had ever been “validated” under its jurisdiction or control.[4]

Treaty status

Treaty status overview

Palau does not report having areas suspected or confirmed to be contaminated with antipersonnel mines or cluster munitions remnants.

Management and coordination

Mine action management and coordination

Mine action management and coordination overview

Strategies and policies

Palau enacted a presidential executive order to adopt its UXO Policy and UXO Action Plan 2017–2019. These documents established a national coordination system, data collection mechanisms, and standards to govern the removal and disposal of ordnance. Palau reported in 2017 that it was still working to request clearance data from Cleared Ground Demining (CGD) for validation and inclusion into the data system.[5]

Palau’s UXO Advisory Committee, with United States (US) funding and technical expertise from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), was in the process of developing the capacity of Palau’s National Safety Office to oversee and manage clearance activities based on the country’s UXO Policy and Action Plan.[6]

Risk education management and coordination

Coordination

Palau’s risk education program is coordinated by the National Safety Office, which works alongside the police, state rangers, and clearance operators in the delivery of risk education.[7]

Victim assistance management and coordination

Coordination

Palau’s victim assistance program is coordinated by the National UXO Advisory Committee.

Laws and policies

Palau’s UXO Advisory Committee adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) framework as a standard to address its obligations on victim assistance.[8] Victims of cluster munitions, mines, and other ERW are entitled to cost-free medical treatment.[9]

Impact

Contamination

Contamination overview

Landmine contamination

In 2009 the government of Palau invited Cleared Ground Demining (CDG) to conduct survey and clearance of ERW within the country, with landmines as a priority.[10] In its 2011 Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report, Palau reported the presence of a small stockpile of antipersonnel, antivehicle, and sea mines of Japanese origin, located in a cave and tunnel complex in the Umurbrogol mountains, Peleliu state.[11] In 2017, Palau reported that between 2009–2016, CGD located unknown stockpiles comprising a total of 41 Type 93 HE Blast antipersonnel mines, which were destroyed.[12]

In its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report for calendar year 2017, Palau reported that no operators had found antipersonnel mines in 2017.[13] However, Palau has yet to submit a Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report officially confirming there are no areas suspected to contain antipersonnel mines under its jurisdiction or control.

Cluster munition remnants contamination

In May 2010, CGD identified and cleared an M41A1 bomb that had been fitted with an AN-M1A1 cluster adapter, thus enabling eight fragmentation bombs to be dropped simultaneously. This World War II-type bomb is similar to contemporary cluster munitions. Palau reported clearing and destroying two M41A1 cluster munition remnants in 2010, both found in Koror state.[14]

Since 2010, no cluster munition remnants have been reported in Palau and it is believed that it is no longer contaminated with cluster munitions.

ERW contamination

Palau continues to suffer a high level of contamination from World War II-era ERW. NPA, which has been operating in Palau since 2015, has identified 248 hazardous areas within 16 states.[15] Residents are exposed to ERW while hunting, fishing, collecting shellfish, and engaging in agricultural activities such as cultivating taro and bananas. Ordnance has been removed from memorials, shrines, and other tourist attractions.[16]

Casualties

Palau reports that there are no recorded casualties of cluster munitions, unexploded submunitions, or other ERWs.[17]

Addressing the impact

Mine action

Operators and service providers

Clearance operators

NPA began its work in Palau with a non-technical survey (NTS) in June 2016 which identified 188 hazardous areas. A workplan was drawn up with an end date of February 2020. A total of 60 additional tasks have been identified since then.

NPA also supports the National Safety Office to undertake clearance and disposal of items.[18]

Risk education

Operators and service providers

In 2017, Palau reported implementing multi-language public awareness campaigns to inform both residents and tourists of the risks of cluster munitions and ERW, in conjunction with how to report any when found. Palau’s risk education was coordinated by the National Safety Office, which worked alongside police, state rangers and clearance operators in risk education delivery.[19]

Victim assistance

Victim assistance providers and activities

Survivors of cluster munitions, mines, and other ERW have access to cost-free medical treatment in public hospitals.