Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing DDR Context

As part of the project, DPO and ODA have established a joint Technical Assistance Mechanism. Under this mechanism, Technical Assessment Missions (TAM) can be deployed, composed of WAM and DDR experts from across the UN and external partner organizations, to provide recommendations on WAM at the strategic, policy and technical level and to identify potential WAM activities as part of DDR processes. With the financial support from Germany, DPO-ODA deployed the first TAM to Haiti in August 2019 in support of the transition from a peacekeeping operation to a special political mission, the Integrated United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The TAM demonstrated the value of a holistic and coherent, joined-up approach on CVR/DDR and WAM and led to the formulation of concrete recommendations, including the development of a national arms control framework in line with existing standards and guidelines. As a result of the TAM, follow-up activities were developed, facilitating new partnerships between BINUH and UNDP with relevant UN entities with WAM expertise. Within the framework of the Peacebuilding Fund’s DDR project in Haiti, and at the request of the Government, follow-up activities include support from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) to the revision of a comprehensive national firearms law. UNLIREC will also support the development of a WAM national action plan in line with the CARICOM Firearms Roadmap, as well as provide technical assistance in its implementation. Additionally, a WAM baseline assessment and an arms and ammunition profiling and typology study are planned in 2021 to be conducted by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).