Hope for Afghanistan’s future and a dream of helping to heal his war-ravaged country brought Obaid, a 44-year-old former jihadi, to the DDR program, where he chose to train as a deminer.

Although his new profession ranks as one of the most dangerous in the world, Obaid says that he feels no fear as he combs the earth for mines. “I have seen terrible things in my life,” he says of the two decades he spent in combat and the loss of family and friends. Nonetheless, he is hopeful, comparing Afghanistan’s path to reconstruction with that of Japan after World War Two: a journey to stability and prosperity. “Afghans have not been united and have been fighting against each other, but now things are changing,’’ he says. Obaid, who is married and has three children, selected mine clearing as a way to encourage refugees to return to Afghanistan and rebuild their homeland.

Canada is among the top donor nations for mine action. In contaminated areas, mine action, including mine clearance, impact surveys, mine awareness and rehabilitation for victims, is a prerequisite to resuming economic and social life. The United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) has developed a 10-year national strategic plan in consultation with the Government of Afghanistan.