Reporting Unexploded Ordnance to Authorities

Finding unexploded ordnance and reporting it accurately is one of the most community-protective actions a civilian can take in a post-conflict environment. A single reported UXO can prevent multiple casualties — potentially for years into the future. But effective reporting requires knowing who to contact, what information to provide, and how to ensure the report reaches someone who can act on it.

Why Reporting Matters

UXO that goes unreported:

• Remains as an ongoing hazard to everyone who passes nearby
• Is at greater risk of being found and handled by children
• May eventually be moved or disturbed by farming or construction — creating new risks
• Cannot be included in formal clearance operations without being documented

Every piece of UXO that is reported and cleared removes a hazard permanently. Unreported UXO can kill people for decades.

Who to Contact

The right contact depends on what organisations are operating in your area:

Contact	When to Use
National military EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)	If military is accessible and responsive in your area
Local police	First contact in many civilian situations; can escalate to EOD
HALO Trust	Operates in many mine-affected countries; accepts community reports
MAG (Mines Advisory Group)	Operates in many countries; accepts community UXO reports
UNMAS (UN Mine Action Service)	In areas with active UN presence
ICRC or local Red Cross/Crescent	Can facilitate reporting in complex conflict situations
National mine action authority	Government body responsible for coordinating clearance

In most post-conflict countries, there is a national hotline or reporting number specifically for UXO. This is typically the fastest way to get a response. Ask community leaders, aid workers, or local authorities what the current reporting number is in your area — this changes based on what organisations are operating.

Information to Collect Before Reporting

The more precise your report, the faster clearance teams can respond. Collect the following from a safe distance:

Location

1. GPS coordinates — if your phone has GPS, use it. This is the most valuable information you can provide.
2. Nearest address, village, or landmark — describe the location as precisely as possible.
3. Distance and direction from a known reference — "approximately 50 metres east of the bridge" is useful when GPS is unavailable.
4. Land type — field, road, building, riverbank.

Description of the Object

You do not need to identify the type accurately — just describe what you see:

1. Shape — cylindrical, round, rectangular, irregular
2. Size — compare to familiar objects ("about the size of a football," "as long as my arm")
3. Colour and surface — rusty metal, green paint, plastic, smooth, corroded
4. Visible components — fins, wires, levers, holes
5. Position — on the surface, partially buried, embedded in a wall
6. Depth — if partially buried, how much is visible

Surrounding Situation

1. Are there other similar objects nearby?
2. Has anyone been injured?
3. Has anyone touched or moved the object?
4. How long has it been there (if known)?
5. Are people currently in the area?

Making the Report

By Phone

1. Call the appropriate number (EOD, police, clearance organisation hotline).
2. State clearly that you are reporting a suspected UXO.
3. Provide your location first — if the call is cut short, at least your location is recorded.
4. Provide the object description.
5. Give your contact number so the responding team can call back for clarification.
6. Confirm whether you will wait nearby to guide the team (only if safe to do so from a distance).

Without Phone Access

If you cannot make a phone call:

1. Physically travel to the nearest authority — police station, military post, aid organisation office — and report in person.
2. Send a trusted adult messenger with written details (location, description) if travelling yourself is not possible.
3. Community leaders often have radio or communication access that individuals do not — report to your community leader if direct access to authorities is impossible.

Marking the Location After Reporting

While waiting for EOD or clearance teams to respond, mark the location from a safe distance:

• Place stones, sticks, or cloth in a visible pattern around (not near) the object to warn others
• If you have paint or chalk, mark nearby trees, rocks, or paths with visible warning indicators
• Tell community members and community leaders about the location — verbal warning prevents others from stumbling onto it

⚠️ Marking should be done from a safe distance. Do not approach the object to place markers directly next to it. A marker 10 metres away that others can see is more valuable than a marker next to the object that required you to approach it.

What Happens After You Report

1. EOD or clearance team responds — response time varies from hours to days depending on the organisation and their current workload.
2. The area is formally cordoned — clearance teams establish exclusion zones.
3. The device is assessed and disposed of — either removed or detonated in place.
4. The incident is recorded — this data contributes to understanding contamination patterns in the area and planning future clearance.

Follow up on your report if you hear nothing within 24–48 hours. Persistent follow-up through multiple channels (police, clearance organisation, community leader) ensures the report does not fall through administrative gaps.

Encouraging Community Reporting Culture

In heavily contaminated areas, establishing a community culture of UXO reporting is as important as any individual report:

• Ensure children are taught to recognise and report, not touch, suspicious objects
• Share the reporting number widely — post it in communal areas
• Acknowledge and share news when reported UXO is cleared — this reinforces the value of reporting
• Communicate with returning displaced populations about current hazards

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Quick Reference

Step	Action
Found UXO	Do not touch; back away; mark from safe distance
Who to call	National EOD hotline, local police, HALO Trust, MAG, UNMAS
First information to give	Your location (GPS or landmark)
Object description	Shape, size, colour, position, depth
No phone	Go to nearest authority in person; send a messenger
After reporting	Tell community; wait for team; follow up if no response in 24–48 hours