Solomon Islands launches IMSMA Core to improve UXO data management, planning and public safety nationwide
The Information Management System for Mine Action, IMSMA Core, has now launched its first-ever data system that can help with the work.
This has been seen as a game changer for the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, especially the Explosive Ordnance Department.
Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services John Tuhaika Jnr said the launch of the new information system marked more than the introduction of a digital platform, describing it as another important step in the country’s commitment to protecting its people, strengthening public safety and building a more resilient and secure Solomon Islands.
Photo caption: John Tuhaika Jnr, Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
He said the legacy of unexploded ordnance remains one of the lasting consequences of the Second World War, with explosive remnants of war continuing to pose a serious threat to communities decades after the conflict ended, while also limiting economic opportunities.
“This is not simply a legacy of history; it remains a contemporary national security and development challenge that demands effective coordination, sound policy and informed decision-making.
“As the internationally recognised information management platform for mine action, IMSMA Core will provide the Government and its partners with a modern, integrated system for collecting, managing, analysing and reporting UXO data,” he added.
IMSMA Core is a database system developed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining to help countries manage and report information on unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war.
The Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department, is the first country in the Pacific to implement the IMSMA Core system.
With the high contamination of UXO that is still undiscovered, this system will build the capacity to identify UXO hotspot areas in the country.
“This will help the country as a way forward to help our office prioritize which places to do clearance. At the moment, we work reactively, mostly when people call in, then we can go and do the removal of the UXO.
“Also, this will help the office to coordinate properly and plan how we can address the long-standing issue of UXO in the country because it’s more than 80 years old now,” Benzily Kasutaba, Director of the National UXO Division, explained.
The National UXO Coordination Office under the Ministry has been tasked to manage, maintain and operate the database.
“This system will help NGOs and local companies identify and coordinate work in areas affected by UXO by providing clear and accurate data through the system,” he said.
The IMSMA Core database will be the only data repository for all Explosive Remnants of War, Unexploded Ordnance and Abandoned Explosive Ordnance in the country, receiving explosive ordnance disposal spot task callouts, non-technical surveys, technical surveys, clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, WWII historical mapping, or any data on accidents and victims related to Unexploded Ordnance and Abandoned Explosive Ordnance.
Photo Caption: Clifford Tunuki, Inspector of the EOD Team, RSIPF
Clifford Tunuki, Inspector of the EOD Team, RSIPF, has expressed the importance of the new system, saying it will help their operations on the ground.
“I’m very excited for this new system and one that I believe will be a huge relief now that it is live as of today’s launching.”
He also said that before, it was quite challenging and really hard to keep proper raw data, for example, on paper.
“This is a live portal and a system that will keep all our operational data and another layer of safety as well for every person to know and be aware ahead of areas that are contaminated by UXOs,” he ended.
Four local specialists have completed training, both face-to-face in Switzerland and online, on how to create, design and manage the system, with the knowledge they shared among the different operations related to UXO.
The newly launched Information Management System for Mine Action, IMSMA Core, is said to be linked to the Solomon Islands Government’s main portal for access.
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