The UNJLC operation in Lebanon is a successful example of the employment of partners within the activities of the UN agencies. Through partnerships, UNJLC is able to secure reliable support of critical skills and services. The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation's (VVAF) Information Management and Mine Action Program (iMMAP) is one such partner.



The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) is an international non-governmental organization that addresses the causes, conduct and consequences of war through programs of advocacy and service of victims of conflict.  VVAF's Information Management & Mine Action Programs [iMMAP] coordinates, supports and implements humanitarian information management activities and landmine and UXO surveys during and after complex emergencies and in developing countries around the world.  iMMAP's work forms the basis for setting priorities for humanitarian relief and development, economic recovery, landmine clearance and victim assistance.

VVAF's iMMAP specializes in the operational application of cutting edge information management, survey, analysis and geographic information system (GIS) technologies and services.  For Lebanon, UNJLC asked for VVAF support based on the recently concluded Standby Partnership Agreement signed between WFP and VVAF, but also on a long running collaboration between the two organizations. 

In Lebanon the iMMAP seconded team is the focal point for the Government and international community on all hazards to movement. The iMMAP team has forged strong relations and data sharing agreements with the UN Mine Action Coordination Center - South Lebanon and with the Field Security Services to compile up to date information on road conditions, bridge damage and other hazards to movement. The team has provided all routing for WFP/Logistics Cluster coordinated convoys as well as route maps submitted to for clearance to the Israeli Defense Forces.  The team liaises with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and The Ministry of the Interior to acquire damage information. The Hazards to Movement map series is widely regarded and a high demand product. 

Stationed in Lebanon for a period of two months, iMMAP's specialists will support humanitarian aid and early recovery efforts by coordinating field data collection on the status of transport infrastructure.  A leader in establishing standardized data collection procedures iMMAP will monitor road conditions as well as design road, port and airport condition logistical maps.  The team just recently completed a complex manual reconciliation of Government narrative damage reporting with satellite imagery derived information to produce the first list of damaged bridge coordinates with full naming and technical attributes.