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Throwing Out Mines: The Effects Of A Flail, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson, Johannes Dirscherl, Håvard Bach
Throwing Out Mines: The Effects Of A Flail, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson, Johannes Dirscherl, Håvard Bach
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The authors discuss a study conducted on flail machines to prove the effectiveness of this technology in destroying anti-personnel mines.
The Mine Action Express… Or The Wreck Of The ‘09, Dennis Barlow
The Mine Action Express… Or The Wreck Of The ‘09, Dennis Barlow
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The author discusses current challenges relating to an effective global mine action strategy; he considers approaches and policies that could enhance or impede demining efforts worldwide. There are many emerging concepts to consider in order to improve mine action, such as mainstreaming, risk management and national ownership. The author discusses potential future plans of action the community must undertake regarding these issues in order to deal effectively with landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Closing The Circle, Eddie Banks, Rob Shahmir
Closing The Circle, Eddie Banks, Rob Shahmir
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The authors present a critique of the International Mine Action Standards currently in use. After highlighting gaps in IMAS related to assessment and survey, an improved aspect of mine-action planning methodology is presented, which includes a prioritization component using a socioeconomic approach. The result is LIRA: landmine impact combined with a new measurement of risk assessment. This updated model can contribute to improved safety, quality and productivity of landmine action through more effective strategic planning tools.
Cluster Munitions And Erw In Lebanon, Daniele Ressler, Elizabeth Wise
Cluster Munitions And Erw In Lebanon, Daniele Ressler, Elizabeth Wise
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The recent 34-day conflict between the Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah and Israel from July 12 to August 14, 2006, saw extensive use of surface-launched munitions and air-dropped munitions (to a lesser degree), resulting in wartime casualties for military and civilian actors in both Lebanon and Israel. Since the ceasefire agreement, international post-conflict attention has become focused on Lebanon due to the large number of explosive remnants of war left behind after the conflict. In particular, cluster munitions are proving problematic for post-conflict reconstruction activities in Lebanon due to their apparent high failure rate and the potential threat they pose to …
Explosive Remnants Of War In The Republic Of Croatia, Drazen Simunovic
Explosive Remnants Of War In The Republic Of Croatia, Drazen Simunovic
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Explosive remnants of war represent a constant threat to normal life and activities of the population living in mine-affected areas in the Republic of Croatia. The author considers the extent and impact of unexploded ordnance and other ERW contaminating the country as a consequence of military operations between 1991 and 1995.
Chechnya, Country Profile
Chechnya, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For the past 10 years, a violent conflict between the Russian military and Chechen rebels has resulted in accusations of kidnapping, rape, looting and other atrocities from both sides. Instances of violence constantly plague the Chechen population, including accidents involving unexploded ordnance and landmines.
Guinea Bissau, Country Profile
Guinea Bissau, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Past wars continue to haunt Guinea Bissau as remnants from previous conflicts are a constant reminder of what the country has undergone. Though the Liberation War lasted 11 years and finally ended in 1974, neighboring Senegal's internal conflict and Guinea Bissau's own civil war near the Casamance region would leave behind uglier scars.
Iraq, Country Profile
Iraq, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Decades of internal conflict, a history overtaken with war and a delicate new government put Iraq in the midst of an explosive-remnants-of-war situation that is worsening as the security situation continues to deteriorate. The country's unstable nature poses a challenge for organizations that wish to provide much needed humanitarian assistance. Conflicts between ethnic and political parties, the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the more recent U.S.-led invasion in 2003 left the country's 169,234 square miles (438,314 square meters) riddled with landmines, unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive ordnance.
Lebanon, Country Profile
Lebanon, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Lebanon has suffered from decades of conflict and periods of foreign occupation, leaving the country riddled with landmines and other explosive remnants of war. In July 2006, the country found itself at the center of international attention with the start of a 34-day conflict between Israel and the militant Shiite group Hezbollah, which operates out of the southern part of Lebanon. Of particular concern has been the reported use of cluster munitions by the Israel Defense Forces—who launched strikes on positions in southern Lebanon suspected to be occupied by Hezbollah militants—and the lasting post-conflict effects of unexploded submunitions.
Vietnam, Country Profile
Vietnam, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Long after the Vietnam War's end, remnants of the conflict remain in playgrounds, schools, farms and roads. Over 30 years have passed, but abandoned ammunition and unexploded ordnance—known as explosive remnants of war—have taken the lives of thousands of civilians. Once a week, a person in central Vietnam is killed or injured by an encounter with UXO. Vietnam is one of the most ERW-contaminated countries in the world, with abandoned explosives such as old bombs, artillery shells, grenades and other munitions left over from past wars. The country has an estimated 350,000 to 800,000 tons (317,515 to 725,748 metric tons) …
Contributing To Progress In Sri Lanka, Liz Wegman
Contributing To Progress In Sri Lanka, Liz Wegman
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article highlights the activities of People to People International in Sri Lanka. As part of its commitment to Sri Lanka, PTPI not only assisted in the clearance of high-priority minefields, but also provided aid following the 2004 tsunami. Today, PTPI remains dedicated to helping the of Sri Lankan people.
Increasing The Impact Of Mine-Action Surveys, Charles Downs
Increasing The Impact Of Mine-Action Surveys, Charles Downs
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While mine-action surveys are an important tool in mine clearance, there are several challenges that must be overcome for survey results to be fully effective. Some of these changes include alterations in priority setting, information management and impact scoring. This article presents some potential obstacles to completing and evaluating mine-action surveys and proposes possible solutions to these challenges to increase their effectiveness and impact.
Humanitarian Landmine Action In China And The Role Of The Ngo, Zhai Dequan
Humanitarian Landmine Action In China And The Role Of The Ngo, Zhai Dequan
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Though China is not a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the country has long been involved in humanitarian efforts to alleviate the landmine problem. Nationally, China has launched mine clearance campaigns, and has become a State Party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Two organizations have also been established to alleviate the landmine problem. Internationally, China has sponsored several mine-clearance workshops, and has promoted international partnerships to work toward mine clearance.
Explosive Harvesting Program, Roger Hess
Explosive Harvesting Program, Roger Hess
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Explosive Harvesting Program is a research and development program funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program. The concept was designed by Golden West Humanitarian Foundation and is being jointly developed with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre.
Itep Test And Evaluation Of Humanitarian Demining Equipment, 2006, Franciska Borry
Itep Test And Evaluation Of Humanitarian Demining Equipment, 2006, Franciska Borry
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The ITEP Work Plan 2006 compiles all test and evaluation activities that will be carried out during 2006 by the ITEP member countries, either as single-country activities or as ITEP collaborative efforts. The following summary provides an update on collaborative test activities initiated during 2005 and continuing in 2006, including also some of the new test and evaluation efforts envisaged.
News Briefs, News Brief
Armed Non-State Actors: The Main Users Of The “Poor Man’S Weapon”, Anki Sjöberg
Armed Non-State Actors: The Main Users Of The “Poor Man’S Weapon”, Anki Sjöberg
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This report, which builds on the 2004 Geneva Call initial analysis, provides a comprehensive mapping of the use, acquisition, production, transfer and stockpiling of landmines by armed non-state actors through a presentation of individual group profiles and a global analysis. The report records global occurrences of antipersonnel and anti-vehicle mine planting by NSAs during 2003–2005, whether activated by victims, vehicles or at a distance using command detonation.
Chad, Country Profile
Chad, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The mine and unexploded ordnance contamination in Chad is a result of decades of internal conflict, the 1973 Libyan invasion and intensive mining during Libya’s occupation of the Aouzou Strip in the north from 1984 to 1987. Most of the known mined areas are in the Borkou- Ennedi-Tibesti region in the north and the Biltine and Quaddai regions in the east. Areas such as the Wadi Doum Military Base are also contaminated with abandoned missiles, munitions and other explosive remnants of war.
Unsung Hero: Silvija Bogdany, Jennette Townsend
Unsung Hero: Silvija Bogdany, Jennette Townsend
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In the fall of 2001, Silvija Bogdany answered a Norwegian People’s Aid advertisement for mine-clearance personnel of both sexes. After six weeks of intense training, Bogdany became the youngest deminer in Croatia and began working in the field alongside highly experienced male deminers. In the spring of 2003, she was promoted to Team Leader. Though she only has about four years of experience, her former Project Manager, Damir Jakši, places her in the category of “highly experienced deminers.” Bogdany is now both the Technical Advisor to and Supervisor of the DCA Mine Action Program Sudan, where she trains demining staff. …
Angola, Country Profile
Angola, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
No abstract provided.
Sudan, Country Profile
Sudan, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A civil war lasting for more than 20 years has caused Sudan’s landmine problem to be of great concern. According to UNICEF, Sudan ranks among the top 10 landmine-affected countries worldwide even though the full extent of the problem is largely unknown because no Landmine Impact Survey has been conducted. The greatest concentration of explosive remnants of war is located in the south, where the bulk of the fighting occurred, but exact statistics regarding existing stockpiles and mine-related incidents are unavailable due to a lack of records.
A Firm Foothold: Ronco Operations In Sudan, John Lundberg
A Firm Foothold: Ronco Operations In Sudan, John Lundberg
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Over the past four years, RONCO has established a continuing presence in Sudan, following the Nuba Mountains ceasefire, with the deployment of quick-response teams to conduct emergency mine-clearance tasks. Currently, RONCO is creating and sustaining an indigenous mine-clearance, survey and disposal capacity in southern Sudan on behalf of the United Nations. In addition to the threat of extensively mined roads and infrastructure, RONCO had to overcome a number of obstacles, including inclement weather, disease and an increasing security threat due to rebel activity. Sudan’s austere and hostile conditions are not dissimilar to those RONCO experienced in Afghanistan and Iraq, but …
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law like the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
Systematic Test & Evaluation Of Metal Detectors: Interim Report Field Trials Mozambique, Dieter Guelle, Adam Lewis
Systematic Test & Evaluation Of Metal Detectors: Interim Report Field Trials Mozambique, Dieter Guelle, Adam Lewis
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission published at the end of 2005 another interim report for the STEMD project. This article gives background on the project and report and some results and recommendations of the trial. The authors hope this article will pique interest in the full report.
Mine Action Support Group Update, Stacy Davis
Mine Action Support Group Update, Stacy Davis
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group from the first quarterly U.N. newsletter of 2006, including updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF.
Test And Evaluation Of Japanese Gpr-Based Ap Mine Detection Systems Mounted On Robotic Vehicles, Jun Ishikawa, Mitsuru Kiyota, Katsuhisa Furuta
Test And Evaluation Of Japanese Gpr-Based Ap Mine Detection Systems Mounted On Robotic Vehicles, Jun Ishikawa, Mitsuru Kiyota, Katsuhisa Furuta
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article introduces Japanese activities regarding a project, “Research and Development of Sensing Technology, Access and Control Technology to Support Humanitarian Demining of AP Mines.” This project, which includes the research of six teams from academia and industry, has been funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEX T). The developed systems are equipped with both groundpenetrating radar and a metal detector, and they are designed to make no explicit alarm and to leave decision-making of detection using subsurface images to the operators. To evaluate …
Success Of Multi-Tools In Mine Action: The Survivable Demining Tractor And Tools And The Mine-Clearing Survivable Vehicle, Tinh Nguyen, Charles Chichester
Success Of Multi-Tools In Mine Action: The Survivable Demining Tractor And Tools And The Mine-Clearing Survivable Vehicle, Tinh Nguyen, Charles Chichester
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The authors examine the various equipment and technologies that allow further effectiveness in demining achievements. Recent developments in demining tools allow for greater protection of deminers, in addition to improved search results. With technological advancements such as the Survivable Demining Tractor and Tools and the Mine-Clearing Survivable Vehicle, the authors express hope for demining centers worldwide.
Zimbabwe, Country Profile
Zimbabwe, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
During the War of Liberation between 1976 and 1979, the Rhodesian Army laid minefields along the northern and eastern borders of Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia). The Rhodesian Army handed over minefield records to the Zimbabwe National Army in 1980. The minefields were emplaced in standard patterns and were marked and posted with danger/warning signs, but many of these signs have been stolen, destroyed or removed over time. It was initially estimated that 2.5 million anti-personnel mines were emplaced in Zimbabwe and the remaining minefields stretch 218 miles. Zimbabwe signed the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention on Dec. 3, 1997, and …
Uganda, Country Profile
Uganda, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Due to the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army against the Ugandan government, landmines have been placed by various groups throughout the country for the past two decades. In the early 1980s both rebel groups and Ugandan government forces laid mines. Since then, there have been no allegations of government use inside Uganda, though the Lord’s Resistance Army continues to use anti-personnel mines. Though the landmine and unexploded ordnance problem is not as severe as in other parts of the continent, these remnants of war continue to injure or kill civilians as well as pose a problem for returning refugees …
A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii
A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The author explores the vast diversification in landmine etymology, condemning efforts that sought to provide more information but only complicated an already difficult process. Dugger continues with a historical perspective on the progression of language and processes used to address problems posed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war.