Digital Commons Network^™

Landmines And Land Rights In Conflict Affected Contexts, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Land rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts are an increasing area of concern within the humanitarian and development communities. Conflict can often result in dramatic changes to a country's land tenure regime and administration. Even when conflicts end, land rights may be threatened, especially for women, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), returning refugees, migrants and farm labourers. Secure land rights are, therefore, a critical issue for humanitarian response, sustainable peace-building and longer-term economic recovery, particularly in countries where a significant proportion of the population relies on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. The situation can be even more complex in …

National Mine Action Strategy Cambodia (2010-2019), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The National Mine Action Strategy (NMAS) 2010-2019 responds to the challenges the RGC needs to address in order to promote development and provide security to Cambodian citizens. It builds on previous mine action strategies, as well as on the knowledge and experience that Cambodia has acquired over the last 18 years of intensive demining efforts. It also supports Cambodia’s request for a ten-year extension of its clearance deadline under Article 5 of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty to which Cambodia became a state party in early 2000. This strategy was developed under the leadership of the Cambodian Mine Action and …

The First Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2010), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) took place in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 9 to 12 November 2010 and gathered some 1,200 delegates from 40 State Parties, 47 signatory States, 34 observer States and 20 international organizations (see list below).

The meeting was opened by Ambassador Gerard Corr of Ireland, Chairperson of the preparatory meeting for the 1MSP. During the first plenary meeting, the meeting confirmed by acclamation Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as President of the 1MSP to the CCM.

Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A recent survey of donors conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining found that, while short-term donor support remains strong, levels of funding may decrease and become more unpredictable over the coming years.

Integrating Erw Programs: The Case For Consolidating Cwd Activities, Mark Adams

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For years, the mine-action community has been revising its definition of explosive remnants of war. Viewing unexploded ordnance, landmines, ammunition stockpiles, and small arms/light weapons as individual threats, the mine-action community has created distinct budgets, programs and policies to address each of them. What were beginning to realize, however, is that a more integrated approach allows for greater progress in reducing the ERW threat.

Strengthening The Demining Sector Response To Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Chitsama

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the author explores how HIV/AIDS affects deminers in the African areas where the disease is most prevalent. He considers how deminers’ lifestyles make them especially susceptible to HIV/AIDS and suggests mobile HIV/AIDS programs can effectively combat this growing threat.

Mine Action Development Funding In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Michael Carrier, John Powell

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine action seeks to eliminate the lingering effects of contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war, but the need for development in these communities often trumps clearance and mine-risk education activities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where clearance activities are expected to continue until 2019, the Swiss Development Cooperation and Handicap International are exploring new ways for mine action to integrate development efforts into more traditional mine-action efforts.

The Growing Threat To Humanitarian Operations, Adrian King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Deminers and other humanitarian-aid workers around the world, though previously viewed as off-limits, have become targets of distrust and even violence by certain groups. This article explores the reasons for this shift in ideology, and what action humanitarian organizations must take in order to protect their personnel.

Non-State Actors And Mine Action: Complications And Solutions, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The role of non-state actors in mine action is an important and complicated issue to consider. While the United Nations does not recognize NSAs as official representatives of countries or governments, NSAs can still play an active part in reducing landmine and weapons proliferation around the globe. This article discusses the complications surrounding NSAs and the efforts being taken to include them in mine-action discussions.

Micro-Projects Help Socioeconomic Recovery Of Cleared Areas, Carlos Orozco

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Organization of American States’ recent experiences in Nicaragua and Colombia have shown that, in addition to large projects, micro-projects—such as building farms or gardens—are a necessary step in the rehabilitation of cleared lands. Because of the extensive amount of vulnerable area in these mine-affected countries, the continual support of micro-projects not only facilitates development activities, but also lays the groundwork for reaching the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Mine-Action Success Story: Nepal, Stephen Robinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After a decade of conflict in Nepal, the signing of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement initiated mine clearance. By December 2009, all explosives in the Maoist cantonment sites had been eliminated. This article examines the extent of Nepal’s mine-action successes, while offering a number of lessons for mine-afflicted states to consider in their programs.

Redefining Success: Whose Reality Counts?, Asa Massleberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article redefines how the mine-action community should measure accountability and effectiveness, suggesting that more thoughtful effort should be taken to measure success. It discusses recent developments in evaluating mine-action activities, examines the increased role of local communities as stakeholders and details the use of Mines Advisory Group’s impact-assessment tool in Sudan.

The Cartagena Summit Outcome Documents, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

A valuable reference manual about the Convention has been released by the Implementation Support Unit (ISU).

The brochure serves as a valuable reference tool, as it contains the Convention’s text and the main outcome documents from the Cartagena Review Conference.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 9th Edition (Fy2009), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

In 2009, the Department of State continued to lead the international donor community in providing assistance for the clearance of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions, by providing $130 million in aid to 32 countries. Although significant progress has been made over the last decade, including several countries which have been declared mine impact-free, there still remains much to do to make the world a safer place for everyone.

This ninth edition of our annual report, To Walk The Earth In Safety, describes the programs and achievements …

Letter To The Editor, Tamar Gabelnick

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

I was dismayed to read Dennis Barlow’s editorial “Amending the Ottawa Convention: A Way Forward,” in the Winter 2009 edition of The Journal of ERW and Mine Action. The idea of weakening one of the core provisions of this highly effective treaty should raise alarm bells throughout the mine-action community. The treaty as it stands provides the best protection for civilians living in mine-affected countries without placing an undue burden on their governments.

Ottawa Survey Results, Nicole Neitzey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the last issue, The Journal ran an editorial by Dennis Barlow suggesting the Ottawa Convention should be amended to redefine the endstate required for clearance goals to be met. We then asked our readers to submit their opinion via a short online survey.

The Performance Of Militaries In Humanitarian Demining, Ted Paterson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Studies indicate that humanitarian demining under civilian oversight is safer and more cost-efficient than humanitarian demining under military oversight. This article provides examples supporting such evidence, cites possible exceptions, and explores reasons for performance inadequacies in military demining units.

National Mine Action Plan For The Period 2010-2023 For Vietnam, The Socialist Republic Of Vietnam

Global CWD Repository

The outline of the National Mine Action Plan Period 2010-2025 in Vietnam. Translated in English and includes original Vietnamese text.

Gender Guidelines For Mine Action Programmes, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

In 2004–05, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group for Mine Action (IACG-MA) endorsed the first UN Gender Guidelines for Mine Action Programmes to enhance the integration of gender considerations into UN mine action programmes. The guidelines were developed with the assistance of the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA). This effort followed the launch by DPKO in 2004 of the Gender Resource Package for Peacekeeping Operations, which identified key gender issues and provided an overview of how they could be addressed most effectively. The package, designed on the strong foundation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), recommended elaborating detailed guidelines within …