Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is a public charity established in 1997 to address operational limitations in mine and unexploded-ordnance-clearance efforts, and to protect the lives and livelihoods of individuals affected by landmines and UXO.

Libyan Mine Action Center, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the landmines and explosive remnants of war left over from World War II (1940–1943), the 1977 conflict with Egypt and the Libyan-Chadian war (1980–1987), Libya's former dictator Moammar Gadhafi made little effort to establish a demining program in Libya.

Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is a nonprofit global humanitarian organization that helps create peace and prosperity by removing deadly remnants of war.

National Committee For Demining And Rehabilitation, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Jordan has been contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants war from various armed conflicts during the second half of the 20th century: the division of Palestine in 1948, the Arab-Israeli conflict in the late 1960s, civil war in 1970 and the 1975 conflict with Syria.

Priority-Setting In Mine Action: Getting More Value For The Investment, Albert Souza Mülli, Ted Paterson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article presents an overview of the main elements and key challenges involved in implementing sound national prioritization systems in mine-action programs. Since all mine/explosive remnants of war-affected countries are different, the article does not provide a standard blueprint; rather, it introduces the basic principles, components and considerations involved in prioritization. This will be valuable when implementing and designing priority-setting systems that cater to national and local contexts in each mine-/ERW-affected country.

International Committee Of The Red Cross, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Founded in 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross provides nondiscriminatory aid to victims of armed conflict.

Landmines Blow!, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines and cluster munitions kill or injure thousands of people each year, while also restricting access to water and agriculture necessary to maintain health, income and greater livelihood sustainability.

United Nations Mine Action Service, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Established in 1997 by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service is located within the U.N.'s Department of Peacekeeping's Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions.

The Gichd Tool For Management Of Mechanical Demining Operations, Pehr Lodhammar, Erik De Brun

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In response to a need for an operational management tool for the mechanical demining community, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining developed a system called the Management Tool for Mechanical Demining Operations. This system increases the efficiency of mine-clearance operations by using a database that organizes and creates data reports. GICHD is working to improve the system including the addition of a GPS tool in 2012.

In Remembrance: Kaido Keerdo Estonian Demining Expert Killed In Libya, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As efforts to clear landmines and other explosive remnants of war from Libya continue, international deminers risk their lives to eliminate the risks to people in the area. On 3 March 2012, a suspected Type 84 anti-tank mine, a Chinese-made cluster munition, killed civilian contractor Kaido Keerdo in Dafniya, 180 kilometers (112 miles) from the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Although Estonia's Government has not deployed any demining specialists to Libya, Estonian mine-expert Keerdo was working for DanChurchAid as a demining technician after having served six years with an explosive-ordnance disposal unit in the Estonian military.

The Role Of Mine Action In Curbing The Small Arms Threat, Albert Souza Mülli, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article’s purpose is to share concrete examples of how mine-action organizations are playing an increasingly visible role in curbing the threat of small arms and armed violence more broadly, and to examine the reasons behind this trend.

How Dtra/Scc-Wmd Is Minimizing The Risk Of Catastrophic Accidents, Anne Marek

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction are taking measures to reduce the number of accidents caused by conventional weapons. More accidents are occurring with the proliferation of small arms and light weapons; DTRA wants to significantly reduce those accidents and the risks of their occurrence. In doing so, DTRA's SA/LW Program organizes and conducts seminars on the practices for physical security and stockpile management throughout the world. Its goal is to educate countries through seminars on proper management of stockpiles and to ultimately assuage the risk of those …

Unplanned Explosions At Munitions Sites: Concerns And Consequences, Eric Berman, Pilar Reina

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Over the past 25 years there have been reports of more than 400 unplanned explosions at munitions sites in almost half the world's countries. The UEMS rate is quickly increasing. Whereas the Small Arms Survey's UEMS Database shows 70 such incidents for the 10-year period between 1987 and 1996, more than this number was registered in the past two years alone. These events occur in large part because states store their munitions improperly. This article reviews the direct and indirect consequences of these explosions on peace and security. It also notes steps states are taking—or should take—to improve practice in …

Afghan Experience Calls For Innovative Approach To Ddr, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Criminal activities, illegal arms trading and violence against civilians continue threatening Afghanistan's stability and security, and hinder the work of humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. As a result, potential investors are discouraged from making heavy capital investments, and NGOs cannot implement projects that could dramatically improve the socioeconomic condition of civilians. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration appear to be crucial steps for the success of post-conflict recovery in Afghanistan. Conducting DDR in the complex and turbulent Afghan environment has proven difficult, and this article explores past attempts at DDR in Afghanistan to draw lessons for future efforts.

Clear Path International, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Founded in 2000, Clear Path International is a nonprofit organization that serves persons affected by landmines or other explosive remnants of war and who are disabled or displaced by armed conflict.

Danish Demining Group, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Danish Demining Group was founded in 1997 and is the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit in the Danish Refugee Council.

Msu Mind Lab's Undercover Uxo, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 2010, the Media, Interface and Network Design Lab at Michigan State University completed a computer training game, Undercover UXO, to provide unexploded ordnance and mine-risk education to Cambodian children.

The Role Of Croatian Media In Mine-Risk Education, Josip Ĉerina

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In its work, the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) has found that various forms of media, from new Internet applications to newspapers and the radio, are uniquely situated to raise awareness among at-risk populations about the realities of landmines. To examine the media's effectiveness in mine-risk education, in 2008, CROMAC completed a study evaluating the Croatian media's coverage of landmine incidents and related news. With cooperation, CROMAC hopes better reporting about MRE programs will prevent mine accidents and create a more informed population.

Urban Land Release In Libya: Bac And Land Release In Built-Up Areas, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article's aim is to present several land-release principles for use in the battle-area clearance of Libya's built-up areas, also called Urban Land Release. Based on the practical, empirical experience of DanChurchAid, it is not intended as a one-size-fits-all solution to BAC task planning, but it may be helpful in other locations when compared with local knowledge of the situation on the ground. It does not apply to landmine clearance. BAC is the traditional means of clearing unexploded ordnance in open areas. Libya is now contaminated with UXO and explosive remnants of war as a result of the uprising that …

Jordan Declared Minefield Free, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After nearly two decades of landmine removal, Jordan is the first country in the Middle East to declare itself “free of minefields.” In the aftermath of this event, nongovernmental organizations and mine-action groups are working with landmine survivors to change negative perceptions of people with disabilities.

Canadian Scientist Receives Grant To Continue Developing Innovative, Low-Cost Prosthetic, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Economically impoverished survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war not only face psychological and physiological trauma but also economic upheaval as they may not be able to continue previous professions, especially those involving physically taxing work such as farming, manufacturing or construction. Furthermore, a survivor of a mine-related accident "typically requires amputation, multiple operations and prolonged physical rehabilitation," all of which are extremely time-consuming and costly. The reality is harsh for many landmine and ERW survivors in the developing world who lack access to adequate health care and safe, effective and affordable prosthetic limbs. Thus, one of the most …

Environmental Simulations For Eod Shaped Charges, Reto Liechti

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes the methodology and importance of environmental simulations and testing of shaped charges used for the disposal of explosive remnants of war and landmines. The author discusses a single sequence of tests conducted on a specific product as an example of the depth to which environmental factors should be investigated in order to address them before final production and manufacture.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 11th Edition (Fy2011), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

In 2011, the United States continued to lead the international donor community in providing assistance for the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Department of State allocated $142 million in assistance to 42 countries, thereby helping communities recover, and countries become more secure. This 11th edition of our annual report, To Walk The Earth In Safety, details the programs and partnerships that make the United States’ Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program a lasting success.

Increased instability as a result of …

A New Name And Mission For The International Trust Fund For Demining And Mine Victims Assistance, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since its formation in 1998 by the Slovenian Government, the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance has continuously expanded and enhanced its mission, widening its scope of activities to reflect the changing human-security environment, needs of beneficiary countries and priorities of the donor community. Now it has a new name to reflect its broader mission: ITF Enhancing Human Security.

Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining’s mission is to serve as a leading center of mine-action excellence, and to help States Parties implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (also known as the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention or APMBC), the Convention on Cluster Munitions and other relevant instruments of humanitarian law. GICHD bridges the gaps between research, lessons learned and practice. It promotes evidence-based policies and develops standards, making mine action faster, cheaper, safer, more effective, sustainable and inclusive.

The Marshall Legacy Institute, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Marshall Legacy Institute is a Virginia-based nonprofit organization formed in 1997 to extend the vision of Nobel Peace Prize laureate George C. Marshall by alleviating suffering and promoting hope, growth and stability in war-torn countries. For many nations, a primary obstacle to achieving sustainable progress is the deadly legacy of landmines that halt agricultural production, slow development, impede the return of refugees, and kill and injure innocent citizens.

Organization Of American States, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Organization of American States was established in 1948 with the signing of the Charter of the OAS in Bogotá, Colombia. The OAS was created to help the member states attain “an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.”

Food Security Emerges As A Complex Global Challenge, Bryan Mcdonald

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Measures are being taken toward land restoration and explosive remnants of war clearance to aid in worldwide food security. Global demining and ordnance removal efforts are contribiting to health improvements and land availability for sustainable crop growth. This article discusses the problem of food security in the twenty-first century and briefly reviews three sets of concerns that are converging to amplify, disrupt and transform efforts to ensure that all people have the food they need to lead active and healthy lives.

Of Water And War: The Delicate Relationship Between Water Scarcity And Conflict, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Is it possible that the wars of the future could be fought over water, the most abundant natural resource on the planet? The following article explores the relationship between water, conflict and landmine-clearance efforts around the globe.

Peer-Support Training For Nonliterate And Semiliterate Female Ex-Combatants: Experience In Burundi, Cameron Macauley, Monica Onyango, Eric Niragira

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In September 2011, 25 female veterans of Burundi’s civil war were trained to become peer-support workers. The five-day training, funded under a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and conducted by James Madison University’s Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, was the first of its kind to offer peer-counseling skills to nonliterate and semiliterate women.