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Assistance In Mine Action: Resolution Adopted By The General Assembly On 13 December 2019, Un

Global CWD Repository

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 72/75 of 7 December 2017 and all its previous resolutions on assistance in mine clearance and on assistance in mine action, all adopted without a vote,

Recalling also all relevant treaties and conventions1 and their review processes,

Noting the twentieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction,2 and the establishment of both the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action,

Noting with appreciation the extent to which the International …

Guidance On Protection From Sexual Exploitation And Abuse, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by humanitarian workers are some of the most serious failures of protection and are grave violations of the responsibility of humanitarian personnel to do no harm. Whereas instances of SEA are not a new occurrence, the pervasiveness of this phenomenon was only exposed to the public eye in 2002 following allegations of SEA by aid workers against refugees and displaced women and children in West Africa. Acknowledging that the problem was global, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) was established in 2002 with the short-term purpose …

Explosive Ordnance Risk Education: Sector Mapping And Needs Analysis, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The dramatic rise in the number of civilian casualties from explosive ordnance (EO) since 2013 has triggered a debate in the mine action (MA) sector about the effectiveness of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) (often shortened to risk education – RE). This rapid appraisal of EORE approaches, capacity, coordination and resources examines how the EORE sector is responding to new and emerging EO threats and violent operating environments to identify EORE good practices and potential needs. This report, based on document review and interviews with MA stakeholders conducted between mid-May and mid-June 2019, summarizes the research findings.

A Guide To Non-Technical Survey, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The aim of this guide is to provide an introduction to Non-Technical Survey (NTS) for mine action personnel who wish to learn more about the subject, but who may lack practical experience. This guide collects the lessons learnt from the development and standardisation of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) Non-Technical Survey Training Course and will form part of the pre-course reading material. It aims to provide course participants with a better understanding of the theory and practice of NTS operations. The importance of the practical training cannot be overstated, and this guide is not meant to replace …

Demining In Urban Centres Is A Race Against Time, Pascal Rapillard, Jeremy Repond

Global CWD Repository

Pascal Rapillard, GICHD Head of External Relations, Policy and Cooperation programme and Jérémy Repond, GICHD External Relations Officer, expand on how demining in urban centres is a race against time.

Demining In Urban Centers Is A Race Against Time, Pascal Rapillard, Jeremy Repond

Global CWD Repository

Identifying and clearing explosive ordnances in formerly embattled areas in Iraq is a matter of priority as refugees and internally displaced persons are returning to their homes. It is a race against time.

Achievements And New Challenges In Mine Action, Stefano Toscano

Global CWD Repository

In the past two decades, the sector has achieved significant results: 31 of the formerly contaminated countries have declared themselves mine free; more than 52 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed; the new use of antipersonnel mines by States, even those not yet party to the Convention, is rare; the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient and effective demining activities. The sector has also made strong efforts to reinforce its role as an enabler of broader agendas: while pursuing its own objectives, mine action also represents a prerequisite for additional transformative agendas such …

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor 2019, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Nuclear disarmament, including the elimination of all nuclear weapons and related development programmes, has been a central goal of the international community for decades. Under international law, only the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) obligates all its states parties to destroy all nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices under their jurisdiction or control and to never develop, produce, or control any such devices, much less test or use them. This comprehensive rejection by law of a uniquely inhumane and indiscriminate weapon is the embodiment of Article VI of the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of …

The Ninth Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2019), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The Ninth Meeting of States Parties of the Convention on Cluster Munitions will take place from 2 to 4 September 2019 in Geneva at the Palais des Nations.

National Capacities And Residual Contamination (Croatia), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Croatia is affected by explosive ordnance (EO) contamination that consists of mines and, to a lesser extent, explosive remnants of war (ERW), including cluster munition remnants, caused by the legacy of four years of armed conflict associated with the break-up of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

This case study documents Croatia’s experience of developing national systems and capacities to address residual contamination and to identify and present good practices and lessons learnt. In addition, this case study highlights the importance of a participatory and transparent long-term strategic planning process, including a comprehensive and properly …

Vietnam Ageing Study Management Of Explosive Remnants Of War (More), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Every conflict leaves behind explosive remnants of war (ERW) in lesser or greater quantities depending upon the nature and duration of the conflict and the types and quantities of weapons used. How ERW are dealt with reflects local circumstances and conditions, as well as the influence of international humanitarian law (IHL), the availability of resources and prioritisation choices made by governments, international institutions and agencies. In many cases an initial period of proactive effort is followed, sooner or later, by the adoption of more reactive policies and practices. The duration of the transition period varies from country to country, but …

Long-Term Risk Management Tools And Protocols For Residual Explosive Ordnance Mitigation (Vietnam), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The Management of Residual Explosive Remnants of War (MORE) framework is a holistic long-term risk management (LTRM) approach for handling the reality of risks posed by explosive ordnance (EO). The current Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) project in Vietnam includes – amongst other objectives – the development and pilot of LTRM processes, tools and protocols in several provinces. Vietnam offers ideal preconditions for the testing of the concept.

Vietnam not being a signatory of binding conventions, yet with the recently signed national mine action decree, leaves the national authority and national mine action centre with the question of …

Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining 2018 Annual Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In 2018, GICHD staff visited and supported 61 countries to improve mine action globally and locally and delivered over 30 training sessions and workshops. To carry out this work, our staff grew. As of the end of 2018, the GICHD is made up of 74 staff members representing 23 nations.

Read about all the main areas of the Centre's work in 2018, as well as highlights of some of its major achievements. The report also includes a summary of the financial statements and the most recent list of the members of the Council of Foundation and the Advisory Board.

Iraq Programme Report 2018, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

Upon request from the Government of Iraq and the United Nations, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) was formally established in June 2015 to lead the efforts, in close collaboration with the Iraqi government, to mitigate explosive hazards in country. Our mission is to facilitate the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of internally displaced persons to their homes. UNMAS achieves this mandate through three different response modalities: » First, we provide explosive hazard management in support of humanitarian and stabilization efforts. » Second, we deliver risk education at the community, national and regional level to protect the local population …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 18th Edition (Cy 2018), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

This 18th Edition of To Walk the Earth In Safety summarizes the United States’ Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) programs in 2018. CWD assistance provides the United States with a powerful and flexible tool to help partner countries manage their stockpiles of munitions, destroy excess small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and clear explosive hazards such as landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Our assistance also helps countries destroy illicitly-held or poorly-secured man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and mitigate their threat to civilian aviation and public safety.

In today’s dynamic world, threats to U.S. national security abound. The …

Ddasaccident820, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

It appears that the explosive hazard was a small IED concealed or wrapped in plastic (which is common with IEDs). The only recorded injury was a severe foot injury that resulted in surgical amputation, from which it is reasonable to infer that the Victim stepped on a pressure initiated explosive device that he had missed during his search.

Ddasaccident821, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

A bomb explosion killed two of three “unlicensed” men who were hired to carry out mine clearance in O’Svay commune, in Oddar Meanchey province’s Trapaing Prasat district.

The primary cause of this accident is listed as ‘Inadequate training’ because the deminers were working without applying basic safety rules. This is apparent because Victim No.2 was brewing tea alongside the excavation being conducted by Victim No.1. The secondary cause is listed as a ‘Field control inadequacy’ because the mature team member (who may have been experienced) was not paying attention to the work of the young men as he went to …

Utilizing The Iatg In Conflict-Affected And Low-Capacity Environments, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Inadequately-managed ammunition poses the dual risk of accidental explosions of ammunition sites and diversion to illicit markets, resulting in humanitarian disasters and contributing to armed conflict, terrorism and crime.

To promote the effective, safe and secure management of ammunition stockpiles in accordance with the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), the UN SaferGuard Programme has published this practical guide.

A Guide To Developing National Standards For Ammunition Management, Gichd, Small Arms Survey

Global CWD Repository

Inadequately-managed ammunition poses the dual risk of accidental explosions of ammunition sites and diversion to illicit markets, resulting in humanitarian disasters and contributing to armed conflict, terrorism and crime.

To promote the effective, safe and secure management of ammunition stockpiles in accordance with the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), the UN SaferGuard Programme has published this practical guide.

This Guide was co-authored by the GICHD and Small Arms Survey.

Critical Path Guide To The International Ammunition Technical Guidelines, Gichd, Small Arms Survey

Global CWD Repository

Inadequately-managed ammunition poses the dual risk of accidental explosions of ammunition sites and diversion to illicit markets, resulting in humanitarian disasters and contributing to armed conflict, terrorism and crime.

To promote the effective, safe and secure management of ammunition stockpiles in accordance with the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), the UN SaferGuard Programme has published this practical guide.

This Guide has been co-authored by the GICHD and Small Arms Survey.

Ddasaccident819, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a ‘Field control inadequacy’ because the person in charge at the site had decided to move fuzed explosive hazards and did not enforce safety distances that would have reduced the casualty toll in the event of an accident.

The secondary cause is listed as ‘Inadequate training’, because, while all of the victims had extensive experience, it seems that their training had not prepared them to conduct this task safely.

It is surprising that five ex-pat specialists who had been supervising the teams of national deminers who found the mines should have …

International Campaign To Ban Landmines-Cluster Munition Coalition Annual Report 2019, Icbl-Cmc

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In 2018, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBLCMC) encouraged the universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and Convention on Cluster Munitions, with a focus on three goals:

• No more use of landmines or cluster munitions
• A significant decrease in land contaminated by landmines and cluster munitions
• Measurable progress in the quality of life for victims of mines and cluster munitions

The ICBL-CMC’s unique advocacy value is rooted in contributions from a campaign network spanning over 100 countries, and operationalized through the Investing in Action program of support to national campaigns and the …

United Nations Gender Guidelines For Mine Action Programmes 3rd Edition, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

The UN General Assembly requires all parts of the UN system to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women within their mandates and ensure that commitments on paper lead to progress on the ground. In response to this call and to facilitate gender mainstreaming, strengthen the quality of mine action interventions, and promote gender equality, these guidelines were first produced in 2005 and subsequently updated in 2010, prior to this revision published in 2019. In that time the mine action sector has made progress towards mainstreaming gender in several areas, particularly in risk education, victim assistance, and community liaison. …

Landmine Monitor 2019, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

This is the 21st annual Landmine Monitor report. It is the sister publication to the Cluster Munition Monitor report, first published in November 2010. Landmine Monitor 2019 provides a global overview of the landmine situation. Chapters on developments in specific countries and other areas are available in online Country Profiles at www.the-monitor.org/cp.

As well as a twenty-year review, this report focuses on mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling, and also includes information on contamination, clearance, casualties, victim assistance, and support for mine action for calendar year 2018, with information included up to November 2019 when possible.

Ninth Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions, Convention On Cluster Munitions

Global CWD Repository

This submission contains all published documents from the Ninth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Gichd Strategy 2019-2022, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

“A world in which communities thrive, free from risks from explosive ordnance.” This is the vision that guides the GICHD 2019-2022 Strategy. Its four Strategic Objectives: Supporting the Conventions, Protecting communities from explosive harm, The safe return of land and infrastructure to people, and Gender equality and inclusion, will guide the GICHD’s work over the next four years and enable our partners to reduce the risks of explosive ordnance.

Norwegian People's Aid Humanitarian Policy, Npa

Global CWD Repository

This document is NPA’s policy for humanitarian response. The humanitarian policy derives from and complements NPA’s international strategy. The policy is also informed by NPA’s partnership policy and gender equality policy. It outlines the challenges we address, defines the goals and objectives we aim to achieve, and provides an overview of responses and working methods employed in order to attain these objectives.

Clearing The Mines 2019: A Report By Mine Action Review For The Fourth Annual Review Conference Of The 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Mine Action Review

Global CWD Repository

We welcome the publication of Mine Action Review’s Clearing thhe Mines 2019 in this important year of the Oslo Review Conference, where the mine action community is taking stock of progress made and setting the agenda for the next five years. In positive developments, since last year’s report Jordan has completed clearance of the remaining mined areas that required verification and Palau has determined that it does not have any mined areas under its jurisdiction or control. It is always preferable to report good news, but the reason we came together as Advisory Board members to support this project was …

Itf Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2019, Itf-Enhancy Human Security

Global CWD Repository

ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) is a humanitarian, non-profit organization specializing in land mine clearance, eradication of explosive remnants of war and other impacts from conflict. Established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in March 1998, ITF’s initial purpose was to help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the implementation of the peace agreement and to provide assistance and support in post-conflict rehabilitation. Since its inception, ITF has been continuously developing and enhancing its mission by expanding the scope of its activities and geographic area. ITF’s mission is to address the problems of an ever-changing human security environment, the needs …

Apopo Annual Report 2019, Apopo

Global CWD Repository

APOPO originated from the idea of its founder Bart Weetjens to trains rats for the detection of landmines. Now, over 20 years later, APOPO deploys rats to find landmines and tuberculosis in many affected countries, and continues innovating to use its African Giant Pouched Rats in the battle against other scourges.

APOPO trains these ‘HeroRATs’ using positive reinforcement – they receive tasty treats when they identify a target scent. HeroRATs are at the core of the organization and it’s reflected in the way they are protected and responsibly raised.

Our Training and Research center is based at the foothills of …