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Training Of Mine Detection Dogs In Bosnia And Herzegovina (Npa Global Training Centre), Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This case study describes the mine detection dog (MDD) training programme used by Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) in its Global Training Centre (GTC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is not a training manual, its aim is to promote the dissemination of information about successful programmes to the larger MDD community and to encourage evolution of methodologies by providing an example of one particularly successful method among the many MDD training programmes.

Colombia: Mine Action And Armed Conflict, Eric Filippino

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Colombia is still in the throes of armed conflict and organised violence that has been ongoing during the past 40 years. Parties to the conflict include the government and armed forces of Colombia as well as numerous guerrilla groups. The two largest of these are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which first appeared in 1964, and the National Liberation Army (NLA or ELN). In addition, numerous paramilitary groups operating throughout the country receive tacit support from certain Colombian army units.¹ There continues to be disputed control over vast swathes of Colombian territory.

Optimising The Use Of Rest For Mine Detection, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) is a detection technology involving the transfer of odours to an animal detector using filters. Like Remote Scent Tracing (RST), the technology could potentially be used to detect anything that has an odour. REST technology was used originally by Mechem in Mozambique and Angola in the early 1990s. Despite the potential it demonstrated at that time, it received little attention or investment through the late 1990s until a revival of interest occurred in recent years. Currently, it is being used operationally for mine detection in Afghanistan and is likely to be implemented for road clearance …

International Mine Action Standards: Some Frequently Asked Questions And Answers, Phil Bean

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) were requested by the mine action community and are produced and sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), with support from a variety of organisations, including the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The initial design and development of the standards involved extensive participation from representative elements of the mine action sector during the period of 1998–2000. Since that time, the sector has continued to expand with the addition of new programmes and new people joining the sector. IMAS continue to evolve and now benefit from the experience of practical application into …

The Gichd Regional Support Centre: An Approach To Regional Information Management, Simon Berger, Alan Arnold

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ask most people in mine action what is meant by regional information management and they will talk to you about the consolidation of country-specific mine action information at centralized regional locations. They may talk about the need for data aggregation, the reluctance of programmes to provide data and the generally slow pace of the work. In almost all cases, they will mention data analysis and comparisons between the work completed in different programmes as key elements in regional systems. Most of the examples given will focus on efforts that fell short of expectations and failed to deliver on the promise …

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) recently released a major publication titled A Study of Mechanical Application in Demining. The last 15 years have seen the evolution of machines used in demining. At the beginning of the 1990s, the few machines on the market tended to be large and heavy. Today, there is a much greater array of machines of varying size and armour protection to suit the different physical environments and threat levels found in mine-affected regions of the world (seeGICHD Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue 2004).

Machines Can Get The Job Done Faster, Alexander Griffiths

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) published A Study of Mechanical Application in Demining in June 2004. The study looked at the most suitable roles for machines in demining, examined the potential for machines to be considered a primary clearance tool, explained factors involved in protecting operators and presented a software model to help programme managers understand the cost-effectiveness of their mechanical assets. In 2005, the GICHD plans to release six more sub-studies related to mechanical demining. The following article explains some aspects of the operational tasks where machines are currently employed.

A Study Of Local Organisations In Mine Action, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This Study of Local Organisations in Mine Action, which was requested by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), is an assessment of the successes and failures of local mine action organisations, including their competence, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. It examines how, and to what extent, national governments have encouraged and supported such organisations, and whether they have given priority or preferential treatment to such rganisations in issuing contracts or funding. It examines how much external assistance has been needed to reach the necessary standards of competence, and whether the newly-formed organisations have been able to implement national standards derived …

A Study Of The Development Of National Mine Action Legislation, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This document is intended to assist governments, mine action professionals and others to develop national legislation to coordinate and regulate mine action in a country affected by landmines and/or unexploded ordnance (UXO). It identifies the principal elements to be included in such a law and the issues which should be considered in its preparation. The information in this document is based upon the conclusions and recommendations of A Study of National Mine Action Legislation, published by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).

Humanitarian Impact From Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This report summarises the capacity of the landmine clearance sector to respond to mines other than anti-personnel mines (MOTAPM), specifically anti-vehicle mines. It then looks at the humanitarian impact of MOTAPM contamination in a specific environment. A case study illustrates the efforts of humanitarian organisations to address problems faced by rural communities in Angola . These problems persist and are made worse because MOTAPM on roads prevent humanitarian organisations from gaining access to the population. MOTAPM are also seen to increase the cost of humanitarian assistance. The conclusions of the report complement evidence presented by the International Committee of the …

The Role Of The Military In Mine Action, Ian Mansfield, Eric Filippino

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article is drawn from a study conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) entitled A Study of the Role of the Military in Mine Action, published in September 2003. The study was commissioned by the United Nations, and sought to address issues such as the suitability, appropriateness and capability of the military to undertake mine action. The findings show that while using military actors in mine action is not always appropriate, militaries can play a positive role.

Five Year National Strategic Mine Action Plan For Yemen, 2004 – 2009 Revised And Extended June 2004, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

During this revised five-year period Strategic Plan the Yemen Mine Action Programme will meet the objective of the Ottawa Treaty and thus become one of the first mine affected countries in the world to make it happen. From April 1 2009 the Government of Yemen commits itself to use its national human and financial resources in its effort to eradicate and negate the remaining mines and UXOs from the soil of Yemen.

This document addresses the Strategy for Mine Action in Yemen from mid 2004 to mid 2009. In line with this strategic plan a reviewed Project Document for Phase …

Five Year National Strategic Mine Action Plan For Yemen, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

During this revised five-year period Strategic Plan the Yemen Mine Action Programme will meet the objective of the Ottawa Treaty and thus become one of the first mine affected countries in the world to make it happen. From April 1, 2009 the Government of Yemen commits itself to use its national human and financial resources in its effort to eradicate and negate the remaining mines and UXOs from the soil of Yemen.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the theme of this edition of the Journal of Mine Action is about the use of the military in mine action, I would like to remind readers of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) publication titled "The Role of the Military in Mine Action." This study was originally requested by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and completed in mid-2003. The study found that over the past 15 years, military forces—both local and visiting—have made a significant contribution to mine action.

United Nations Development Programme: Small Arms Reduction Programme (Sarp) For The Great Lakes Region, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This assessment report shows that SARP has faced considerable political and logistical difficulties during its two years of operation. As a result, there is little doubt that the delivery rate has been low for a project of this size. There are a number of reasons for this that relate to the original programme design, the political situation, the role of UNDP COs, the involvement of other international actors, the management of the programme and the role of BCPR.

A Study Of Mechanical Application In Demining, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The GICHD Study of Mechanical Application in Demining is published after two years of research. The study puts the spotlight onto the use of machines as part of worldwide efforts to clear land mines. It looks at how machines work, the physical interaction between the machine tool, the ground struck, and the effects on the mines and UXO. The main roles for machines - potential for clearance, area reduction, and ground preparation - are explained, giving a description of each methodology, and illustrating these with actual case studies from the field.

The study also deals with how machines can be …

Assessment Of Norwegian People's Aid: Technical Assistance To Cmac 1996-2003, Pascal Simon, Ayrine Uk

Global CWD Repository

This assessment report of Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) Technical Assistance to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC)covers the period from 1996 to 2003. It provides an individual appreciation of each of the NPA Technical Advisors as well as an overall assessment of NPA technical assistance impact to the CMAC. The objective of the assessment is to make recommendations to Technical Advisors on management issues. Based on collected documents and findings, the report tries to present a comprehensive documented assessment of the impact and achievements of the NPA TAs for the target period.