Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

Marminca's Experience: Coordinating Humanitarian Demining, Luiz Felipe Ramos Gonzalez

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanitarian demining is an essential component of mine action, which encompasses a series of activities such as mine and UXO removal, technical studies, mapping, the returning of cleared land to the communities, victim assistance, and mine risk education (MRE), among others. Since 1995, the Organization of American States (OAS) has carried out demining programs in Central America, concentrating its efforts in four countries: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This program has been carried out in the region with the support of donor countries, beneficiary countries, contributing countries and the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB).

Humanitarian Demining Within The American Continent: A Silent And Successful Reality, Colonel Mellado

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The objective of the Millennium Development plan of the United Nations is to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger [and] guarantee the sustainability of the environment." Through the selfless efforts of the humanitarian demining programs in Central and South America by the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), the preceding objectives are being accomplished. Thus, I am overwhelming compelled to share the successes and sing the praises of the personal sacrifices taken on by demining personnel.

Rethinking Humanitarian Demining For Coalition Forces, Tom Barnett, Kyle Shaffer

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

When you first arrive as a member of the Multinational Brigade North (MNB(N)), you are full of promise. You know your team of highly trained professional soldiers will make a difference in the lives of those that live in BiH. Then it sets in. Your six-month tour of duty doesn’t allow you time to finish what you start. So what is it you can do to make a difference in only six months? This is the exact question that started the process of developing the National Guard Demining Initiative in BiH. This initiative was undertaken by the U.S. Army National …

The Israeli Defense Force's Humanitarian Demining Efforts, Ahron Etengoff, Gerald Steinberg, Jennette Townsend

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) Engineering Corps is the mine action center of Israel. Currently, IDF is engaged in various activities in response to the Palestinian terror campaign and does not have the resources to participate in international demining programs. However, the Israeli government views the issue of international cooperation in the areas of mine clearance, mine awareness and mine victim rehabilitation to be of major importance, despite the difficult budgetary situation. In addition, IDF continues to prioritize mine action internally.

Humanitarian Demining Efforts In The Occupied Palestinian Territories, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In an August 2002 assessment of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that the following areas in the OPT are not properly fenced, marked or cleared:

• Minefields from the 1967 Middle East war—unmarked minefields were reportedly found between Jordan and the West Bank, in the Jordan Valley and in other strategic areas in the West Bank.
• Israeli military training zones.
• Areas of confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians.

Though no minefields have been officially declared in the Gaza Strip, Ayid Abu Qtaish, mine awareness coordinator of Defence for Children International (DCI), Palestine Section, has no …

The Quick Reaction Demining Force: The United States' Response To Humanitarian Demining Crises, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanitarian crises, particularly crises in which landmines are involved, may occur without warning and require an immediate response. Examples of such crises include Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1988, the rapid, post-air war return of refugees to mine-infested Kosovo in 1999, and tropical cyclones Hudah and Eline that ravaged Mozambique in 2000, displacing thousands of landmines. To respond to such emergency situations quickly and efficiently, the United States developed a Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF).