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Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
World War Ii Coastal Minefields In The United Kingdom, Roly Evans
World War Ii Coastal Minefields In The United Kingdom, Roly Evans
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While not widely appreciated today, there were once 1,997 minefields in the United Kingdom containing between 338,500–350,000 landmines. If you were to walk today on a beach suitable for amphibious landing on either the south or east coasts of the United Kingdom, chances are that you would be walking on a former 1940s minefield. This article briefly explores the story of the United Kingdom’s coastal minefields, from their hasty installation through their costly clearance. Many of the lessons from this period remain relevant today, as countries seek to apply land release principles to reduce the risk of explosive contamination to …
Maxml: Coordinating Mine Action With Xml Technologies, Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray
Maxml: Coordinating Mine Action With Xml Technologies, Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Mine Action XML (maXML) is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema developed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). It aims to standardize data management and data exchange among actors in the mine action community, which includes individuals and groups involved in any aspect of addressing the landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination. In this field, data exchange is mostly manual and often has to deal with chaotic environments. The goal of maXML is to contribute to the automatization of many of these processes, saving valuable time for staff in the field and improving the …
Mobile Data Collection: Interoperability Through New Architecture, Elizabeth Vinek, Sulaiman Mukahhal, Olivier Cottray
Mobile Data Collection: Interoperability Through New Architecture, Elizabeth Vinek, Sulaiman Mukahhal, Olivier Cottray
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Information management (IM) requires close collaboration between all parties in a mine action program and cannot be carried out in isolation. Effective IM involves tools as well as organizational processes that clearly define how different parties interact and function with IM. Without adequately defining processes through National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), even the most advanced and fit-for-purpose IM tools will lack the foundation to be effective.
Gichd’S Eastern Europe, Caucasus And Central Asia Outreach Programme, Faiz Paktian
Gichd’S Eastern Europe, Caucasus And Central Asia Outreach Programme, Faiz Paktian
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Within the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA) region, fifteen countries affected by landmines and/or explosive remnants of war (ERW) use Russian as a communication language: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Mines and ERW pose a serious hazard to the lives and livelihoods of the people in the EECCA. Residual contamination impacts many of the countries. In Belarus for instance, 20,879 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were found and destroyed in 2014. Significant amounts of UXO were also recovered from Estonia, Moldova and Russia. More recent conflicts led …
Collaborative Ordnance Data Repository (Cord), Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray
Collaborative Ordnance Data Repository (Cord), Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Until recently, the mine action and broader humanitarian disarmament community have relied on ORDATA for ordnance information. However, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, James Madison University and software-development company Ripple Design developed a novel aid to using ORDATA: the Collaborative ORDnance data repository (CORD). Representing a significant update to the data set, CORD is an ordnance-identification system featuring Web 2.0 concepts that allow individual users to contribute updates to the data.
Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo
Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The issue of aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and insecure areas is receiving increased attention within the development community. The Paris Declaration on Aid EffectivenessPrinciples for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations and the recent Accra Agenda for Action signal donor and recipient commitment to improve the effectiveness of aid. Conflict-affected countries often present aid-effectiveness challenges that require special attention—but what does this mean for countries affected by mines and explosive remnants of war? This article examines recent developments, highlighting some implications for mine action.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programs and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law.
Clearing Areas Right; Clearing The Right Areas, Håvard Bach
Clearing Areas Right; Clearing The Right Areas, Håvard Bach
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Although land release is a widely used term, its definition is not universally understood. There are various approaches to mine clearance with different survey steps taken before conditions of safe land release are met, and some techniques are more efficient than others. This article examines ways of improving land-release methodology to more effectively define and ultimately resolve the landmine problem.
Mine-Risk Education In Mine Action: How Is It Effective?, Sharif Baaser, Hugues Laurenge, Eric Filippino
Mine-Risk Education In Mine Action: How Is It Effective?, Sharif Baaser, Hugues Laurenge, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While mine-risk education has faced questions about its effectiveness, it has been an important part of mine action for the past 20 years. As mine action continues to evolve, so does MRE and the ways in which it operates and works with at-risk communities. Continued success in many different countries has shown the effectiveness of MRE and the necessity of the discipline.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining has been busy over the last several months. The GICHD recently organized an African Francophone Conference on demining in Benin and provided technical input for the recent Convention on Cluster Munitions. In addition, GICHD published technical guides related to road clearance, safe ammunition storage and cluster munitions.
Local Ngos And Firms In Mine Action, Eric Filippino, Ted Paterson
Local Ngos And Firms In Mine Action, Eric Filippino, Ted Paterson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As more local nongovernmental organizations develop, establishing a distinction between local NGOs and commercial companies has become a growing concern for potential donors. The differences between NGOs and firms can be difficult to determine at times.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards and provides support to instruments of international law.
Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian
Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While global warming is a hot environmental topic these days and scientists agree that unless we act soon to significantly reduce global pollution, average temperatures will continue to rise, causing heat waves, rising sea levels, droughts and wildfires. It is also important to look at mine-action procedures and activities to ensure our industry is in compliance with the world's requirements on environment protection. There is perhaps a need, more than ever before, to remind national mine-action authorities and demining organisations of their responsibility to ensure that demining operations not only be carried out in a safe, effective and efficient manner, …
Mechanical Demining: From 1942 To The Present, Pehr Lodhammar
Mechanical Demining: From 1942 To The Present, Pehr Lodhammar
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Although demining machines have been in existence since 1942, they were not used in the field of mine action until about the early 1990s. Demining machines were initially only used by the military. With the growing number of casualties stemming from landmines, especially among civilians, it became necessary to employ machines for humanitarian purposes. From the first demining machine constructed in early 1942 to the present, tremendous improvements have been made.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programs and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards and provides support to instruments of international law.
Unmas/Gichd Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey
Unmas/Gichd Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article highlights the United Nations Mine Action Service/Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining Technology Workshop held in September 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Gichd Land Release Project, Tim Lardner
The Gichd Land Release Project, Tim Lardner
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In the past, inconsistent and inefficient methods of identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance have wasted precious demining resources and left affected areas contaminated. In 2006, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Deming recognized the need for a more effective land-release process in the international mine-action community and subsequently developed the Land Release Project.
Implementing The Ottawa Convention In Southeast Europe: Meeting Expectations In A Challenging Environment, Kerry Brinkert
Implementing The Ottawa Convention In Southeast Europe: Meeting Expectations In A Challenging Environment, Kerry Brinkert
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As the 10-year deadline for fulfilling Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention is rapidly approaching for the first States that ratified or acceded to the Convention, each State Party faces the requirement that all known anti-personnel mines be destroyed. The author examines the progress and challenges that remain in Southeast Europe regarding Article 5 implementation
Imsma® Version 4: A Collaborative Approach, Daniele Ressler
Imsma® Version 4: A Collaborative Approach, Daniele Ressler
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
From July 24 to 27, 2006, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining hosted a workshop in Murten, Switzerland, to introduce and discuss the release of the Information Management System for Mine Action version 4. Participants included management, operations and technology professionals involved in mine-action information management. During this workshop, results from IMSMA v4 pilot field tests were presented, v4 changes and innovations were explained, and a demonstration of IMSMA v4 with new handheld and Geographic Information System components was offered. IMSMA v4 reflects a collaborative effort to improve the accuracy and ease of mine-action information management in the field.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law like the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
The Road To Mine Action And Development: The Life-Cycle Perspective Of Mine Action, Ted Paterson, Eric Filippino
The Road To Mine Action And Development: The Life-Cycle Perspective Of Mine Action, Ted Paterson, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
There are four main steps to completing the life cycle of mine action, and demining is just a small part. Without development, citizens continue to live in poverty and under oppression. The authors outline the four-step life cycle of mine action.
Environmental Applications In Demining, Ian Mclean
Environmental Applications In Demining, Ian Mclean
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The author takes a look at the environmental impact of demining and shows how demining not only affects the environment but also bears heavily on development and economics.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research, and provides support to the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Mine Action Lessons And Challenges: Is Mine Action Making A Difference ... Or Avoiding The Question?, Eric Filippino, Ted Paterson
Mine Action Lessons And Challenges: Is Mine Action Making A Difference ... Or Avoiding The Question?, Eric Filippino, Ted Paterson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Certainly, the international mine action community has learned a great deal over the past 15 years. But has mine action really made a significant difference to the people it is trying to help? Few things in mine action cause more frustration and misunderstanding among donors, recipient governments and programme managers than the question, "What results has the programme achieved?" Studies have decried that, despite data detailing the number of landmines destroyed, the area of land cleared and the number of people receiving mine awareness training, there are few data allowing an assessment of whether these achievements have enhanced the well-being …
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has recently initiated a range of activities designed to improve the standard and effectiveness of mine action evaluations. The Centre is following a two-track approach. One aspect is to develop a range of tools available to all, which will assist in improving the standard of evaluations, and the second is to undertake a range of evaluations itself where appropriate.
Colombia: Mine Action And Armed Conflict, Eric Filippino
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
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
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 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 …