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James Madison University

Victim Assistance

Articles 31 - 60 of 65

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Mine Injury And Trauma Seminar: A Way To Save Lives, Adam Kushner, Md Jul 2007

The Mine Injury And Trauma Seminar: A Way To Save Lives, Adam Kushner, Md

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author describes his journey to Ecuador for a seminar he was invited to teach for medical personnel working in or around demining sites. Working with the Organization of American States, the author developed a seminar to teach mine-clearance experts what actions to take if someone is injured by a mine, enabling personnel to react to multiple types of stimuli while working in the field. The author explains the details of this seminar and why it is an important part of the mine-action process. He also provides information on Ecuador’s own mine problem.


Building Prosthetics & Orthotics Capacity In The Balkans, Nikola Prvulov, Justyna Przygocka, William K. Smith Jul 2007

Building Prosthetics & Orthotics Capacity In The Balkans, Nikola Prvulov, Justyna Przygocka, William K. Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been working with the Northwestern University Prosthetics/Orthotics Center in developing the Center for International Rehabilitation’s distance learning program to give formal training to experienced prosthetic technicians since 2003. In January 2006, the program’s first students graduated with an International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Category II certificate. The efforts of the CIR have led to the formation of the BiH Association of Orthopedic Technology, which is in the process of creating an ISPO regional center.


Survivor Assistance Through Technology Transfer In Tanzania, Mary Stanton, Kim D. Reisinger Aug 2006

Survivor Assistance Through Technology Transfer In Tanzania, Mary Stanton, Kim D. Reisinger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes how cutting-edge technology is being developed and disseminated in landmine-affected countries. Focusing particularly on the Tanzania Training Center for Orthopedic Technologists, the authors examine how a process of appropriate, resource-effective casting is being advanced and then shared through training workshops. Improved technology and its successful transfer are vital to better assisting landmine survivors, a goal the Center for International Rehabilitation is working to achieve.


Understanding The Ottawa Convention’S Obligations To Landmine Victims, Kerry Brinkert Aug 2006

Understanding The Ottawa Convention’S Obligations To Landmine Victims, Kerry Brinkert

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Ottawa Convention is unique for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that the Convention has linked obligations concerning the use of a weapon with a requirement that Convention signatories assist a victim wounded by that weapon. When the Convention was adopted in September 1997, this aspect, while lauded by diplomats and activists, was certain to be a challenge to implement. The real work began once the Convention entered into force and states had to act on this responsibility. This article discusses in particular the Convention’s victim assistance obligations.


The Landmine Victim Assistance Component Implemented By The Oas In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco Aug 2005

The Landmine Victim Assistance Component Implemented By The Oas In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1990, Nicaragua registered approximately 135,000 mines buried within its national territory and another 133,435 mines in military stockpiles as a result of the internal conflict witnessed in Nicaragua during the 1980s. Although this article does not touch on the details related to the operations, it is important to note that Nicaragua is the most heavily mined country in Central America and on the entire continent. As of June 2004, approximately 27,400 APMs remain buried within Nicaraguan territory.


The Landmine Victim Assistance Component Implemented By The Oas In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco Nov 2004

The Landmine Victim Assistance Component Implemented By The Oas In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1990, Nicaragua registered approximately 135,000 mines buried within its national territory and another 133,435 mines in military stockpiles as a result of the internal conflict witnessed in Nicaragua during the 1980s. Although I will not touch on the details related to the operations, it is important to note that Nicaragua is the most heavily mined country in Central America and on the whole continent. As of June 2004, approximately 27,400 anti-personnel mines remain buried within Nicaraguan territory.


Mine Victim Assistance As A Part Of Strengthening The Health Sector In Azerbaijan, Rauf Mamedov, Aziz Aliyev Aug 2003

Mine Victim Assistance As A Part Of Strengthening The Health Sector In Azerbaijan, Rauf Mamedov, Aziz Aliyev

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In July 1998, following consultation with its UN partners, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), acting in its capacity as a focal point for all mine-related activities within the UN system, offered to field a multidisciplinary inter-agency mission to assess the requirement for further UN assistance in Azerbaijan. The mission found a serious dearth of recorded data concerning mine/UXO casualties. Even agencies dealing directly with mine victims, such as hospitals and prosthetic centers, have no mechanisms to disaggregate data on mine/UXO victims from other war-related injuries.


Victim Assistance In Iraq, Cisr Jmu Aug 2003

Victim Assistance In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Large amounts of UXO and mines left behind from the continuing conflict in Iraq have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of victims. This article was written while the coalition forces were still engaged in conventional combat prior to the fall of Saddam Hussein.


Victim Assistance Efforts: The Niagara Foot, Mary Bashai, Tim Bryant Apr 2003

Victim Assistance Efforts: The Niagara Foot, Mary Bashai, Tim Bryant

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A team of Canadian researchers and professionals has designed and tested a novel prosthetic foot tailored for active amputees in post-conflict regions.


Helping Hands In A Shattered Republic: Victim Assistance In Chechnya, Hayden Roberts Dec 2002

Helping Hands In A Shattered Republic: Victim Assistance In Chechnya, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Chechnya has endured over eight years of grueling combat with Russia. Thousands of landmines have been sown throughout Chechnya and the victim toll is constantly increasing. Victim assistance throughout the Caucasus has become an essential element of rebuilding the lives of those affected by landmines.


Victim Assistance: A Way Forward Emerges, Suzanne Fiederlein Dec 2002

Victim Assistance: A Way Forward Emerges, Suzanne Fiederlein

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The pillar of victim assistance, after lagging behind other components of mine action in funding and focused international attention, takes the initiative to shape its future and address lingering challenges.


Victim Assistance: Response From A Socio-Economic Perspective, Chhouk Chantha Dec 2002

Victim Assistance: Response From A Socio-Economic Perspective, Chhouk Chantha

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

World Vision International has been helping the disabled in Cambodia since the early 1970s. The author emphasizes that a focus on a socio-economic approach to victim assistance is important to ensure successful rehabilitation of the disabled.


How Ngos Can Build Peace: Landmine Clearance And Victim Assistance, Maureen Morton Dec 2002

How Ngos Can Build Peace: Landmine Clearance And Victim Assistance, Maureen Morton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction are multi-disciplinary from a governance, organizational behavior, executive development and field perspective. Rarely, though, are the tools of competitive advantage, project planning and conflict resolution software used to seek linkages with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to coordinate resources, particularly to integrate the disparate sectors of landmine and UXO clearance, victim assistance and resourcing across industries. One method is to employ “best practices” from developed countries proven to develop abilities for disabled farmers and youth in post-conflict countries as one of a number of agrarian and health care initiatives built around demining as agricultural preparation. The goal is …


The Role Of Mine Action In Victim Assistance, Eric Filippino Dec 2002

The Role Of Mine Action In Victim Assistance, Eric Filippino

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Of the five pillars of mine action, victim assistance seems to receive the least attention. At the request of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has recently completed a research project with a view to offering guidance on the future role of mine action in mine and UXO victim assistance.


Landmine Survivors Network Victim Assistance Programs, Cisr Jmu Dec 2002

Landmine Survivors Network Victim Assistance Programs, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Landmine Survivors Network (LSN) assists victims through the support of other landmine survivors. A number of programs and networks are available for coping and reintegrating survivors and their families back into their communities.


Assisting A Disabled Population: A Look At Victim Assistance In Afghanistan, Cisr Jmu Dec 2002

Assisting A Disabled Population: A Look At Victim Assistance In Afghanistan, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article has been removed


Lending A Helping Hand: Victim Assistance Programs In Africa, Cisr Jmu Dec 2002

Lending A Helping Hand: Victim Assistance Programs In Africa, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Many landmine victims face adverse situations when returning to their communities and trying to live as productive members of society. A number of programs in Africa for landmine victims and the disabled help people not only “get back on their feet,” but also “get back in the saddle” and gain the courage and knowledge to live among their peers with confidence.


Seven Common Myths About Landmine Victim Assistance, Dennis Barlow Dec 2002

Seven Common Myths About Landmine Victim Assistance, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Any good mine action campaign will consider victim assistance. Yet there persist certain myths, which if not dealt with, make planning and conducting a victim assistance activity difficult at best. Anyone who wants to understand landmine victim assistance and further its cause should take heed of the following “myths” and plan accordingly.


Victim Assistance Policy Planning: Decentralization As A Key?, Philippe Chabasse Dec 2002

Victim Assistance Policy Planning: Decentralization As A Key?, Philippe Chabasse

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While victim assistance is becoming an increasingly familiar topic for signatories of the Mine Ban Treaty, the problem remains of how best to implement such programs. The author suggests that it is time for a switch from “top down” to “bottom up” implementation.


Aiding The Innocent: Victim Assistance In The Middle East, Cisr Jmu Dec 2001

Aiding The Innocent: Victim Assistance In The Middle East, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Hussein Khair Allah, a landmine survivor, recently spoke of his experience: "I was returning from a fishing trip on November 15, 1997, when I was injured by a landmine on the bank of the river Jordan, severing my right foot up to the ankle. I am a fisherman and the major source of my income was from fishing, which I am no longer able to do because of my injury. I need to work again to be able to support my wife and six children." Allah’s story mirrors those of many other landmine victims throughout the Middle East. However, Allah …


Landmine Survivor’S Network Provides Victim Assistance In Jordan, Kathleen Powers Dec 2001

Landmine Survivor’S Network Provides Victim Assistance In Jordan, Kathleen Powers

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

According to military figures, most mine incidents occurred during the latter part of the 1960s and early 1970s, when the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict spilled into Jordan. Incidents rose again during the early part of the 1990s due to heavy rains and floods that shifted landmines from their originally marked and mapped fields into unrecorded areas.


Victim Assistance In Central America: A Regional Effort, Juan Carlos Ruan Aug 2001

Victim Assistance In Central America: A Regional Effort, Juan Carlos Ruan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The OAS facilitates victim assistance efforts by connecting the victim to appropriate medical resources. As the OAS program continues its programs in the countries of


The U.S. Approach: Deminer Personal Protective Equipment Development, George Zahaczewsky Jun 2000

The U.S. Approach: Deminer Personal Protective Equipment Development, George Zahaczewsky

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The deminer and his partner began work at 0730. By 0850, they had cleared 50 square meters. Both men wore frag-jackets, helmets and visors. The victim was clearing by using his prodder. He was called to help his section leader remove grass from a large pothole in the road. As he returned at 0850, he stepped on a mine he had previously missed. (Extracted from the Database of Demining Incident Victims, 1999, Incident #53.)


Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce Jun 2000

Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines are indiscriminate weapons, wounding and killing not only soldiers but women and children as well. Although hostilities may cease, landmines continue to maim and kill 500 victims a week, the equivalent of 26,000 additional disabled persons each year. There are at least 250,000 landmine-disabled people in the world, and the number continues to grow.


Mercy Across Borders, Maureen Morton Oct 1999

Mercy Across Borders, Maureen Morton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

What is it worth when a life is on the line and every moment counts? Will initial first aid arrive? Is emergency surgery available? Are painkillers and antibiotics guaranteed? The landmine victim now waits for help that varies in quality according to international funding and whatever remains of post-conflict medical and community infrastructure. Prosthetics, physio, occupational , psychological therapies and home care are serious issues; conspicuous by their absence. Independent life skills need to be learned, and occupational training depends on the availability of work and on the type, degree and combination of disabilities.


Icbl Working Group On Victim Assistance, Jerry White Oct 1999

Icbl Working Group On Victim Assistance, Jerry White

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmine Survivors Network (LSN) currently chairs the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance. It is in this capacity, working together with over 20 humanitarian and development non-governmental organizations (NGOs), my ICBL colleagues and I welcome this opportunity to discuss Article 6 which covers States Parties responsibility to provide "care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration of mine victims."


Boch Non The Village Of Many Widows, Paul Giannone Oct 1999

Boch Non The Village Of Many Widows, Paul Giannone

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Battambang Province has rich soil, precious gems and forests. The area once produced enough food to feed the entire country. Now the major harvest is landmines and unexploded munitions. But the province, now at peace, does provide opportunity. Villages are springing up wherever road improvements are made. People are homesteading regardless of the risk of landmines and buried bombs or the fact that there is no infrastructure to support them. Those that can't cope, and many can't, end up back in refugee camps or destitute in the larger cities.


What You Should Know About Landmine Victims, Margaret S. Busé Oct 1999

What You Should Know About Landmine Victims, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

One million people have been killed and maimed by anti-personnel mines. Twenty-six thousand people a year become victims, 70 people a day, or around one person every 15 minutes. Three hundred thousand children and counting are severely disabled because of landmines. Half the people who step on an anti-personnel mine die from their injuries before they are found or taken to hospital. An even higher percentage of children die because, being smaller, their vital organs are closer to the blast. After the end of hostilities, decades afterwards, anyone who strays into a mine field is at risk. Everyone is vulnerable: …


Gathering In Geneva, Dennis Barlow Oct 1999

Gathering In Geneva, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

From September 15- 17, 1999, victim assistance experts met in Geneva to provide input to the Standing Committee of Experts on Victim Assistance (VA), Socioeconomic Reintegration and Mine Awareness; one of several committees called into being as a result of meetings in Maputo dealing with mine action aspects of the Ottawa Treaty. T he foll owing observations are made in the context of that meeting, which was hosted by the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining.


Effect Of Conventional Weapons On Civilian Injuries, Robin M. Coupland, Hans O. Samnegaard Oct 1999

Effect Of Conventional Weapons On Civilian Injuries, Robin M. Coupland, Hans O. Samnegaard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The use of weapons against people or targets containing people inevitably has a direct impact on the health of those people. This impact is related to factors dependent on the design of weapons and on their use. The nature of injury is closely related to the design of the weapon; wounds from bullets, fragments, and buried anti-personnel mines are distinguishable. Factors dependent on the user, such as discipline and desire to avoid or injure civilians, determine the number and kind of people injured and may, in the case of bullets, determine which part of the body is injured. This century …