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Emergency and Disaster Management

James Madison University

2008

ERW

Articles 31 - 60 of 86

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Iraq Mine And Uxo Clearance Organization, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

Iraq Mine And Uxo Clearance Organization, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For Iraq, being plagued by landmines is only one of the many problems that it is currently facing. The country also suffers from sectarian violence, internal instability and economic hardship. As the government transforms its mine-action policy, one organization, the Iraq Mine and UXO [Unexploded Ordnance] Clearance Organization, has proven itself to be a powerful force in addressing the urgent needs of the Iraqi community. Though it faces challenges itself, IMCO shows great promise for rebuilding Iraq and stands as a model for future Iraqi nongovernmental organizations.


Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper Jul 2008

Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With an area of more than one million square miles (2,589,988 square kilometers), Sudan is the largest country on the African continent and has been at the center of decades of conflict since it gained its independence in 1959. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 brought to end a vicious civil war and marked the beginning of an era of relative peace. This article outlines the health challenges involved in mine action in Sudan and highlights the actions taken by the United Nations Mine Action Office in Sudan to address issues of medical support to humanitarian-demining operations in …


Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group, including updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF. It is excerpted from the United Nations' newsletter covering the period from January to April 2008


Operating With Uxo Containing White Phosphorus, Ilham Azizov Apr 2008

Operating With Uxo Containing White Phosphorus, Ilham Azizov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article provides a brief account of the unexploded ordnance problem in Azerbaijan and describes the particular hazards of dealing with UXO containing white phosphorus. Drawing from the experience of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action's work at Saloglu, guidelines for handling WP UXO are discussed.


Clearing The Way In Chad: Assessment, Access And Impact, Katharine Hopper Apr 2008

Clearing The Way In Chad: Assessment, Access And Impact, Katharine Hopper

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mines Advisory Group began working in Chad in late 2004 with the objective of demining the water points in several of the war-torn provinces in the northern portion of the country. MAG formulated a three-phase plan that was extremely well-executed, even while dealing with the harsh desert climate, achieving its objectives before the deadline and under budget. A total of 21 watering points and 28 paths to access the watering points were cleared, while 84 areas were identified as dangerous. The work had a particularly positive effect on the local nomadic populations, who make a living traveling, often through …


Iraq Facing The Legacy Of Landmines And Explosive Remnants Of War, Salomon Schreuder Apr 2008

Iraq Facing The Legacy Of Landmines And Explosive Remnants Of War, Salomon Schreuder

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article the author describes the recent history and current state of mine-action efforts in Iraq. The author argues for a larger focus on these issues and for a comprehensive approach, linking other humanitarian efforts with mine action.


Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour Apr 2008

Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article looks at the relationship between the existing landmine and explosive remnants of war problem in the Middle East and North Africa, and terrorist activities in the area by explaining the scope of the mine/ERW problem in the region; the huge availability of explosives for use in illegal activities, particularly terrorism; and the case of Algeria and Egypt being affected by recent terrorist acts.


Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi Apr 2008

Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Effective mine action requires numerous actors to peacefully collaborate: governmental and nongovernmental, international and local. Armed non-state actors (ANSA) that operate beyond central control, such as rebel opposition groups and paramilitary organizations, and private defense companies can often provide necessary contributions to mine action. Understanding ANSAs allows humanitarian organizations to communicate, cooperate and avoid conflict.


The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic Apr 2008

The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Because of the conflict there in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been plagued by landmines, unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and all of the problems associated with them. With so many victims, the need for an organized system to help these people was imperative. In this article, the author describes how the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center and other organisations helped establish an information system in BiH to help inform landmine victims about what they can do to help themselves and their families.


Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield Apr 2008

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.


Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli Apr 2008

Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the intricate global and internal conflicts that plague the Kurdish region with emphasis on the profound impact these conflicts have on mine action in this area of the Middle East.


Time To Steady The Pendulum, Eddie Banks Apr 2008

Time To Steady The Pendulum, Eddie Banks

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author questions whether the ever-increasing emphasis on standards is diametrically opposed to principles of the United Nations and the International Mine Action Standards and whether the implementation of the IMAS restricts a humanitarian response.


Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron Apr 2008

Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For many communities, the land is their livelihood; however, the threat of landmines has affected agricultural communities all over the world. In this article, the author describes how, in Yemen, the United Nations Development Programme and other organizations are using techniques that fully preserve the environment and still allow for safe, successful demining.


Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar Apr 2008

Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Desert Storm brought Iraqi Forces to Kuwait and, with them, mines. Aerial diagrams illustrate the areas of Kuwait still littered with landmines. Landmines are causing significant short- and long-term damage to the environment, resulting in soil erosion, destruction of vegetation and topsoil, and negatively impacting wildlife.


Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article contains excerpts from the United Nations' third quarterly newsletter in 2007, which highlights the activities of the Mine Action Support Group from July to September 2007, including updates from the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF.


Iraq, Country Profile Apr 2008

Iraq, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2003, the government of Iraq has taken action against mines and unexploded ordnance. On 15 August 2007, Iraq acceded to the Ottawa Convention becoming the 155th State Party. The rising levels of violence in the region, however, have made focusing on mine action difficult for the Iraqi government—or anyone, for that matter. The decrease in security has taken focus, time and energy from ridding the country of its extensive problems with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.


The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow Apr 2008

The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.


Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills Apr 2008

Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency was one of the first organizations to enter Lebanon after the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. The enormous amount of unexploded ordnance littering southern Lebanon led to a need for a more sustainable program than the initial small operation provided. The more expansive program sought deminers and, to the surprise of the SRSA, many women showed interest. Several were hired and trained, and proved themselves to be able workers in the field. The success of the program in Lebanon has had some wondering why it has taken so long for women in the Middle East …


Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson Apr 2008

Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The environmental impact of any human action cannot be underestimated—even humanitarian demining—given the global repercussions in this era of explosive growth. The authors discuss the consequences of thoughtless action and provide valuable context concerning the vast extent to which human beings impact the environment.


Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG, also known as the Mines Advisory Group, whose motto is "saves lives, builds futures," takes a proactive role in meeting the needs of individuals in mine-affected countries through peacebuilding, community liaison and mine-risk education. With operations located in Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam, MAG has learned to incorporate old and new techniques, resulting in prosperous futures for many.


Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Schonstedt Instrument Company takes an active role in promoting social responsibility by donating one magnetic locator to the United Nations Mine Action Team for every Tracemaster II or XTpc commercial cable/utilities locator Schonstedt sells. In creating and implementing this initiative, the company helps countries lacking extensive resources increase their demining capabilities.


Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs Apr 2008

Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The current training programmes for National Mine Action Managers are examined to determine the advantages of the courses as well as areas in which the programmes can be improved.


Lebanon, Country Profile Apr 2008

Lebanon, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The overwhelming presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Lebanon has created a diverse and complex problem that continues to affect the socioeconomic development of the country. A number of mine/ERW accidents have occurred while individuals engage in farming activities. According to Landmine Monitor, about 62 percent of contaminated areas is agricultural land, and casualties tend to increase in planting and harvesting months. With contamination of agricultural land, landmines have delayed the implementation of a major drinking and irrigation water pipeline project.3 Also, there has been a noticeable decrease in agricultural production, the major source of income for …


Unsung Hero: Zoran Grujić, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Unsung Hero: Zoran Grujić, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The passion to change the world began humbly for Zoran Grujić with a simple realization that "it would be much better to save people than to kill them." These powerful words came from a man now regarded as an expert in the field of mine-action information and a hero to the industry, its victims and, most of all, its future.


A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn Apr 2008

A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Roots of Peace focuses on mined farming areas and specializes in rebuilding these areas for farmers. To aid this process, the organization promotes the growing of sustainable and high-value crops. This article describes some of the organization's successful efforts in Afghanistan and argues the effectiveness of its approach for future mine-action efforts.


Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin Apr 2008

Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since their widespread use during World War II, landmines have arguably become one of the most significant social, economic and environmental problems of the last half-century. Restricting access to land, roads and water supplies, landmines have been responsible for the displacement of persons and the stagnation of basic infrastructure development in every region of the world. They have also caused land and soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and severe limitations to agricultural productivity. These issues, along with several others, were at the heart of the mine-action debate during creation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997.


Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian Apr 2008

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, …


Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since getting involved in mine action six years ago, Jim Yoder has contributed his dedication and long hours in the field to help reap humanitarian benefits for many people in Thailand, Cambodia and now the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Yoder is an inspiration to his peers and the many others he has reached through his work.


I Remember My Lost Leg: The Story Of Istahil, Dahib Mohamad Odwaa Apr 2008

I Remember My Lost Leg: The Story Of Istahil, Dahib Mohamad Odwaa

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a young girl of just 11 years, Istahil Ismail Ali's life was changed in an instant when she became the victim of a landmine explosion and lost her leg. The author tells of her challenges and the hardships her family has suffered as a result, while also describing the proactive measures Istahil has taken to combat this injustice.


Swiss Campaign To Ban Landmines: Gender And Mine Action Programme, Cisr Journal Mar 2008

Swiss Campaign To Ban Landmines: Gender And Mine Action Programme, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines’ Gender and Mine Action Programme has worked to create a resource where mine-action organizations can find information and support for their endeavors to mainstream gender considerations in mine action. In this pursuit, the Swiss Campaign has created a gender portal and conducted a global research study.