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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Rbm And Theories Of Change, Russell Gasser
Rbm And Theories Of Change, Russell Gasser
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
“Give me your money; I’m busy doing things” is not the most convincing fundraising appeal. Instead, “Look at the difference our program has made to the lives of the people that were helped” is far more likely to get a positive response. The overall purpose of mine action is to improve people’s lives and livelihoods, to reduce casualties, and increase compliance with political commitments like the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). Although this is widely known, standard reporting excessively includes information on how many people received risk education, how many square meters of land were cleared, or how many people …
Gendered Vulnerabilities To Small Arms In South Central Somalia, Abigail Jones, Nicola Sandhu, Lucas Musetti
Gendered Vulnerabilities To Small Arms In South Central Somalia, Abigail Jones, Nicola Sandhu, Lucas Musetti
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Somalia is a very young nation demographically; estimates place half the population under the age of 14 and less than five percent over the age of 60. A large portion of the population grew up during incredible civil instability and violence, making exposure to armed violence an ever-present prospect. Further, the presence of more than one million displaced persons and refugees exacerbates the difficulties of protecting vulnerable groups from violence.
Explosive Remnants Of War Contamination Response In Libya, Damir Djakovic, Katarina Cvikl Balić
Explosive Remnants Of War Contamination Response In Libya, Damir Djakovic, Katarina Cvikl Balić
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Abu Grain is a town located 106 km (66 mi) east of Misrata and 138 km (86 mi) west of Sirte with an estimated population of 2,000 inhabitants. The town is known for its strategic road intersection connecting the Mediterranean cities of Misrata and Sirte with the desert district of Jufra. Between February and March 2016, Abu Grain’s population fled as Islamic State (IS) group forces advanced into town in an attempt to expand control toward the west of its stronghold in Sirte. According to the Libyan Red Crescent, Abu Grain’s inhabitants mostly fled to Bani Walid, Misrata, and Tripoli.
Effectiveness And Impact Of Undp Mine Action Support: Lessons Learned, Charles Downs, Alan Fox
Effectiveness And Impact Of Undp Mine Action Support: Lessons Learned, Charles Downs, Alan Fox
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported mine action in more than 40 countries since its first involvement in Cambodia in 1992. UNDP support generally focuses on the development of national mine action management capacities. In early 2016, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP concluded the first global evaluation of the results of UNDP support in mine action, with particular attention to its effectiveness and impact. The evaluation reviewed documentation relating to all national, UNDP-supported mine action programs, in-depth desk reviews of support to 14 countries, and background for field case studies of three national programs (Laos, Mozambique, …
Emerging Patterns Of Erw Injuries In Laos, Stacey Pizzino, Colette Mcinerney, Jo Durham
Emerging Patterns Of Erw Injuries In Laos, Stacey Pizzino, Colette Mcinerney, Jo Durham
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The year 2016 marks the beginning of a new era for international development, with the adoption of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that will drive global development efforts until 2030. In post-conflict countries, humanitarian mine action will be an important enabler in achieving a number of SDGs, including goal 3: “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Of particular relevance is target 3.9 of the SDGs, which specifies the need to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from soil pollution and contamination. At present this relates primarily to indoor and outdoor air pollution. However, since …
From The Director, Ken Rutherford
From The Director, Ken Rutherford
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Here at CISR, our team is busy planning the 13th Senior Managers’ Course (SMC), which will take place in Biograd na Moru, Croatia, from 20 March to 7 April 2017. With the help of our local partner, the Croatian Mine Action Centre, CISR will implement a course designed specifically to address the needs of senior managers working in greater Southeast Europe as the region’s mine action programs undergo planned transitions. The course in Croatia will be our third regional SMC (Tajikistan in 2014 and Vietnam in 2015) since we began implementing the regional format in 2014; we hope to facilitate …
The Role Of Research In Mine Action: A Response To Gasser, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
The Role Of Research In Mine Action: A Response To Gasser, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Some years ago, a businessman came to me and said that he would like to start commercially farming lobsters, something that had not been attempted at the time. His key question was, “How long will the development research take?”
“I would think two to four years before a scaling-up exercise to make it commercially viable,” I answered.
Looking genuinely surprised he replied, “Really! I was thinking it should take about two weeks.”
This anecdote portrays a problem that emerges in almost every area of human enterprise. Those-who-do want and need to do right now. Those-who-create need time to design, build, …
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.3 (2016), Cisr Jmu
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.3 (2016), Cisr Jmu
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Feature: SA/LW and CWD | Spotlight: Libya | Special Report: Solomon Islands’ Explosive Legacy | Plus: Editorial, Field Notes, Research and Development
Working From A Distance In War-Affected Libya, Nikolaj Søndergaard
Working From A Distance In War-Affected Libya, Nikolaj Søndergaard
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A unique partnership between DanChurchAid (DCA) and Lebanese authorities facilitates explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training for Libyan authorities, who can now start their own national EOD teams and begin the clearance process.
Mobile Technologies: Uxo Lao's Easy Sketch Map, Hayashi Ontoku Akihito
Mobile Technologies: Uxo Lao's Easy Sketch Map, Hayashi Ontoku Akihito
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Established in 1996, the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) promotes risk education and clears land for agriculture, community purposes (e.g., schools, hospitals, temples and water supplies) and other development activities. UXO Lao is working in the nine most impacted Lao provinces nationwide. Although recent changes occurred to UXO Lao’s survey procedure, the program continues mapping out contaminated areas throughout the country.
Building Tajikistan’S National Capacity, Bahriniso Shamsieva
Building Tajikistan’S National Capacity, Bahriniso Shamsieva
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization of 57 member States. Currently conducting 16 field missions, OSCE develops confidence building measures in the field of security while providing conflict- prevention capabilities and a capacity-building process for participating nations. These mine action activities are supported by the OSCE Permanent Council and implemented by field missions via partnerships with the host countries.
The Uxo Sector In Laos, Titus Peachey
The Uxo Sector In Laos, Titus Peachey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Nearly fifty years after the nine-year Secret War (1964–1973), Laos is the scene of a US$35–$40 million annual enterprise, employing more than 3,000 workers who, with assistance from governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) around the world, are engaged in unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, victim assistance and mine risk education (MRE). The 2.2 million tons of bombs included an estimated 270 million cluster munitions, many of which failed to detonate on impact and created a lethal landscape to which villagers returned after the war. The inevitable post-war casualties now number more than 20,000. A high percentage of victims over the past …
Finding Legacy Minefields In The Jordan Valley, Jamal Odibat
Finding Legacy Minefields In The Jordan Valley, Jamal Odibat
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Due to the many difficulties in accurately determining the location of legacy minefields, demining personnel need traditional and sometimes improvised methods for locating and verifying contamination. With a unique combination of terrain, vegetation, water resources and soil types, the Jordan Valley requires specialized minefield survey and clearance methods to avoid harming the environment.
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.
From The Field: Mobile Technologies For Mine Action, Torsten Vikstrom
From The Field: Mobile Technologies For Mine Action, Torsten Vikstrom
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Breakthroughs in technology development transformed desktop computers into small, powerful mobile units equipped with intelligent software and extensive possibilities to connect and interact. Alternatively, the world of mine action still depends on manual work done with pen and paper, and the process of field data collection is especially exposed. However, field tests show that the use of mobile technology vastly improves safety and increases the effectiveness of field work. Adapting to new mobile technologies for field data collection will also positively affect the ways in which we gather, share, analyze, monitor and evaluate information.
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.2 (2016), Cisr Jmu
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.2 (2016), Cisr Jmu
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Mobile Technologies in CWD
South and Central Asia
Field Notes
Research and Development
Integrated Cooperation On Explosive Hazards Program In Central Asia, Luka Buhin
Integrated Cooperation On Explosive Hazards Program In Central Asia, Luka Buhin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Tajikistan (OiT) facilitates regional cooperation and coordination in the field of mine action in Central Asia, predominantly focusing on but not limited to inter-military cooperation. This approach falls under the OSCE concept of comprehensive and cooperative security. One of the best examples of this cooperation is the OSCE extra-budgetary project, the Integrated Cooperation on Explosive Hazards Programme (ICExH), which has been running since mid-2013. The project received financial support from the governments of Austria and the Netherlands in the past, while the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in …
Explosive Remnants Of War: A Deadly Threat To Refugees, Ken Rutherford, Andrew Cooney
Explosive Remnants Of War: A Deadly Threat To Refugees, Ken Rutherford, Andrew Cooney
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The deadly legacy of explosive remnants of war (ERW), including landmines, improvised explosive devices (IED) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is increasingly a threat to refugee populations, economic migrants and internally displaced persons (IDP) in countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Flail Technology In Demining, Ashish Juneja
Flail Technology In Demining, Ashish Juneja
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With the use of rollers, tillers and chain flails, the focus of minefield clearance has shifted since the early 1980’s from military to humanitarian demining. These machines can clear 200–300 mm of soil depending on the speed of the vehicle and its configuration, the soil type and the terrain. Unfortunately, heavy machines are difficult to operate at these slow speeds unless large amounts of power are available to run and rotate the flails. Moreover, recent literature cites the use of modern technology in demining (e.g., infrared imaging, ground penetration radar, thermal neutron activation and X-ray tomography). Mechanical machines, however, are …
Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Mobile Technology, Howard Rudat
Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Mobile Technology, Howard Rudat
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Mobile technology has transformed the way we live our lives and has the potential to dramatically assist in demining. However, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems coupled with explosive remnants of war (ERW) related applications leave capability gaps and create potential risks that must be closed. A more tailored and deliberate ecosystem approach when employing mobile technology will yield greater benefits and avoid the problems encountered when Alexa, Cortana, Google Now or Siri do not provide the necessary information. It seems that at the times when you need information the most, the smart personal assistants provided by Google, Apple and Microsoft either …
Implementing International Obligations To Clear Mines, Stuart Maslen
Implementing International Obligations To Clear Mines, Stuart Maslen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Each State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) that knows or suspects it has areas under its jurisdiction or control that contain anti-personnel (AP) mines has a clear deadline to locate and destroy those mines. According to Article 5(1), upon becoming party to the APMBC, a State must complete clearance within ten years, unless the deadline is pushed back in an agreement from the other States Parties at an annual meeting or five-yearly review conference.
Mobile Technology In Mine Action: The Fulcrum Application, Camille Wallen, Nick Torbet
Mobile Technology In Mine Action: The Fulcrum Application, Camille Wallen, Nick Torbet
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In 2014, The HALO Trust (HALO) began trialing Fulcrum, a mobile data collection application for survey developed by Fulcrum Mobile Solutions. Due to the success of the trial, the subscription-based commercial product, designed specifically for mobile data collection, was used in eight HALO programs. Using Fulcrum, HALO has created 35 applications that collect data for a variety of outputs, including rapid contamination assessments, socioeconomic and impact surveys, minefield quality assurance checks, vehicle and logistics checks, and a number of reports including technical and nontechnical surveys, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), mine risk education (MRE), and daily minefield stats reports.
An Overview Of Mozambique’S Mine-Free District Process, Antonio Belchior Vaz Martíns, Hans Risser
An Overview Of Mozambique’S Mine-Free District Process, Antonio Belchior Vaz Martíns, Hans Risser
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In the 1990s, Mozambique ranked among countries such as Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, and Iraq as one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. At the time, experts estimated that clearing all landmines in Mozambique would take 50 to 100 years. Landmines were widely used by all sides during the conflicts that ravaged Mozambique from the mid-1960s until 1992. These nuisance minefields usually consisted of small numbers of mines in seemingly random or undefined areas mostly around paths, wells and rural infrastructure. Large-pattern minefields tended to be the exception rather than the norm in Mozambique. Given the …
Arms Management And Destruction Programming: Taking Stock, Chris Loughran, Djadranka Gillesen
Arms Management And Destruction Programming: Taking Stock, Chris Loughran, Djadranka Gillesen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Arms Management and Destruction (AMD) sector— an element of conventional weapons destruction (CWD) that includes several elements of physical security and stockpile management (PSSM)—has experienced dynamic growth over the last 18 months. An increasing number of programs address illicit and poorly stored weapons, enhance the safety and security of arms storage, and support the development of national capacity, including MAG’s regional initiative in the Sahel and West Africa. As a distinct AMD sector emerges, now is the time to analyze what makes programming strategies effective as well as ineffective. The industry must resist the temptation to talk about best …
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.1 (2016), Cisr Journal
The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 20.1 (2016), Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Best Practices in CWD | Spotlight on Eastern Europe and the Caucasus | Notes from the Field | Research & Development
Unmas Gaza Emergency Response Report, Mark Frankish
Unmas Gaza Emergency Response Report, Mark Frankish
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
From 7 July to 26 August 2014, significant quantities of explosive ordnance were used during hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Gazan armed groups. It is reported that approximately 72,000 items of ordnance were fired and launched during this period. This presented a significant risk for civilians and hampered humanitarian and reconstruction operations. Many unexploded aircraft bombs, tank projectiles, mortar shells and other munitions from both sides of the conflict were reported in civilian areas. Based on a 10 percent fail rate, it was assumed there are approximately 7,200 items of explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Gaza, …
From The Director, Cisr Journal
From The Director, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Welcome to our 20th edition of The Journal! This is an exciting year for us as we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) as well as The Journal. Since our founding in 1996, CISR’s mission, programs and publications have continuously evolved with the ever-changing face of mine action, reflecting the training, informational and program needs of the field. As mine action is absorbed into the broader scope of conventional weapons destruction, CISR and The Journal are prepared to be the information leader for this community of practice. With great anticipation we begin this …
Provision Of Emergency Risk Education To Idps And Returnees In Ukraine, Abigail Jones, Edward Crowther
Provision Of Emergency Risk Education To Idps And Returnees In Ukraine, Abigail Jones, Edward Crowther
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While no official survey of the landmine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) situation has been carried out in Ukraine, the humanitarian impact is significant. Mines and booby traps strategically block access to essential infrastructure as well as to forested areas where people gather wood to heat their homes. Important infrastructure across the Donbas region, one of Europe’s most heavily industrialized areas, is contaminated, slowing repairs and reconstruction around power stations and water-treatment facilities, and seriously affecting the local population. Similarly, cluster munition use in urban and rural areas blocks access to family allotments and farms.
Explosive Hazards In The Aftermath Of Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned, Nicole Neitzey, Paula S. Daly
Explosive Hazards In The Aftermath Of Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned, Nicole Neitzey, Paula S. Daly
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Natural disasters have posed problems for demining operations in the past; the heavy flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina was one recent example of many. Over the past 20 years, natural disasters have impacted countries affected by landmines or other explosive remnants of war (ERW), causing renewed danger. Despite reoccurring in recent years, these events continue catching the international CWD community by surprise, while experience and lessons learned from previous disasters in one country must be relearned in other regions.
Small Caliber De-Armers: An Answer To Explosive Acquisition Problems, Harold S. Pearson
Small Caliber De-Armers: An Answer To Explosive Acquisition Problems, Harold S. Pearson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In many mine-affected countries, sourcing, transporting and reliably initiating explosives is one of the major obstacles for mine action operators. Consequently, finding a reliable method of destroying anti-personnel (AP) landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination that does not require the use of high explosives is of great interest to many in the industry.