Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 31 - 60 of 100

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mre Certification Courses In Mali, Sri Lanka And Tajikistan, Sebastian Kasack Jul 2015

Mre Certification Courses In Mali, Sri Lanka And Tajikistan, Sebastian Kasack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

UNICEF developed a mine risk education (MRE) certification course to regulate the accreditation of MRE educators. The certification courses have had varied success in Mali, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.


Mine Risk Education In Vietnam, Ta Thi Hai Yen Apr 2015

Mine Risk Education In Vietnam, Ta Thi Hai Yen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has focused their recent efforts on successfully implementing mine risk education (MRE) programs in Vietnam that have proven to increase knowledge and awareness about landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). This teacher and student MRE training prevents mine/ERW incidents in high-risk areas of Vietnam.


Quality Management In Vietnam: Building A National Iso 9001 System, Russell Gasser Apr 2015

Quality Management In Vietnam: Building A National Iso 9001 System, Russell Gasser

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Vietnam’s pilot quality management (QM) project in Ha Tinh province has proven successful in its implementation of the international QM standard ISO 9001. The next step for GICHD and partners will be to support Vietnam in establishing ISO 9001 QM on a national scale.


Impact Of Flooding On Mine Action In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, And Serbia, Milan Bajic, Tamara Ivelja, Emina Hadzic, Haris Balta, Goran Skelac, Zoran Grujic Apr 2015

Impact Of Flooding On Mine Action In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, And Serbia, Milan Bajic, Tamara Ivelja, Emina Hadzic, Haris Balta, Goran Skelac, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Devastating floods swept through Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia in May 2014. The destructiveness of the floods, landslides and sediment torrents on minefields resulted in significant environmental and security issues. These three countries’ mine action centers launched a joint project cofunded by the Republic of Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to develop effective and efficient methods and technologies that might improve the situation. Their research seeks to provide reliable assessments of the flood damage to minefields and generate accurate implications for potential hazardous areas.


3-D Printed Landmines And Mine Clearance Tools, News Brief Nov 2014

3-D Printed Landmines And Mine Clearance Tools, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

3-D printing offers an inexpensive, customizable, mine action training solution to militaries and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. 3-D printers use digital files to create objects, such as simulated landmines, with layers of molten plastic.


The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 18.3 (2014), Cisr Journal Nov 2014

The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 18.3 (2014), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Pacific Islands | Program Management | Notes from the Field | Research and Development


Using Plants To Detect Landmines, News Brief Nov 2014

Using Plants To Detect Landmines, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia (U.S.) are investigating how plants can be used to detect buried explosives, such as landmines, in areas of dense vegetation, where traditional demining methods are difficult.


A Discrimination Method For Landmines And Metal Fragments Using Metal Detectors, Alex M. Kaneko, Edwardo Fukushima, Gen Endo Apr 2014

A Discrimination Method For Landmines And Metal Fragments Using Metal Detectors, Alex M. Kaneko, Edwardo Fukushima, Gen Endo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While discrimination methods for distinguishing between real mines and metal fragments would greatly increase the efficiency of demining operations, no practical solution has been implemented yet. A potentially efficient method for the discrimination of metallic targets using metal detectors uses a high-precision robotic manipulator to scan the minefield. Further field research is needed, however, before this method can deploy for operational use.


Meeting Pm/Wra’S New Director Col. (Ret.) Stanley L. Brown, Alexandra Berkowitz Apr 2014

Meeting Pm/Wra’S New Director Col. (Ret.) Stanley L. Brown, Alexandra Berkowitz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Continuing the funding for conventional weapons destruction programs remains a primary objective for Stan Brown, the new director of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). This interview introduces the director, provides a snapshot of his past experience and shares his hopes for the future of humanitarian demining.


Honeybees Trained To Locate Landmines, News Brief Oct 2013

Honeybees Trained To Locate Landmines, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Croatian researchers from Zagreb University are training honeybees to detect landmines in the Balkans. By feeding the bees a solution of sugar and TNT, the insects learn to associate the scent of explosives with a possible food source.


Somalia Famine: Terrorism And Landmines Hinder Aid, Cisr Journal Mar 2012

Somalia Famine: Terrorism And Landmines Hinder Aid, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Drought, rising food prices, famine and conflict have forced thousands of Somalis to flee to neighboring countries or become internally displaced. Aid agencies continue delivering food, but the ongoing conflict between al-Shabab and Somali government forces makes additional help difficult. The landmine threat further exacerbates the crisis, contributing to food insecurity, endangering refugees and threatening aid agencies trying to reach those in need.


Landmines In Libya, Colin King Oct 2011

Landmines In Libya, Colin King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines are an unfortunate part of Libya’s past and present. As such, the author discusses the various types of mines that have been found so far, providing a technical overview of each. With his landmine analysis, King warns of the difficulties that lie ahead as deminers begin to address the problem.


Survey And Clearance Of Unexploded Submunitions Versus Landmines And Other Erw, Åsa Gilbert, Michael Creighton Oct 2011

Survey And Clearance Of Unexploded Submunitions Versus Landmines And Other Erw, Åsa Gilbert, Michael Creighton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The authors argue that survey and clearance methods in areas contaminated solely by unexploded submunitions (from cluster munitions) should be different than those in areas contaminated by mines and other explosive remnants of war to achieve the most efficient outcome. This article seeks to explain how and why procedures are different, and proposes a land-release methodology for dealing with unexploded submunitions.


Somalia: Working In High-Risk Environments And Fragile States, Ann Mary Olsen Jul 2011

Somalia: Working In High-Risk Environments And Fragile States, Ann Mary Olsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the security situation continues to deteriorate in Somalia, humanitarian organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve their desired results. Working conditions for these organizations in Somalia are particularly harsh, even when compared to those in other developing countries. Humanitarian-aid workers must accept these risks as a fundamental requirement of their involvement, and donors must be prepared to take more chances in these environments as well.


Environmental Impact On The Functionality Of Landmines: Does Aging Matter?, Martin Jebens Apr 2010

Environmental Impact On The Functionality Of Landmines: Does Aging Matter?, Martin Jebens

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines buried in Skallingen, Denmark, during World War II have since shown varying reactions to their environments in beach, dune and marsh areas. This article explains the results of several tests that may assist in the development of a more efficient, cost-effective demining plan in these areas. It also posits that a similar analysis of mines and soils in other old minefields could result in more flexibility with clearance, leading to greater efficiency.


Clearing The Falkland-Malvinas Islands, Robert Keeley Jul 2009

Clearing The Falkland-Malvinas Islands, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Under pressure from nations around the world and in compliance with Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention, the United Kingdom has committed to demining the Falkland-Malvinas Islands despite the potential cost of demining in arelatively mine-safe area.


Cultivating A Broader Base For Landmine Action, Tammie Warmus, Maggie Emery Jul 2008

Cultivating A Broader Base For Landmine Action, Tammie Warmus, Maggie Emery

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With the total number of landmine victims increasing daily and the level of donor commitment decreasing, it is more important than ever to build a broader base of interest and support for landmine victim assistance, often a lifelong need. The Coffeelands Landmine Victims’ Trust is an initiative that attempts to do just that by engaging the coffee industry and consumers


As Mines Grow Old, Colin King Apr 2008

As Mines Grow Old, Colin King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In most cases, the mines being cleared around the world were emplaced decades ago; yet the techniques and equipment being used during clearance treat them as though they were new. The author looks briefly at the effects of ageing on mines and considers possible implications.


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.


Proud Students Against Landmines, Cisr Journal Mar 2008

Proud Students Against Landmines, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

At St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School in Morgantown, West Virginia, which has students ranging from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, what began in 1998 as an art project with old shoes became an inspiration for social justice and change. Today, a small organization of students at St. Francis, known as the Proud Students Against Landmines, or PSALM, meets once a week in the school art room to work on projects related to mine action.


The Rise Of Erw As A Threat To Civilians, Mohamed Taghioullah Ould Nema Nov 2006

The Rise Of Erw As A Threat To Civilians, Mohamed Taghioullah Ould Nema

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the author looks at the rise of landmines and ERW as military tactics from the First World War to current conflicts. The safety risk their presence poses and various measures to protect civilians are also discussed.


A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii Aug 2006

A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author explores the vast diversification in landmine etymology, condemning efforts that sought to provide more information but only complicated an already difficult process. Dugger continues with a historical perspective on the progression of language and processes used to address problems posed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war.


An Alternative Perspective On Landmines And Vulnerable Populations, Shelby Weitzel Aug 2006

An Alternative Perspective On Landmines And Vulnerable Populations, Shelby Weitzel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

By offering a different view on the International Campaign to Ban Landmines’ dominant message concerning mine action, this article presents an argument for possible alternatives. The author brings up such points as a lack of discussion and an acceptance of facts without proper checking of research. In addition, suggestions of constructive use of landmines in the defense of vulnerable populations are made to refute the idea of a necessary worldwide ban.


Comprehensive Action Against Landmines In Ecuador, Guillermo Leal Nov 2004

Comprehensive Action Against Landmines In Ecuador, Guillermo Leal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the conflict of 1995 between Ecuador and Peru, a number of minefields were sown along the disputed border area. Although statistics concerning the problem have been difficult to obtain, anti-personnel mines represent a serious threat to the local populations. Many inhabitants have been forced to alter their traditional agricultural lifestyles as well as other daily activities such as cattle ranching, hunting and fishing.


Engaging Non-State Actors In The Fight Against Landmines: A Key To Negotiating Peace In Colombia, Elisabeth Reusse-Decrey Nov 2004

Engaging Non-State Actors In The Fight Against Landmines: A Key To Negotiating Peace In Colombia, Elisabeth Reusse-Decrey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Today, one of the populations in the world that suffers the most from landmine use by armed non-state actors (NSAs) is the population of Colombia. Since 2003, Geneva Call, a humanitarian, independent and neutral international organisation dedicated to engaging NSAs in a total ban against anti-personnel landmines, has established a line of communication with Colombian armed groups. With the support of the national government and the collaboration of the Colombian Campaign Against Landmines—a partner organisation—representatives of Geneva Call have met with members of the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Colombia, other local and indigenous organisations, as well as members …


The Truth About Flails, Cisr Jmu Oct 2003

The Truth About Flails, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Developed in the 1940s for use in World War II Europe, the flail was designed and proliferated to satisfy the demining community’s hunger for faster, safer and more efficient clearance methods. Despite being the most widely used mechanical demining tool in the world, the flail has been labeled by many experts as overused and misrepresented. Still, others believe the flail is an indispensable part of their demining program.


Use Of Landmines In Azerbaijan And Its Consequences, Hafiz Safikhanov Aug 2003

Use Of Landmines In Azerbaijan And Its Consequences, Hafiz Safikhanov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenian over the last decade featured the widespread use of landmines. While the Journal of Mine Action does not take a position on which nation opened hostilities or first employed landmines against the other, the author of the following article lays out his interpretation of the major events of the conflict as well as the possibility of both countries banning landmines in the near future.


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.


Socio-Economic Impact Of Landmines In Iraq, Cisr Jmu Aug 2003

Socio-Economic Impact Of Landmines In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Years of war and internal conflict have left Iraq littered with landmines, UXO and stockpiled munitions. Mr. Johan Van Der Merwe of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Colonel Lionel Dyck, MineTech chairman, describe the hazards Iraqis face that threaten normal activity and disrupt socio-economic redevelopment.