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Articles 1 - 30 of 127
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mag: Mine Clearance In Lebanon, Sean Sutton
Mag: Mine Clearance In Lebanon, Sean Sutton
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Mines, cluster submunitions, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination plague Lebanon as a result of a 15-year civil war ending in 1990, two Israeli invasions in 1978 and 1982, and the July–August conflict with Israel in 2006. The Lebanon Mine Action Centre (LMAC) identified 2,598 mined areas covering 191,000,000 sq m of land. Following non-technical survey (NTS) and clearance operations, there is an estimated 30,316,080 sq m of suspected hazardous area remaining. Although some cluster munition contamination remains from the 1982 conflicts, much of the contamination is the result of the 2006 conflict with Israel, during which nearly four million cluster …
Project Renew’S Prosthetics And Orthotics Mobile Outreach Program, Dang Quang Toan
Project Renew’S Prosthetics And Orthotics Mobile Outreach Program, Dang Quang Toan
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Project RENEW established a mobile outreach program to provide prostheses, orthotics and education to explosive remnants of war survivors in the remote communities of Vietnam.
Integrating Mre Into Humanitarian Responses In Iraq, Tammy Hall
Integrating Mre Into Humanitarian Responses In Iraq, Tammy Hall
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As a result of conflict in Iraq, the safety and well-being of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons is at stake due to explosive remnants of war (ERW). In order to mitigate that threat, the Danish Refugee Council enlisted the help of the Danish Demining Group to incorporate mine and ERW risk education into existing humanitarian efforts in Iraq.
Caught In The Crossfire: Challenges To Providing Victim Assistance In Colombia, Michelle Miller
Caught In The Crossfire: Challenges To Providing Victim Assistance In Colombia, Michelle Miller
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Due to ongoing civil conflict, many Colombian civilians experience both financial and physical harm, but those living in rural areas have limited or no access to much-needed medical and economic assistance. In conjunction with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, as well as multi-national corporations, the Polus Center for Social and Economic Development assesses the needs of and provides rehabilitative services to residents in these remote areas.
Roots Of Peace: Cluster Munitions To Crops, Tucker Kuhn, Heidi Kuhn
Roots Of Peace: Cluster Munitions To Crops, Tucker Kuhn, Heidi Kuhn
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
By facilitating the removal of explosive remnants of war in rural Vietnam, Roots of Peace (ROP) aims to restore contaminated farmland to a safe, productive state. ROP encourages economic empowerment by training farmers in the production of cash crops, such as black pepper and taro.
Effectiveness Of Gis In Mine Action, Hansie Heymans, Arie Claassens
Effectiveness Of Gis In Mine Action, Hansie Heymans, Arie Claassens
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
According to a survey conducted by Geometric Solutions, Ltd., the usage of a geographic information system (GIS) stands to benefit the mine action community within the context of strategic planning and operational decision-making. Furthermore, web-based GIS can provide mobile spatial data for operations and lead to an overall improvement of mine action operations.
Insight Into Gis Usage In Dangerous Area Survey, Penelope Caswell
Insight Into Gis Usage In Dangerous Area Survey, Penelope Caswell
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Western Sahara’s 16-year conflict with Morocco caused widespread contamination from landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Landmine Action is a U.K.-based nonprofit organization that has conducted survey, marking and clearance activities in Polisario-controlled areas of Western Sahara since 2006. Its main goals are to make these areas safer for the people of Western Sahara, to reduce risks and land denial caused by contamination, and to successfully carry out humanitarian demining.
Regional Cooperation:Mddc For Se Europe, Marija Trlin
Regional Cooperation:Mddc For Se Europe, Marija Trlin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As the refinement of mine-detection methods becomes more important, the Mine Detection Dog Center for South East Europe is answering the call, training dogs and handlers for effective detection. Working with animals is not easy, but the MDDC has been very successful in its operations. The organization focuses on regional cooperation, and has worked in areas such as Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iraq, where it has proved to be an effective asset to mine detection and clearance.
A Broader Canvas: Jordan’S Erw Training Course, Mohammad Briekat, Olaf Juergensen
A Broader Canvas: Jordan’S Erw Training Course, Mohammad Briekat, Olaf Juergensen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Jordan is embracing the role of international humanitarian ambassador, particularly in the field of mine action. Jordan’s National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation has hosted several events for mine-affected countries and has recently completed its first explosive-remnants-of-war training course.The Kingdom of Jordan has a long record of participating in international humanitarian crisis-prevention and peacekeeping efforts. On a per-capita basis, Jordan is one of the largest contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions—with an emphasis on providing field hospitals and support for mine action. Jordan regularly dispatches relief supplies and heavy equipment when natural disasters strike around the world.
Unsung Hero: Akech Athieu, Cisr Journal
Unsung Hero: Akech Athieu, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Dedication to his job, competence, diligence and strength of character are just a few admirable qualities of Akech Athieu. His outstanding dedication to mine action in South Sudan has played a vital role in eliminating the region’s mines following decades of civil war.
Unmas's Rapid-Response Exercise, Liban Holm, Cisr Journal
Unmas's Rapid-Response Exercise, Liban Holm, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In a post-conflict country littered with mines and explosive remnants of war, the capability to deploy highly qualified mine-action staff rapidly is key to saving lives. The United Nations Mine Action Service recently spearheaded a new 10-day emergency training program based on lessons learned from previous rapid-response efforts in Kosovo, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This exercise emphasized the importance of interagency coordination and was designed to simulate a scenario in which these relationships would be called upon heavily in order to achieve success.
Mine-Risk Education In Nepal, 2009, Purna Shova Chitraker
Mine-Risk Education In Nepal, 2009, Purna Shova Chitraker
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Despite the signing of a 2006 peace agreement by the Nepalese government and the Maoists, Nepal’s mine clearance remains a work in progress due to the after-effects of its decade-long Maoist conflict and the emergence of small, armed groups. Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL) is at the forefront of the country’s mine-risk-education efforts. This article examines NCBL’s MRE program objectives, expectations, methods and achievements, as well as the many challenges it faces.
The Rapid Response To Operation Cast Lead, Elena Rice
The Rapid Response To Operation Cast Lead, Elena Rice
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
When the United Nations Mine Action Service was asked to assess the need for a mine-action presence in the Gaza Strip following Operation Cast Lead, a 23-day conflict involving the Israeli Defence Forces and Palestinian militias in 2008, it was thrust into one of the world’s most complicated humanitarian operating environments. This article provides a background for the mine-action program in Gaza, summarizing the key challenges and lessons learned during the first four months of operations in this complex environment.
Unmas And Gender Mainstreaming In Mine Action, Aaron J. Buckley, Akiko Ikeda
Unmas And Gender Mainstreaming In Mine Action, Aaron J. Buckley, Akiko Ikeda
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In order to further the development of proper protection from and response to landmines and explosive remnants of war in conflict and post-conflict countries, the United Nations Mine Action Service and the International Mine Action Standards Review Board are taking the necessary steps to ensure gender perspectives become an integral part of national mine-action plans. This article briefly describes the evolution of gender mainstreaming in mine action and how UNMAS has addressed the issue.
Undp Involvement In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Cisr Journal
Undp Involvement In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The United Nations Development Programme was created in 1956 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its influence stretches across the globe as it helps nations establish democratic governance, reduce poverty, carry out crisis prevention and recovery, solve environmental and energy issues, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Usafricom's Approach To International Stability, Cisr Journal
Usafricom's Approach To International Stability, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The United States Africa Command, created in 2007, is responsible for military relations in 53 African countries. Having assumed responsibilities formerly housed in three other combatant commands, USAFRICOM is now tasked with a broad range of humanitarian, military and policy objectives on the continent, including conducting mine action and remediating the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war. This article explores the massive tasks facing USAFRICOM as it stands up, and the ways in which the command is already making a much-needed difference.
Itf’S Experience With Regional Cooperation, Luka Buhin
Itf’S Experience With Regional Cooperation, Luka Buhin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A key element to the success of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance, particularly in Southeast Europe, has been its facilitation of a regional approach to mine action and subsequent contributions to regional structures and systems. Encouraging regional cooperation is an important confidence-building measure, not only in countries emerging from conflict but also in countries undergoing transition. A regional approach has become one of the guiding principles of ITF’s work.
Research In Colombia On Explosives Detection By Rats, Luisa Fernando Mendez Pardo, Andres M. Perez-Acosta
Research In Colombia On Explosives Detection By Rats, Luisa Fernando Mendez Pardo, Andres M. Perez-Acosta
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The interdisciplinary research group INVESTUD is investigating the effectiveness of mine-detecting lab rats. In Africa, the APOPO program is well-known for using African giant pouched rats for mine detection, but INVESTUD hopes to build on and even surpass APOPO’s progress to advance Colombia’s mine-clearance efforts.
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.
Organization Profile: Humanitarian Peace Support School, Cisr Journal
Organization Profile: Humanitarian Peace Support School, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Kenya has been a State Party to the Ottawa Convention since 2001, but the presence of the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi, on the outskirts of Nairobi, shows that the country’s commitment to promoting peace in East Africa goes beyond its obligations to this convention. Through a partnership with the United Kingdom, the ever-expanding HPSS (formerly the International Mine Action Training Centre), offers various courses in tactical peace-support operations, disaster management and response, and demining and disarmament.
The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal
The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The HALO Trust has actively been working to reduce existing landmines across the globe. Guy Willoughby, the founder of HALO, has focused on creating fast responses to landmine problems. With help from increased donations, HALO will be able to make more countries mine-impact free within the coming years using a variety of techniques.
Organization Of American States Coordination Activities, Cisr Journal
Organization Of American States Coordination Activities, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Organization of American States has come a long way in its 61-year history, effectively organizing its member states to promote humanitarian demining among Western nations. After assisting Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Suriname in becoming “mine free,” the OAS is continuing to fund mine-action efforts, and is currently conducting projects in Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Peru.
Mag Involvement With Sa/Lw, Steve Priestley
Mag Involvement With Sa/Lw, Steve Priestley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In less than 20 years, Mines Advisory Group, involved in the identification and destruction of small arms/light weapons, has made a real impact. Maintaining technical support at hand-in points, offering capacity-building training and conducting assessments of stockpile management are just a few of the services MAG provides.
Beyond Weapons Collection: Promoting Safe And Responsible Sa/Lw Management, Nicolas Florquin, Karina Lynge, Klaus Ljørring Pedersen
Beyond Weapons Collection: Promoting Safe And Responsible Sa/Lw Management, Nicolas Florquin, Karina Lynge, Klaus Ljørring Pedersen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While the traditional focuses of many small-arms/light-weapons programs have been weapons collection and curbing proliferation, some humanitarian organizations—like Geneva Call and Danish Demining Group—advocate a model based on the promotion of safe and responsible weapons management. As illustrated by the experience of DDG with communities in Somaliland and by Geneva Call’s efforts with armed non-state actors, a participatory approach to weapons regulation and management offers promising alternatives to traditional weapons-control initiatives.
Masg Update, Cisr Journal
Masg 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 November 2008–February 2009.
International Trust Fund, Cisr Journal
International Trust Fund, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance is an organization that raises donations for mine action in Southeastern Europe and administers the donations to areas in need. The goal of the organization is to “eliminate the effect of mine contamination ... by 2010.” In 2008, the ITF managed US$33,999,200 in donations from 31 organizations (such as nongovernmental organizations, civic organizations, philanthropies and private companies) and 13 donor countries. It was the largest amount of donations the ITF had received in any single year.
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.
Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Journal
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
The Yemen Association For Landmine And Uxo Survivors, Anne Capelle
The Yemen Association For Landmine And Uxo Survivors, Anne Capelle
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since its creation in September 2004 by the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre, the Yemen Association for Landmine and UXO Survivors has played an active role in raising awareness of mine-affected areas and in promoting socioeconomic reintegration of mine/unexploded ordnance survivors through educational programs. Currently, YALS and YEMAC are working together with the goal of reintegrating 500 survivors by 2009.
Erw And Survivor Assistance In Central Vietnam, Ari Perlstein, Imbert Matthee
Erw And Survivor Assistance In Central Vietnam, Ari Perlstein, Imbert Matthee
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In central Vietnam, the problem of unexploded ordnance and landmine contamination is still particularly serious, and casualty rates continue to be high in certain areas. The following is an overview of Clear Path International’s activities in the region, and includes an analysis of the most recent data collected about explosive remnants of war incidents.