Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of The Mine Action Centre For Afghanistan, Ted Paterson, Faiz Paktian, William Fryer

Global CWD Repository

The main purposes of this report are to (i) advise CIDA/ATF on what it should expect from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in terms of reporting on development results, and (ii) assess feasible timelines and approaches for the transfer of UN responsibilities for mine action in Afghanistan to national organs, capable of addressing the country's future problems stemming from explosives contamination. The specific objectives of the assessment relate to: 1. Donor coordination, particularly as this relates to the UNMAS/MACA exit strategy and the emergence of national ownership; 2. Nationalisation, particularly with respect to the transition to full national ownership; …

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 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

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.

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

Aimca-Oas: Enhancing Aid To Landmine Survivors, Nicole Vera

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1997, the Organization of American States’ Comprehensive Action against Anti-personnel Mines (Acción Integral contra Minas Antipersonal or AICMA) has been increasing aid to landmine survivors and their families. Through vocational training, physical and psychological rehabilitation, job placement, social reintegration and emergency treatment, AICMA-OAS has provided hundreds of landmine survivors with the help they need to once again become active members in their communities.

Surveys To Achieve Quality Of Life For Landmine Survivors, Reykhan Muminova

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Minefields along Tajikistan's borders with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as centrally concentrated civil-war minefields continue to kill and injure Tajik citizens. Through victim-assistance projects, the Tajikistan Mine Action Centre hopes that all landmine survivors can be physically rehabilitated and socially and economically reintegrated into their communities.

Azerbaijan’S Landmine Victims: Realities And Challenges, Colin Bent, Hafiz Safikhanov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL) is a nongovernmental, apolitical, nonprofit organization that was founded in June 1998 in order to work toward a mine-free Azerbaijan. The authors describe how AzCBL and partner organizations are working to improve programs such as social welfare, career assistance, rights awareness, health care and psychological support for mine victims.

Project Documents Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities, Julie Miller

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes the beginning of the International Disability Rights Monitor and its advocacy for persons with disabilities. The author pays special attention to the passing of human rights laws for the disabled and future monitoring efforts to ensure that parties adhere to those laws.

Developing Medical Capacity In Lao Pdr, Barbara Lewis, Sarah Bruinooge

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Prior to 1996, Laotian victims of unexploded ordnance were left with few options for medical treatment. Since that time, however, the inadequacy of the healthcare system to handle such situations has been addressed and improvements made possible through the efforts of the World Victims Assistance Program. Though UXO accidents will continue to occur in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic well into the future, the impact of programs implemented by World Education and numerous other nongovernmental organizations and government entities has contributed to a significant increase in the number of survivors who have received effective treatment.

Expanding Economic Opportunities In Lebanon, Toufic Rizkallah

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following years of devastation from war, the infrastructure of the district of Jizzine in southern Lebanon was in shambles and the residents left without employment and dependent on agricultural products from outside the region. In February 2002, in an effort to re-establish self-sufficiency in the district, the World Rehabilitation Fund with support from the United States Agency for International Development and the Leahy War Victims Fund, formed The Development Cooperative in Jizzine (Co-op). By providing technical and material assistance to war/landmine victims, the Co-op has proven to be increasingly capable of addressing multiple socioeconomic needs of landmine survivors and other …

Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association: The Story So Far, Nick Nwolisa

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to years of conflict, Azerbaijan has become yet another territory contaminated with dangerous landmines and unexploded ordnance; however, the Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association, a nongovernmental organization which started in the Terter region of Azerbaijan, has been working hard to help assist mine victims. Their organization, a product of the International Eurasia Press Fund, has received international recognition by organizations such as the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is continuing to provide mine-risk education and support for survivors and their families.

Local Ngos And Firms In Mine Action, Eric Filippino, Ted Paterson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As more local nongovernmental organizations develop, establishing a distinction between local NGOs and commercial companies has become a growing concern for potential donors. The differences between NGOs and firms can be difficult to determine at times.

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.

Adnan Al Aboudi And The Landmine Survivors Network Of Jordan, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since a life-altering car accident left him permanently disabled in 1989, Adnan Al Aboudi has dedicated his life and career to victim assistance in mine action. Al Aboudi, along with his organization, Landmine Survivors Network–Jordan, has developed a unique humanistic approach to mine action. They focus on psychological as well as physical recovery for disabled victims of explosive remnants of war. Through his hard work and perseverance, Al Aboudi has raised national and international awareness of the importance of victim assistance in mine action.

Engaging Armed Non-State Actors In A Landmine Ban: A Review Of Geneva Call’S Action, 2000–2007, Pascal Bongard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Geneva Call has been engaging armed non-state actors in a landmine ban since 2000. The Swiss-based nongovernmental organization was created in response to the realization that the landmine problem could only be comprehensively addressed if NSAs, who are the primary users of such weapons today, were included in the solution. To facilitate the process, Geneva Call has developed an innovative mechanism—the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action—that enables NSAs, who cannot accede to the Ottawa Convention, to undertake to respect its norms.

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.

Vocational Training And Wheelchairs, Huoy Socheat, Chin Yok

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article talks about two associations that work together to improve the lives of mine survivors and other persons with disabilities in Cambodia by providing skills training, counseling and wheelchairs.

Mine Action With A Human Face: A Human Security Doctrine For Mine Action, Matthew Bolton

Global CWD Repository

Mine action needs to rediscover its ‘human face',1 to remember, as UNMAS has said, that “It is not so much about mines as it is about people….”2 Empirical research in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sudan show that mine action is in danger of becoming distracted by commercial and strategic priorities. This is especially true since the advent of the ‘War on Terror' and the continuing trend of consolidating the commercial mine action sector into the private security sector. Ten years ago a group of NGOs critical of the donor and commercial interests tried to develop a framework to guide mine action. …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 7th Edition (Fy2006-Fy2007), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

We are pleased to offer the 7th Edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, the report of the interagency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. This report also describes the conventional weapons destruction efforts of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement located in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. This office directs programs that encompass humanitarian mine action, and elimination of at-risk small arms, light weapons, man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and munitions.

Every edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, archived at www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rpt/walkearth, is a look back in time. This …

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 …

Survey And Ordnance Disposal In The Polisario-Controlled Areas Of The Western Sahara, Zlatko Gegic, Artyom Harutyunyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to a 15-year war, Western Sahara has a number of unmarked territories full of explosive remnants of war. Landmine Action, a nongovernmental organisation from the United Kingdom, has taken several measures to improve the situation in Western Sahara. In addition to surveying, marking and reporting, one of LMA's chief intentions is to train members of the local population in an explosive-ordnance-disposal programme.

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.

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.

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.

Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cornell MineSweeper is a nonprofit student organization founded in 2006 by Cornell University engineering student Vikas Reddy that integrates robotics technology and humanitarian initiatives. The team, comprised of over 40 highly dedicated Cornell students, is designing practical robotic vehicles—still in the concept stage—to assist with demining efforts worldwide.

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 …

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.

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.

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.