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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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James Madison University

ERW

Emergency and Disaster Management

2008

Articles 1 - 30 of 86

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Children Of Cambodia’S Killing Fields: Memoirs By Survivors, Book Review Jul 2008

Children Of Cambodia’S Killing Fields: Memoirs By Survivors, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is impossible to comprehend something as vast as the killing fields of Cambodia unless one can reduce it to the personal. Imagine the devastation wrought from the creeping irreversible loss of memory felt by an Alzheimer’s patient. As the disease progresses with unrelenting tenacity, it obliterates any sense of family or community, leaving the victim isolated, frightened and powerless.


The Supreme Choice, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

The Supreme Choice, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In August 2007, the Humpty Dumpty Institute named a new spokesperson, Mary Wilson, famous to many for her performances with the popular vocal group the Supremes. Wilson has taken up her new responsibilities with zeal, representing HDI on a trip to mine-affected areas in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka. Wilson took time to talk with the Journal of Mine Action’s Daniele Ressler. This profile is the result of that interview.


In Remembrance: Silvija Bogdany, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

In Remembrance: Silvija Bogdany, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Silvija Bogdany, Operations Manager for RONCO Consulting Corporation in Northern Sudan, died 30 April 2008, from injuries resulting from a vehicle accident outside the town of El Obeid, Sudan. Her coworker, Jan Bosman, United Nations Mine Action Office Regional Coordinator for Northern Sudan, was also killed in the accident.


Victim Assistance: Still Seeking The Way, Suzanne Fiederlein Jul 2008

Victim Assistance: Still Seeking The Way, Suzanne Fiederlein

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article looks at the progress made in the area of victim assistance since 2002 with special attention paid to data collection, funding and program coordination.


The Yemen Association For Landmine And Uxo Survivors, Anne Capelle Jul 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.


Cluster Munitions: Should They Be Banned?, Henry Dowlen, Md Jul 2008

Cluster Munitions: Should They Be Banned?, Henry Dowlen, Md

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cluster munitions have been used in at least 23 countries, produced in 33 and stockpiled in over 70; their submunitions number into the billions. They cause lasting humanitarian problems and have recently been the target of campaigns to ban their use. This article aims to summarize the history, utility, legacy and legislation surrounding cluster munitions.


Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cluster munitions are a serious issue because of the lack of specialized restrictions on their use and the high volume of explosive remnants of war that the weapons can create. Although all weapons are governed by international law, the lack of a specific convention addressing these weapons led many nongovernmental organizations and countries to join together to create a ban in what has become known as the Oslo Process, with the most recent conference held in May 2008 in Dublin.


News Briefs, News Brief Jul 2008

News Briefs, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

News Briefs


Erw And Survivor Assistance In Central Vietnam, Ari Perlstein, Imbert Matthee Jul 2008

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 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


Pioneering Prosthetics, Duane Nelson Jul 2008

Pioneering Prosthetics, Duane Nelson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Duane Nelson, along with a friend and colleague, Jody Riggs, spent three months in 2007 assisting amputees along the Thailand/Burma (Myanmar) border. Their specialized training in prosthetics and orthotics changed the lives of the amputees, and the families and communities of these survivors. With the aid of local actors, Nelson and Riggs helped the survivors travel the road to recovery.


Basra, Iraq, Prosthetics Project, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

Basra, Iraq, Prosthetics Project, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Basra, Iraq, Prosthetics Project, has given new hope to the many amputees in Iraq. With thousands already affected by the aftermath of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Iraq, the Basra Prosthetics Project is dedicated to giving amputees their independence and futures back, literally one step at a time.


Aimca-Oas: Enhancing Aid To Landmine Survivors, Nicole Vera Jul 2008

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.


Project Documents Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities, Julie Miller Jul 2008

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 Jul 2008

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 Jul 2008

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 …


Empowering Iraqis: Rehabilitation Training In Bosnia, Nikola Prvulov, Julie Miller Jul 2008

Empowering Iraqis: Rehabilitation Training In Bosnia, Nikola Prvulov, Julie Miller

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the role that aid workers from Bosnia have had in training Iraqi medical personnel to treat war injuries. It stresses the role that nongovernmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations have had in supporting these efforts and how countries affected by unexploded ordnance and landmines have tried to share their experience with other countries in need of training and assistance.


Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association: The Story So Far, Nick Nwolisa Jul 2008

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 Jul 2008

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.


Adnan Al Aboudi And The Landmine Survivors Network Of Jordan, Cisr Journal Jul 2008

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 Jul 2008

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 Jul 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 programs and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards and provides support to instruments of international law.


Cambodia, Country Profile Jul 2008

Cambodia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Plagued by nearly three decades of war, Cambodia remains one of the countries most afflicted by landmines and explosive remnants of war despite its recent decline in mine/ERW victims. There are nearly 14 million people living in Cambodia, and it is estimated that there are 43,316 survivors of landmines/unexploded ordnance who require assistance.


India, Country Profile Jul 2008

India, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

An estimated 30 to 50 million people in India suffer from a disability. This number translates to about 3 to 5 percent of the 1.13 billion inhabitants. The country is plagued by a variety of issues, including overpopulation, poverty, internal conflict,and contamination by landmines as well as other explosive remnants of war.


Colombia, Country Profile Jul 2008

Colombia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a country plagued with landmines, Colombia has faced a number of challenges relating to victim assistance. To remedy this situation, various government programs have been developed, but their effectiveness has frequently been compromised. Thanks to a number of private organizations, strides are being made to improve victim assistance.


Lao Pdr, Country Profile Jul 2008

Lao Pdr, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is the world’s most heavily unexploded ordnance-contaminated nation, deeply affecting the country’s people. During the Second Indochina War (also known as the Vietnam–American War), the United States carried out more than half a million bombing missions over Lao PDR, during which over two million tons (1.8 million metric tonnes) of ordnance were dropped. Up to 30 percent of this ordnance failed to explode,leaving behind a serious UXO contamination that still kills and maims innocent men, women and children in one of the poorest nations in the world.


Somalia, Country Profile Jul 2008

Somalia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1960, Britain and Italy ended their colonial rule in Somaliland. British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland combined, creating the new state of Somalia. In 1969, however, the young nation was overthrown by Mohamed Siad Barre, who set up the authoritarian and socialist state of Somalia, bringing much-needed stability to the nation, despite his known corruption. 1991 marked the ousting of this authoritarian rule and began 15 years of anarchy and chaos as a variety of groups struggled for control of the nation or claimed regions of it as their own. At this point Somaliland broke away from Somalia as a …


Lebanon, Country Profile Jul 2008

Lebanon, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Years of conflict and foreign occupation have left Lebanon riddled with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Contamination from explosive remnants of war increased dramatically as a result of the introduction and use of cluster munitions in the July–August 2006 conflict with Israel. According to the Landmine Monitor’s 2007 report on Lebanon, the use of cluster munitions resulted in the contamination of approximately 500,000 undetonated, unexploded munitions and 15,300 other varieties of UXO. In addition to the increased cluster-bomb contamination, Lebanon remains contaminated with anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines from the Lebanese War (1975–1990).


Vietnam, Country Profile Jul 2008

Vietnam, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Vietnam, a country of more than 85 million people, has one of the world’s highest rates of disabled citizens—greater than 6 percent of the entire population. That figure is partially attributable to contamination by landmines and unexploded ordnance, which encroaches on more than 60,000 square kilometers (23,166 square miles) and up to one-fifth of the country’s land surface. As a result, the Landmine Monitor Report has estimated that there are currently some 66,380 survivors of mines and explosive remnants of war in Vietnam—4,000 of whom received survivor services in 2006.


The Halo Trust And Hstamids, Chris Boshoff, Roger Cresci Jul 2008

The Halo Trust And Hstamids, Chris Boshoff, Roger Cresci

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A technology that employs multiple mine-detection techniques could improve demining around the world. Six months of using this product on-site have shown exciting results. Benefits of using this demining tool include increased effectiveness, speed and safety. This device was initially manufactured and used for military purposes only. The process of making it available to non-military organizations was difficult but successful.