Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Masg Update, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG). Included are updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Mine Problem In The Region Of Southeastern Europe: The Itf And Seemacc, Damir Gorseta, Eva Veeble, Sabina Beber

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

SE Europe is one of the most mine-affected regions in the world. This article examines the extent of the mine and UXO problem in each of the mine-affected countries in SE Europe, as well as discusses the steps being taken by various organizations in order to solve the mine-related problems in the region.

Taming The Minefields, Davor Druzijanic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Demining is a dangerous, labor-intensive and costly process. An underlying precept of successful demining operation is a perfect safety record. The question is, how can a perfect safety record be achieved while the overall cost of the demining operation be reduced at the same time? It is not an easy or simple task, but with a good tool box and a skilled management team this can be accomplished.

Explosive Remnants Of War: The Negotiations Continue, Paul Ellis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

From 16–27 June 2003, States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) met in a Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) to discuss a draft proposal for an Instrument on Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). A previous article in the Journal of Mine Action outlined the background to this process, and the June meeting was the second to take place in 2003. This article explains what was discussed in June, what will happen next and some of the broad issues of interest to the mine action community.

The K9 Demining Corps In Lebanon, Amy Eichenberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Thanks to the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI), dogs are playing a large role in the demining of Lebanon.

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency And Mine Action, Pehr Lodhammar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) is a Swedish governmental organization that has been involved in Mine Action since 1999. Currently, the SRSA is involved in mine action in Eritrea, Kosovo, Jenin, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SRSA conducts a number of mine-related research and development (R&D) projects and hopes to become an operational mine clearance operator in the future.

How Product Design Can Improve Manual Demining, Anders Ilsoy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Design without Borders (DwB) programme was initiated and is led by Norsk Form, the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture. It aims to use designers’ creative and analytical skills to create solutions for developing countries and areas of emergency. DwB aims to create meeting points between problem owners and professional problem solvers, and to be a catalyst for cooperation and development of new products and services. Our demining work is carried out in close collaboration with Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA).

Tmac: Conquering Thailand’S Unique Mine Problem, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) faces a number of challenges in coping with the country’s landmine situation, but the organization is making progress, one step at a time. For more insight into TMAC’s operations, Mr. Dave McCracken, Chief Technical Adviser of TMAC, recently shared some of his views on demining, including the successes and challenges, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and what lies ahead.

First Person: Deminers’ Stories, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Personal stories open a unique world by revealing the challenging experiences in the life of a deminer. These stories are compiled from the CD Landmines: Clearing the Way, which showcases field experiences and explains how the U.S. government and the international community are working together to solve the landmine problem.

Adopt-A-Team: Adopt-A-Minefield® Responds To The Situation In Afghanistan, Megan Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Afghanistan is considered one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. This is the sad legacy of 23 years of near-continuous war—first against Soviet occupiers, then between rival Afghan factions. The majority of the population has not experienced a time of peace in their lives. According to the United Nations, between 150 and 300 people are injured or killed every month due to landmines or UXO. Seventy percent of those accidents involve civilians—many of whom are returning refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Swedish Eod And Demining Centre, Thore Backman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article briefly introduces the Swedish Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) and illustrates its role and principal activities within both military and mine action contexts.

Ocean Group: Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2000, the Ocean Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division (EOD Division) has been forming an extensive underwater clearance program by combining vast experience from different fields of mine action and by developing advanced underwater demining technologies

Mine Detection Dog Program: The Cambodian Experience, H.E. Khem Sophoan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the seven years since its creation, Cambodia’s Mine Detection Dog (MDD) Program has grown and developed to become a fully integrated part of the country’s mine clearance strategy. This article highlights the program’s history and achievements.

An Update On The Mine Action Support Group, Masg Masg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG). This includes updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The Survey Action Center, David Hartley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center (SAC) is an international organization with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is registered in the United States as a non-profit organization. SAC serves as the executing agency for Landmine Impact Surveys (LISs). These surveys will allow for greater prioritization of demining efforts and further integration of the various mine action sectors.

Canadian Centre For Mine Action Technologies, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Funded by the Canadian Landmine Fund, the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) works with Canadian and other international organizations to enhance the mine action community. To date, they have tested and evaluated a number of now widely used pieces of mine action equipment as well as researched new techniques to further develop demining technologies.

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program: Helping Countries “Get On Their Feet”, Jenny Lange

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1988, the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program (formerly the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program) has been involved in mine action efforts around the globe. While much has been written about the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program over the past few years, it is useful to review the program’s fundamentals if only to remind ourselves of its policy and procedural aspects.

An Interview With Colin King, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Colin King is a graduate of Sandhurst. He served 14 years in the British Army, gaining extensive knowledge of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and served both as an instructor at the British EOD School and as the sole EOD analyst for the Ministry of Defense for six years. He founded an EOD consultancy company, which conducts assessments, training and operational trials worldwide. He is also the editor of Jane’s Mines and Mine Clearance.

Imas And Ppe Requirements, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This paper explains the personal protective equipment (PPE) that a demining group must use in order to comply with the United Nations’ International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). The author was an active member of the User Focus Group advising the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) when they made the current IMAS revision. He continues as an elected member of the IMAS Review Board. The author has also maintained a database of demining accidents for five years, and uses the evidence of real accidents to inform his views on protection needs.

The Minex Center, Minex Minex

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1978, in the scope of cooperation or defense agreements that link us to some countries (e.g., Chad and Lebanon), the French Engineers have taken part in overseas operations in countries that are greatly affected by the problem of mines and battlefield pollution, and that are no longer at war. Those sappers will acquire an experience recognized worldwide.

In 1992, in order to standardise mine clearance techniques and to elaborate an acceptable training doctrine for all the military actors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to create a training center for post-war mine clearance within the French Army Engineer School …

Security Devices (Pvt) Limited, Trevor Thomsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Security Devices (PVT) Limited has expanded its manufacture of metal detectors to include an entire range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and manual demining hand-tools.

New Partnership Brings Man’S Best Friend To Armenia, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a result of the 1988–1994 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Armenia suffers from landmine infestation in those areas where fighting took place.Generous donations from the Armenian Assembly of America and the U.S. government will allow the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) to send several mine detection dogs (MDDs) to help eliminate Armenia’s landmine problem.

Mine Detection Dogs In Denmark, Mikael Borch Madsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Danish Mine- and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)-Technicians (DANMINAR A/S), a company based in Denmark, provides various types of training for dogs in locating such things as bombs, drugs, mines and more. This article outlines their history and progress in the field of detection dogs.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

News From The Oas, Whitney Tolliver

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1996, the OAS Mine Action Program has assisted the government of Costa Rica in its efforts of mine clearance, mine risk education (MRE) and victim rehabilitation. On December 10, 2002, the country became the first in the Americas to officially declare itself free of AP mines. Mine contamination within the country had been concentrated primarily along the northern border as a result of the conflict in Nicaragua. Costa Rica itself has never produced, imported, stockpiled or used AP mines.

The Demining Technology Information Forum, Dtif Dtif

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Demining Technology Information Forum (DTIF) organizes conferences and publishes proceedings and relevant papers in an effort to increase communication between users and developers of demining technology.

The U.S. Department Of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program, Sean Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1994, the United States initiated a research and development (R&D) program to develop new, internationally shareable technologies for humanitarian deminers and for U.S. troops performing peacekeeping and stability operations. The Humanitarian Demining (HD) R&D Program is part of the overall U.S. effort to assist with the global landmine problem.

International Mine Action Standards: Future Development Of Ppe Standards, Adrian Wilkinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article explains developments since the issue of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) 10.30 in order to illustrate the potential amendments to IMAS 10.30 over the next two years.

Explosive Remnants Of War: The Impact Of Current Negotiations, Paul Ellis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

“While there has been significant progress in reducing the scourge of APLs, the menace posed by unexploded artillery shells, mortar rounds, hand grenades, cluster bomb submunitions and other similar objects must also be addressed.”—ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger, 2002.