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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
National Mine Action Strategy - Cambodia, The Royal Government Of Cambodia
National Mine Action Strategy - Cambodia, The Royal Government Of Cambodia
Global CWD Repository
Cambodia’s landmine problem is the result of a protracted sequence of internal and regional conflicts that affected the country from the mid 1960s until the end of 1998. The nature of landmine and ERW contamination in Cambodia is highly complex. The northwestern regions bordering Thailand are heavily affected, while other parts of the country (mainly the East) are considered moderate to low impact, affected mainly by ERW. Mines and ERW have caused an unacceptable number of casualties, both military and civilian and have hindered national development. Mine clearance started along the Cambodia-Vietnam border by the company of women soldiers of …
Mine-Action Program In Southern Sudan, Margaret M. Mathiang
Mine-Action Program In Southern Sudan, Margaret M. Mathiang
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Following more than two decades of civil war between Northern and Southern Sudan, much of Southern Sudan has been left contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war. As a result, the Southern Sudan Demining Authority, along with the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Mine Action Office and other organizations, have been diligently working toward clearing 80 percent of the mines in Southern Sudan by 2011.
Mine-Action Activities In Western Sahara, Ginevra Cucinotta
Mine-Action Activities In Western Sahara, Ginevra Cucinotta
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since 2007, the United Nations Mine Action Service has been implementing mine-action activities in Western Sahara. Although the parties to the conflict generally abide by a 1991 ceasefire, the expansive territory remains contaminated by an unknown quantity of mines and explosive remnants of war. The Mine Action Coordination Centre has provided technical coordination and quality assurance and plans to expand its mine-action operations.
Integrating Erw Programs: The Case For Consolidating Cwd Activities, Mark Adams
Integrating Erw Programs: The Case For Consolidating Cwd Activities, Mark Adams
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For years, the mine-action community has been revising its definition of explosive remnants of war. Viewing unexploded ordnance, landmines, ammunition stockpiles, and small arms/light weapons as individual threats, the mine-action community has created distinct budgets, programs and policies to address each of them. What were beginning to realize, however, is that a more integrated approach allows for greater progress in reducing the ERW threat.
Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme, Edwin Faigmane
Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme, Edwin Faigmane
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In this article, UXO Lao reports on its development from 1996 to the present. Focuses include issues related to productivity, quality control, capacity building, gender equality, UXO clearance, and development and funding.
The Growing Threat To Humanitarian Operations, Adrian King
The Growing Threat To Humanitarian Operations, Adrian King
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Deminers and other humanitarian-aid workers around the world, though previously viewed as off-limits, have become targets of distrust and even violence by certain groups. This article explores the reasons for this shift in ideology, and what action humanitarian organizations must take in order to protect their personnel.
Organization Profile: Regional Centre On Small Arms And Light Weapons, Cisr Journal
Organization Profile: Regional Centre On Small Arms And Light Weapons, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The following article examines the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which was created in March 2000. Since its inception, RECSA has provided its member states with support in the creation of National Focal Points on small-arms control and management. With its help, seven of RECSA’s member states have developed National Action Plans with goals including SA/LW marking, weapons disposal, and SA/LW education/awareness. Two additional countries are expected to have Action Plans in place in 2011.
Profile: “Remnants Of A War,” Directed By Jawad Metni, Documentary Review
Profile: “Remnants Of A War,” Directed By Jawad Metni, Documentary Review
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
During the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War, Israeli forces dropped more than four million cluster munitions on Southern Lebanon. By conservative estimates, these bombs fail to detonate 30 percent of the time. This rate, when coupled with a 2009 stall in the funding process, has left more than 12 million square meters (2,965 acres) of land threatening the safety and lives of local residents. Responding to this danger, Director Jawad Metni uses his film,“Remnants of a War,” to document the trained, local deminers of Southern Lebanon as they diligently work to remove the remaining munitions more than three years after the …
Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo
Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A recent survey of donors conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining found that, while short-term donor support remains strong, levels of funding may decrease and become more unpredictable over the coming years.
The United Nations Portfolio Of Mine Action Projects, Cisr Journal
The United Nations Portfolio Of Mine Action Projects, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR, an all-female demining team assesses and clears unexploded ordnance-contaminated land. In Bogotá, Colombia, a team of practitioners nationalizes a plan to train local health personnel about the psychosocial needs of explosive-remnants-of-war victims. In Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, primary schoolchildren attend educational puppet shows about small-arms-and-light-weapons risks. At the heart of each initiative is a collaborative resource-mobilization system called the Portfolio of Mine Action Projects, and in 2010 it gives life to 277 projects in 27 countries.
A Survivor’S Successful Story: Sadafmo, Reykhan Muminova
A Survivor’S Successful Story: Sadafmo, Reykhan Muminova
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As one of more than 800 Tajik landmine victims, Rahmatova Sadafmo is a 32-year-old woman living in the small mountainous village of Dashtijum on the Tajik-Afghan border. Despite losing her leg in a tragic landmine accident, Sadafmo is able to support herself and her young son with assistance from the Tajikistan Mine Action Centre. She helps other landmine victims and looks toward her future with hope and enthusiasm.
Economic Reintegration And Rehabilitation Of Nepalese Landmine/Ied Victims, Purna Shova Chitraker
Economic Reintegration And Rehabilitation Of Nepalese Landmine/Ied Victims, Purna Shova Chitraker
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article examines the effectiveness of a victim-assistance program in Nepal conducted by Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL). In the program’s two phases, the organization helped rehabilitate 67 victims of landmines and improvised explosive devices and reintegrate them into society. The report details the NCBL’s program goals, activities and outcomes, and addresses the challenges and future aspirations of victim assistance in Nepal.
Strengthening The Demining Sector Response To Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Chitsama
Strengthening The Demining Sector Response To Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Chitsama
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In this article, the author explores how HIV/AIDS affects deminers in the African areas where the disease is most prevalent. He considers how deminers’ lifestyles make them especially susceptible to HIV/AIDS and suggests mobile HIV/AIDS programs can effectively combat this growing threat.
D-Mine Training System: Safer And More Efficient Training Aid For Manual Deminers, Hans Johnsson
D-Mine Training System: Safer And More Efficient Training Aid For Manual Deminers, Hans Johnsson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
D-MINE™ is a training system that organizations can utilize to simulate situations deminers will actually face in the field. It has proven to be an effective and efficient means of preparing deminers both technically and mentally before they encounter any real mines.
Organization Profile: Small Arms Survey, Cisr Journal
Organization Profile: Small Arms Survey, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Established in 1999, Small Arms Survey is an independent research project providing public information on all aspects of small arms and armed violence. The project conducts and collaborates on research efforts related to small-arms issues worldwide, seeking to further the theory and practice of disarmament and reduction of small arms. Its most recent yearbook focused on armed groups, gangs, and their small-arms holdings and means of acquisition.
In Remembrance: Stephen “Darby” Allan, Cisr Journal
In Remembrance: Stephen “Darby” Allan, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Stephen “Darby” Allan, a Technical Field Manager with Mines Advisory Group, died on 15 October 2010, following an explosion in which he was critically injured. The explosion took place around noon as Darby was doing mine-clearance work at a site near Kapoeta, in southern Sudan. He died a few hours later. Darby is survived by his wife Karen and his children, Sarah and David.
Hero Profile: Aki Ra, Cisr Journal
Hero Profile: Aki Ra, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Khmer Rouge made Aki Ra a soldier when he was still a child. Now, close to 30 years later, he can be found working tirelessly to remove landmines and unexploded ordnance in Siem Reap, Cambodia—some planted by his own hands. As a result of his work, the Cambodia Landmine Relief Museum Facility houses thousands of detonated landmines and UXO, and provides a home for orphaned landmine victims. Aki Ra has received international recognition for his humanitarian efforts, including his recent selection as a Top 10 candidate for the CNN Hero of the Year award.
The Mine Action Programme Of Afghanistan, Mohammed Haider Reza
The Mine Action Programme Of Afghanistan, Mohammed Haider Reza
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan, coordinated by the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan, faces a unique set of challenges in combating the national mine/explosive-remnants-of-war contamination problem. The ongoing war and changing political climate force the country’s mine-action plan to adapt to meet new demands as they emerge. The following summary of MAPA’s activities highlights these challenges and their implications for the continued humanitarian effort in Afghanistan.
Demining Albania 2000–2009: Successes And Lessons Learned, Gregor Sancanin
Demining Albania 2000–2009: Successes And Lessons Learned, Gregor Sancanin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Following the 1999 Kosovo conflict, Albania sought the most efficient method for demining its land. Mine-action efforts were effectively jump-started with the creation of the Albanian Mine Action Executive, as well as the ratification of the Ottawa Convention. Support from mine-clearance partners and international donors has significantly enhanced the demining effort. This article reviews lessons learned in the process of demining Albania that can be used in future mine-clearance operations.
The Humpty Dumpty Institute: Sri Lanka, Savrithi Rodrigo
The Humpty Dumpty Institute: Sri Lanka, Savrithi Rodrigo
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With the remnants of more than 25 years of war embedded in the country, Sri Lanka was in desperate need of clearance in 2006. A partnership among The Humpty Dumpty Institute, The HALO Trust and Land O’Lakes International Development has bettered the lives of the Sri Lankan people by clearing the land of explosive remnants of war and providing innovative techniques for milk production, while also allowing many to return to their homes after years of displacement.
Redefining Success: Whose Reality Counts?, Asa Massleberg
Redefining Success: Whose Reality Counts?, Asa Massleberg
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article redefines how the mine-action community should measure accountability and effectiveness, suggesting that more thoughtful effort should be taken to measure success. It discusses recent developments in evaluating mine-action activities, examines the increased role of local communities as stakeholders and details the use of Mines Advisory Group’s impact-assessment tool in Sudan.
Physical Security And Stockpile Management, Dave Diaz
Physical Security And Stockpile Management, Dave Diaz
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Physical security and stockpile management is quickly becoming one of the most pressing threat-reduction issues the United States and other countries must address. Aging stockpiles of conventional weapons and increasingly unstable munitions from the Cold War or earlier pose a serious threat in many countries that no longer have a national-security need for them.
The Roots Of Peace Model: Demine-Replant-Rebuild, Gary Kuhn
The Roots Of Peace Model: Demine-Replant-Rebuild, Gary Kuhn
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Roots of Peace is an organization dedicated to the demining and redevelopment of mine-affected regions. It believes that it is not enough for organizations to just clear land of explosive remnants of war but that the land must be made livable and productive again. ROP suggests that the Demine-Replant-Rebuild model may be a good model for other organizations as well.
Mag: Paving A Mine-Free Path To Prosperity In Angola, Kate Wiggans
Mag: Paving A Mine-Free Path To Prosperity In Angola, Kate Wiggans
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In Angola’s eastern Moxico province, MAG (Mines Advisory Group), through its humanitarian mine-action program, is making substantial inroads into improving the residents’ socioeconomic situation. The almost immediate improvement to people’s lives is so visible that from one week to the next, MAG’s teams working on the outskirts of Luau, the regional urban center, can actually see families building homes on the land they have only recently cleared.
The Itf’S Role In Demining Serbia, Macedonia And Montenegro, Gregor Sancanin
The Itf’S Role In Demining Serbia, Macedonia And Montenegro, Gregor Sancanin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance has been offering its services to Southeast Europe’s most war-affected countries since 1998. In states affected by the break-up of Yugoslavia, such as Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, this involvement has been critical to fulfilling the Ottawa Convention’s goals.
Peer-To-Peer Support Vital To Survivors, Ken Rutherford
Peer-To-Peer Support Vital To Survivors, Ken Rutherford
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Landmine victims suffer not only from physical trauma, but also from intense emotional, psychological and social difficulties. As a landmine survivor and person with a disability myself, I know the challenges of recovery firsthand. On a personal level, I feel I can better communicate challenges with other landmine survivors and people with disabilities rather than my doctors, family and friends; peer-to-peer support helped me face the difficulties I encountered following the loss of my legs.
Community Empowerment And Leadership In Cambodia, Ruth Bottomley, Chan Sambath
Community Empowerment And Leadership In Cambodia, Ruth Bottomley, Chan Sambath
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In an effort to strengthen the ability of Cambodian villagers living with landmines and explosive remnants of war to manage the mine/ERW threat, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre implemented the Community-Based Mine Risk Reduction project. The CBMRR project, with support from CMAC, helps local populations participate in mine-action projects and access victim-assistance services and community-development activities to alleviate mine risk.
Mine-Action Success Story: Nepal, Stephen Robinson
Mine-Action Success Story: Nepal, Stephen Robinson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
After a decade of conflict in Nepal, the signing of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement initiated mine clearance. By December 2009, all explosives in the Maoist cantonment sites had been eliminated. This article examines the extent of Nepal’s mine-action successes, while offering a number of lessons for mine-afflicted states to consider in their programs.
Consolidating Peace Through Pssm Projects In Burundi, Julie Claveau
Consolidating Peace Through Pssm Projects In Burundi, Julie Claveau
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Small arms and light weapons have been a problem in Burundi due to the Burundi Civil War. This article focuses on the programs that (MAG) Mines Advisory Group and the Burundian police have instituted to reduce stockpiles and improve physical security and stockpile management in the country.
Fellows Gain Experience At U.S. Department Of State, Cisr Journal
Fellows Gain Experience At U.S. Department Of State, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship of Humanitarian Demining has been awarded to promising students and recent graduates of James Madison University for more than 10 years. This fellowship with the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) has provided Fellows with a stepping stone to careers in mine action and continues to leave a lasting impact on its participants.