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Rethinking Humanitarian Demining For Coalition Forces, Tom Barnett, Kyle Shaffer

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

When you first arrive as a member of the Multinational Brigade North (MNB(N)), you are full of promise. You know your team of highly trained professional soldiers will make a difference in the lives of those that live in BiH. Then it sets in. Your six-month tour of duty doesn’t allow you time to finish what you start. So what is it you can do to make a difference in only six months? This is the exact question that started the process of developing the National Guard Demining Initiative in BiH. This initiative was undertaken by the U.S. Army National …

International Conference Sheds Light On Mine Action Trends And Concerns, Jan Cornelis, Hichem Sahli

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the "International Conference on Requirements and Technologies for the Detection, Removal and Neutralization of Landmines and UXO" held in Brussels September 15–18, 2003, many global viewpoints and models emerged from the discussions. Some of the ideas triggered strong emotional reactions during the conference. Several of the new ideas might have a short lifetime; others have the potential of forcing breakthroughs; and all of them are subject to further debate.

Jaipur Foot Camp Brings Renewed Hope To Landmine Victims In Kabul, Mahendra Mehta

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A 23-year-old girl and resident of Kabul, Afghanistan, lost both of her legs in a landmine explosion. After the accident, she felt like a burden to her family. Through an advertisement on television, Faribo heard about the Jaipur Foot Camp and decided to see what it had to offer her. At the camp, she received a light and comfortable prosthesis.

Where Technology And Field Information Meet: The Metal Detector Handbook, Dieter Guelle, Andy Smith, A.M. Lewis, T.J. Bloodworth

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Metal Detector Handbook for Humanitarian Demining explains what all operators need to know about modern metal detectors. If trying to test, select or simply use a detector to its optimal ability, this handbook will show the user exactly what is needed. The handbook is in pocket A5 format and is resistant to field use.

The Military In Peacekeeping Operations, Bob Kudyba, Andrea Poelling

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 2003, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) Mine Action Coordination Center (MACC) implemented a revised work plan that focused on mandate-specific activities and UNMEE Peacekeeping Force (PKF) demining assets. The novel and successful integration of the Force Mine Action Centre (FMAC) with the MACC represents a first in UN peacekeeping history, as Force demining assets are now coordinated by a single body and they work to International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Unanticipated national events in mine action in Eritrea in 2002 prompted an opportune moment for the UNMEE MACC to demonstrate the key role that military …

Mine Action Training In Argentina, Carlos Nielsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Argentina has always relied on its military with respect to demining. At the same time, the government has continually taken an active role in promoting the use of military mine clearance throughout the international community. For instance, in 1993, three officers and one non-commissioned officer (NCO) were sent as a team, supervised by the Organization of American States (OAS), to Nicaragua. There they took the role of training the Nicaraguan army in different mine clearance techniques.

Maic: Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide on the James Madison University Mine Action Information Center (JMU MAIC) website provides information gathered from UXO research about how to "...facilitate international unexploded ordnance (UXO) awareness and identification." The Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide is sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense: Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC), funded by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and prepared by Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV). The guide is provided by the JMU MAIC.

Erw: States Conclude A Protocol, Paul Ellis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In November 2003, the States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) met in Geneva and agreed to the creation of a fifth protocol on explosive remnants of war (ERW). This new international humanitarian law is designed to minimise the risks and effects of ERW in the post-conflict period.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the theme of this edition of the Journal of Mine Action is about the use of the military in mine action, I would like to remind readers of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) publication titled "The Role of the Military in Mine Action." This study was originally requested by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and completed in mid-2003. The study found that over the past 15 years, military forces—both local and visiting—have made a significant contribution to mine action.

New Training Tools: Enhancing Mine Detection Performance, Daniel Hartmen, Dean Carhoun, Herman Herman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The effectiveness and proficiency with which a handheld buried ordnance detection system operates is contingent on two properties: the detection capabilities of the sensor and the operator's skill in manipulating it while interpreting meaning from its audio output. With recent advancements in buried ordnance location technology, adding ground penetrating radar (GPR) with electro-magnetic induction (EMI) sensing places much greater importance on detector sweep motion as a prerequisite to improve detection and reduce false alarm performance. Proper operation requires the user to sweep an area completely without gaps, with the detector head motion controlled within proper speed and height above ground …

The Ottawa Convention In Perspective, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Seldom has a name caused such polarity among like-minded people, in this case those concerned with mine action. The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) of 1997, commonly called the "Mine Ban Treaty," or more often the "Ottawa Treaty," is loved by some—loathed by others. To some it is the lynchpin of mine action activities, to others it is a distracter from pragmatic mine action challenges. Some will not take action against mines without "it" being invoked, others will not take action if "it" is invoked.

Jordan's Military In Mine Action, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Jordan is a country rich in history and beauty. Throughout the years, with the increase of tensions in the Middle East, Jordan has been forced to protect its borders. As a result, Jordan has become a major actor in the mine action community and has taken a different approach by promoting the use of its military for demining and its non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for rehabilitation and mine awareness.

The Quick Reaction Demining Force: The United States' Response To Humanitarian Demining Crises, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanitarian crises, particularly crises in which landmines are involved, may occur without warning and require an immediate response. Examples of such crises include Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1988, the rapid, post-air war return of refugees to mine-infested Kosovo in 1999, and tropical cyclones Hudah and Eline that ravaged Mozambique in 2000, displacing thousands of landmines. To respond to such emergency situations quickly and efficiently, the United States developed a Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF).

The U.S. Department Of Defense Humanitarian Demining Training Center: A Center Of Excellence, Lloyd Carpenter, Paul Arcangeli, Rodney Robideau

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanitarian mine action (HMA) is a field known for its paradigm shifts. Just as technological advances create more efficient and less expensive alternatives to old products and methodologies, emerging technologies offer newer and safer ways to detect landmines. Integrating these advances into the HMA community and thereby the training curriculum, is one challenge faced by the staff of the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Training Center (HDTC).

Five Year National Strategic Mine Action Plan For Yemen, 2004 – 2009 Revised And Extended June 2004, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

During this revised five-year period Strategic Plan the Yemen Mine Action Programme will meet the objective of the Ottawa Treaty and thus become one of the first mine affected countries in the world to make it happen. From April 1 2009 the Government of Yemen commits itself to use its national human and financial resources in its effort to eradicate and negate the remaining mines and UXOs from the soil of Yemen.

This document addresses the Strategy for Mine Action in Yemen from mid 2004 to mid 2009. In line with this strategic plan a reviewed Project Document for Phase …

Five Year National Strategic Mine Action Plan For Yemen, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

During this revised five-year period Strategic Plan the Yemen Mine Action Programme will meet the objective of the Ottawa Treaty and thus become one of the first mine affected countries in the world to make it happen. From April 1, 2009 the Government of Yemen commits itself to use its national human and financial resources in its effort to eradicate and negate the remaining mines and UXOs from the soil of Yemen.

Ddasaccident422, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The accident happened at approximately 1015 hours at the [Demining group] Training classroom in Kukes. A KB1 bomblet, presumed to be FFE or inert, and that was in use as a training aid, exploded while being passed hand to hand among the students in the class.

Ddasaccident545, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On May 19, 2004 all deminers were called back to restart clearance operations on the minefield 603 in Darlaman after the first 10 minutes break. [The Victim] also went to his lane and started operations. Using the mine detector he found a signal and marked the area by a red marker. He was setting in kneeling position in an up hill and sloppy [sloping] portion of the field and while he had his personal protective suit and visor on started to prod the area using a bayonet and during the prodding he touched the mine and it went off.

Small Arms Reduction Programme (Sarp) For The Great Lakes Region, Undp

Global CWD Repository

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Africa has exacerbated conflicts in Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and elsewhere in the region. Small arms availability has also aggravated the degree of violence by increasing the lethality and duration of hostilities, and the resulting culture of violence has obstructed peace efforts and delayed the launching of economic and social recovery in post-war societies in the region. Until very recently, governments in the region have lacked the capacity to deal with illicit supplies and trafficking, and even …

A Study Of Mechanical Application In Demining, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The GICHD Study of Mechanical Application in Demining is published after two years of research. The study puts the spotlight onto the use of machines as part of worldwide efforts to clear land mines. It looks at how machines work, the physical interaction between the machine tool, the ground struck, and the effects on the mines and UXO. The main roles for machines - potential for clearance, area reduction, and ground preparation - are explained, giving a description of each methodology, and illustrating these with actual case studies from the field.

The study also deals with how machines can be …

A Study Of Mechanical Application In Demining, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The GICHD Study of Mechanical Application in Demining is published after two years of research. The study puts the spotlight onto the use of machines as part of worldwide efforts to clear land mines. It looks at how machines work, the physical interaction between the machine tool, the ground struck, and the effects on the mines and UXO. The main roles for machines - potential for clearance, area reduction, and ground preparation - are explained, giving a description of each methodology, and illustrating these with actual case studies from the field.

The study also deals with how machines can be …

United Nations Development Program: Small Arms Reduction Programme (Sarp) For The Great Lakes Region, Undp

Global CWD Repository

This assessment report shows that SARP has faced considerable political and logistical difficulties during its two years of operation. As a result, there is little doubt that the delivery rate has been low for a project of this size. There are a number of reasons for this that relate to the original programme design, the political situation, the role of UNDP COs, the involvement of other international actors, the management of the programme and the role of BCPR.

United Nations Development Programme: Small Arms Reduction Programme (Sarp) For The Great Lakes Region, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This assessment report shows that SARP has faced considerable political and logistical difficulties during its two years of operation. As a result, there is little doubt that the delivery rate has been low for a project of this size. There are a number of reasons for this that relate to the original programme design, the political situation, the role of UNDP COs, the involvement of other international actors, the management of the programme and the role of BCPR.

Technical Assistance To Uxo Clearance Operations In Savannakhet Province, Lao Pdr, Nigel Orr

Global CWD Repository

The needs of the communities vary depending on their location. The communities close to the main access routes have few needs in relation to UXO action as they have access to most services already and many have already received UXO clearance support. The communities in the inaccessible areas need safe land to grow food, but in many cases access is required to permit UXO clearance and other development activities to take place. For these areas UXO clearance in support of access is most important with clearance for agriculture required once access is achieved. UXO clearance to reduce accidents are not …

Ddasaccident409, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 6th of April 2004 at 1252 hours the WMF Wolf MPV, assisting in route clearance operations on the road from Chiede to Malungo wa Shikongo, set off an anti tank mine. The location of the accident was 34 kms south east of Chiede. The Wolf was supporting [Demining group]'s armoured grader while route-clearance was in progress towards Malungo wa Shikongo.

Human Security In Cambodia: A Statistical Analysis Of Large-Sample Sub-National Vulnerability Data, Taylor Owen, Aldo Benini

Global CWD Repository

With the goal of measuring and analyzing Cambodia human insecurity, Dr. Aldo Benini and Taylor Owen have collected a large amount of data down to the local (1,600 communes) level. At their disposal is the largest existing geo-referenced database of Cambodian security and vulnerability data.They study four types of violence: landmine and UXO strikes (most of which are victim-actuated), as well as serious crime, land conflicts, and domestic violence (perpetrated by contemporary agents).

Serious crime lumps together murder, kidnapping, robberies, and theft, much of which obviously is violent. Using different types of regression models, socio-economic and war determinants are statistically …

Decisions Tools Manual, Cisr

CISR Studies and Reports

This decision tools manual outlines methods through which nations and organizations with limited resources can accurately prioritize humanitarian mine action projects and clearance efforts. This methods include a cost-benefit analysis of the socio-economic effect of mine clearance with field examples from Thailand and Ethiopia.

Ddasaccident531, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[The Victim], deminer, at the time of the accident his role was to act as vegetation remover. At approximately 10:20 hrs after completing vegetation removal drill, he called his peer to conduct detection drill, then he told his peer that he would go to the toilet. The toilet in the cleared minefield was constructed at the north of the cleared area, but he went outside the minefield boundary into the uncleared area instead of going to the toilet. Then he stepped on a mine just one step from the minefield boundary, buried in the walking track that villagers frequently use …

Ddasaccident458, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[The Victim] was going away from the lane. At about 10 m distance from [Name removed], who approached the base line, he slipped with his left foot below the tape into a non-examined part of the minefield and activated a PMA-3. The working path was narrower there because of a larger rock. After the explosion, [the Victim] fell into the working path, but with his legs lying in the non-examined part. Deminer [Name removed] pulled him out into the cleared part. The tip of the left shoe was damaged. It was taken off.

Ddasaccident530, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Details of this accident have been withheld by the demining NGO that employed the Victim. A spreadsheet including the Victim’s name and very brief details of the accident was made available in 2007. Some detail can be inferred from the information made available. For example, the fact that six people were injured during excavation of a small AP blast mine implies that safety distances were being ignored and field discipline was low. The main Victim also suffered head injuries that indicate that his head protection and visor were not being worn.