Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ddasaccident209, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The team arrived in the area at 10:45. The man supposed to guide them did not arrive, but another person substituted. They drove along an unsurfaced track, then parked and walked on until they could see the remaining minefield marking of a previously cleared area on the other side of the track. They had walked about 15m off the track towards the suspect area before the victim (who was the Team Leader and third in line) stepped on a mine.

The Operational Implementation Of Community Mine Awareness For Development: Practical Experiences In Mozambique, Peter Merten

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The idea for the Community Mine Awareness for Development (CMAD) concept was especially designed by the GTZ/MineTech partnership to minimize the risks of mines and UXO to the local population. In those areas, no complete mine clearance could be undertaken effectively in the short term. By integrating educational and specific sociological elements, CMAD aims to support the active participation of the villagers and their local communities in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Hence, CMAD is a specific empowerment process designed for those communities which have to live with the mine and UXO threat for a long period before receiving …

From The Director's Desk, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

"Manila calling, Manila calling!" was a memorable from phrase from World War II to indicate that there was still hope in the Philippines and that the defenders were hanging on. While "Harrisonburg calling, Harrisonburg calling" does not have the same ring to it, we are nevertheless proclaiming that at the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC) at JMU is alive, well, and full of hope! The Humanitarian Demining Information Center (HDIC) indeed lives on under the new banner of Mine Action Information Center. What’s changed? What remains the same?

An Integrated Approach To Providing Humanitarian Aid: The Humanitarian Demining Development Response Program In Saurimo, Angola, Amanda Pritchard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

There is potential for the effectiveness of humanitarian aid to be diminished through too narrow an approach. Recognizing this, Humanitarian Aid Medical Development (HMD) Response has developed an alternative. Rising to the challenge of responding to actual need, rather than prescribing a generic solution for multiple and intricate problems, HMD Response has developed a unique integrated program based in Saurimo, in north-east Angola.

Mine Action - The Management Of Risk, Steve Brown

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The examination of "Standards and Measures of Success" at the recent Humanitarian Demining Conference, hosted by James Madison University (JMU) demonstrated that there must be fundamental changes in the approach to Mine Action if the global influence of land mines is to be successfully challenged. In addressing the need to measure the effectiveness of Mine Action we are acknowledging that the current situation is untenable, particularly if we are to get anywhere near the eradication of the problem by 2010.

The Devastating Effects Of Landmines: The Landmine Problem In The Sudan, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sudan truly illustrates the broad array of horrors that can be visited on a society as a result of landmine-related problems. While we are often haunted by the image of a small child who has experienced the agony of a landmine injury, the cumulative problems caused by landmines typically do not end with the personal, physical, or even mental trauma of an individual. Invariably the net effect of multiple and frequent accidents is to inflict societal trauma, via infrastructure and economic damage, on the country at large. These burdens, shouldered by a country already struggling for survival, can eventually spell …

Peacetrees Vietnam's Uxo Clearance Training Mission To Quang Tri Province, Roger Hess

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The president of UXB International, Dr. Richmond Dugger, had offered to help out an NGO called PeaceTrees Vietnam with their efforts to clear land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the former demilitarized zone between what was North & South Vietnam. We would conduct a training course for the Vietnamese with UXB International covering the wages and airfare of two senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) employees, and donate five Shonstedt ferrous ordnance detectors.

An Integrated Global Demining And Development Strategy, Bernd Hoffman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) operates as a public service company. The development policy objective is to improve the survival chances of people in countries of the Southern and Eastern Hemisphere, and to stabilize their natural bases of existence. The most important financing organization of the GTZ is the German federal government, i.e. the Federal Ministry for Economic co-operation and Development (BMZ). Within the framework of the federal government’s guidelines and development policy objectives, the GTZ is responsible for the conception, planning and implementation of 2800 projects in 140 partner countries. In addition to federal ministries, the GTZ …

Opportunities For An Integrated Demining Strategy In Rural Areas, U Weyl

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As early as 1993, GTZ was one of the first organizations to recognize the importance of community mine awareness within the framework of mine survey and clearance operations. GTZ also recognized that there needs to be a partnership between the development organization and mine clearance operator. It is this partnership, which is the foundation upon which the IHDD concept has been built, modified and adapted. The CMAD concept has been developed for those communities that are deemed low priority for mine action support. The process of modification and adaptation has been continuous. It has spanned every facet of the concepts, …

The Operational Implementation Of The International Humanitarian Demining Development Concept, C.J. Pearce

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The International Humanitarian Demining Development (IHHD) concept did not evolve on a haphazard basis. The concept was born out of practical experience in Manica Province, Mozambique during the emergency relief phase between 1993 and 1995. Based on those experiences, and a serious concern that mine clearance was regarded as a purely technical activity with local involvement being relegated to by-stander status, GTZ and Mine-Tech held wide-ranging discussions over a lengthy period before defining the IHDD concept. Subsequently, with funding from the BMZ (German Ministry of Co-operation) two pilot projects were undertaken in Manica and Sofala Provinces, Mozambique. These pilot projects …

Norwegian People's Aid In Western Sahara: Mine Awareness In A Refugee Setting, Justin Brady

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In September 1997, Norwegian People's Aid began efforts to assist Saharawi refugees living in southwest Algeria to return safely to their country. While the mid-Seventies are best known for the exit of Portuguese colonization from the continent of Africa and the subsequent problems that arose, the exit of Spanish forces from the area of Western Sahara brought its own legacy of war, landmines and UXO. The war saw Morocco, Frente POLISARIO, the Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro, and in the beginning Mauritania as well, battle for control of the former Spanish holding. The …

United States Interagency Team Visits South Africa, John G. Zavales

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In February 1999, an U.S. interagency team of humanitarian demining experts, including representatives of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, State Department, and U.S. European Command, visited South Africa. The purpose of this visit was to familiarize the team with South African demining research and development (R&D), and operations; and to conduct meetings on possible areas of cooperation between the two countries. This initiative was an outgrowth of the U.S. South Africa Bi-national Commission (BNC), which is chaired by Vice President Al Gore and Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.

Angola Shows Ottawa Achilles Heel, Joe Lokey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines are a bad thing. I know that. You know that. Everyone at Ottawa knew that. Even the Angolan Representative who signed the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa in December of 1997 knew that. But someone forgot to tell Dr. Jonas Savimbi. Whatever we may think of him, the head of Angola's UNITA (Union for Total Liberation of Angola) liberation group is not out of place in history along with many others intent on being King and overthrowing what they see as a repressive government. Landmines, it seems, are simply a tool in a deadly toolbox.

An Introduction To Uganda And The World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc., Ted Silver, Wanume Kale

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This paper will provide background information regarding the recent history and current political situation in Uganda. It will also introduce the reader to the activities of the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF) in Uganda. WRF is an American private voluntary organization which has been active in assisting the country’s amputee population of some 20,000 individuals.

"Gardens Of The Devil" A Report From Western Egypt, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sometimes the creation of a new policy or international initiative can produce unexpected results. Such is the case in the desert of Western Egypt where the legacy of mine warfare of World War II warriors is only now being assessed seriously through the focus of current mine action activities. Despite the fact that the great armies of Field Marshals Montgomery and Rommel fought in North Africa almost sixty years ago, the legacy of those surges and counter surges, sieges and counter sieges, is still being felt by the inhabitants and Bedouins who live or travel there.

The Role Of The Paramedic In Mine Action Programs: A Report From Angola, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The core concept of this project is that paramedics can become a more "value-added" addition to the demining team by practicing their skills more effectively and integrating them more fully with the demining team. Too often, it is asserted, that paramedics in a mine action programs are underutilized resources who are sometimes hired as add-ons to the program, are ignorant of other demining functions, and who can, if not nurtured or allowed to enhance their capabilities, easily become medically "de-skilled."

Uscentcom 99, S Stewart

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) is located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Within USCENTCOM is the Humanitarian Demining (HD) Office, which performs program management for all U.S. HD efforts in the Middle East. The U.S. Central Command’s demining program area of responsibility (AOR) encompasses much of the near and middle east including the countries of Afghanistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, Somalia, Tajikistan, and Yemen. The estimated number of landmines currently placed in the region exceeds 48,000,000. For program management purposes, the USCENTCOM HD Office has assigned its' component commands specific countries …

Displaced Children And Orphans Fund And War Victims Fund Activities In Sri Lanka, Usaid-Leahy

Global CWD Repository

The Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF),which is administered by the Office of Health and Nutrition of the Bureau for Global Programs, Field Support and Research, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a special fund within the agency that provides assistance for special groups of vulnerable children. It operates under its own strategic objective which is “the protection, well-being and development of war-affected children, unaccompanied minors and orphans.” The Leahy War Victims Fund (LWVF), initiated in 1988 by Senator Patrick J. Leahy, operates similarly to the DCOF. Its stated objective is “The functional reintegration of war victims into civil …

Evaluation Of The Actions Of Handicap International In Mozambique Under The Financing Of The European Commission, Finnconsult

Global CWD Repository

The purpose of this evaluation was to carry out an overall analysis of the impact of the financed actions and the performance of Handicap International in Mozambique in order to assure better quality of similar actions for future beneficiaries with respect to identification, design, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of these actions. Close attention was to be paid to the evolution of the political and socio-economic context in Mozambique, as well as the evolution of the policies and approaches of various actors involved in the sector. Meeting with the direct beneficiaries was emphasised and the use of participatory methods strongly …

Developing And Integrating A Lessons Learned Methodology For Humanitarian Mine Action, Cisr

CISR Studies and Reports

The demand for a centralized lessons learned database has made it clear that there is value in consolidating the experience derived from the numerous de-mining missions by a variety of teams in a variety of countries. Consequently, the James Madison University Mine Action Information Center developed a methodology for collecting, validating, and distributing lessons-learned within the mine action community.

In order to develop this lessons-learned system, individuals involved in the wide spectrum of activities (victim assistance, mine clearance, survey, mine awareness, etc.) and belonging to the myriad agencies (NGOs, military demining, United Nations, MACs, etc.) related to the field of …

Evaluation Of The Vietnam Veterans Of America Foundation Orthotics Training Project For Vietnam, Usaid-Leahy

Global CWD Repository

VVAF has done a good job of establishing itself in the health care community in Vietnam. The deficiencies mentioned in this evaluation primarily pertain to the lack of supervision and training of orthotic technicians and physicians. VVAF is aware of the need to undertake a major overhaul of its Vietnam project in order to meet training obligations to the National Institute of Pediatrics and Bach Mai Hospitals. A focused effort should be undertaken over the next two years to enable Vietnamese personnel to develop the technical skills and leadership necessary to continue orthotic services when this grant ends.

Itf Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 1999, Itf-Enhancy Human Security

Global CWD Repository

ITF Annual Report 1999

Developing And Integrating A Lessons Learned Methodology For Humanitarian Mine Action, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

The demand for a centralized lessons learned database has made it clear that there is value in consolidating the experience derived from the numerous de-mining missions by a variety of teams in a variety of countries. Consequently, the James Madison University Mine Action Information Center developed a methodology for collecting, validating, and distributing lessons-learned within the mine action community.

In order to develop this lessons-learned system, individuals involved in the wide spectrum of activities (victim assistance, mine clearance, survey, mine awareness, etc.) and belonging to the myriad agencies (NGOs, military demining, United Nations, MACs, etc.) related to the field of …

Ddasaccident159, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At the time of the accident, Victim No.1 was excavating a detector reading. Victim No.2 was the detector man and had paused on his return to the safe area because he felt unwell and so had not left the vicinity when the mine initiated. Victim No.1 was excavating with a "trowel" [a locally made excavating tool] (after prodding) when (at 10:40) he initiated a mine. He had been a deminer for 13 months.

Ddasaccident165, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the morning of the accident the victim was working as a prodder man on an upward incline of 30o. The detector man got a reading, marked it and called to the victim to investigate. As the victim was excavating he saw a white metal tube about the size of a finger but did not recognise what it was. He continued to prod around it and he initiated the mine with the tip of his prodder

A Survey Of Research On Sensor Technology For Landmine Detection, Claudio Bruschini, Bertrand Gros

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

According to official figures, more than 100 million landmines lie buried around the world. Although intended for warfare, these mines remain active after warfare ends. Each day these mines are triggered accidentally by civilian activities, ravaging the land and killing or maiming innocent people. To help stop this destruction of the environment and humanity, the scientific community must develop effective humanitarian demining. Mine detection is especially vital to humanitarian demining. The goal of military demining is to clear enough mines quickly to allow troops through a land area. Military demining usually requires mine destruction rates of 80%. The goal of …

Peacetrees Vietnam, Colleen Pettit

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

PeaceTrees Vietnam is one of 21 international PeaceTrees projects organized since 1987 by the Earthstewards Network, an international organization based in Bainbridge, Washington. As the name implies, PeaceTrees projects have a twofold purpose: social and environmental healing. Specifically, PeaceTrees projects unite former enemies, such as the U. S. and Vietnam, as together they clear landmines and counter the environmental damage caused by landmines.

Current Situation And Perceived Needs For Head And Face Protection In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The safety equipment used in humanitarian demining in developing countries would be considered inadequate by any Western army engaged in combat demining or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) work. No set of standards is imposed and the standards that have arisen are surprisingly low. There is no widely accepted need for better protective equipment, but demining organisations do seem to be slowly levelling-up in the equipment that they use. Very few demining groups routinely wear helmets. Those demining groups that are concerned about head protection usually favour a 30cm high full-face visor hanging on a head-harness (or head-frame). The visor provides …

Interview With The Chief Advisor For Operations And Technical Matters To The Cambodian Mine Action Center, Lcol Chip Bowness, Canadian Military Engineers, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is becoming increasingly evident that the functioning of a central coordinating facility is critical to the overall success of a humanitarian demining mission. These mine action centers (MAC) are now proving their worth in several countries. We felt it would be helpful if we highlighted the organization, function, and goals of selected MACs. We wish to point out however, that no one MAC design will be the answer to all mine action missions. Therefore, in this issue we decided to spotlight two very different, but very effective MACs to showcase effective methods, while at the same time illustrating differing …

Interview With The Program Manager, Mr. Richard Todd, Of The United Nations (Un) Mine Action Center In Croatia., Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is becoming increasingly evident that the functioning of a central coordinating facility is critical to the overall success of a humanitarian demining mission. These mine action centers (MAC) are now proving their worth in several countries. We felt it would be helpful if we highlighted the organization, function, and goals of selected MACs. We wish to point out however, that no one MAC design will be the answer to all mine action missions. Therefore, in this issue we decided to spotlight two very different, but very effective MACs to showcase effective methods, while at the same time illustrating differing …