Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

How Deminer Position Contributes To Injury, François-Xavier Jetté, Jean-Philippe Dionne, Ismail El Maach, Aris Makris, Matt Ceh, Denis Bergeron

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Research shows injury risks to deminers can vary depending on their body positioning. Here, the authors present the preliminary results of a study testing the effects of body position on deminer injury using mannequins. They hope to refine further their methodology and continue to learn information that will benefit the demining community.

An Operator’S Perspective On Ottawa’S Article 5, Per Nergaard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cost-effectiveness in the traditional sense of the word has many aspects and can be displayed in many ways. Several practical examples have been presented at various occasions involving issues like coordination, toolboxes, complementarities of methods, technologies, etc. I will attempt not to prod any further into that here.

Mine Action And The Millennium Development Goals, Filip Van Der Linden

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Unsung Hero: Johan Van Der Merwe, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Personal experiences with landmines and 10 years of working in mine action have shaped Johan van der Merwe’s life and views on what needs to be done to create a safer world.

Thailand, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Mine Action And Development, Earl Turcotte

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author explains why he thinks the international mine action and broader development communities are moving in the right direction by mainstreaming mine action into development programs where the degree of landmine contamination warrants.

Becoming Part Of The Hope, Tracey Begley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Visiting Laos and Cambodia can be a bit frightening for anyone— especially a 14-year-old girl. “Why are we going there?” I whined on the plane to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I had just been reading an article about Asia’s most dangerous countries, and it featured Cambodia. Why would my parents take me there?

Unsung Hero: Chris North, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In many of his colleagues’ eyes, Chris North is someone who is determined to fight for mine action and make changes, whether those changes are through managing projects or expressive poetry. His unwavering dedication to mine action makes North a hero in his field.

Blast Protection For Uxo Operations Including Demining, Glenn Miles

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines, UXO and improvised explosive devices are explosive hazards that have proliferated for many decades. In a post-conflict scenario, these are sometimes known collectively as explosive remnants of war. While global initiatives have limited the spread of certain types of devices (especially anti-personnel mines), a considerable problem still exists and will continue for many years to come.

Mine Free: Not Anytime Soon, Richard Kidd

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine action is changing. This is not 1997 and what the international community has learned in the past eight years clearly indicates that the path forward is something different from what a literal reading of the Ottawa Convention would suggest. The Landmine Impact Survey process has demonstrated very clearly that only a small portion of the minefields—normally less than 20 percent—account for the vast majority of casualties and lost economic opportunities. The mine action community has a responsibility to profit from this new knowledge and to adjust its approach accordingly.

Taking Learning To The Field: Fort A.P. Hill Demining Equipment Demonstration, Sarah Sensamaust

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As part of the Senior Managers Course con- ducted by the Mine Action Information Center during the summer of 2005, representatives from international mine action organizations had the opportunity to see the latest demining equipment demonstrations at Virginia’s Fort A.P. Hill. Watching from the bleachers in the mid-summer heat, the participants saw demonstrations high- lighting over a dozen pieces of demining equipment ranging from detection to neutralization technologies. Their visit was hosted by the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research, Development and Engineering Center, Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Fort Belvoir, VA., as part of the Department …

Destroying The Mother Of All Arsenals: Captured Enemy Ammunition Operations In Iraq, George Zahaczewsky

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Although the much-publicized weapons of mass destruction have not been found in Iraq, less has been said about what munitions were found there, the hazards they present or the efforts of Coalition Forces to remove the stockpiles. This article gives a first-hand view of the perils in Iraq.

Developing Alternatives: The Locality Demining Model In Cambodia, Rupert Leighton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines Advisory Group has developed a new demining model that trains local citizens to clear mines in their own villages. After using the model for almost 12 months, MAG shows this method is as thorough as Mine Action Team units and requires fewer resources.

Laos, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Qr Hits A Homerun: Landmine-Detection Systems Based On Quadrupole Resonance Technology Show Progress, Peter Turner, Caroleen L. Williams

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This study explains how quadrupole resonance technology in mine-detection systems improves with use and drastically reduces false alarms and deminer fatigue.

Report Of The Focus Group Workshop On Victim And Casualty Data Collection And Support Requirements For Imsma Version 4, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

The Mine Action Information Center (MAIC) at James Madison University (JMU) hosted a focus group workshop on 15-16 August 2005 in support of the development of version 4 of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). Mr. Alan Arnold, the IMSMA program manager, tasked the MAIC to organize and host the workshop in order to bring together subject matter experts in the fields of Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Mine Victim Assistance (MVA). The objective was to elicit, categorize and record comment on and suggestions for the proposed design of Victim and Casualty Data Collection and Analysis modules for …

International Mine Action Standards: Some Frequently Asked Questions And Answers, Phil Bean

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) were requested by the mine action community and are produced and sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), with support from a variety of organisations, including the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The initial design and development of the standards involved extensive participation from representative elements of the mine action sector during the period of 1998–2000. Since that time, the sector has continued to expand with the addition of new programmes and new people joining the sector. IMAS continue to evolve and now benefit from the experience of practical application into …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 5th Edition (Fy2003), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

This fifth edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety contains information on specific programs and accomplishments of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program through the end of 2003. Although the United States did begin providing substantial mine action assistance to Afghanistan as early as 1988 and then to Cambodia and some other countries starting in 1991, the formal program as we know it today really began in 1993. Thus, 2003 is a milestone, marking ten uninterrupted years of genuine and signifi cant U.S. action to eradicate persistent landmines—both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle—as well as unexploded ordnance wherever they threaten civilian …

Decision Tools Manual Humanitarian Mine Action Projects, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

In 2003, the United States Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs/Weapons Removal and Abatement, (PM/WRA) tasked the James Madison University Mine Action Information Center (MAIC) with producing a cost-benefit analysis of two demining programs to be used to develop a model to analyze the quantitative impacts, expected results, and suggested prioritization of mine clearance activities. Prioritization was to be accomplished within the context of socio-economic development programs. Lessons learned from UN guidance, earlier studies, experts in the mine action community, and field studies influenced the development of the decision tool for prioritization of humanitarian mine action projects.

The MAIC …

Afghanistan Ordnance Identification Guide, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

This guide provides information to facilitate international unexploded ordnance (UXO) awareness and identification. This guide is not intended for use by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians. Rather, it is designed for other personnel who, of necessity, are trying to identify ordnance in the absence of trained EOD military professionals.

Enhancement Of Casualty Data Collection & Management, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

The MAIC built upon research conducted in earlier phases of the project (2001-2002) to investigate the following unresolved questions regarding the development of an effective landmine casualty data system.

1. 1. What kind of data about landmine victims is being collected and is it adequate to the needs of victim assistance service providers?
2. 2. If it is not adequate, what additional data should be collected and how should it be managed?
3. 3. What can be done to improve the dissemination of landmine casualty data?

These questions were addressed by investigating developments in landmine casualty data collection and management since 2002 and …

Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

The Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide supports the U.S. Department of Defense humanitarian mine action program. This guide provides information to facilitate international unexploded ordnance (UXO) awareness and identification. This guide is not intended for use by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians. Rather, it is designed for other personnel who, of necessity, are trying to identify ordnance in the absence of trained EOD military professionals.

The Landmine Action Smart Book, Cisr

Global CWD Repository

There are a number of resources available at the MAIC and elsewhere to help people get involved. This edition of The Landmine Action Smart Book is perhaps the best place to start. This book was designed to give readers a basic introduction to the subject of mine action, a discipline that includes a diverse set of activities such as landmine clearance, research and development of new demining technologies and practices, mine risk education, survivor assistance, planning and coordination, and policy formulation.

Each chapter of the Smart Book provides an overview of the components involved in reaching our ultimate goal of …

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).

The R&D Requirements Workshop, Joe Lokey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It doesn’t take more than a day with deminers in a minefield to realize the challenges they face. You quickly discover they are dedicated to what they do, they are passionate about it, and they are extremely vocal about what they think they need to do a better job. A group of dedicated engineers and developers have been carefully listening to what they have to say.

Colonel Vosburgh, Oasd (So/Lic): The Successes Of Technology, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Colonel Allen Vosburgh discusses the success of the Department of Defense (DoD) Research and Development (R&D) program, the challenges of meeting user needs and the role of the military in humanitarian demining operations.

Lessons-Learned: A Learning Process, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the summer of 2003, we were tasked with soliciting information regarding experience and lessons learned from the mine action community while interning for the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC). We were highly enthusiastic throughout our project while learning the many rigors of data collection and information sharing.

Mine Awareness In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following the U.S.-led war in Iraq, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are saving lives by doing what they can to raise awareness about the country’s serious landmine/UXO problem.

Putting Sea Mammals To Work: Dolphins Help Coalition Forces In Iraq, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the first moth after arriving in Iraq, the dolphin teams achieved a number of successes, including unofficial clearance of 913 nautical miles of water, investigation of 237 objects, and recovery and/or destruction of over 100 mines.

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States government has developed a wide-ranging plan to build an indigenous mine action capability within Iraq. The plan will help rid Iraq of the threat of landmines and UXO so that the country can focus on rebuilding its society.