Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

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 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.

Low-Profile Disposal Of U.S. Ordnance, Frederick L. Barthold

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mission was simple enough; monitor air operations at Thumrate bombing range from a safe distance, locate ordnance that did not detonate, ensure a positive identification of said ordnance and ensure a complete disposal of said ordnance is accomplished with the lowest profile possible. Oh, if life could be so easy! The ordnance: MK82, 500-pound bombs using M904E point detonating nose fuzing with a M990 series, inertia tail fuze back-up, and GBU-10, laser guided bombs (MK84) with a MK346 electric tail fuze. What normally would have been a “blow-n-go” operation took a brutal turn for the worse when a herd …

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.

Victim Assistance Efforts: The Niagara Foot, Mary Bashai, Tim Bryant

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A team of Canadian researchers and professionals has designed and tested a novel prosthetic foot tailored for active amputees in post-conflict regions.

The International Test And Evaluation Program, Itep Itep

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 17 July 2000, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Commission (EC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the International Test and Evaluation Program (ITEP); Germany became a Participant on 14 June 2002.

Messiah College’S Minefield Simulation, Donald Pratt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a part of their Mine Awareness Week, members of the Messiah College Landmine Action Project (MCLAP) built a simulated minefield to draw attention to the landmine issue and give members of the community a taste of what it might be like to live in a place where mines are a part of daily experience.

Plays Nicely With Others: Some Thoughts On Issues Raised At The 6th International Meeting Of Mine Action Directors, Geneva, March 17–20, 2003, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

At the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC), we have tried to drive this demon away and to deal in (to paraphrase Woodrow Wilson), “open information, openly arrived at.” We were gratified at the directors’ meeting when someone from outside the mine action community (Niels Harild of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) suggested that the paradigm has now shifted. To share information in today’s world, he asserts, is to increase—not diminish—one’s power. It is through that hopeful and re-polished lens that we would like to review two critical issues facing the mine action community—strategic planning and coordination, which were raised …

The Evolution Of Mine Detection Dog Training, Dan Hayter

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Global Training Academy has been building mine detection dog (MDD) capacities for years, even while they worked under skeptic voices and much criticism. Now the academy serves as the main MDD sub-contractor for the Department of State (DOS), and has experienced many successes with their program.

The Mine Action/Mine Risk Education Integrated Approach, Hanoch Barlevi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Integration is a popular buzzword in current dialogues among United Nations’ experts and practitioners. The integration of mine risk education (MRE) into mine action programs is crucial if a program is to be successful in addressing the mine threat in a holistic and comprehensive way.

Humaid’S Demining Efforts In Guinea-Bissau, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Guinea-Bissau may not have one of the largest landmine problems in the world, but the lives of native Guineans continue to be threatened on a daily basis by landmines/UXO that remain from previous conflicts. This study highlights the efforts of the non-governmental organization (NGO) HUMAID, whose main objective is to keep working until Guinea-Bissau is landmine-free.

Ppe: Effective Protection For Deminers, J. Nerenberg, Jean-Philippe Dionne, Aris Makris

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article briefly explains the work that Med-Eng Systems, Inc., has done on personal protective equipment (PPE) over the past few years.

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.

A Firsthand Experience With Mine Action: On The Ground With The Organization Of American States In Nicaragua, Mark Hyman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Founder and chairperson of Global Care Unlimited, Inc., Mark Hyman has been actively working with the global landmine issue for the past three years. This past June, he visited Nicaragua to witness the effects of landmines firsthand and to find out how his middle-schoolers could help. This piece describes what he found there.

Information Systems For Mine Action From The Data Entry Point Of View, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article aims to provide readers with a closer insight into the endeavors of creating an information system and problems related with keeping data consistent and up to date, especially from the point of data entry. The author strives to provide honest and direct insight into the problems and solutions found while supporting mine action activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Restoring The Spirit Of Asia’S Most Mine Affected Countries, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Various wars and internal conflicts have left the civilians of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam in serious need of assistance. Today, several organizations are increasing their aid to mine victims by addressing both their physical and socio-economic needs.

Somali Demining Action Group, Omar Mohamed

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Somali Demining Action Group (SDAG) aims to eradicate anti-personnel landmines in Central and south Somalia. Statistics are provided for mine casualties in central and south Somalia.

The Continuum: From Immobility To Mobility To Empowerment, David Holdridge, Jo Nagels, Caitlin Wyndham

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Victim assistance goes far beyond the physical; there is also a need to rehabilitate victims psychologically and give them the confidence and support they need to re-enter society as productive members of the community. This is not an overnight process, and the author describes the series of events that need to take place in order to make this difficult transition.

Lending A Helping Hand: Victim Assistance Programs In Africa, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Many landmine victims face adverse situations when returning to their communities and trying to live as productive members of society. A number of programs in Africa for landmine victims and the disabled help people not only “get back on their feet,” but also “get back in the saddle” and gain the courage and knowledge to live among their peers with confidence.

Mine Risk Education And Mine Awareness In Afghanistan, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article has been removed.

Mine Action Support Group Update, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article highlights the recent work of MASG.

The 3rd Dtif Workshop, Stewart Myles

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The latest Demining Technology Information Forum (DTIF) workshop focused on the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) in humanitarian demining. Participants were able to share knowledge and formulate plans for the future of GPR in demining efforts.

The Role Of Mine Action In Victim Assistance, Eric Filippino

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Of the five pillars of mine action, victim assistance seems to receive the least attention. At the request of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has recently completed a research project with a view to offering guidance on the future role of mine action in mine and UXO victim assistance.

Interview With Lloyd Feinberg From The Leahy War Victims Fund, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Leahy War Victims Fund is one of the world’s leading contributors to the treating and rehabilitating survivors of armed conflict. The Fund has supported the successful passage of disability-related legislation in Vietnam and is working for similar results elsewhere. In Africa, The Leahy War Victims Fund is spearheading the ambitious Omega Initiative, which aims to bring various types of aid to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Lloyd Feinberg represents the Fund on many fronts; he is widely respected and recognized as both an authority and a humanitarian.

Breaking New Ground: Assisting Farmers With Disabilities Through The Application Of Assistive Technology, William Field

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With regards to agriculture in much of eastern Europe and northern Africa, the significant problem that landmine detonations present to farmers often goes unnoticed. This problem causes careers in agriculture to be labeled as the most hazardous occupations around the world. However, little attention has been given to rehabilitation practices and assistive technology to help those who have been disabled in this line of work. The Breaking New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University is attempting to resolve the problem at hand by providing technical assistance to those who have been impacted by physical disabilities, in hopes that others may …

Socketless Option For Prosthetic Care, Ruth Clark

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Dr. Chaz Holder developed Socketless Technology for prosthetics, a revolutionary approach to prosthetic care. In this article, his colleague describes this technology and its many applications.

Landmine Survivors And A Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities, Akiko Ikeda

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since the 56th Session of the General Assembly, advocates have worked hard to gain rights for persons with disabilities. Decisions made at the session have a provided a number of opportunities for landmine victims and other disabled persons around the world.

Upsetting Lives: The Public Health Impact Of Landmines In Africa, Sarah Taylor

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Affecting Africans both directly and indirectly, landmines seriously weaken the public health of entire nations. Several experts in the field offer their interpretations of this complicated issue.

The Survey Action Center, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center (SAC) is an international organization with 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 (LIS). These surveys will allow greater prioritization of demining efforts and further integration of the various mine action sectors. On the SAC board of directors are four of the world’s top landmine-related non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Handicap International (France), Mine Clearance Planning Agency (Afghanistan), the Danish Demining Group (Denmark) and Norwegian People’s Aid (Norway). Jean Baptiste Richardier is SAC’s President; Bob Eaton is the Executive Director …