Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

Ammunition Safety Management | Preventing Loss Of Life And Property And Diversion From Stockpiles, Samuel Paunila, Andrew Hoole

Global CWD Repository

The international community has been actively engaged in mine action for over 20 years. Clearance has been remarkably successful both in reclaiming land and making life safer for some of the most disadvantaged people in the world. As the number of casualties due to landmines has fallen, we have seen the number of deaths and injuries caused by explosions in ammunition storage areas rise and an increasing diversion of ammunition away from state stockpiles and into the hands of non-state actors.

Poorly managed stockpiles of ammunition present two distinct threats to the wider community: the risk of an explosion within …

Global Mapping And Analysis Of Anti-Vehicle Mine Incidents In 2016, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This report presents and analyses AVM incident data from 2016. It follows up on and compares findings with earlier reports published by the GICHD and SIPRI examining AVM incidents in 2015.

Data in this report stem from field reports from states, mainly national mine action authorities/centres, as well as mine action and other humanitarian organisations, and from media reviews in Arabic, English, French, Po

Unmas 2015 Annual Report, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

The centrality of mine action in humanitarian responses was widely and unanimously recognized by United Nations Member States and throughout the mine action sector in 2015. In his biennial report to the United Nations General Assembly on Assistance in Mine Action, the Secretary-General highlighted that mine action is “at the core of postconflict humanitarian response” and emphasised that “contamination of mines and explosive remnants of war remains a major security issue affecting civilian populations, United Nations operations and the sustainment of global peace and security”. The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2016, launched by the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator in …

The United Nations Policy On Victim Assistance In Mine Action, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

This Policy on Victim Assistance in Mine Action replaces the 2003 “Mine Action and effective coordination: the United Nations policy - Sectoral policy: The scope of action of mine action centres and organizations in victim assistance”. It reflects the significant changes in the legal and policy framework for victim assistance which have occurred since 2003, and prevails to language relevant to victim assistance contained in “Mine Action and Effective Coordination: The United Nations Inter-Agency Policy”, which was approved by the InterAgency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA)1 at the Principals’ level on 6 June 2005.

Mine Action And Peace Mediation, Gichd, Swiss Peace

Global CWD Repository

The humanitarian consequences of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) are extensive and long lasting. This fact suggests the relevance of having them addressed in negotiations among conflict parties and included in ceasefire and peace agreements. Nevertheless, the link between mine action (also called humanitarian demining) and peace mediation is underexplored in practice and theory as is illustrated by the limited guidance and literature on the matter. This issue brief aims to explore to what extent the two communities of practice could overcome the tendency of working in isolation and benefit from one another. It also shows that mine …

Qasef: Escaping The Bombing, Hi

Global CWD Repository

This study confirms that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in Syria is at times nearly continuous, with indiscriminate bombing that lasts for days. The attacks are sometimes seemingly random, until there is complete destruction of an area. All Syrians interviewed said they fled because of the various effects of the conflict, and most of them stressed that the main reason for leaving their homes was the use of explosive weapons in their villages, towns, and cities. In our interviews, explosive weapons were mentioned as the overriding factor forcing Syrians out as they fled from their homes.

Analysis …

Briefing Paper On The Convention On Cluster Muntions, Icbl-Cmc

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The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions is a legally binding international treaty that comprehensively prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, requires destruction of stockpiled cluster munitions within eight years, and clearance of contaminated land within ten years. It recognises the rights of individuals and communities affected by the weapon and requires states to provide assistance. The Convention also obliges countries to assist affected states to fulfil their obligations.

The Convention was signed by 94 states when it opened for signature in Oslo, Norway on 3 December 2008. Sixty percent of the world’s states have now joined …

Landmine Monitor 2016, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

This is the 18th annual Landmine Monitor report. It is the sister publication to the Cluster Munition Monitor report, first published in November 2010. Landmine Monitor 2016 provides a global overview of the landmine situation. Chapters on developments in specific countries and other areas are available in online Country Profiles at www.the-monitor.org/cp.

Landmine Monitor covers mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling, and also includes information on contamination, clearance, casualties, victim assistance, and support for mine action. The report focuses on calendar year 2015, with information included up to November 2016 when possible.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 16th Edition (Cy2016), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

Even after a conflict ends and the fighters have gone home, the threats from landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and at-risk weapons and munitions remain. These threats foment instability; as long as men, women, and children fear to move about their communities due to the lingering threat of landmines and UXO, a society can never fully heal and rebuild.

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) works with foreign governments and nongovernmental organizations to deliver programs and services aimed at reducing the harmful effects of at-risk, illicitly proliferated, and indiscriminately used …

14th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2015), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The Fourteenth Meeting of the States Parties (14MSP) was a formal meeting of the 162 States Parties to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was held in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention and pursuant to the decision of the Convention’s 2014 Third Review Conference. At the Third Review Conference, it was agreed that the 14MSP would take place in Geneva during the week of 30 November to 4 December 2015. The Conference further agreed to designate H.E. Ambassador Bertrand de Crombrugghe of Belgium, …

The First Review Conference Of The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2015), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

As agreed at the 5MSP, the First Review Conference of the CCM took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 7 to 11 September 2015.

Ddasaccident807, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At 10:50am TL announced a regular ten minutes break and deminers took their rest close to the base line of the MF. TS took one of the deminer’s metal detector MineLab F3S and entered 3m deep into uncleared area. He started investigation of subsurface metal signals. TS called TL [Name removed] who was sitting in the safe area in proximity of 15m from TS. When TL took his first step towards TS the explosion occurred. As a result of explosion force, TS’s helmet hit TL’s chest and TL fell down to the ground. When TL stood up he saw the …

Uxo Lao Detection Trial Test Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

During the period November 27, 2014 to December 20, 2014, UXO Lao undertook a detection trial in Sepon. The primary objective was to assess the suitability and cost effectiveness of advanced detection systems of small ordnance. Specifically, the trial was focused on detection of a half BLU-26 at 25cm depth below the natural surface (the national standard of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) as set by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA)). The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) along with Minerals and Metals Group, Lane Xang Minerals Limited (MMG LXML) and in cooperation with UXO Lao conducted …

Ddasaccident806, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The explosion occurred in the mined area of the Khoshima Novobod Qabodiyon community. As a result of a PMN explosion a deminer received light injuries This de-miner had been sent by [Demining group] for the mine clearance operation according to the task.

Management Of Residual Explosive Remnants Of War (More) Issue Briefs, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This guide is one of several addressing different aspects of Management of Residual Explosive Remnants of War (MORE) and linking with wider information resources held by the GICHD. It should be read in conjunction with other guides in the series. Related publications are indicated in the text and a range of tools, which may help users when addressing their own situations, are identified whenever they are relevant.

This guide was released during the June 2015 International Symposium "Long-term ERW management in Southeast Asia" in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining 2014 Annual Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The 2014 Annual Report covers the essence of the GICHD's work over the past year through its core activities: furthering knowledge, promoting norms and standards and developing in-country and national capacity.

Community Safety, Livelihoods And Socio-Economic Development: Karamoja, Uganda, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Development survey in collaboration with DRC/DDG in the Karamoja region of north-eastern Uganda in December 2014.

This survey:

• identifies which activities appear to have the most positive impact on safety, livelihoods and socio-economic well-being, and why
• identifies any negative impacts on any intended beneficiaries and the reasons for them
• provides recommendations to help DDG improve their activities and impact.

The survey was an excellent opportunity to explore how the GICHD’s landmines and livelihoods surveys can be used for the broader human security sector. The findings and recommendations provide DDG with a better understanding of how linkages between security and livelihoods …

Unisdr Scientific And Technical Advisory Group Case Studies 2015 | The Use Of Geographic Information Systems For Environmental Impact Assessments In Mine Action, Gianluca Maspoli, Angela Desantis

Global CWD Repository

The 'do no harm' approach to mine action requires that mine action organisations consider the possible negative impacts of mine clearance operations. They must ensure they do not lead to longer-term vulnerability or threaten livelihoods and food security and, by mitigating environmental damage, they should contribute to disaster risk reduction. The combined use of remotely sensed data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be a sound solution to assess pre-contamination conditions, monitor both the environmental impact and the effects of mitigation activities, analyse consequences of natural disasters on contamination, and, finally, support an evidence-based decision making process.

Falkland Islands Malvinas Exploitation Report 2015, Fenix- Insight Ltd.

Global CWD Repository

A series of three reports were published by the Demining Programme Office in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). This report explains that the need for exploitation was recognised early during the planning for mine clearance operations in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Little was known about the state of the mines some 30 years after the conflict, and it was considered important to understand the effects of ageing, along with the implications for issues such as appearance/recognition, functionality and detectability. Exploitation was previously carried out during clearance Phases 1 and 3.

This report outlines the work conducted during Phase 4a, where a …

National Capacities And Residual Contamination | Mali, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This case study forms part of a broader GICHD study on national capacities and residual contamination and is based on both desk-top research and findings from a GICHD mission to Mali in March 2014. The purpose of the report is to document Mali’s experience of developing national clearance capacities to address residual contamination and to identify and present good practices and lessons learnt.

Technology Demonstration Report For Underwater Survey Equipment, Gichd, Orca Maritime

Global CWD Repository

The underwater equipment technology demonstration report, sponsored by GICHD, provides an evaluation of select commercial technology available for the technical survey of sites contaminated with underwater explosive ordnance.

The report, along with the GICHD online equipment catalogue, will assist nations, donors and operators with the selection of the most appropriate equipment for their specific tasks.

Healing The Wounds, Hi

Global CWD Repository

The Gaza Strip was exposed to a long term and acute military operation which lasted for 51 days during the summer of 2014.

At least 1,473 Palestinian civilians were killed, including 501 children and 257 women. Many fatalities involved multiple family members, with at least 142 Palestinian families having three or more members killed in the same incident, for a total of 739 fatalities. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 11,100 Palestinians, including 3,374 children and 2,088 women, were injured.

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) are one of the most vulnerable groups in time of crisis, mostly marginalized and …

Demining Programme Office In The Falkland Islands - Technical Support 2015, Fenix -. Insight Ldt.

Global CWD Repository

The need for exploitation was recognised early during the planning for mine clearance operations in the Falkland Islands. Little was known about the state of the mines some 30 years after the conflict, and it was considered important to understand the effects of ageing, along with the implications for issues such as appearance/recognition, functionality and detectability.

Exploitation was previously carried out during clearance Phases 1 and 3. This report outlines the work conducted during Phase 4a, where samples of the following mines were examined: P4B, SB-33 and SB-81.

Presented to the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in March 2015.

Global Mapping And Analysis Of Anti-Vehicle Mine Incidents In 2015, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This report presents and analyses AVM incident data from 2015.

Data in this report stem from field reports from states, mainly national mine action authorities/centres, as well as mine action and other humanitarian organisations, and from media reviews in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Urdu and Ukrainian.

Gender & Diversity In Mine Action Quality Management, Gichd, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

This guide has been developed to assist mine action stakeholders to mainstream gender and diversity in quality management, documentation and practices. This guide is designed for use by a broad range of actors, including:

• National Mine Action Authorities
• National Mine Action Centres
• UN agencies
• Non-governmental organisations
• Commercial contractors

This guide includes a checklist to help ensure that gender and diversity considerations are mainstreamed into the core documentation in quality management, such as: national mine action standards (NMAS), national technical standards and guides, standard operating procedures (SOP), and quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control forms. It also provides mine action …

National Capacities And Residual Contamination | Nepal, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This case study forms part of a broader GICHD study on national capacities and residual contamination and is based on both desk-top research and findings from a GICHD mission to Nepal between April and May 2014. The purpose of the report is to document Nepal’s experience of developing national clearance capacities to address residual contamination and to identify and present good practices and lessons learnt.

Gender & Diversity In Contracting And Grants Management, Gichd, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

This toolkit has been developed to assist mine action stakeholders to mainstream gender and diversity in contracting and grants management documentation and practices. The guide is designed for use by a broad range of actors, including:

• Donor agencies
• National Mine Action Authorities
• UN agencies
• Other mine action partners that subcontract components of their work to other organisations

The toolkit is composed of a checklist that seeks to ensure that gender and diversity considerations are mainstreamed into the core documentation in contracting and grants management, such as: requests for proposals (RFP); invitations to bid; call for expression of interest; grant application …

Itf Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2015, Itf-Enhancy Human Security

Global CWD Repository

The mission of ITF is to enhance safety as well as to enable the recovery and development of conflict affected countries by addressing the immediate and long-term impact of mine/ERW and other hazards following armed violence. A human security approach is applied to all of ITF’s interventions as it provides a dynamic and practical policy framework for addressing widespread and crosscutting threats. This human security approach supports the linkages between humanitarian mine action and surplus arms reduction, as well as the nexus between security and development. It also upholds the development of essential preconditions, capabilities and capacities that pave the …

Apopo Annual Report 2015, Apopo

Global CWD Repository

I first met the amazing HeroRATs in 2008 when I was an APOPO deminer detecting landmines in Mozambique. I had been invited to APOPO’s HQ and Training & Research Center in Tanzania and was about to embark on my new career as a Mine Detection Rat Handler. Although I had worked with trained dogs before I was still amazed at the rat’s abilities; their speed and accuracy. The Tanzania team taught me about scent detection theory and technology, as well as animal welfare and veterinary skills. In return I told them about the suffering in my country. At that time, …

Democracy, Human Rights And Governance Empowerment And Inclusion Division: Leahy War Victims Fund, Usaid-Leahy

Global CWD Repository

Historically, the LWVF has devoted the major proportion of its resources to establishing and improving accessible and appropriate prosthetic, orthotic (P&O) and physical rehabilitation services. This is evidenced through its extensive investments in the establishment and maintenance of P&O workshops; promotion of professional training, standards, and accreditation for P&O technicians; and support for increased mobility and physical functioning in general.