Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

Landmine Clearance Projects: Task Manager's Guide, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

These World Bank guidelines on landmine clearance describe suggested good practice for use by task managers in the design and implementation of land mine clearance projects financed by the World Bank. It complements Demining - Operational Guidelines for Financing Land Mine Clearance, which the World Bank issued in February 1997, bringing together their experience in addressing this problem.

Evaluation Of The Global Landmine Survey Process: Draft Final Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Scanteam of Norway with Demex of Denmark were contracted by the Survey Action Center (SAC) to carry out an evaluation of the Global Landmine Survey (GLS) process with the objectives to examine the current GLS organisational structure and the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) methodologies like procedures, tools and assumptions. The second objective was to evaluate the utility, efficacy and use of the survey results.

The Minewolf Toolbox System: Ground Preparation To Mine Clearance, Heinz Rath

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The MineWolf Toolbox System, which operates in minefields near Sarajevo, is a mine clearance device that has been used to improve efficiency and effectiveness in demining operations. This article discusses the benefits of the MineWolf Toolbox System and compares it to other demining machines and technology currently used to clear minefields.

Mechanical Application In Demining: Modernising Clearance Methods, Alexander Griffiths, Leonard Kaminsky

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Even as mechanical mine clearance systems are increasingly employed throughout the world, the full potential of these machines remains to be seen. Further study of the issue has prompted the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) to release the “Study of Mechanical Application in Mine Action,” due in December 2003.

Testing And Use Of Demining Machines In The Republic Of Croatia, Ivan Steker

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the course of achieving the quality employment of machines and their development, CROMAC is conducting the activities of testing, verification and accreditation of demining machines.

Decision Support System For Demining Waterways, Nenad Mladineo, Snjezana Knezic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the beginning of 2002, Croatian Waters, a state water management system, gave the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Split a project with the main objective of determining the optimal strategy for demining waterways by using contemporary scientific methods and tools.

Systematic Test & Evaluation Of Metal Detectors, Noel Mulliner, Phil Bean, Francois Littmann

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Up-to-date and accurate information on available technology is urgently needed to help Mine Action Centres (MACs) and donors in the planning of demining activities and in the selection of the best-suited type of demining equipment. For this reason, the European Commission (EC) is starting a project to evaluate the performance of metal detectors on the market today.

Using Bomb Disrupters In Demining Operations, Jennifer Cox

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The use of bomb disrupters has substantially impacted the demining community from the time of their invention to the present. Proparms Ltd., a world leader in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) manufacturing, is making headway with its products, which will help continue along the path of landmine casualty reduction.

Development And Test Of The Humanitarian Demining Sifting Excavator, Christopher Wanner

Global CWD Repository

The Humanitarian Demining Sifting Excavator has been developed to address the problem of finding and clearing deeply buried, mixed minefields. The motivation for the development came from a 2002 site assessment by the team of an existing mine problem in Honduras. Areas were identified containing both antipersonnel and antitank landmines buried up to 0.5 meters in mineralized soils. Conventional mine clearing techniques employed in the areas of interest had uncovered widespread evidence of these deeply buried mines, however, these techniques were unreliable for consistently finding mines buried at these depths. The Sifting Excavator was proposed and chosen as the best …

A Risk Strategy For Mine Action, Julian Williams

Global CWD Repository

A generic risk management methodology has been derived, and aspects of it were used to develop risk management strategies for Cambodia and Bosnia. These countries presented different problems and so required very different approaches. In Cambodia, the available resources are wholly inadequate to remove the risk from landmines in the medium-term. Moreover, the mine treatment options that might be practicable, even if they were available, are limited, because of the poor infrastructure and type of terrain where they would be applied. Nevertheless, there is some scope for using risk assessment to identify where the practicable mine treatment options (mainly manual …

Vapour Sensing Using Dogs In Bosnia: A Test Of Detection Capacity, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Havard Bach

Global CWD Repository

We report results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that REST (Remote Explosive Scent Tracing) technology could be used to find mines in Bosnia. The find rate for mines on 88 filers was 68%. Detection success was linked to humidity and temperature at the time of sampling, and to location within Bosnia. Detection success was not linked to when the filter passed across the mine during the sampling period, or how long the filter was held over the mine. Two mines were found at similar rates (PMA3, TMA4). Success was lower for a third type (TMM1) but …

Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield

Global CWD Repository

The goal of addressing landmine problems in southeastern Europe (SE Europe) with a regional approach entails the cooperation of countries on a number of complex issues. The following article discusses some of the primary issues involved in the process of incorporating a regional approach to landmine problems in SE Europe.

Information Requirements For Explosive Remnants Of War, The Views Of The Clearance Community, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Access to relevant information is vital to the establishment and operational effectiveness of any clearance and risk education programme designed to alleviate the effects of explosive remnants of war (ERW). Where that information is available, it can have a direct and almost immediate impact on operations, and helps to ensure that the threat from ERW is dealt with efficiently, mitigating the risk for civilians. However, the type and level of information needed will vary depending on the parties to the conflict, nature of the conflict, and the location of ERW. Information, such as the nature of the munitions used and …

Cida Central And Eastern Europe Branch: Canadian Mine Action Programme In The Balkans, 1998-2003, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This evaluation describes the Canadian Mine Action Programme (CMAP) in the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Croatia) from 1998 to 2003 and is focused on the key results achieved and lessons learned, with particular emphasis on validating the design, implementation and effectiveness of the numerous projects that comprised the programme. It intends to improve the programme development as well as the project selection, design and implementation. The focus of the CMAP was principally on the provision of direct humanitarian assistance, the enhancement of peace, security and stability, the building of institutional mine action capacity, and the creation of indigenous …

Ddas: Imas And Ppe Requirements, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

This paper explains the personal protective equipment (PPE) that a demining group must use in order to comply with the United Nations’International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).

My views in this paper are based on extensive field experience, the detailed investigations in the Database of Demining Accidents (DDAS) and on the many follow-up interviews of accident victims that I have undertaken.

Mine Action In Afghanistan: Transitional Options, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This report examines the options for transition from a United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) to one under national government management. The report was commissioned by the UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery in February 2003. It discusses four options for transition, and provides background to the conclusions and recommendations.

Programme - 1st Rest Workshop, Apopo

Global CWD Repository

A meeting schedule with accompanying notes for the first REST Workshop held at the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania in February 2003. Sponsored by APOPO and GICHD.

Mine Detection Dogs: Training, Operations And Odour Detection, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The use of dogs for mine detection has expanded dramatically in the last ten years. However, research designed to explore and understand the issues underlying mine dog detection has not kept pace with that expansion. A poor knowledge base was recognised as a key limitation on further development and exploitation of this fascinating detection technology. The GICHD therefore accepted the challenge of initiating a programme of research on mine detection dogs, with the specific objectives of (1) improving understanding of the skills and limitations of dogs, (2) optimising their deployment and performance, and (3) raising confidence in their work.

This …

Rest In Bosnia: A Pilot Test Of Detection Capability, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, H. Bach

Global CWD Repository

The following report discusses the results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) technology can be used for area reduction in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Clearance Impact Assessment (Sri Lanka), Tom Gillhespy

Global CWD Repository

Interim assessment of social and economic benefits of landmine clearance conducted by HDU/NPA since end of 2002. Uses socio-economic findings of clearance to look at focus that future clearance should take and recommends how activities/impacts can be strengthened.