Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

World War Ii Coastal Minefields In The United Kingdom, Roly Evans

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While not widely appreciated today, there were once 1,997 minefields in the United Kingdom containing between 338,500–350,000 landmines. If you were to walk today on a beach suitable for amphibious landing on either the south or east coasts of the United Kingdom, chances are that you would be walking on a former 1940s minefield. This article briefly explores the story of the United Kingdom’s coastal minefields, from their hasty installation through their costly clearance. Many of the lessons from this period remain relevant today, as countries seek to apply land release principles to reduce the risk of explosive contamination to …

An Initial Study Into Mine Action And Improvised Explosive Devices, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) present significant risks to mine action (MA) operators and the programmes within which they work. Such risks can be managed through well-informed risk identification and assessment, the avoidance of some activities, and the procurement/development of the necessary skills, equipment and procedures to address others.

This study focuses primarily on improvised devices of the types that are currently encountered by MA organisations during humanitarian operations. The use of IEDs for terrorist purposes or as part of active conflict is not addressed in this study. While it is recognised that MA organisations may be present in places where …

Gender And Diversity Annual Report 2016, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In its 2015-2018 Strategy, the GICHD has reaffirmed its commitment to gender & diversity, and 2016 has cer-tainly been a year of accomplishments. In January 2016, the GICHD joined the International Gender Champions Network. In July 2016, the GICHD adopted its first Centre-wide Gender & Diversity Action Plan. In September, the GICHD created two positions on gender & diversity Programme Officer (30%) and Junior Programme Officer (50%). In addition to those three milestones, the GICHD has also been promoting gender & diversity by sharing its knowledge, holding events for GICHD staff and the public alike, and encouraging discussions and debates …

Explosive Weapon Effects, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Motivated by its strategic goal to improve human security and equipped with subject expertise in explosive hazards, the GICHD launched a research project to characterise explosive weapons. The GICHD perceives the debate on explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) as an important humanitarian issue. The aim of this research into explosive weapons characteristics and their immediate, destructive effects on humans and structures, is to help inform the ongoing discussions on EWIPA, intended to reduce harm to civilians. The intention of the research is not to discuss the moral, political or legal implications of using explosive weapon systems in populated areas, …

Geneva International Centre For Humanitarian Demining 2017 Annual Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

2017 marked the 20-year anniversary of the signing of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which laid the ground for coordinated mine action efforts worldwide. This treaty has become a reference agreement in both the humanitarian and disarmament fields. Today still, it provides an example of how international law can effectively contribute to a safer and more secure world. It is in this spirit that the GICHD continues to promote the universalisation and implementation of the different treaties relevant to mine action. In fact, supporting national partners towards the timely fulfilment of convention obligations and completion targets remains a priority.

However, …

Enhancing Mine Action Operations With High-Resolution Uas Imagery, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Following a two-year feasibility study, The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) last year moved its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) program into its operational testing phase, working with The HALO Trust and MAG in Angola to analyse the real-world benefits that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can bring to demining activities.

Maxml: Coordinating Mine Action With Xml Technologies, Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mine Action XML (maXML) is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema developed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). It aims to standardize data management and data exchange among actors in the mine action community, which includes individuals and groups involved in any aspect of addressing the landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination. In this field, data exchange is mostly manual and often has to deal with chaotic environments. The goal of maXML is to contribute to the automatization of many of these processes, saving valuable time for staff in the field and improving the …

Report Of The Informal Meeting On Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel (Motapm Or Anti-Vehicle Mines), Gichd, United Nations Mine Action Service, United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs

Global CWD Repository

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) jointly hosted an informal one day meeting to examine the humanitarian and developmental impact of anti-vehicle mines/mines other than antipersonnel mines (MOTAPM), discuss possible solutions and highlight the need for the international community to move forward and take specific action.

The meeting took place on Friday 6 November 2015 in Geneva. Upwards of 80 delegates attended the meeting, which included representatives from over 50 states, the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, non-governmental …

Mobile Data Collection: Interoperability Through New Architecture, Elizabeth Vinek, Sulaiman Mukahhal, Olivier Cottray

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Information management (IM) requires close collaboration between all parties in a mine action program and cannot be carried out in isolation. Effective IM involves tools as well as organizational processes that clearly define how different parties interact and function with IM. Without adequately defining processes through National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), even the most advanced and fit-for-purpose IM tools will lack the foundation to be effective.

A Guide To Survey And Clearance Of Underwater Explosive Ordnance, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This guide focuses on providing a collection of current policy and best practices used in survey and clearance of underwater explosive ordnance. Specific cases are used; they provide examples and analysis. It is not intended to be a comprehensive database of policies and practices; it provides national authorities and mine action organisations with guidance to better understand the issues and complexities of underwater EO survey and clearance operations.

Mine Detection Rats | Apopo: Efficiency And Effectiveness Study Using Mdr Capability, Gichd, Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling

Global CWD Repository

As the laboratory rat is one of the most widely studied animals, the abundance of available research material on its olfactory capabilities is not surprising. However, very little information can be found on their mine/ERW detection abilities. Consequently, in late 2015, GICHD conducted a study of APOPO’s Mine Detection Rat (MDR) programs in Angola, Mozambique and Cambodia. The aim of the study was to focus on the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the MDR, as well as to determine compliance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Within the sector, MDR suffer from a negative perception of scent detection as …

Advanced Training On Ammunition Identification And Disposal In Afghanistan, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

GICHD delivered an advanced level training course on ammunition identification and disposal in Kabul, Afghanistan on 16-29 April 2016. The focus of the course was to build on existing skillsets and improve the knowledge of the characteristics of NATO and other ammunition encountered in Afghanistan.

By not offering a formal IMAS explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) qualification and associated testing protocols, the course curriculum allowed flexibility. On the first day the program was customised to the assessed needs of the attendees, based on the feedback from interviews with them all. As a result the curriculum allowed, for the practicing of alternative …

A Guide To Cluster Munitions, Gichd, Convention On Cluster Munitions

Global CWD Repository

Since the CCM entered into force in 2010, much expertise has been acquired by States Parties and partner organisations. This expertise addresses challenges in treaty compliance and best practices that have been developed within the sector to support effective and efficient implementation of the Convention.

This new edition of A Guide to Cluster Munitions features updated information on the Convention’s key obligations such as stockpile destruction and cluster munitions clearance. It features comprehensive descriptions and illustrations of the types of cluster munitions in contaminated areas. It also explores good practices in risk education and victim assistance, as well as other …

Gichd’S Eastern Europe, Caucasus And Central Asia Outreach Programme, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Within the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA) region, fifteen countries affected by landmines and/or explosive remnants of war (ERW) use Russian as a communication language: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Mines and ERW pose a serious hazard to the lives and livelihoods of the people in the EECCA. Residual contamination impacts many of the countries. In Belarus for instance, 20,879 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were found and destroyed in 2014. Significant amounts of UXO were also recovered from Estonia, Moldova and Russia. More recent conflicts led …

Afghan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2016-2020, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This is the first mine action strategic plan to be developed in consultation with all relevant mine action implementing partners, including the United Nations, government line ministries, international donors and other stakeholders. It sets out clearer path for mainstreaming development into mine action, an aspiration reflected in the Plan's following five goals: facilitating development; engaging with other sectors; taking action to reduce the impact of mines and ERW; taking action to mitigate the consequences of mine and ERW accidents; mainstreaming gender and diversity.

An Independent Review Of The Mine Action Sector In Cambodia, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Cambodia is one of the oldest and most established mine action programmes in the world. Because of its extensive landmine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) contamination and the early response that was provided 25 years ago with the assistance of the international community, the country's mine action sector has developed a robust and qualified capacity of national professionals and has benefited from the assistance of an extensive number of international organizations as well as the massive support from international development partners.

As a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), Cambodia has demonstrated a strong commitment in …

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 …

Linking Mine Action And Ssr, Geneva Centre For The Democratic Control Of Armed Forces

Global CWD Repository

SSR Papers is a flagship DCAF publication series intended to contribute innovative thinking on important themes and approaches relating to security sector reform (SSR) in the broader context of security sector governance. Intended for researchers, policymakers and practitioners involved in this field, the papers provide original and provocative analysis on topics that are directly linked to the challenges of a governance-driven SSR agenda.

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

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 …

Collaborative Ordnance Data Repository (Cord), Dionysia Kontotasiou, Olivier Cottray

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Until recently, the mine action and broader humanitarian disarmament community have relied on ORDATA for ordnance information. However, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, James Madison University and software-development company Ripple Design developed a novel aid to using ORDATA: the Collaborative ORDnance data repository (CORD). Representing a significant update to the data set, CORD is an ordnance-identification system featuring Web 2.0 concepts that allow individual users to contribute updates to the data.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …