Emergency and Disaster Management Commons^™

Imas And Ppe Requirements, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

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). The author was an active member of the User Focus Group advising the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) when they made the current IMAS revision. He continues as an elected member of the IMAS Review Board. The author has also maintained a database of demining accidents for five years, and uses the evidence of real accidents to inform his views on protection needs.

Tmac: Conquering Thailand’S Unique Mine Problem, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) faces a number of challenges in coping with the country’s landmine situation, but the organization is making progress, one step at a time. For more insight into TMAC’s operations, Mr. Dave McCracken, Chief Technical Adviser of TMAC, recently shared some of his views on demining, including the successes and challenges, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and what lies ahead.

The Swedish Eod And Demining Centre, Thore Backman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article briefly introduces the Swedish Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) and illustrates its role and principal activities within both military and mine action contexts.

Mine Detection Dogs In Denmark, Mikael Borch Madsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Danish Mine- and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)-Technicians (DANMINAR A/S), a company based in Denmark, provides various types of training for dogs in locating such things as bombs, drugs, mines and more. This article outlines their history and progress in the field of detection dogs.

Mine Detection Dog Program: The Cambodian Experience, H.E. Khem Sophoan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the seven years since its creation, Cambodia’s Mine Detection Dog (MDD) Program has grown and developed to become a fully integrated part of the country’s mine clearance strategy. This article highlights the program’s history and achievements.

News From The Oas, Whitney Tolliver

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1996, the OAS Mine Action Program has assisted the government of Costa Rica in its efforts of mine clearance, mine risk education (MRE) and victim rehabilitation. On December 10, 2002, the country became the first in the Americas to officially declare itself free of AP mines. Mine contamination within the country had been concentrated primarily along the northern border as a result of the conflict in Nicaragua. Costa Rica itself has never produced, imported, stockpiled or used AP mines.

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program: Helping Countries “Get On Their Feet”, Jenny Lange

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1988, the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program (formerly the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program) has been involved in mine action efforts around the globe. While much has been written about the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program over the past few years, it is useful to review the program’s fundamentals if only to remind ourselves of its policy and procedural aspects.

The Survey Action Center, David Hartley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center (SAC) is an international organization with its 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 (LISs). These surveys will allow for greater prioritization of demining efforts and further integration of the various mine action sectors.

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency And Mine Action, Pehr Lodhammar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) is a Swedish governmental organization that has been involved in Mine Action since 1999. Currently, the SRSA is involved in mine action in Eritrea, Kosovo, Jenin, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SRSA conducts a number of mine-related research and development (R&D) projects and hopes to become an operational mine clearance operator in the future.

International Mine Action Standards: Future Development Of Ppe Standards, Adrian Wilkinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article explains developments since the issue of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) 10.30 in order to illustrate the potential amendments to IMAS 10.30 over the next two years.

First Person: Deminers’ Stories, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Personal stories open a unique world by revealing the challenging experiences in the life of a deminer. These stories are compiled from the CD Landmines: Clearing the Way, which showcases field experiences and explains how the U.S. government and the international community are working together to solve the landmine problem.

Ocean Group: Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2000, the Ocean Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division (EOD Division) has been forming an extensive underwater clearance program by combining vast experience from different fields of mine action and by developing advanced underwater demining technologies

Canadian Centre For Mine Action Technologies, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Funded by the Canadian Landmine Fund, the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) works with Canadian and other international organizations to enhance the mine action community. To date, they have tested and evaluated a number of now widely used pieces of mine action equipment as well as researched new techniques to further develop demining technologies.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

An Update On The Mine Action Support Group, Masg Masg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG). This includes updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The U.S. Department Of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program, Sean Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1994, the United States initiated a research and development (R&D) program to develop new, internationally shareable technologies for humanitarian deminers and for U.S. troops performing peacekeeping and stability operations. The Humanitarian Demining (HD) R&D Program is part of the overall U.S. effort to assist with the global landmine problem.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Africa: It's Big!, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The great opera commentator, John Culshaw was once asked to describe the monumental Wagnerian “Ring Cycle” using only one word. After pondering the question for a moment he responded by characterizing it as, “long.” At first, this obvious answer seemed more flippant than serious, but a little thought leads one to conclude that Culshaw was on to something. Many words could describe the Ring: monumental, bombastic, fantastic, convoluted, stirring, mythological, but each limits the scope or makes a judgment which may not be ultimately true. The truth is that someone who wants to tackle the Ring must be prepared to …

Technology's Promises, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Every technology under development makes big promises. Here are five projects that may someday impact the world of mine action.

Angola, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the 13th century, Angola’s first known residents migrated from west Africa. In 1575, imperialism found its way to this nation through Portuguese colonizers. After World War II, Angola became an important coffee supplier, and the colonial population grew to over 80,000. Consequently, clashes began between the Portuguese and the original inhabitants. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and the Capitalist National Union for the Independence of Angola (UNITA) finally gained independence in 1975. Except for a brief period during 1991, UNITA has aggressively rebelled against the established government and …

The Role Of The United Nations In Mine Action An Interview With Ian Mansfield, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ian Mansfield of the United Nations Development Programme talks candidly about the various mine action offices in the UN, how the UN organizes mine action, the role of host governments, donors, and the successes and challenges of coordinating integrated mine action activities with infrastructure development and capacity building.

Let's Go About Our Work, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The partnerships and spirit which develop within the context of mine action activities sometimes seem almost as important as the remediation of landmines itself.

An Interview With The Nicaraguan Minister Of Defense, Dr. José Adán Guerra Pastora, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Minister of Defense stressed that demining operations in his country are purely a humanitarian mission. The ultimate goals are to make the land safe for the communities and its children.

The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 5.2 (2001), Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines in Central and South America

Aicma: Helping Central America, Organization Of American States

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since its creation in 1998, Comprehensive Action against Anti-personnel Mines (AICMA) has been devoted to numerous landmine issues. Recently, however, AICMA has focused its attention on the vast problems found throughout Central America, allying itself with other organizations such as the Assistance Program for Demining in Central America (PADCA), a group largely devoted to humanitarian issues. Working together, AICMA and its partners have accomplished a great deal throughout the continent.