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Emergency and Disaster Management Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
U.S. Department Of State Humanitarian Mine-Action Support In Colombia, Edmund Trimakas
U.S. Department Of State Humanitarian Mine-Action Support In Colombia, Edmund Trimakas
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Years of conflict between the Colombian government and the militant groupFuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia has left the country littered with landmines and millions of internally displaced persons. The Colombian government is trying to address this situation. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State is working with Colombian organizations and nongovernmenal organizations to clean up contaminated areas and resettle Colombia’s IDPs.
Mine-Risk Education In Mine Action: How Is It Effective?, Sharif Baaser, Hugues Laurenge, Eric Filippino
Mine-Risk Education In Mine Action: How Is It Effective?, Sharif Baaser, Hugues Laurenge, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While mine-risk education has faced questions about its effectiveness, it has been an important part of mine action for the past 20 years. As mine action continues to evolve, so does MRE and the ways in which it operates and works with at-risk communities. Continued success in many different countries has shown the effectiveness of MRE and the necessity of the discipline.
The Challenges Of Ied Awareness And Mre In Afghanistan, Mathias Hagstrøm
The Challenges Of Ied Awareness And Mre In Afghanistan, Mathias Hagstrøm
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Improvised explosive devices have become a significant threat to the people of Afghanistan and have surpassed the threat posed by other types of explosive remnants of war. In order to combat these dangers, the United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan has worked closely with other groups to develop an IED-awareness booklet that supports current mine-risk-education efforts.
The Role Of Education On Awareness Of Ammunition-Dismantling Risks, Brunilda Zenelaga
The Role Of Education On Awareness Of Ammunition-Dismantling Risks, Brunilda Zenelaga
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The blasts from an ammunition dismantling factory in Gërdec, Albania, an accident caused by untrained employees at the facility, resulted in deaths and injuries and damaged homes for factory workers and nearby villagers in March 2008. This article suggests that training employers and workers to follow necessary safety procedures, as well as raising village awareness of the dangers of these ammunitions facilities, will help prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Beyond Weapons Collection: Promoting Safe And Responsible Sa/Lw Management, Nicolas Florquin, Karina Lynge, Klaus Ljørring Pedersen
Beyond Weapons Collection: Promoting Safe And Responsible Sa/Lw Management, Nicolas Florquin, Karina Lynge, Klaus Ljørring Pedersen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While the traditional focuses of many small-arms/light-weapons programs have been weapons collection and curbing proliferation, some humanitarian organizations—like Geneva Call and Danish Demining Group—advocate a model based on the promotion of safe and responsible weapons management. As illustrated by the experience of DDG with communities in Somaliland and by Geneva Call’s efforts with armed non-state actors, a participatory approach to weapons regulation and management offers promising alternatives to traditional weapons-control initiatives.
Mapping Development Organizations: Success Depends On Mine Action, Charles Downs
Mapping Development Organizations: Success Depends On Mine Action, Charles Downs
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Development initiatives around the world stand to gain from stronger collaboration with the mine-action community; however, this relationship is all too often underappreciated in areas where conflict has mandated resuscitating infrastructure, revitalizing the economy and resettling displaced persons. The Survey Action Center’s ongoing project on development organizations’ use (and occasionally misuse) of mine-action information intends to help mend the partnership between mine-action and non-mine-action actors.
First Workshop On Regional Approaches To Stockpile Reduction In Southeast Europe, Daniele Ressler, Dave Diaz, Laurie Freeman
First Workshop On Regional Approaches To Stockpile Reduction In Southeast Europe, Daniele Ressler, Dave Diaz, Laurie Freeman
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Faced with the significant security and humanitarian impacts of stockpiled weapons and munitions, countries and organizations in Southeast Europe met in May to discuss strategies for stockpile reduction. The workshop, held in Croatia, focused on regional approaches to this problem, emphasizing information-sharing and coordination across borders.
Uzbekistan Ammunition Depot Explosion Cleanup: U.S. Dod Support, Cisr Journal
Uzbekistan Ammunition Depot Explosion Cleanup: U.S. Dod Support, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A recent ammunition explosion in Kagan, Uzbekistan, prompted an appeal for international aid. As a result, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Bolos led a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Non-Commissioned Officers from the United States Department of Defense into Uzbekistan to deliver equipment and train the Uzbek Army on proper detection and removal of the ammunition with a limited budget and restricted schedule.
Prostheses For Pachyderm Landmine Survivors, Cisr Journal
Prostheses For Pachyderm Landmine Survivors, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Many times the only landmine survivors considered candidates for prostheses are humans; however, there are also pachyderm victims in need of assistance. Along the Thai-Burmese border, a heavily mined area, elephants that are used for logging, as well as wild elephants, often fall victim to landmines. Lacking other options and unable to care for the animals in this condition, their caretakers frequently opt to end the animals’ lives.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining has been busy over the last several months. The GICHD recently organized an African Francophone Conference on demining in Benin and provided technical input for the recent Convention on Cluster Munitions. In addition, GICHD published technical guides related to road clearance, safe ammunition storage and cluster munitions.
Sa/Lw And The Arms Trade Treaty, Cisr Journal
Sa/Lw And The Arms Trade Treaty, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Despite the efforts of governments, nongovernmental organizations, and disarmament and human rights activists worldwide, the global arms trade continues to exacerbate the situation caused by conventional weapons and, in particular, small arms/light weapons. Proliferation of SA/LW not only fuels conflict, but also disrupts development in war-ravaged regions. The following article provides an overview of SA/LW-control issues and remediation efforts. It also considers the progress of the international movement in support of an arms-trade treaty.
Oas—Aicma And Mine-Risk Education In Nicaragua, José Ramón Zepeda
Oas—Aicma And Mine-Risk Education In Nicaragua, José Ramón Zepeda
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
From 1979 to 1990, a violent internal conflict ravaged Nicaragua, leaving the country contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. To help minimize the number of victims within the country, the Organization of American States’ mine-action program, Acción Integral contra las Minas Antipersonal, has been working with mine-risk education campaigns to help educate and inform communities about landmines and UXO.
Just War Theory And Explosive Remnants Of War, Eric Patterson
Just War Theory And Explosive Remnants Of War, Eric Patterson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For centuries, philosophers and political theorists have pondered the ethical considerations of waging war. Just War theory, expounded upon by contemporary thinkers, addresses three ethical components of war-making: the conditions for going to war, acceptable violence during combat, and the eventual resolution and remediation of conflict. These issues and their overlap with humanitarian demining and small arms/light weapons control are examined below.
Icrc Weapons-Contamination Activities In Colombia, Andy Wheatley
Icrc Weapons-Contamination Activities In Colombia, Andy Wheatley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The International Committee of the Red Cross has been working alongside the Colombian Red Cross to ease Colombia’s weapons-contamination problem, made more difficult by ongoing conflict. By combining preventive measures, victim assistance, rehabilitation programs and economic aid, the ICRC has strengthened Colombian organizations, while educating the public and assisting those negatively affected by explosive remnants of war. The efforts of the ICRC have significantly helped Colombia where many other international organizations had found it difficult to assist because of the current political situation.
Unsung Hero: Carson Harte, Cisr Journal
Unsung Hero: Carson Harte, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For more than 15 years, Carson Harte’s work with The Cambodia Trust has been at the core of physical-rehabilitation efforts throughout Southeast Asia, a region whose legacy of conflict has made the need for trained professionals like prosthetists and orthotists invaluable. The Cambodia Trust—a nongovernmental organization based in the United Kingdom–addresses that need, and as its Executive Director, Harte has overseen the organization’s expanding operations in Indonesi and Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Sa/Lw And The Osce Response, Jernej Cimperšek
Sa/Lw And The Osce Response, Jernej Cimperšek
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The illegal dissemination of small arms/light weapons has recently come to the forefront of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s agenda. Through security forums and the provision of literature and physical assistance to affected countries, the OSCE is working to rid Europe of SA/LW that may potentially spread to more militant nations. Working with other international organizations such as the United Nations, the OSCE aims to encourage implementation of its Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons, drafted to address the spread of SA/LW and related issues, and to completely rid the area of dangerous arms.
Identifying Synergies Between Mine Action And Small Arms/Light Weapons, Eric Filippino
Identifying Synergies Between Mine Action And Small Arms/Light Weapons, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Over the last few years, there has been considerable discussion around linking small arms/light weapons with mine action, although, to date, there has been little concrete exchange between the sectors at an operational level. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of State commissioned the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining to look at areas of possible synergy, resulting in the study Identifying Synergies Between Mine Action and Small Arms/Light Weapons.
Mag Involvement With Sa/Lw, Steve Priestley
Mag Involvement With Sa/Lw, Steve Priestley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In less than 20 years, Mines Advisory Group, involved in the identification and destruction of small arms/light weapons, has made a real impact. Maintaining technical support at hand-in points, offering capacity-building training and conducting assessments of stockpile management are just a few of the services MAG provides.
The Gradual Process Of Nationalizing Mre In Afghanistan, Samim Hashimi, Mutahar Sha Akhgar
The Gradual Process Of Nationalizing Mre In Afghanistan, Samim Hashimi, Mutahar Sha Akhgar
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Afghanistan, a country torn apart by decades of conflict, is implementing a successful plan for national mine-risk education. Successes, strategies, and at-risk populations are discussed and analyzed in this article.
Cultivating A Broader Base For Landmine Action, Tammie Warmus, Maggie Emery
Cultivating A Broader Base For Landmine Action, Tammie Warmus, Maggie Emery
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With the total number of landmine victims increasing daily and the level of donor commitment decreasing, it is more important than ever to build a broader base of interest and support for landmine victim assistance, often a lifelong need. The Coffeelands Landmine Victims’ Trust is an initiative that attempts to do just that by engaging the coffee industry and consumers
Aimca-Oas: Enhancing Aid To Landmine Survivors, Nicole Vera
Aimca-Oas: Enhancing Aid To Landmine Survivors, Nicole Vera
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since 1997, the Organization of American States’ Comprehensive Action against Anti-personnel Mines (Acción Integral contra Minas Antipersonal or AICMA) has been increasing aid to landmine survivors and their families. Through vocational training, physical and psychological rehabilitation, job placement, social reintegration and emergency treatment, AICMA-OAS has provided hundreds of landmine survivors with the help they need to once again become active members in their communities.
Expanding Economic Opportunities In Lebanon, Toufic Rizkallah
Expanding Economic Opportunities In Lebanon, Toufic Rizkallah
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Following years of devastation from war, the infrastructure of the district of Jizzine in southern Lebanon was in shambles and the residents left without employment and dependent on agricultural products from outside the region. In February 2002, in an effort to re-establish self-sufficiency in the district, the World Rehabilitation Fund with support from the United States Agency for International Development and the Leahy War Victims Fund, formed The Development Cooperative in Jizzine (Co-op). By providing technical and material assistance to war/landmine victims, the Co-op has proven to be increasingly capable of addressing multiple socioeconomic needs of landmine survivors and other …
Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal
Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Cluster munitions are a serious issue because of the lack of specialized restrictions on their use and the high volume of explosive remnants of war that the weapons can create. Although all weapons are governed by international law, the lack of a specific convention addressing these weapons led many nongovernmental organizations and countries to join together to create a ban in what has become known as the Oslo Process, with the most recent conference held in May 2008 in Dublin.
Lebanon, Country Profile
Lebanon, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Years of conflict and foreign occupation have left Lebanon riddled with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Contamination from explosive remnants of war increased dramatically as a result of the introduction and use of cluster munitions in the July–August 2006 conflict with Israel. According to the Landmine Monitor’s 2007 report on Lebanon, the use of cluster munitions resulted in the contamination of approximately 500,000 undetonated, unexploded munitions and 15,300 other varieties of UXO. In addition to the increased cluster-bomb contamination, Lebanon remains contaminated with anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines from the Lebanese War (1975–1990).
Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association: The Story So Far, Nick Nwolisa
Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association: The Story So Far, Nick Nwolisa
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Due to years of conflict, Azerbaijan has become yet another territory contaminated with dangerous landmines and unexploded ordnance; however, the Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association, a nongovernmental organization which started in the Terter region of Azerbaijan, has been working hard to help assist mine victims. Their organization, a product of the International Eurasia Press Fund, has received international recognition by organizations such as the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is continuing to provide mine-risk education and support for survivors and their families.
The Supreme Choice, Cisr Journal
The Supreme Choice, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In August 2007, the Humpty Dumpty Institute named a new spokesperson, Mary Wilson, famous to many for her performances with the popular vocal group the Supremes. Wilson has taken up her new responsibilities with zeal, representing HDI on a trip to mine-affected areas in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka. Wilson took time to talk with the Journal of Mine Action’s Daniele Ressler. This profile is the result of that interview.
Engaging Armed Non-State Actors In A Landmine Ban: A Review Of Geneva Call’S Action, 2000–2007, Pascal Bongard
Engaging Armed Non-State Actors In A Landmine Ban: A Review Of Geneva Call’S Action, 2000–2007, Pascal Bongard
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Geneva Call has been engaging armed non-state actors in a landmine ban since 2000. The Swiss-based nongovernmental organization was created in response to the realization that the landmine problem could only be comprehensively addressed if NSAs, who are the primary users of such weapons today, were included in the solution. To facilitate the process, Geneva Call has developed an innovative mechanism—the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action—that enables NSAs, who cannot accede to the Ottawa Convention, to undertake to respect its norms.
Children Of Cambodia’S Killing Fields: Memoirs By Survivors, Book Review
Children Of Cambodia’S Killing Fields: Memoirs By Survivors, Book Review
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
It is impossible to comprehend something as vast as the killing fields of Cambodia unless one can reduce it to the personal. Imagine the devastation wrought from the creeping irreversible loss of memory felt by an Alzheimer’s patient. As the disease progresses with unrelenting tenacity, it obliterates any sense of family or community, leaving the victim isolated, frightened and powerless.
Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper
Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With an area of more than one million square miles (2,589,988 square kilometers), Sudan is the largest country on the African continent and has been at the center of decades of conflict since it gained its independence in 1959. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 brought to end a vicious civil war and marked the beginning of an era of relative peace. This article outlines the health challenges involved in mine action in Sudan and highlights the actions taken by the United Nations Mine Action Office in Sudan to address issues of medical support to humanitarian-demining operations in …
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programs and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards and provides support to instruments of international law.