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Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
Colombia: Mine Action And Armed Conflict, Eric Filippino
Colombia: Mine Action And Armed Conflict, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Colombia is still in the throes of armed conflict and organised violence that has been ongoing during the past 40 years. Parties to the conflict include the government and armed forces of Colombia as well as numerous guerrilla groups. The two largest of these are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which first appeared in 1964, and the National Liberation Army (NLA or ELN). In addition, numerous paramilitary groups operating throughout the country receive tacit support from certain Colombian army units.1 There continues to be disputed control over vast swathes of Colombian territory.
International Mine Action Standards: Some Frequently Asked Questions And Answers, Phil Bean
International Mine Action Standards: Some Frequently Asked Questions And Answers, Phil Bean
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) were requested by the mine action community and are produced and sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), with support from a variety of organisations, including the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The initial design and development of the standards involved extensive participation from representative elements of the mine action sector during the period of 1998–2000. Since that time, the sector has continued to expand with the addition of new programmes and new people joining the sector. IMAS continue to evolve and now benefit from the experience of practical application into …
The Role Of The Military In Mine Action, Ian Mansfield, Eric Filippino
The Role Of The Military In Mine Action, Ian Mansfield, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article is drawn from a study conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) entitled A Study of the Role of the Military in Mine Action, published in September 2003. The study was commissioned by the United Nations, and sought to address issues such as the suitability, appropriateness and capability of the military to undertake mine action. The findings show that while using military actors in mine action is not always appropriate, militaries can play a positive role.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As the theme of this edition of the Journal of Mine Action is about the use of the military in mine action, I would like to remind readers of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) publication titled "The Role of the Military in Mine Action." This study was originally requested by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and completed in mid-2003. The study found that over the past 15 years, military forces—both local and visiting—have made a significant contribution to mine action.
Scientific Contributions To Demining Technology: Beliefs, Perceptions And Realities, Ian Mclean
Scientific Contributions To Demining Technology: Beliefs, Perceptions And Realities, Ian Mclean
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
At a four-day conference in Brussels, scientists and demining practitioners exchanged findings from their studies of old and new demining technologies. The following article discusses some of the key developments and implications from the conference.
Systematic Test & Evaluation Of Metal Detectors, Noel Mulliner, Phil Bean, Francois Littmann
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.
Mechanical Application In Demining: Modernising Clearance Methods, Alexander Griffiths, Leonard Kaminsky
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.
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 (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). This article highlights some of the GICHD’s recent activities.
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 (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research, and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (MBC).
Explosive Remnants Of War: The Negotiations Continue, Paul Ellis
Explosive Remnants Of War: The Negotiations Continue, Paul Ellis
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
From 16–27 June 2003, States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) met in a Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) to discuss a draft proposal for an Instrument on Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). A previous article in the Journal of Mine Action outlined the background to this process, and the June meeting was the second to take place in 2003. This article explains what was discussed in June, what will happen next and some of the broad issues of interest to the mine action community.
Azerbaijan Mine Action Program: The Information Leverage, Aziz Aliyev
Azerbaijan Mine Action Program: The Information Leverage, Aziz Aliyev
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The effective and steady working partnership between the Information Department of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has enabled the development of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). The following article outlines the relationship between ANAMA and GICHD and their joint success.
Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield
Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
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.
Explosive Remnants Of War: The Impact Of Current Negotiations, Paul Ellis
Explosive Remnants Of War: The Impact Of Current Negotiations, Paul Ellis
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
“While there has been significant progress in reducing the scourge of APLs, the menace posed by unexploded artillery shells, mortar rounds, hand grenades, cluster bomb submunitions and other similar objects must also be addressed.”—ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger, 2002.
Remote Explosive Scent Training: Genuine Or A Paper Tiger?, Håvard Bach, Ian Mclean
Remote Explosive Scent Training: Genuine Or A Paper Tiger?, Håvard Bach, Ian Mclean
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article briefly discusses many of the research challenges presented by the Remote Explosive Scent Training (REST) concept. These challenges were reviewed at a recent workshop (8–12 February 2003), hosted by APOPO at the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, and attended by all current players involved in developing or using REST for demining purposes.
International Mine Action Standards: Future Development Of Ppe Standards, Adrian Wilkinson
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.
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 (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Use Of Mechanical Equipment In Mine Clearance, Johannes Dirscherl
Use Of Mechanical Equipment In Mine Clearance, Johannes Dirscherl
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In recent years, mechanical equipment has become more and more prominent in demining programs around the world. This article provides an overview of mechanical demining equipment and highlights the involvement of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in promoting such equipment.
The Role Of Mine Action In Victim Assistance, Eric Filippino
The Role Of Mine Action In Victim Assistance, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Of the five pillars of mine action, victim assistance seems to receive the least attention. At the request of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has recently completed a research project with a view to offering guidance on the future role of mine action in mine and UXO victim assistance.
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 programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Mine Action Technology Now And In The Future: Is It Realistic To Expect Great Leaps Forward In Technology?, Håvard Bach
Mine Action Technology Now And In The Future: Is It Realistic To Expect Great Leaps Forward In Technology?, Håvard Bach
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In order to realistically predict the future of demining techniques and technologies, past and present technology must first be examined and critiqued.
Gichd Mechanical Mine Clearance Equipment Catalogue, Detlef Shroeder
Gichd Mechanical Mine Clearance Equipment Catalogue, Detlef Shroeder
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In order to create the definitive list of demining machines that are currently available on the international market, GICHD created the GICHD Mechanical Mine Clearance Equipment Catalogue. It highlights numerous machines and will be updated annually, as its creators hope that it will better aid the attempt to eradicate the world’s landmines by 2010.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Paddy Blagden
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Paddy Blagden
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The GICHD has been assisting the ICRC with technical information on both AT mines and submunitions. GICHD also addresses other areas of special concern to mine action.
What The Dog’S Nose Knows, Ian Mclean
What The Dog’S Nose Knows, Ian Mclean
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Mine clearance is an ongoing process that is both tedious and expensive. Mine detection dogs are one tool in the toolbox. These dogs are far from fool-proof, yet they are constantly making strides in assisting demining efforts worldwide.
New International Standards Debut October 1, 2001, Suzanne Fiederlein
New International Standards Debut October 1, 2001, Suzanne Fiederlein
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On October 1, 2001 the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) officially released twenty-two documents that comprise the initial set of new International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). The standards replace the International Standards for Humanitarian Mine Clearance Operations. The new standards represent the culmination of two years of work to revise and expand the old standards based on changes in practices, procedures and norms that emerged from the continuing operations of mine action programs around the globe.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Paddy Blagden
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Paddy Blagden
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The GICHD works with numerous organizations to assist demining efforts in Central and South America. Through programs such as IMSMA and the Afghan Dog Program, GICHD has contributed significantly to mine action in Latin America and continues to do so.
Imsma And Its Use In Nicaragua, Country Profile, Cisr Jmu
Imsma And Its Use In Nicaragua, Country Profile, Cisr Jmu
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was created to coordinate and manage information pertaining to land mine activity. The system was designed to be the source for establishing international standards on mine-related information in order to assist humanitarian demining efforts worldwide.
Implementing Landmine Awareness Programs, Eric Filippino
Implementing Landmine Awareness Programs, Eric Filippino
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Among the wider mine action community, recognition is steadily growing of the need to incorporate socio-economic data and analysis into the planning, prioritization and evaluation of mine action. Shifting the focus away from the achievement of straightforward targets of land cleared or numbers of mines removed onto improving the lives of communities threatened by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) represents a major change in mine action thinking. Mine awareness, which also seeks to integrate socio-economic analysis into its work can play an important role in rounding out this concept.
International Standards For Personal Protective Equipment, Alastair Mcaslan, Keith Feigenbaum
International Standards For Personal Protective Equipment, Alastair Mcaslan, Keith Feigenbaum
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
International Standards for Mine Action are being revised by the United Nations. As part of the revision process, a working group on personal protective equipment (WGPPE) has been established to examine the subject of safety in mine clearance operations, and to make recommendations on standards and guidelines for PPE. This paper is based on the WGPPE's report.