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Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
Cambodia, Country Profile
Cambodia, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Plagued by nearly three decades of war, Cambodia remains one of the countries most afflicted by landmines and explosive remnants of war despite its recent decline in mine/ERW victims. There are nearly 14 million people living in Cambodia, and it is estimated that there are 43,316 survivors of landmines/unexploded ordnance who require assistance.
Vietnam, Country Profile
Vietnam, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Vietnam, a country of more than 85 million people, has one of the world’s highest rates of disabled citizens—greater than 6 percent of the entire population. That figure is partially attributable to contamination by landmines and unexploded ordnance, which encroaches on more than 60,000 square kilometers (23,166 square miles) and up to one-fifth of the country’s land surface. As a result, the Landmine Monitor Report has estimated that there are currently some 66,380 survivors of mines and explosive remnants of war in Vietnam—4,000 of whom received survivor services in 2006.
The Halo Trust And Hstamids, Chris Boshoff, Roger Cresci
The Halo Trust And Hstamids, Chris Boshoff, Roger Cresci
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A technology that employs multiple mine-detection techniques could improve demining around the world. Six months of using this product on-site have shown exciting results. Benefits of using this demining tool include increased effectiveness, speed and safety. This device was initially manufactured and used for military purposes only. The process of making it available to non-military organizations was difficult but successful.
In Remembrance: Silvija Bogdany, Cisr Journal
In Remembrance: Silvija Bogdany, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Silvija Bogdany, Operations Manager for RONCO Consulting Corporation in Northern Sudan, died 30 April 2008, from injuries resulting from a vehicle accident outside the town of El Obeid, Sudan. Her coworker, Jan Bosman, United Nations Mine Action Office Regional Coordinator for Northern Sudan, was also killed in the accident.
Developing Medical Capacity In Lao Pdr, Barbara Lewis, Sarah Bruinooge
Developing Medical Capacity In Lao Pdr, Barbara Lewis, Sarah Bruinooge
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Prior to 1996, Laotian victims of unexploded ordnance were left with few options for medical treatment. Since that time, however, the inadequacy of the healthcare system to handle such situations has been addressed and improvements made possible through the efforts of the World Victims Assistance Program. Though UXO accidents will continue to occur in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic well into the future, the impact of programs implemented by World Education and numerous other nongovernmental organizations and government entities has contributed to a significant increase in the number of survivors who have received effective treatment.
Empowering Iraqis: Rehabilitation Training In Bosnia, Nikola Prvulov, Julie Miller
Empowering Iraqis: Rehabilitation Training In Bosnia, Nikola Prvulov, Julie Miller
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article discusses the role that aid workers from Bosnia have had in training Iraqi medical personnel to treat war injuries. It stresses the role that nongovernmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations have had in supporting these efforts and how countries affected by unexploded ordnance and landmines have tried to share their experience with other countries in need of training and assistance.
Improved Landmine Discrimination With An Off-The-Shelf Metal Detector, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Shigeo Hirose
Improved Landmine Discrimination With An Off-The-Shelf Metal Detector, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Shigeo Hirose
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While a lot of improvement has been achieved with metal detectors in detection depth and ground rejection, little effort has been directed toward better discrimination capabilities; high false-positive rates not only increase clearance time, they tend to lower deminer vigilance, causing accidents. The authors have modeled a statically operating, off-the-shelf metal detector by generating volumetric sensitivity profiles. They present in-laboratory measurements and results of experiments on a test demining site in Cambodia. This article aims at giving deminers a more informed view of metallic targets, allowing them to take differentiated actions during target identification and removal.
Mine Detonation Trailers: Stresses Induced By Wheels Below The Surface Of A Soil Road, Peter Renwick
Mine Detonation Trailers: Stresses Induced By Wheels Below The Surface Of A Soil Road, Peter Renwick
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article examines the use of wheels to detonate mines buried in soil roads. Realistic pressure patterns and loading of the footprints of two types of detonation wheel were established. Solid modeling created typical tire footprints above a medium representing soil. Finite element analysis investigated stress patterns in the soil for two types of wheel at loads of both 1,800 and 5,000 kgf.
Operating With Uxo Containing White Phosphorus, Ilham Azizov
Operating With Uxo Containing White Phosphorus, Ilham Azizov
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article provides a brief account of the unexploded ordnance problem in Azerbaijan and describes the particular hazards of dealing with UXO containing white phosphorus. Drawing from the experience of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action's work at Saloglu, guidelines for handling WP UXO are discussed.
Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin
Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since their widespread use during World War II, landmines have arguably become one of the most significant social, economic and environmental problems of the last half-century. Restricting access to land, roads and water supplies, landmines have been responsible for the displacement of persons and the stagnation of basic infrastructure development in every region of the world. They have also caused land and soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and severe limitations to agricultural productivity. These issues, along with several others, were at the heart of the mine-action debate during creation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997.
Clearing The Way In Chad: Assessment, Access And Impact, Katharine Hopper
Clearing The Way In Chad: Assessment, Access And Impact, Katharine Hopper
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Mines Advisory Group began working in Chad in late 2004 with the objective of demining the water points in several of the war-torn provinces in the northern portion of the country. MAG formulated a three-phase plan that was extremely well-executed, even while dealing with the harsh desert climate, achieving its objectives before the deadline and under budget. A total of 21 watering points and 28 paths to access the watering points were cleared, while 84 areas were identified as dangerous. The work had a particularly positive effect on the local nomadic populations, who make a living traveling, often through …
Lebanon, Country Profile
Lebanon, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The overwhelming presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Lebanon has created a diverse and complex problem that continues to affect the socioeconomic development of the country. A number of mine/ERW accidents have occurred while individuals engage in farming activities. According to Landmine Monitor, about 62 percent of contaminated areas is agricultural land, and casualties tend to increase in planting and harvesting months. With contamination of agricultural land, landmines have delayed the implementation of a major drinking and irrigation water pipeline project.3 Also, there has been a noticeable decrease in agricultural production, the major source of income for …
Iraq Facing The Legacy Of Landmines And Explosive Remnants Of War, Salomon Schreuder
Iraq Facing The Legacy Of Landmines And Explosive Remnants Of War, Salomon Schreuder
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In this article the author describes the recent history and current state of mine-action efforts in Iraq. The author argues for a larger focus on these issues and for a comprehensive approach, linking other humanitarian efforts with mine action.
Intelligent Robotic Behaviors For Landmine Detection And Marking, David Bremmer, David Few, Curtis Nielsen, Miles Walton
Intelligent Robotic Behaviors For Landmine Detection And Marking, David Bremmer, David Few, Curtis Nielsen, Miles Walton
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article discusses experimental results achieved with a robotic countermine system that utilizes autonomous behaviors and a mixed-initiative control scheme to address the challenges of detecting and marking buried landmines. By correlating aerial imagery and ground-based robot mapping, the interface provides context for the operator to task the robot. Once tasked, the robot can perform the search and detection task without the use of accurate global positioning system information or continuous communication with the operator. Results show that the system was able to find and mark landmines with a very low level of human involvement. In addition, the data indicates …
Lessons Learned From Field Tests In Croatia And Cambodia, Paulo Debenest, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Toshiaki Matsuzawa, Shigeo Hirose
Lessons Learned From Field Tests In Croatia And Cambodia, Paulo Debenest, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Toshiaki Matsuzawa, Shigeo Hirose
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article describes the development and the experiments performed with Gryphon, a new platform for tele-operated landmine detection. With Gryphon, the authors aim at reducing the gap between research and application by introducing partial autonomy in mine-detection operations with a robust platform. Tests have been performed in Croatia and Cambodia.
The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow
The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
No abstract provided.
Jordan: Safeguarding Life And Promoting Development, Esma Al-Samarai, Stephen Bryant
Jordan: Safeguarding Life And Promoting Development, Esma Al-Samarai, Stephen Bryant
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Jordan signed the Ottawa Convention in 1999 and is working to comply with the regulations by the May 2009 deadline. Jordan has enlisted Norwegian People's Aid to help the Royal Engineering Corps meet its deadline. Surveys have been completed and suspected hazardous areas have been significantly reduced. NPA is continuing to demine areas with the help of mine-detecting dogs and a MineWolf machine. The overall goal is to clear the land to allow agriculture and industry to return to areas currently inaccessible due to the threat of landmines.
Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills
Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Swedish Rescue Services Agency was one of the first organizations to enter Lebanon after the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. The enormous amount of unexploded ordnance littering southern Lebanon led to a need for a more sustainable program than the initial small operation provided. The more expansive program sought deminers and, to the surprise of the SRSA, many women showed interest. Several were hired and trained, and proved themselves to be able workers in the field. The success of the program in Lebanon has had some wondering why it has taken so long for women in the Middle East …
Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour
Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article looks at the relationship between the existing landmine and explosive remnants of war problem in the Middle East and North Africa, and terrorist activities in the area by explaining the scope of the mine/ERW problem in the region; the huge availability of explosives for use in illegal activities, particularly terrorism; and the case of Algeria and Egypt being affected by recent terrorist acts.
Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The environmental impact of any human action cannot be underestimated—even humanitarian demining—given the global repercussions in this era of explosive growth. The authors discuss the consequences of thoughtless action and provide valuable context concerning the vast extent to which human beings impact the environment.
Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal
Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
MAG, also known as the Mines Advisory Group, whose motto is "saves lives, builds futures," takes a proactive role in meeting the needs of individuals in mine-affected countries through peacebuilding, community liaison and mine-risk education. With operations located in Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam, MAG has learned to incorporate old and new techniques, resulting in prosperous futures for many.
A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn
A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Roots of Peace focuses on mined farming areas and specializes in rebuilding these areas for farmers. To aid this process, the organization promotes the growing of sustainable and high-value crops. This article describes some of the organization's successful efforts in Afghanistan and argues the effectiveness of its approach for future mine-action efforts.
Iraq, Country Profile
Iraq, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since 2003, the government of Iraq has taken action against mines and unexploded ordnance. On 15 August 2007, Iraq acceded to the Ottawa Convention becoming the 155th State Party. The rising levels of violence in the region, however, have made focusing on mine action difficult for the Iraqi government—or anyone, for that matter. The decrease in security has taken focus, time and energy from ridding the country of its extensive problems with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic
The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Because of the conflict there in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been plagued by landmines, unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and all of the problems associated with them. With so many victims, the need for an organized system to help these people was imperative. In this article, the author describes how the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center and other organisations helped establish an information system in BiH to help inform landmine victims about what they can do to help themselves and their families.
As Mines Grow Old, Colin King
As Mines Grow Old, Colin King
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In most cases, the mines being cleared around the world were emplaced decades ago; yet the techniques and equipment being used during clearance treat them as though they were new. The author looks briefly at the effects of ageing on mines and considers possible implications.
Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack
Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Cornell MineSweeper is a nonprofit student organization founded in 2006 by Cornell University engineering student Vikas Reddy that integrates robotics technology and humanitarian initiatives. The team, comprised of over 40 highly dedicated Cornell students, is designing practical robotic vehicles—still in the concept stage—to assist with demining efforts worldwide.
Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli
Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article discusses the intricate global and internal conflicts that plague the Kurdish region with emphasis on the profound impact these conflicts have on mine action in this area of the Middle East.
Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal
Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since getting involved in mine action six years ago, Jim Yoder has contributed his dedication and long hours in the field to help reap humanitarian benefits for many people in Thailand, Cambodia and now the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Yoder is an inspiration to his peers and the many others he has reached through his work.
Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron
Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For many communities, the land is their livelihood; however, the threat of landmines has affected agricultural communities all over the world. In this article, the author describes how, in Yemen, the United Nations Development Programme and other organizations are using techniques that fully preserve the environment and still allow for safe, successful demining.
Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal
Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Schonstedt Instrument Company takes an active role in promoting social responsibility by donating one magnetic locator to the United Nations Mine Action Team for every Tracemaster II or XTpc commercial cable/utilities locator Schonstedt sells. In creating and implementing this initiative, the company helps countries lacking extensive resources increase their demining capabilities.