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Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
Cluster Munitions Monitoring And Information Campaign In Azerbaijan, Hafiz Safikhanov
Cluster Munitions Monitoring And Information Campaign In Azerbaijan, Hafiz Safikhanov
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article describes the initiatives undertaken by the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines to confront the threat of cluster munitions in the country. Since the publication of its report in January of 2008, AzCBL has continued to lobby the government of Azerbaijan to ban the use of cluster munitions.
An African Perspective On The Cluster Munitions Convention, Sheila Mweemba
An African Perspective On The Cluster Munitions Convention, Sheila Mweemba
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On 30 May 2008, the international community adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It is little wonder that those who were against a convention of this sort are still reeling from the shock of it. Africa, on the other hand, can give itself a well-deserved pat on the back for having played a pivotal role in the adoption of a groundbreaking, legally-binding instrument of which posterity will judge the results.
Increasing Female Voices In Mine-Action Planning And Prioritization, Catherine Cecil, Kristen Rasmussen
Increasing Female Voices In Mine-Action Planning And Prioritization, Catherine Cecil, Kristen Rasmussen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Community Strengthening and Gender Mainstreaming in Integrated Mine Action Project focuses on one of the greatest challenges women face in mine affected areas of Cambodia: to be actively and meaningfully involved in the decision-making process in mine action. Three international organizations have collaborated to develop a complex plan addressing the issues and impediments facing the residents of many Cambodian villages. Its implementation demonstrates the sweeping changes necessary for participation by all villagers and the promise of truly integrated mine-action strategies.
Transfer And Dissemination Of Appropriate Wheelchair Technology, William K. Smith, Nikola Prvulov, Kathryn Jackson
Transfer And Dissemination Of Appropriate Wheelchair Technology, William K. Smith, Nikola Prvulov, Kathryn Jackson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since 1996, the Center for International Rehabilitation has been dedicated to providing assistive devices to landmine victims. The CIR, in collaboration with Whirlwind Wheelchair International and the Afghan Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, designed and distributed a centrally fabricated, locally-fitted wheelchair designed for post-conflict countries and tested it in Afghanistan and Jordan. The following discusses the outcome of that collaboration.
Ncdr And Women In Jordan, Adnan Telfah, Cisr Journal
Ncdr And Women In Jordan, Adnan Telfah, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
High levels of gender inequality exist within Jordan—inequalities that affect the workforce. In a nation like Jordan, where women have minimal political participation and only 26 percent of women are active economically, it is difficult for women to be incorporated into the workforce. Fewer women are employed outside of the home when compared to men, with only 9 percent of Jordanian women above the age of 15 working outside their homes. Among females, unemployment rates are double those for males; further, high percentages of women are discouraged from seeking employment outside of the home. Women who are employed are typically …
United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal
United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is the global community’s chief authority on the issues of weapons reduction. Among its responsibilities UNODA acts as the U.N. Secretary-General’s liaison in fulfilling the obligations established by both the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Geneva branch oversees these activities and is responsible—in accordance with the Ottawa Convention—for collecting Article 7 reports, maintaining the list of Article 8 experts and organizing meetings of States Parties, as well as organizing meetings pertaining to the CCW.
Victim Assistance In The World Today, Mike Boddington
Victim Assistance In The World Today, Mike Boddington
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
According to average budgets of the 2007 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects, victim-assistance programs are the third most-funded category after clearance and humanitarian mine-action program oversight. The author thinks the global mine-action community needs to reconsider how it handles victim assistance. This article outlines the qualities necessary for effective victim assistance and calls the community to action.
The Child To Adult Method In Mine Risk Education, Mudhafar Aziz Hamad
The Child To Adult Method In Mine Risk Education, Mudhafar Aziz Hamad
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The author explains a child-to-adult approach to mine-risk education and how it uses the power of children as “little” MRE instructors in their communities. As part of this method, children use MRE lessons to teach adults and peers in their homes about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Implementing The Ottawa Convention In Southeast Europe: Meeting Expectations In A Challenging Environment, Kerry Brinkert
Implementing The Ottawa Convention In Southeast Europe: Meeting Expectations In A Challenging Environment, Kerry Brinkert
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As the 10-year deadline for fulfilling Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention is rapidly approaching for the first States that ratified or acceded to the Convention, each State Party faces the requirement that all known anti-personnel mines be destroyed. The author examines the progress and challenges that remain in Southeast Europe regarding Article 5 implementation
Armenia, Country Profile
Armenia, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Armenia has been gaining strength since recovering from the 1988 Spitak earthquake, the collapse of the Soviet government and Turkey’s trade embargo. The country experienced economic depression in the 1990s but the government turned the economy around, creating positive growth rates from 1995 to 2006. As a member of 35 international organizations, Armenia is moving out of the post-Soviet era and onto the international stage. Part of becoming a modern nation is removing all possible threats to development. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are a threat to every aspect of development in Armenia.
Regional Mine Action As A Confidence-Building Measure, Jernej Cimperšek, Iztok Hočevar
Regional Mine Action As A Confidence-Building Measure, Jernej Cimperšek, Iztok Hočevar
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The mine-action cooperation through regional workshops described in this article tested the effectiveness of this cooperation as a confidence-building measure among neighbouring states and former combatants.
Georgia, Country Profile
Georgia, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since Georgia claimed independence in 1991 from the former USSR, periods of war and unrest have disrupted the country, particularly within the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. During these conflicts all sides emplaced mines in both regions. Landmines and other explosive remnants of war also remain following the withdrawal of Russian forces after the USSR dissolved.
Quality Management In Demining Organisations, Charles Loxton
Quality Management In Demining Organisations, Charles Loxton
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In this article, the International Standards Organization 9001:2000 Quality Management System is compared to what leading actors in quality management and business management deem to be current best practise. The aim of this paper is to show the universal application of the ISO 9001:2000 system as a quality-management system and that it complies with best practises in business and quality management around the world. This article will highlight a few of the most important ISO clauses and show how they are supported by best practises.
2007 Marks 10th Anniversary Of Mine Action Standards, Faiz Paktian
2007 Marks 10th Anniversary Of Mine Action Standards, Faiz Paktian
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The International Mine Action Standards are guidelines set by the United Nations to implement mine action programs safely and effectively. The author discusses the purpose and processes of the IMAS as well as provides various references for those interested in learning more about the IMAS.
Perspectives On Capacity Development, Daniele Ressler
Perspectives On Capacity Development, Daniele Ressler
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On 30 March 2007, Daniele Ressler interviewed Sara Sekkenes, Senior Programme Advisor and Team Leader for Mine Action and Small Arms in the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. The interview was conducted to learn more about Sekkenes’ and the UNDP’s views on the role of capacity development in mine action. Lessons learned from past UNDP capacity-building activities are highlighted, as well as plans for future activities and the process of mainstreaming mine action.
News Briefs, News Brief
Clearing The Way In Azerbaijan, Samir Poladov
Clearing The Way In Azerbaijan, Samir Poladov
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The expansion of clearance activities in Azerbaijan has been largely due to the creation of an Emergency Response Team and the implementation of new tools. Thanks to these additions, ANAMA has been able to respond quickly to requests for clearance in residential areas and in the field.
International Eurasia Press Fund Works In Azerbaijan, Cisr Journal
International Eurasia Press Fund Works In Azerbaijan, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Problems with explosive remnants of war in Azerbaijan stem from emplacement of mines by the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1994. Mines were used along Azerbaijan’s expansive border region and military installations. More recently, ERW have been left behind from Azerbaijan’s battles over territorial integrity. The International Eurasia Press Fund has developed a program to address the needs of mine victims in one of the country’s most heavily mined regions. The Mine Victims’ Association of the Terter district is working to rehabilitate victims in numerous ways, providing participants with the skills and information they need to lead productive, independent lives …
Unsung Hero: Alison Bock, Cisr Journal
Unsung Hero: Alison Bock, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As the founder and president of Landmines Blow!®, Alison Bock has built an influential organization that raises awareness about landmines and unexploded ordnance, and helps victims all over the world. In the eyes of many people, Bock is truly an Unsung Hero.
Maic Survivor Assistance Projects, Lois Carter Fay, Suzanne Fiederlein
Maic Survivor Assistance Projects, Lois Carter Fay, Suzanne Fiederlein
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
New projects under way at the Mine Action Information Center are described here, including a best-practices guidebook on casualty data, survivor-assistance training and a catalog of adaptive technologies.
Bosnia And Herzegovina, Country Profile
Bosnia And Herzegovina, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Shortly after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s declaration of independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in March 1992, the country broke into conflict that lasted three years. A peace agreement ended the conflict in 1995, but the country had already become littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Today BiH is the most mine-affected country in Europe, with an estimated 1.3 million people, roughly one third of the population, living in 1,366 mine-impacted communities. The latest government statistics disclose that there are more than 12,000 locations requiring clearance. The country’s goal of being mine-free by 2009 set by the National Mine …
Ukraine, Country Profile
Ukraine, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Under the brutal control of the Soviet Union during World War II, the terrain of present-day Ukraine was littered with minefields and munitions depots. When the Soviet Union disbanded into independent states in August 1991, the newborn Ukraine inherited the burden of Soviet munitions and mines. In February 1999 Ukraine signed the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention but waited to ratify the law, seeking international assistance for the four-year stockpile destruction deadline. In May 2005 the parliament in Kiev unanimously ratified the decision, President Viktor Yushchenko immediately signed it and the United Nations approved Ukraine's membership to the Convention. Ukraine became …
Demining Of Underground Adits In Ukraine, Yurii Kolisnyk
Demining Of Underground Adits In Ukraine, Yurii Kolisnyk
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
During World War II the Soviet Union established ammunition depots with over 10,000 metric tons (11,023 U.S. tons) of explosives around the Ukrainian towns of Sevastopol and Kerch. Stored in adits, these explosives threaten the peaceful lives of present-day Ukrainians. In 2002, teams began the task of removing unexploded ordnance, landmines and debris. They encountered many problems while pursuing their goal of eliminating these stockpiles by 2010. Their efforts are described in this article.
National Ownership And Partnerships For Capacity Development, Hrh Prince Mired R.Z. Al-Hussein, Olaf Juergensen
National Ownership And Partnerships For Capacity Development, Hrh Prince Mired R.Z. Al-Hussein, Olaf Juergensen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Through the lens of Jordan’s mine-action history, the importance of strong leadership, national ownership and partnerships are detailed here as necessary for capacity development.
Unsung Hero: Vanja Jokic Raznjevic, Cisr Journal
Unsung Hero: Vanja Jokic Raznjevic, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As a single mother, Vanja Raznjevic felt that she had no other choice than to apply for a demining position with Norwegian People’s Aid. “I needed a job,” says Raznjevic, “and this job seemed really normal for me because I spent time [in Croatia] during the war and became accustomed to danger.”
Angola Lis: Guidelines For Using Lis Results In Mine Action Annual Planning, Charles Downs
Angola Lis: Guidelines For Using Lis Results In Mine Action Annual Planning, Charles Downs
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Survey Action Center and Comissâo Nacional Intersectorial de Desminagem e Assistência Humanitária carried out the Angola Landmine Impact Survey. In July 2006, SAC sent the author on the first of three planned missions to Angola as Technical Advisor for the completion of the LIS. This article explains the Provisional Provincial Reports, which contain a section of guidelines on the use of LIS results for operational planning. The National Mine Action Strategy for Angola was developed based on interim LIS results, and the detailed data supporting those results are made freely available to all interested parties.
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The GICHD provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law. The author discusses changes that have occurred at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, including a redesigned Web site and new publications.
Armed Non-State Actors: Their Contribution To Solving The Landmine Problem, Anki Sjöberg
Armed Non-State Actors: Their Contribution To Solving The Landmine Problem, Anki Sjöberg
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Armed non-state actors are currently involved as fighting parties in conflicts all over the world; hence, for a true universalization of the rules and principles of human rights and international humanitarian law, the involvement of NSAs must be considered. This is equally true for prohibiting the use of AP mines because NSAs currently employ these devices. As NSAs are part of the problem, any solution must include them.
International Symposium Draws 170 Participants, Lois Carter Fay
International Symposium Draws 170 Participants, Lois Carter Fay
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Numerous key figures in mine action recently gathered in Croatia to attend the international symposium, “Humanitarian Demining 2007–Mechanical Demining.” The symposium featured several presentations on demining, including a live field demonstration, discussed in detail here.
Belarus, Country Profile
Belarus, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
An heir to massive Soviet stockpiles of anti-personnel mines and other munitions, Belarus has been actively facing its extensive explosive legacy through significant destruction of this explosive ordnance. Belarus is also affected by unexploded and abandoned ordnance left in large part from heavy fighting between German and Soviet troops during World War II and, to a lesser degree, minefields laid by both sides. Additional explosive remnants of war come from World War I and the 18th and 19th century's Napoleonic wars.