Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Emergency and Disaster Management Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 91 - 120 of 795
Full-Text Articles in Emergency and Disaster Management
Proper Usage Of Torch Systems For In-Situ Landmine Neutralization By Burning For Humanitarian Demining, Divyakant Patel
Proper Usage Of Torch Systems For In-Situ Landmine Neutralization By Burning For Humanitarian Demining, Divyakant Patel
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Researchers at the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command who work with the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center as part of the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, are advancing demining beyond traditional approaches with the use of torch systems for mine neutralization. This article describes trial results for three such torches.
Performance Of Flail Hammers, Frédéric Guerne
Performance Of Flail Hammers, Frédéric Guerne
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The following article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of flail hammer use in the demining field. The author leans on his field experience with the Digger Foundation to analyze types and usage of these tools. In doing so, he aims to give advice on the best methods for using flails to achieve the best results.
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.
Clearing The Falkland-Malvinas Islands, Robert Keeley
Clearing The Falkland-Malvinas Islands, Robert Keeley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Under pressure from nations around the world and in compliance with Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention, the United Kingdom has committed to demining the Falkland-Malvinas Islands despite the potential cost of demining in arelatively mine-safe area.
Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines: A Regional Initiative To Address Landmine Issues, Carl Case
Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines: A Regional Initiative To Address Landmine Issues, Carl Case
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For more than 18 years, the Organization of American States has had a leading role in the struggle to deal with humanitarian-demining issues in South and Central America. Since the inception of the Acción Integral contra las Minas Antipersonal programs, the OAS has been involved in many aspects of mine action, bringing new hope to the region.
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.
Impact Study On The Effects Of Demining Operations In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco
Impact Study On The Effects Of Demining Operations In Nicaragua, Carlos Orozco
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
To evaluate demining operations in Nicaragua, the Acción Integral contra las Minas Antipersonal program conducted a study on the effects of demining in communities directly affected by landmines. The study showed both the negative effects of anti-personnel mines and the consequences they had on the community, but and also the positive effects that demining had in terms of security, trust and economic benefits.
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.
Colombia, Country Profile
Colombia, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
As a country plagued with landmines, Colombia has faced a number of challenges relating to victim assistance. To remedy this situation, various government programs have been developed, but their effectiveness has frequently been compromised. Thanks to a number of private organizations, strides are being made to improve victim assistance.
India, Country Profile
India, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
An estimated 30 to 50 million people in India suffer from a disability. This number translates to about 3 to 5 percent of the 1.13 billion inhabitants. The country is plagued by a variety of issues, including overpopulation, poverty, internal conflict,and contamination by landmines as well as other explosive remnants of war.
Lao Pdr, Country Profile
Lao Pdr, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is the world’s most heavily unexploded ordnance-contaminated nation, deeply affecting the country’s people. During the Second Indochina War (also known as the Vietnam–American War), the United States carried out more than half a million bombing missions over Lao PDR, during which over two million tons (1.8 million metric tonnes) of ordnance were dropped. Up to 30 percent of this ordnance failed to explode,leaving behind a serious UXO contamination that still kills and maims innocent men, women and children in one of the poorest nations in the world.
Iraq Mine And Uxo Clearance Organization, Cisr Journal
Iraq Mine And Uxo Clearance Organization, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
For Iraq, being plagued by landmines is only one of the many problems that it is currently facing. The country also suffers from sectarian violence, internal instability and economic hardship. As the government transforms its mine-action policy, one organization, the Iraq Mine and UXO [Unexploded Ordnance] Clearance Organization, has proven itself to be a powerful force in addressing the urgent needs of the Iraqi community. Though it faces challenges itself, IMCO shows great promise for rebuilding Iraq and stands as a model for future Iraqi nongovernmental organizations.
News Briefs, News Brief