Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

Imas And Ppe Requirements, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This paper explains the personal protective equipment (PPE) that a demining group must use in order to comply with the United Nations’ International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). The author was an active member of the User Focus Group advising the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) when they made the current IMAS revision. He continues as an elected member of the IMAS Review Board. The author has also maintained a database of demining accidents for five years, and uses the evidence of real accidents to inform his views on protection needs.

Plays Nicely With Others: Some Thoughts On Issues Raised At The 6th International Meeting Of Mine Action Directors, Geneva, March 17–20, 2003, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

At the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC), we have tried to drive this demon away and to deal in (to paraphrase Woodrow Wilson), “open information, openly arrived at.” We were gratified at the directors’ meeting when someone from outside the mine action community (Niels Harild of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) suggested that the paradigm has now shifted. To share information in today’s world, he asserts, is to increase—not diminish—one’s power. It is through that hopeful and re-polished lens that we would like to review two critical issues facing the mine action community—strategic planning and coordination, which were raised …

Landmine Survivors And A Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities, Akiko Ikeda

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since the 56th Session of the General Assembly, advocates have worked hard to gain rights for persons with disabilities. Decisions made at the session have a provided a number of opportunities for landmine victims and other disabled persons around the world.

Upsetting Lives: The Public Health Impact Of Landmines In Africa, Sarah Taylor

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Affecting Africans both directly and indirectly, landmines seriously weaken the public health of entire nations. Several experts in the field offer their interpretations of this complicated issue.

The Bhmac: A New Law, New Structure And New Hope In Bosnia, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After years of struggling with an inefficient mine action structure, a new demining law has revitalized the Bosnia-Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC). Bosnians finally have the means to conquer their landmine troubles.

Ending The Tragedy Of Landmines Through Innovation And Cooperation, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Rotary International, the U.S. State Department and James Madison University’s Mine Action Information Center (MAIC) gathered with many of the world’s leading mine action authorities to quantify the global landmine crisis. It was everyone’s hope that the conference would yield a greater level of synergy, as well as harness the considerable resources of the Rotarians. Given the overwhelming response and participation, it appears that those wishes will be granted.

U.S. Humanitarian Demining In Africa, Sarah Kindig

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to the numerous internal conflicts, crises and wars that several of the nations in Africa have faced, this region is one of the places in the world that is significantly affected by landmines. In an attempt to alleviate the suffering from landmine injuries, the United States has set out to provide humanitarian mine action assistance to many of these afflicted nations.

What Use Is A Database Of Demining Accidents?, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author has maintained a database of demining accidents for four years. It contains records of many of the explosive accidents that deminers suffer while going about their work. This article explains the uses and limitations of the database and the software developed to contain it.

Educating The United States: Landmines In And Out Of The Classroom, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Enthusiastic students are giving back to their global community as U.S. Department of State-assisted landmine education programs are being launched in grammar schools, colleges and universities across the nation. In these programs, students are given a chance to both learn more about the global landmine crisis and to actively contribute to the mine action community.

From The Himalayas To The Indian Ocean: The World’S Largest Mine Field?, Jj Scott

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The latest conflict between India and Pakistan has spurred both countries to renew the mining of their borders. This could result in the creation of the largest mine field the world has ever seen.

Landmine Victim Assistance And Government Legal Obligation, Ken Rutherford

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

What are a state’s legal obligations to landmine victim assistance?

Peacemakers Along The Dmz: Non-Self Destruct Landmines In The Republic Of Korea, Albert Marin, Michael Litzelman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The need for landmines in Korea will remain the same without a change in the terrain or the proximity of either the threat or the enemy, unless we successfully find a viable, fully fielded alternative.

Celebrities And Landmines, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Many celebrities have become active in raising awareness and funds for mine action around the globe. Whether it be consciousness, money or advocacy, celebrities are helping the cause of landmines.

National Mine Action: Problems And Predictions, Vernon Joynt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

I recently received an e-mail with real good bait on the line so I would commit to sticking my neck in the noose once more. The questions included: Will technology ever improve speed and safety in Humanitarian Demining (HD)? What is the comparative efficiency among commercial, military and NGO clearance? Will dogs be more or less integrated into HD programs? When will land use priorities determine clearance priorities? Is "donor fatigue" a reality? If so, how do we fix it? These questions are right in the middle of my current pet struggle to give technology its rightful role and place …

Building National Mine Action Capacity: It Is No Myth, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After the success of short term mine action interventions in Kuwait and Kosovo, there has been discussion about the value of the United Nations building national mine action capacity in the countries it supports, rather than implementing a more direct, hands-on strategy. While there is obviously no way of dictating a one-size-fits-all policy, this article will show that the concept of building national capacity remains a vital one and one that has a proven successful track record.

Comments On The "Detonation" Approach, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Daniel Wolf and Steven Barmazel discussed the Public Health approach to demining in an article entitled "The Necessity of Implementing a Public-Health Approach to Humanitarian Demining," making some very valid points. However, Robert Keeley points out some problems with this approach that he feels need to be addressed before this method can be successful.

Non-State Actors And Their Significance, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Non-State Actors must be involved in any considerations about reducing the use of landmines, a mission which the Non-State Actors Working Group has set out to accomplish

The Quantification Of Safety And Risk: A Critical Review, Peter Schoeck

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is shown that the concept "safety factor," as presently used as a criterion for declaring a demined area safe for use, is impractical and should be replaced by its complement, called "risk factor," which stands for the ratio of the size of the mine-polluted portion of a demined field to its total area. An equation expressing the risk as a function of the efficiencies of the demining processes applied is developed. The limitations of applying this equation in the quantification of the risk are then shown by means of a case study. The necessity of an error analysis for …

Israeli Landmine Policy And Related Regional Activity, Ahron Etengoff, Gerald Steinberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Although the dangers posed by landmines are particularly acute in the Middle East, responses to the Ottawa Convention are limited. Jordan, Sudan, Tunisia and Qatar are State Parties, and Algeria has signed but not ratified the Ottawa Convention. The lack of signatories in the region reflects the continuing conflict and instability as well as the role that mines play in territorial defense.

In Israel, there is significant support for both the concept and effort to abolish landmines, but security considerations and continued warfare outweigh arguments in favor of accession to the Convention. Israel is active in international cooperative programs to …

The Effects Of Landmines On Women In The Middle East, Mary Ruberry

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The countries of the Middle East are beset with troubles caused by nature as well as man-made strife. The region is prey to earthquakes, droughts and flooding, and years of conflict have left the region riddled with landmines and UXO. As a result, national economies have suffered, leaving social and medical infrastructure battered and scarred. Regional turmoil has caused the flight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who survive in sparse camps, many for decades.

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.

Combating Subterranean Terror, Her Majesty Queen Noor

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Over the past 25 years, driving past Jordan Valley mine fields fenced off by barbed wire, visiting with landmine victims, or tallying the grim statistics, I have grieved for the children and adults in the Middle East routinely maimed or killed by these weapons of mass destruction in slow motion. Our region has been called the landmine heartland of the world, with an estimated 50 million mines scarring the earth from Morocco to Afghanistan. Beyond the physical and psychological torture of those who have been injured, or lost loved ones, is the further punishment of land made desolate, lost to …

Response To Bob Keeley’S Letter To The Journal Of Mine Action, Daniel Wolf, Steven Barmazel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

We appreciate Bob being "picky" in examining our article on applying a public-health approach to demining. The lives at stake in demining are worth the extra care. As it happens, we generally agree with his views.

First, let’s do get our terminology straight. Thanks, Bob, for the lesson in British diction. We had hoped that placing the modifier mechanical before detonator would make our intentions clear. That it did not, we apologize to our readers. More substantive issues await us.

As Bob rightly points out, our ideas are not new. The public-health/cost-benefit approach predates the birth of everyone reading these …

The Necessity Of Implementing A Public-Health Approach To Humanitarian Demining, Daniel Wolf, Steven Barmazel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Clearing mines is expensive, and demining programs usually consume funding before reaching the task of mine removal. The authors suggest ways to make demining more practical, effective and economical using a "public-health" approach.

Korea United: North & South Set Aside Differences To Demine, Keith Feigenbaum

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following a historic summit between leaders from North and South Korea, efforts are underway to clear a path through the DMZ. In the South, efforts are also being made to clear the paths civilians use in areas outside the DMZ.

Mine Action – A Model For Other Global Challenges?, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A few short years ago, the humanitarian demining task seemed insurmountable. Not only was the prospect of eliminating landmines as a global threat deemed unachievable, but the political and organizational landscape was new, diverse and uncharted.

Dispelling The Myth Between Humanitarian And Commercial Mine Action Activity, Ann Fitz-Gerald, Derrick Neal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since the post World War years and even the more recent aftermath of the Cold War, the nature of peacekeeping, or peace-support operations, has changed dramatically. The change has involved the number and type of agencies concerned at each stage of an intervention and the numerous challenges they face in theatres. The responsibility is no longer left to and can no longer be fulfilled by a military force. A multitude of agencies takes on various tasks and becomes answerable to a number of different external and internal stakeholder interests.

Alternatives To Anti-Personnel Landmines, Keith Feigenbaum

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The complexity of the issue of alternatives to AP landmines is great from both a humanitarian and a technical standpoint. Stances on this issue seem to range from the substantive and supported (by research and field experience) and the reactionary (i.e., unbending humanitarianism). When the differing stances are considered, the one conclusion that can be drawn is the need for the discovery of a middle ground. That is, given current levels of technology, what can be done to end the suffering of the innocent while protecting the combatant?

Quality Standards For Demining, James Trevelyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the last two years, several authors have commented critically on the 99.6 percent standard for humanitarian mine clearance adopted by the United Nations and its agencies. These standards are being redrafted, yet from the literature and recent comments, it is clear that there is little intellectual foundation on which to build a new standard. There are three issues that need to be addressed. First, what is an acceptable quality standard for humanitarian demining? Second, how can one measure the quality levels actually achieved in humanitarian demining? Third, how can one implement a cost-effective training and monitoring process to ensure …

Development Of A Procedure, Cameron R. Bass

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The human toll from AP mines is large. The United Nations estimates that there are over 100 million AP mines deployed worldwide (U.N. 2000). An estimated 20,000 civilians die each year from landmine explosions.Thousands more are wounded and maimed. As there is still no inexpensive and reliable mechanical technique for removing AP mines, human deminers will be used in the foreseeable future to protect the general population from the menace of landmines.