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Articles 661 - 690 of 1975

Full-Text Articles in Peace and Conflict Studies

Gambling Life And Limb: Humanitarian Hazards, Cisr Journal Jul 2011

Gambling Life And Limb: Humanitarian Hazards, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Noncombatants, specifically journalists, war correspondents and humanitarian workers take extreme risks and make serious sacrifices while operating in conflict areas around the world. Despite being noncombatants, such individuals are often at the forefront of danger and share the risk of bodily harm with those on the front lines. This article discusses some of the recent casualties suffered by noncombatants in conflict and post-conflict regions.


Landmine Victim Or Landmine Survivor: What Is In A Name?, Melanie Reimer, Teresa Broers Jul 2011

Landmine Victim Or Landmine Survivor: What Is In A Name?, Melanie Reimer, Teresa Broers

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

victims by some and landmine survivors by others. Their view of self, as well as the perspectives of their families, communities and that of aid agencies, toward the terms ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’, may significantly affect their recovery and their ability to reintegrate into their communities. We will present a summary of the literature addressing the victim/survivor continuum, as well as the different vantage points of using victim-versus-survivor terminology and the potential influence this language has in shaping injured individuals’ recovery./p>


Victim Assistance For Mine/Erw Survivors And Pwds In Sudan, Boutros Hobeika Jul 2011

Victim Assistance For Mine/Erw Survivors And Pwds In Sudan, Boutros Hobeika

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sudan’s socioeconomic rehabilitation programs help mine/explosive-remnants-of-war survivors and persons with disabilities find work and reintegrate into society, but policies need to be created to ensure that victims are not discriminated against as they seek employment.


The Bosnia And Herzegovina Mine Action Information System, Zoran Grujic Jul 2011

The Bosnia And Herzegovina Mine Action Information System, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With technological advancements in mind, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center has maintained a current and efficient mine-action information system, working through a variety of difficulties. BHMAC has developed a system to accommodate a growing collection of demining reports and maps to aid efforts to cleanse the nation of mines and other explosive remnants of war.


Strategic Planning And Information Management In Angola, Charles Downs Jul 2011

Strategic Planning And Information Management In Angola, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

CNIDAH is in charge of coordinating mine action and developing a mine-action strategic plan for Angola—one of the most mined countries in the world. To best implement its plan, in collaboration with national mine-action partners and with the help of the Survey Action Center, CNIDAH has begun to review and update its database of cleared suspected hazardous areas and those still in need of demining efforts.


The Database Of Demining Accidents: A Driving Force In Hma, Andy Smith Jul 2011

The Database Of Demining Accidents: A Driving Force In Hma, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article evaluates the need for a centralized accident-report database within the field of humanitarian mine action. The author argues that the failure to report accidents by on-site personnel can inadvertently lead to otherwise avoidable accidents where similar events occur. The author highlights the benefits that the database has provided for the community and makes several recommendations on how to further reduce severe injury within the industry.


Mine Risk Management By Mapping, Russell Gasser, Goran Knežević, Michael Carrier Jul 2011

Mine Risk Management By Mapping, Russell Gasser, Goran Knežević, Michael Carrier

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the issues and benefits involved in attaining information on local areas containing explosive remnants of war through the local population that use these areas, a process called direct mapping. Once collected, data is used to discern which areas, based on the local population’s activities, deserve the highest clearance priorities. This process is described through in-depth analysis of the steps involved.


Information Quality Management In Mine Action, Armen Harutyunyan Jul 2011

Information Quality Management In Mine Action, Armen Harutyunyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Data management is a vital component of mine-action operations. Mismanagement of data originates in the field and often leads to unorganized operations and additional costs. A refocus on data-management guidelines and methodologies will result in better quality data management throughout the field.


Information-Management Activities At The Gichd, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Information-Management Activities At The Gichd, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Two years have passed since a new strategy was adopted for the information-management section at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. A significant amount of work was completed since then, and the support and quality of the Information Management System for Mine Action has improved. The new focus on information management in a broader sense, not just limited to databases and software, has enabled country programs to collect relevant information for more effective demining operations. Although much work remains, a few key developments deserve mentioning.


In Remembrance: Shingairai Chimuriwo-Tichawangana, Cisr Journal Jul 2011

In Remembrance: Shingairai Chimuriwo-Tichawangana, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.


Mapping Populations At Risk Of Erw, Pierre Lacroix, Jonas Herzog, Daniel Eriksson Jul 2011

Mapping Populations At Risk Of Erw, Pierre Lacroix, Jonas Herzog, Daniel Eriksson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Having precise, available data on recorded explosive remnants of war hazards does not necessarily represent the big picture concerning the contamination distribution in a country. However, when available datasets are evaluated with population-density data, heavy concentrations of ERW hazards are more easily detectable. This article examines a few of the many tasks that can be achieved by analyzing ERW hazard data and by combining it with other information.


In Remembrance: Sidi Mohamed (Hazem), Cisr Journal Jul 2011

In Remembrance: Sidi Mohamed (Hazem), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 19 June 2011, Sidi Mohamed, a Saharawi national working for Action on Armed Violence (formerly known as Landmine Action) was killed during an explosive ordnance disposal demolition accident.


Conveying Lebanon’S Cluster Bomb Issue Through Film, News Brief Jul 2011

Conveying Lebanon’S Cluster Bomb Issue Through Film, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Death in the Fields is an animated documentary that focuses on the cluster bomb crisis in southern Lebanon.


Suspected Cluster-Munition Use By Pro-Gaddafi Forces, News Brief Jul 2011

Suspected Cluster-Munition Use By Pro-Gaddafi Forces, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In April 2011, The New York Times reported that pro-Gaddafi forces used cluster munitions on the civilian population in the city of Misrata.


Scamp Anti-Personnel Mine Roller Performance Testing, Erik De Brun, Scott Poff Jul 2011

Scamp Anti-Personnel Mine Roller Performance Testing, Erik De Brun, Scott Poff

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanistic Robotics Inc, a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of mechanical demining machines and roboticsupport equipment, hypothesized that a well-designed roller utilized in the appropriate environments would be an important part of the mechanical demining toolkit. To test this hypothesis, HRI designed, developed and tested a novel anti-personnel mine roller—the Specialized Compact Automated Mechanical Clearance Platform Roller. This article highlights the SCAMP Roller’s unique design features, describes two testing events performed to evaluate effectiveness and discusses the test findings.


Afghan Deminers Kidnapped And Killed, News Brief Jul 2011

Afghan Deminers Kidnapped And Killed, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

An investigation into the brutal killing of at least four Afghan deminers captured in Western Farah in early July 2011 is ongoing. Details about the incident and the suspected perpetrators are not yet confirmed.


Laos: Legacy Of A Secret, Book Review Jul 2011

Laos: Legacy Of A Secret, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the Indochina War from 1964 to 1973, the United States dropped more than 270 million cluster munitions on Lao PDR.


Elizabeth Macnairn Named Handicap International (Usa) Director, News Brief Jul 2011

Elizabeth Macnairn Named Handicap International (Usa) Director, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 1 June 2011, Elizabeth MacNairn was named Director of Handicap International (USA).


Harvard Tests Smartphones For Demining, News Brief Jul 2011

Harvard Tests Smartphones For Demining, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A team of researchers, composed of professors, a recent graduate from Harvard College, and a postdoctoral associate from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), presented a research and technology paper at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems entitled “Evaluating a Pattern-Based Visual Support Approach for Humanitarian Landmine Clearance.” The conference was held 7–12 May 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia.


Remote Explosive Scent Tracing Of Explosive Remnants Of War: A Perspective From The 2010 Morogoro Workshop, Brent (Max) Jones, Rune Fjellanger, Christophe Cox, Alan Poling Jul 2011

Remote Explosive Scent Tracing Of Explosive Remnants Of War: A Perspective From The 2010 Morogoro Workshop, Brent (Max) Jones, Rune Fjellanger, Christophe Cox, Alan Poling

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In March 2010, a workshop was held in Morogoro, Tanzania, to consider the past, present and future status of the Remote Explosive Scent Tracing system for explosive- remnants-of-war detection. This article summarizes the workshop’s discussions and explains lessons learned from the REST research project in Morogoro.


We Can Only Be “Mine-Safe” When We Are “Mine-Free”, Tamar Gabelnick Jul 2011

We Can Only Be “Mine-Safe” When We Are “Mine-Free”, Tamar Gabelnick

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the fact that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction makes no mention of the term “mine-safe,” it is still a frequent term used by mine-contaminated states. However, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines maintains that in order for states to be safe from the dangers posed by mines, all mined areas must be cleared—not only those areas which are deemed to pose an immediate threat.


Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award, News Brief Jul 2011

Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In July 2011, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining was presented with a prestigious, geographic industry award for its work in developing and implementing the Information Management System for Mine Action.


Small-Arms And Light-Weapons Risk Education In Iraq, Meredith Wotten, Kirsty Jenatsch Jul 2011

Small-Arms And Light-Weapons Risk Education In Iraq, Meredith Wotten, Kirsty Jenatsch

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has one of Iraq’s most established mine-risk education programs. In 2007, MAG identified a regional need to warn people, particularly children, about the risk of handling guns and other weapons. Drawing on more than 16 years of experience and skill in MRE delivery, MAG aimed to adapt existing methodologies and successfully expand the MRE program to include small-arms and light-weapons risks.


The Mine Action Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey Jul 2011

The Mine Action Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the Mine Action Technology Workshop is a biannual event held in Geneva, Switzerland in early September. The 2010 event featured theoretical and practical discussions, as well as a newly added opportunity to see technology in action. This article highlights the events and outcomes of the workshop.


Humanitarian Disarmament, Pascal Rapillard Jul 2011

Humanitarian Disarmament, Pascal Rapillard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article examines the evolution of international humanitarian law, specifically as it relates to the conventions banning or restricting conventional weapons. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction and the Convention on Cluster Munitions are discussed here, as they form a distinctive type of disarmament—humanitarian disarmament.


U.N. Announces Nepal Is Minefield-Free, News Brief Jul 2011

U.N. Announces Nepal Is Minefield-Free, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 14 June 2011, the U.N. declared Nepal to be minefield-free. Nepalese troops cleared the last of the 53 minefields remaining from Nepal’s 10-year civil conflict (1996–2006).


Lessons Learned: Sri Lankan Mine-Action Staff Visit Cambodia And Lao Pdr, Sebastian Kasack Jul 2011

Lessons Learned: Sri Lankan Mine-Action Staff Visit Cambodia And Lao Pdr, Sebastian Kasack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The need for a comprehensive mine-action program is not always recognized as countries pursue demining efforts. This article describes Sri Lankan mine-action groups’ efforts to create a more comprehensive and cohesive mine-action program through regional visits to Cambodia and Lao PDR. It offers insight and advice to groups interested in pursuing the same avenue.


Linking Mine Action And Development: Local-Level Benefits And Challenges, Russell Gasser Jul 2011

Linking Mine Action And Development: Local-Level Benefits And Challenges, Russell Gasser

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In many post-conflict regions, landmines and explosive remnants of war remain, limiting recovery and development even after mine-clearance projects are completed. A number of mine-clearance organizations are starting to promote “linking mine action and development” as a better alternative to a separate and uncoordinated approach.


Clearing Cluster Bombs On The Ho Chi Minh Trail Video Wins Cnn Award, News Brief Jul 2011

Clearing Cluster Bombs On The Ho Chi Minh Trail Video Wins Cnn Award, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

CNN announced the video Clearing Cluster Bombs on the Ho Chi Minh Trail as winner of the CNN iReport Community Choice Award on 15 March 2011 for best iReport submitted in 2010.


Tucker’S Story: Dca’S Trustworthy Man In The Field, Tamar Szeps-Znaider Jul 2011

Tucker’S Story: Dca’S Trustworthy Man In The Field, Tamar Szeps-Znaider

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article offers a brief glimpse into the path of an Angolan deminer who, over the years, has developed into a known figure within the international mine action community. Quickly rising through positions of responsibility, Tucker demonstrates qualities of leadership, and his success is a testament to his work ethic and dedication.