Public Policy Commons^™

Vapour Sensing Using Dogs In Bosnia: A Test Of Detection Capacity, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Havard Bach

Global CWD Repository

We report results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that REST (Remote Explosive Scent Tracing) technology could be used to find mines in Bosnia. The find rate for mines on 88 filers was 68%. Detection success was linked to humidity and temperature at the time of sampling, and to location within Bosnia. Detection success was not linked to when the filter passed across the mine during the sampling period, or how long the filter was held over the mine. Two mines were found at similar rates (PMA3, TMA4). Success was lower for a third type (TMM1) but …

Landmine Victim Assistance In South-East Europe: Final Study Report, Sheree Bailey

Global CWD Repository

In December 2002, Handicap International Belgium, in co-operation with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines' (ICBL) Landmine Monitor research network, began a research project on behalf of the Reay Group, which was funded through the ITF by Canada and the US State Department. The study should provide the ITF, donors, and service providers, with a clearer picture of the state of victim assistance in South East Europe. It is a starting point that should encourage relevant actors, including government authorities, donors, and local and international program implementers, to share information, to make informed decisions on where to direct resources, or …

Ddasaccident517, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because it seems that the Victim was disarming a mine designated “no-touch” by the demining group, and may have been doing so without wearing appropriate PPE. The secondary cause is listed as a “Management control inadequacy” because the management of the demining group declined to make the accident details available. Although this is sometimes done to protect the Victims, in this case the Victim’s name was among the limited detail made available. It is possible that the managers have chosen to avoid transparency because they are afraid …

Ddasaccident516, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because the accident occurred in the “post-clearance” phase so the mine had either been missed during clearance, or was outside (but close to) the cleared area, so implying inadequate survey. The fact that four deminers were injured implies that the Field controllers believed they were in a safe area, or that safety distances were being ignored. The spread of injuries indicates that protective visors were not being used.

Ddasaccident398, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

As he excavated closer to the position of the signal he stopped and swept again with the detector. After again, pinpointing the signal he continued the excavation drill where upon a short time later there was a detonation at 0707 hrs.

Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield

Global CWD Repository

The goal of addressing landmine problems in southeastern Europe (SE Europe) with a regional approach entails the cooperation of countries on a number of complex issues. The following article discusses some of the primary issues involved in the process of incorporating a regional approach to landmine problems in SE Europe.

Ddasaccident515, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because it seems that the Victim was burning off an area that needed to be cleared and did not maintain an appropriate safety distance when the fire might have initiated a mine/device. The secondary cause is listed as a “Management control inadequacy” because the management of the demining group declined to make the accident details available. Although this is sometimes done to protect the Victims, in this case the Victim’s name was among the limited detail made available. It is possible that the managers have chosen to …

Ddasaccident390, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The Deminer [the Victim] begins work at 05:15 hrs and he continued work for 45 minutes in this lane 1 metre wide. At that time, he was cutting vegetations as per SOPs. At approximately 06:00 hrs, an uncontrolled detonation occurred in the clearance lane where Deminer MEHIC was working.

Ddasaccident426, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The propellant was determined to be the most immediate problem. In order to safely access the rest of the ordnance in the bunker. [The victim] was tasked with the removal and destruction the propellant. And [Name excised 2] would continue to supervise the operations inside the bunker. A burn area was located 600m east of the bunker task site at Lat 30, 26’, 40” Long 47, 43’, 47” a dirt berm with three enclosed sides. [The victim] had burned twice before during the morning. An hour and half after the last burn [The victim] set up for the final burn …

Ddasaccident429, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The UN Mine Action Service assigned the task to [the Demining group] by the UN Mine Action Service. [The Demining group] has been on the site now since 1 Jul. And were in the final phases of the clearance task. [The Victim] was in the process of clearing the last of the propellant that was on site. Once collected he had a small pile less than a meter in diameter. He then prepared a propellant trail leading into the main body of the propellant. [The Victim] used a combination of projectile propellant and black powder from a charge bag in …

Ddasaccident427, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

According to the deminer statement He has cleared the line about 1 m to 1,5 meter and made search for signal in one location he got more signals and have made a deep hole to try to located the signals when he was satisfy with the investigation of the hole he has moved his base stick and got up from his knee position to take the gardening shear in order to cut side vegetation at that time his left leg twisted skid towards in the previous excavation hole . Immediately he heard some noise and sand and dust all over …

Ddasaccident514, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

This incident is classed as a “Missed-mine accident” because it seems that the device that detonated was inside the area cleared. If it was not, then this would become yet another “Survey accident” (the demining group had several in Iraq at this time). The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because the victims went to place markers in an area that was believed to be safe but which was not. Those responsible for the work should have kept an accurate record of the safe area. It seems that the field controllers may also have …

Ddasaccident388, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 10th June 2003, [demining group] EOD Team Echo 3 were conducting a clearance operation on a building used by the Iraqi Forces to store ammunition of mixed natures. At approximately 10:35hrs, a fierce fire was detected outside the building immediately after the demolition by detonation of 2 Sagger missiles. The fire spread rapidly to inside the building and several loud explosions where seen and heard to take place.

Cida Central And Eastern Europe Branch: Canadian Mine Action Programme In The Balkans, 1998-2003, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This evaluation describes the Canadian Mine Action Programme (CMAP) in the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Croatia) from 1998 to 2003 and is focused on the key results achieved and lessons learned, with particular emphasis on validating the design, implementation and effectiveness of the numerous projects that comprised the programme. It intends to improve the programme development as well as the project selection, design and implementation. The focus of the CMAP was principally on the provision of direct humanitarian assistance, the enhancement of peace, security and stability, the building of institutional mine action capacity, and the creation of indigenous …

Information Requirements For Explosive Remnants Of War, The Views Of The Clearance Community, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Access to relevant information is vital to the establishment and operational effectiveness of any clearance and risk education programme designed to alleviate the effects of explosive remnants of war (ERW). Where that information is available, it can have a direct and almost immediate impact on operations, and helps to ensure that the threat from ERW is dealt with efficiently, mitigating the risk for civilians. However, the type and level of information needed will vary depending on the parties to the conflict, nature of the conflict, and the location of ERW. Information, such as the nature of the munitions used and …

Ddasaccident466, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Details of this accident have been withheld by the demining NGO that employed the Victim. A spreadsheet including the Victim’s name and very brief details of the accident was made available in 2007. Some details can be inferred from the information released. For example, the limited injury implies that the victim’s PPE was being worn.

Ddasaccident397, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At approximately 1520 hrs QA MDD Officer [the Victim] was leaving the [Demining group] Office proceeding along the corridor; he reached into his pocket for his cigarettes as he intended to have a smoke. When he placed his hand in his pocket he “felt the other component i.e. the detonator”, he then proceeded to take out the detonator and because he had been told that it was safe “proceeded to fit it back together, then there was a loud explosion noise”.

Ddas: Imas And Ppe Requirements, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

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).

My views in this paper are based on extensive field experience, the detailed investigations in the Database of Demining Accidents (DDAS) and on the many follow-up interviews of accident victims that I have undertaken.

Mine Action In Afghanistan: Transitional Options, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This report examines the options for transition from a United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) to one under national government management. The report was commissioned by the UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery in February 2003. It discusses four options for transition, and provides background to the conclusions and recommendations.

Ddasaccident465, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Details of this accident have been withheld by the demining NGO that employed the Victim. A spreadsheet including the Victim’s name and very brief details of the accident was made available in 2007. Some details can be inferred from the information released. For example, the limited spread of injury implies that the victims may have been wearing PPE.

Ddasaccident396, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At approximately 1125hrs, Team Leader [name excised] gave an order to stop work, as he was preparing to dispose the previously located mines and he required all the Deminers to retire to the safe area. On hearing the signal to stop work, [the Victim] then continued to probe around the mine in an attempt to identify the body perimeter of the mine, when there was an uncontrolled detonation.

The Pros And Cons Of Fearing Fear: Examples From Venezuela And New York State, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes consequences of fear for security-related public policy.

Programme - 1st Rest Workshop, Apopo

Global CWD Repository

A meeting schedule with accompanying notes for the first REST Workshop held at the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania in February 2003. Sponsored by APOPO and GICHD.

Ddasaccident377, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The Land Cruiser, carrying two [Commercial company] personnel and their interpreters, was travelling down the CDS feeder track back to the main track when the rear offside wheel drove over a booby-trap.

Ddasaccident389, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[The Victim] then excavated around the front and right hand side of the rock using his right hand, nothing being located. As it would have been difficult to excavate around the left hand side of the rock using his right hand. Deminer [second inconsistent name] had moved his legs 15 cms in depth when there was an uncontrolled detonation, after he stepped on the mine.

Rest In Bosnia: A Pilot Test Of Detection Capability, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, H. Bach

Global CWD Repository

The following report discusses the results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) technology can be used for area reduction in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Clearance Impact Assessment (Sri Lanka), Tom Gillhespy

Global CWD Repository

Interim assessment of social and economic benefits of landmine clearance conducted by HDU/NPA since end of 2002. Uses socio-economic findings of clearance to look at focus that future clearance should take and recommends how activities/impacts can be strengthened.

Laos National Growth And Poverty Eradication Strategy, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Global CWD Repository

The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) is the strategic framework under which all of the Government's future growth and poverty eradication programs will be developed and implemented. The NGPES is the result of a process that started in 1996 when the 6th Party Congress defined the long-term development objective as freeing the country from the status of least-developed country (LDC) by 2020. The NGPES is a comprehensive framework for growth and development, and has a particular focus on the improvement of the poverty situation in the poorest districts. It has thus a dual objective: enhancing growth and development, …

Mine Detection Dogs: Training, Operations And Odour Detection, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The use of dogs for mine detection has expanded dramatically in the last ten years. However, research designed to explore and understand the issues underlying mine dog detection has not kept pace with that expansion. A poor knowledge base was recognised as a key limitation on further development and exploitation of this fascinating detection technology. The GICHD therefore accepted the challenge of initiating a programme of research on mine detection dogs, with the specific objectives of (1) improving understanding of the skills and limitations of dogs, (2) optimising their deployment and performance, and (3) raising confidence in their work.

This …

Itf Enhancing Human Security Annual Report 2003, Itf-Enhancy Human Security

Global CWD Repository

The year 2003 underlined the continuity in the valuable contribution of ITF to demining and victims assistance in South-East Europe. ITF received unanimous and deep appreciation by the entire donors' community for its excellent performance record.

In 2003, ITF facilitated the clearance of nearly 8 million square meters from mines and UXO in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, always in close co-operation with international and local authorities.

ITF has also succeeded in raising more than 23 million USD in new funds. Increased funding came from 13 governments, the EU (including EC Delegation in Croatia and …