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To Walk The Earth In Safety 13th Edition (Fy2013), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

The 13th edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety describes the programs and partnerships that comprise the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program. Since 1993, the U.S. has led the international donor community in reducing the harmful effects of poorly secured, unstable or illegally traded conventional weapons of war. We have contributed over $2.3 billion to more than 90 countries around the world.

This mission resonates with my own experience. I started my career in Afghanistan, where explosive remnants of war had already claimed thousands of lives. I am proud to be in a position to oversee U.S. efforts …

The Fifth Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2014), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

On 2 September 2014, the Fifth Meeting of States Parties was opened by the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Encyla Sinjela, on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Zambia and President of the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, Harry Kalaba. This was preceded by an opening ceremony in San José on 1 September 2014, which was hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Manuel A. González Sanz, and attended by the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera.

Doing No Harm? Mine Action And Land Issues In Cambodia, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Land conflict, tenure insecurity and an inequitable distribution of land are among the most pressing challenges facing Cambodia today. In a country in which most people depend on agriculture, livestock rearing, fishing and forest products for their livelihoods, secure access to safe and productive land is crucial. Yet, over the past decade land conflict has increased dramatically, with one NGO reporting having recorded disputes involving 700,000 people between 2000 and 2012. Land distribution is highly unequal: In 2010 it was estimated that just one percent of the population owned 30 percent of Cambodia’s land.

In addition to land-related disputes, landlessness …

The Maputo Review Conference Outcome Document, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

A valuable reference manual about the Convention has been released by the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), thanks to funding provided by the European Union.

The brochure serves as a valuable reference tool, as it contains the Convention’s text and the main outcome documents from the June 2014 Maputo Review Conference:

• the Maputo Action Plan,
• the Maputo +15 Declaration and,
• the mandates of the Convention’s committees and office holders.

Bridges Between Worlds Conference, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

Bridges between Worlds was an initiative to address some fundamental questions about the place of victim assistance in other domains, such as the worlds of disability, heath care, education, employment, development, poverty reduction and human rights.

Bridges between Worlds highlighted that those who care deeply about the ful lment of the Convention’s promise to landmine victims and survivors have much in common with those concerned with the well- being and the rights of women, girls, boys and men injured and living with disabilities regardless of the cause. There is strength in pursuing this unity of purpose and working together towards …

Bridges Between Worlds | Chairperson's Summary | April 2014, Ap Mine Ban Convention

Global CWD Repository

Bridges between Worlds was a global conference sponsored by the European Union that addressed fundamental questions about the place of landmine victim assistance in other domains, such as the worlds of disability, heath care, education, employment, development, poverty reduction and human rights.

The Bridges between Worlds Chairperson’s Summary highlights that those who care deeply about the fulfilment of the Convention’s promise to landmine victims and survivors have much in common with those concerned with the wellbeing and the rights of women, girls, boys and men injured and living with disabilities regardless of the cause.

Guide To Mine Action 2014, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Mine action is developing at a rapid pace and the sector has evolved in recent years with a continuous improvement of methodologies, the adoption of new approaches and a broadened scope.

The fifth edition of the Guide to Mine Action, published by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), addresses these developments. The publication aims to provide readers with an understanding of mine action (what it is, how it is regulated and how it has evolved over the years) as well as to describe how its components are managed in practice by the different actors in the sector. Given …

Cluster Munitions: A Banned Weapon, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

Cluster Munitions: A Banned Weapon

Stigma: The Political Costs Of Using Cluster Munitions, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

The movement to end the suffering caused by cluster munitions succeeded not only in establishing a legal ban in the form of the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), but also in decisively reshaping the global perception of these weapons. Over the past decade, the awareness-raising and political mobilization surrounding cluster munitions have led to an understanding among states that any use would be associated with unnecessary human suffering and would most certainly provoke considerable international criticism. In other words, the political movement and legal ban have created a powerful stigma associated with the use of cluster munitions, a stigma …

Norwegian People's Aid Humanitarian Disarmament Strategy, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Beginning in 1992, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has implemented mine action programmes in more than 40 states and territories. The strategy presented here builds on our experience, accomplishments, and lessons learned. It identifies new directions and priorities, and expands our work from mine action to broader areas of humanitarian disarmament. By ‘humanitarian disarmament’ we mean all operations and advocacy which aim to reduce and prevent harm to civilians from the impacts of weapons and ammunition. It is disarmament motivated and guided by humanitarian and development imperatives, rather than strategic national interests and international stability, and where civil society plays a …

International Cooperation And Assistance Under The Convention On Cluster Munitions, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

Some countries that have remained outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions have argued that joining the Convention would be too much of a financial burden, and that they would have difficulty meeting their legal obligations in a timely manner. Joining the Convention, however, will provide them with better access to financial, technical and material support to help them carry out their obligations in a timely and efficient manner.

Bombs Under The Rubble: Study Of Awareness Of Explosive Remnants Of War Among The Population Of Gaza, Hi

Global CWD Repository

This baseline assessment was undertaken by Handicap International in October 2014 in all five governorates of Gaza. The focus of the survey was to collect baseline data related to the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) contamination in communities impacted by the recent conflict.

The survey consisted of two parts: quantitative data collection comprising 459 individual questionnaires and qualitative data collection of 4 focus groups. The questionnaire targeted men, women, and children over 10 years old, while the focus groups targeted adults with disabilities, children, and adolescents. Quotas based on the age and gender in the …

13th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2013), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The 13MSP was a formal meeting of the 161 States which have accepted the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was held in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention and pursuant to the decisions of the 2009 Second Review Conference and the 2012 Twelfth Meeting of the States Parties (12MSP).

The 13MSP was important because it was the last annual assessment of the application of the Cartagena Action Plan 2010-2014 prior to Convention’s Third Review Conference in 2014. This assessment of challenges encountered and work …

The Fourth Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2013), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The Fourth Meeting of States Parties (4MSP) took place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 9 to 13 September 2013 and gathered some 464 delegates from 58 States Parties, 18 signatories States, 30 observer States and 12 international organizations (see list below). The 4MSP was opened by Ambassador Steffen Kongstad, President of the 3MSP. During the opening session, H.E Wylbur Simuusa Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zambia was elected by the Meeting as President of the 4MSP.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 12th Edition (Fy2012), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

In 2013, we celebrate 20 years of U.S. Government agencies working together to lead the international donor community in supporting the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions. The United States first became involved in humanitarian demining in 1988 by sending a team to assess the landmine situation in Afghanistan. In 1993, U.S. assistance took an important step forward when the Department of State (DOS), Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) formed an interagency partnership to coordinate U.S. humanitarian demining …

The Strategy Of The United Nations On Mine Action 2013-2018, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

Affected states, with the support of the international community, have achieved real progress in addressing the threat of mines and ERWs, including cluster munitions. This has been reflected most notably by the drastic reduction in casualties over the last two decades, as well as by increased national capacity, advances in the universalization of various treatises and conventions and enhanced cooperation amongst mine action actors.

Significant challenges remain but these achievements constitute major opportunities to accelerate the realization of a world free of these threats.

The Strategy of the United Nations on Mine Action 2013-2018 (“the strategy”) presents the common objectives …

12th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2012), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The 12MSP was a formal meeting of the 160 States which had, as of the time of the meeting, accepted the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was held in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention and pursuant to the decisions of the 2009 Second Review Conference and the 2011 Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties (11MSP).

The 12MSP was important because it took place at the mid-way point between the 2009 Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World and the Convention’s Third Review Conference in …

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership | Afghanistan, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.

Mine Action And Development: Challenges Of Inter-Organizational Relationships, Brian Da Cal

Global CWD Repository

This project examines the history of mine action as well as the debated link between landmines and development. It also explains why strong, inter-organisational relationships between the mine action and development sectors are so critical for both humanitarian and socio-economic, development reasons. It examines major influences and challenges to establishing and sustaining such relationships, characterised by a lack of coordination on policy, planning and practice, at the international, national and field level. The likely causes for these challenges are examined, ranging from historical differences in the culture, vision and values of people and organisations within those sectors, segregated donor funding …

Land Rights And Mine Action In Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This document provides simple, practical guidance on land issues for mine action organisations in Afghanistan. It covers the following topics: why land matters for mine action; land rights and land release; what mine action organisations can do; and where to get additional information and support.

Armed Violence And Disability: The Untold Story, Hi

Global CWD Repository

Armed violence has powerful, lasting impacts, inflicting severe injuries and impairments and leaving behind broken families, fearful communities and societies in which violence is the norm. It is a daily fear and fact of life for millions of people, particularly those in low income countries and in the marginalised urban zones of more developed countries.

Persons with disabilities experience heightened exposure to armed violence as a result of various factors, such as exclusion from education and employment, the need for personal assistance in daily life, social stigma, discrimination and communications barriers for reporting violence8 . Armed violence injuries and disabilities …

The National Strategy For Mine Action In Sri Lanka 2010, The Ministry Of Economic Development- Sri Lanka

Global CWD Repository

The National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka 2010

The Third Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2012), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

The Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) took place in Oslo, Norway, from 11 to 14 September 2012 and gathered some 800 delegates from 60 States Parties, 30 signatory States, 31 observer States and 15 international organizations (see list below).The 3MSP was opened by Dr. Adnan Mansour, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon. During the first plenary meeting, Ambassador Steffen Kongstad, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, was elected by the Meeting as President of the 3MSP.

Livelihoods Analysis Of Landmine/Erw Affected Communities In Herat Province Afghanistan, Gichd, Mine Action Coordination Centre For Afghanistan, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

The Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA) and the Department for Mine Clearance (DMC) are seeking to better understand the development outcomes of demining. They plan to undertake community-level surveys on a periodic basis to document these achievements and identify changes to policy and practice that could further enhance the contribution that the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA) makes towards Afghanistan’s development. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), working within the framework of the MoU between the GICHD and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), assisted with the design and implementation of a pilot project that …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 11th Edition (Fy2011), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

In 2011, the United States continued to lead the international donor community in providing assistance for the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Department of State allocated $142 million in assistance to 42 countries, thereby helping communities recover, and countries become more secure. This 11th edition of our annual report, To Walk The Earth In Safety, details the programs and partnerships that make the United States’ Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program a lasting success.

Increased instability as a result of …

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership I Albania, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.

Evaluation Of The Un Mine Action Programme In Nepal, Ted Paterson, Prabin Chitraker, Abigail Hartley

Global CWD Repository

This evaluation looks at the UN Mine Action Programme in Nepal, which comprised two distinct but complementary components: one managed by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the other by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The aims of the evaluation were to:

1. assess the efficacy of the UN Mine Action Programme in Nepal
2. identify strengths and weaknesses in the relationships, structures, capacity development and processes that have been established
3. make recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of similar programmes

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership | Sudan, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership. This case study assesses mine action and national development in Sudan.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership, Pascal Simon

Global CWD Repository

Cambodia's mine and ERW problem is a result of the long period of civil and regional conflicts that affected the country from the late 60s until 1998. Due to these conflicts, Cambodia is now one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world, with more than 63,000 mine/ERW victims recorded since 1979. The first efforts to address Cambodia’s massive mine/ERW contamination came from the UN Advance Mission for Cambodia (UNAMIC), which contracted the HALO Trust in 1991-1992 to survey 700 km² of land in Battambang province ahead of the probable repatriation of 360,000 Cambodian refugees based in Thailand. In …

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership - Lebanon, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

n response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.