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- Angola: Hidden Danger
Authors: Sean Sutton
Abstract: Lucala-2 is a small village located in the northern part of Angola, with 750 residents situated by a bridge crossing the Lucala river. This area gained strategic importance during the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002), particularly due to the Lucala bridge, which served as a critical crossing point. Throughout the war, minefields were strategically laid at all four corners of the bridge, illustrating the extensive use of landmines that has continued to impact Angola. These mines remain a harrowing legacy, contributing to ongoing casualties and significantly hindering development efforts long after the war's conclusion. The community explained how they have been living in fear since the war ended in 2002.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:28:09 PDT
- Local is Possible: An Analysis of HMA Localization Efforts and a Proposed
Pathway for Future Projects
Authors: Mark Wilkinson Ph.D. et al.
Abstract: This paper aims to address the relevance of localization in humanitarian mine action (HMA), delineating principles, challenges, and advocating for increased attention. Drawing upon evidence from localization initiatives from DanChurchAid (DCA) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) programming, we list tenets we believe should guide future project design and development. Contrary to the perception that localization offers limited value in mine action, this paper argues that applying it to HMA projects is both urgent and highly beneficial. As discussions on localization in the humanitarian sphere progress, so too should the implementation of localized approaches in HMA, driven by the evolving landscape and good practices within the sector. The goal for this article is to drive further discussion and research as well as encourage the implementation of localized mine action projects more widely.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:28:04 PDT
- Securing Land to Contribute to Food Systems: Preliminary Findings on
Humanitarian Mine Action Cumulative Effects on Food Security in Lebanon
Authors: Riccardo Labianco Ph.D. et al.
Abstract: In a country or region affected by explosive ordnance (EO), the related contamination and, when present, humanitarian mine action (HMA), should be considered as part of the country’s food systems. Accordingly, understanding the cumulative effects of HMA on food security can be better appreciated by considering the whole food system and how local citizens view the impact of contamination. Through a preliminary series of community-level interviews in southern and northeast Lebanon from August to September 2023, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) started a research project on the impact of EO contamination on people’s ability to produce and procure adequate food and the beneficial effects of HMA on people’s food security.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:59 PDT
- Studying the Effects of Aging on Ammunition Under Water
Authors: Nicole Neitzey et al.
Abstract: The world’s oceans and waterways contain untold amounts of munitions, whether dumped or fired, and the sometimes-harsh underwater environment can make their clearance difficult. Yet we are approaching a time when we will have to face the reality of removing them to continue enjoying the planet’s most abundant natural resource. Much of the ammunition in areas from the Baltic Sea to the rivers of Cambodia to the Gulf of Mexico has been immersed for decades, subject to a variety of underwater influences. Many studies have examined the impacts of degrading explosives on the surrounding environment, but few look at what effect the environment has on the munition. The study seeks to analyze those effects and their varied implications.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:54 PDT
- The Prioritization of Survey Through Open-Source Research in Ukraine
Authors: Anda Riza et al.
Abstract: With the increasing quantity of available and relevant open-source information online, the mine action sector is well poised to take advantage of its accessibility for conducting research, analysis, and investigations. In current conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Yemen, online sources are a rich repository of information which can be leveraged for survey and clearance operations. Humanitarian mine clearance actors can harness this vast quantity of information to map conflicts and their effects, including the location of landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). In turn, this can be used to help prioritize survey efforts, especially in contexts where resources are limited and the need is great. The HALO Trust (HALO) has successfully applied this methodology in Ukraine and is expanding it to other locations as well.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:49 PDT
- Preventing Arms Diversion in Wartime Ukraine: A Brief Overview
Authors: Olena Kryzhanivska Ph.D.
Abstract: Ukraine has entered its third year defending against Russia’s full-scale invasion, and despite emerging as one of the largest importers of weapons, it manages to prevent their major diversion. Experts evaluate the current arms control and weapons and ammunition management efforts by Ukraine and its allies with cautious optimism. Although obtaining detailed information about the intricacies of weaponry management in Ukraine is challenging, open sources allow us to glimpse some of the current measures taken during wartime. This article presents a brief overview of Ukraine's counter-diversion efforts and those of its partners, encompassing monitoring and control of international military aid, as well as border control measures. It also addresses the current challenges and opportunities for improving the situation.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:44 PDT
- What Can Artificial Intelligence Offer Humanitarian Mine Action'
Authors: Russell Gasser Ph.D.
Abstract: Would you walk on land declared safe by an unproven technology, developed by enthusiastic proponents who do not have long experience in the world of mine action' What if the system for locating hazards will be tested in only one or two trials, even though the type of machine learning system they are using is known to sometimes give false but completely plausible results (so-called hallucinations1)' Furthermore, in the proposed machine-learning system there will be no audit trail for analysis if a serious error occurs, and no way of knowing for sure how to prevent its repetition. There is dangerously uncritical promotion on social media of unproven AI technology that is potentially hazardous, insufficiently tested, and unlikely to provide practical solutions in the field. Over twenty years ago, airborne sensors (balloon and drone), multi-sensor data fusion, thermal imaging, and many more technologies were promoted as practical solutions for mine clearance, but uptake has been near zero. A drone with sensors linked to an AI system can currently detect a few mine types that are visible on the surface of the ground, over 95 percent of the time. To get from this to near-perfect detection, for unknown mine types including improvised devices, with buried mines and a wide range of different backgrounds, is a monumental task. Separating the different causes of failure such as: sensor limitations, incorrect AI algorithms, or inadequate training data, is a pre-requisite for progress. Standardized AI training data, and defined success criteria agreed by researchers and mine action organizations, are essential if initial trials are to be more than an opportunity to publicize different approaches in carefully prepared scenarios. The use of AI also presents novel legal and liability issues in the event of failure. The negative consequences of the misuse of machine learning and AI go further than the danger from overlooked hazards. Inappropriate use of AI on safety critical tasks—especially tasks that humans can already perform to a very high standard—may well prevent AI from being accepted for other uses in mine action where it can make an important difference to the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and as a result, save lives and prevent injuries. Mine action needs to set out a clear path forward based on understanding of what AI can and cannot provide.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:39 PDT
- Navigating the Unintended Consequences of Language, Imagery, and Meaning
Has Never Been More Difficult or More Important
Authors: Jon Brown
Abstract: Words matter. The imagery we use matters. When we tell the wrong story (or the right story in the wrong way), it damages us as organizations, damages us as a sector, and, most importantly of all, causes distant but lasting harm to the very communities we exist to serve and of which we are a part of. Let’s be clear: we at Mines Advisory Group (MAG) are certainly as guilty as the rest of the sector in getting things wrong, but we are putting steps in place to try to get it right. The world has moved on from the days when international development organizations sought out extreme representations of poverty and misery for the sake of a few bucks in donations. Not long ago, almost every narrative pivoted on a one-dimensional and fundamentally inaccurate storyline: here is a group of wealthy, privileged, expert people (saviors) rendering assistance and aiding another group of people (victims).
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:34 PDT
- The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 28.2
Authors: CISR JMU
PubDate: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:29 PDT
- The Detection Problem: An Eight-Decade Challenge: The Difficulty of
Practically Detecting and Discriminating Mines, Booby Traps, and Victim
Operated Improvised Explosive Devices
Authors: Roly Evans et al.
Abstract: Reliably detecting and discriminating mines, booby traps, and victim operated improvised explosive devices remains a stubborn problem for both humanitarian demining organizations and the military. Since mines were widely used during the Second World War, much effort has been expended on the detection problem, with limited success. The aim of being able to positively identify a device first time remains elusive since the scientific challenge of positively identifying different substances in the ground is formidable. This article critically examines the detection problem and suggests that in the continued absence of a ‘silver bullet’ technological solution, the best means currently available to manage the risk of concealed explosive devices is the systematic collection and analysis of relevant operational data from the field.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:33 PDT
- Working to Prevent and Reduce the Impact of Armed Violence in Coastal West
Africa
Authors: Clément Meynier
Abstract: In recent years, West Africa has experienced an alarming escalation in violence, leading to dramatic cost to human life and political instability in the region. The Sahelian states, encompassing Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have seen a surge in deaths and injuries due to armed conflicts and violence, with a majority of violent events happening within fifty kilometers of their shared borders.[1] Conflicts and unrest have caused widespread displacement, with millions fleeing their homes. As part of his New Agenda for Peace, in July 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General highlighted how the proliferation, diversion, and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW)[2] “undermine the rule of law, hinder conflict prevention and peacebuilding, enable criminal acts, including terrorist acts, human rights abuses and gender-based violence, drive displacement and migration, and stunt development.”[3] The West Africa region and most particularly countries in the Sahel are harsh testimonies of how weapons contribute to the destabilization of societies, and how their proliferation fuels and prolongs conflict, hindering humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding assistance.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:28 PDT
- Inclusive Data Mangement: Reporting, Storing, and Sharing of Information
on Beneficiaries in the Mine Action Sector
Authors: Maysa Hajjaj PhD et al.
Abstract: The mine action sector has witnessed transformative changes in data management practices, underpinned by international legal instruments such as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC),[1] the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM),[2] and Protocols II and V of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).[3] Despite advancements, transitioning from operational to people-centric data practices has presented challenges, especially about gender, diversity, inclusion, and protection. This study explored current data management methodologies, emphasizing sensitive data and its interplay with gender and diverse social identities. Grounded in case studies from Cambodia, Colombia, and Iraq, the research uncovered the state of data management in the sector and identified pathways for improvement. Key findings highlight variances in interpretations of gender and diversity, challenges in data collection due to security concerns and cultural complexities, the influential role of power dynamics in setting data standards, and the importance of ethical considerations in data sharing and use. This study accentuates the need for a contextually nuanced approach, informed by gender, diversity, inclusion, and protection perspectives, to advance toward more inclusive data management in the mine action sector.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:22 PDT
- Emergency Explosive Ordnance Risk Education: Lessons Learned from Ukraine
Authors: Nick Vovk
Abstract: Following the Russian Federation military offensive launched on 24 February 2022, the context and extent of Ukraine’s explosive ordnance (EO) contamination drastically changed, leaving mine action (MA) operators with the need to provide emergency explosive ordnance risk education (EORE). Faced with scarce up-to-date guidance and good practices on the topic, the global EORE Advisory Group (AG)[1] produced a refreshed document to support implementation. In September 2023, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) also surveyed the entire MA community in Ukraine and organized a joint lessons-learned workshop to review the past eighteen months of emergency EORE programming. The workshop addressed various aspects of the latter, as prioritized by EORE practitioners: coordination and monitoring, informational materials, provision of EORE for persons-on-the-move and those in hard-to-reach areas, digital EORE, as well as the integration of EORE with the broader humanitarian response. This article is dedicated to summarizing the results and public discussions to inform both the global and Ukrainian EORE community of practice.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:17 PDT
- Surveying Eighty-Year-Old Battlefields in Solomon Islands
Authors: Simon Conway
Abstract: Surveying battlefield sites and abandoned ammunition depots eighty years after a conflict presents a challenge. There are few living witnesses, and the land has often changed beyond recognition. In Solomon Islands, the situation is exacerbated by a combination of familiarity and lack of information. Civilians have grown accustomed to the presence of ordnance and concluded that the problem is intractable. At the same time, it is not known how many people have died or been injured because of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned (AXO) ordnance. Nor is it known where the accidents occurred or what the victims were doing at the time of the accident. This lack of accident data has made it difficult for Solomon Islands to draw attention to the scale of the problem and request help through the assistance clauses of treaties including the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. It makes it nearly impossible to write a national casualty reduction strategy built on solid data.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:11 PDT
- The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative: Enhancing Coordination Between
Humanitarian Mine Action and the Emergency Health Response to Civilian
Casualties of Explosive Ordnance
Authors: Hannah Wild et al.
Abstract: Modern armed conflict is characterized by the use of a wide variety of explosive weapons (EW), creating complex injury patterns with need for rapid first aid including hemorrhage control close to the point of injury. Yet, in many places where these injuries occur, formal trauma systems are weakened by conflict and resource limitations. In conflict zones, where immediate trauma care is often challenging to access for civilian casualties of EW, the humanitarian mine action (HMA) sector’s unique position and capabilities present a critical opportunity to bridge this gap—a potential that has been realized with the creation of the Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative (MA-TCC). By fostering collaboration between the mine action sector and health responders, the MA-TCC aims to leverage HMA’s extensive field presence and expertise to enhance trauma care delivery, ensuring a more coordinated, effective response to the urgent medical needs of those injured by EW.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:06 PDT
- Localization in Mine Action: Where the Possible Meets the Necessary
Authors: Markus Schindler
Abstract: While arguments for greater localization in humanitarian aid are strong, in humanitarian mine action (HMA) the case is not always as clear and requires detailed discussion. Despite these challenges, however, the development of national nongovernmental organizations (NNGOs) in mine action is advocated for, as they can offer local knowledge, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and contribute to national ownership. HMA stands out from other sectors due to its resource-intensive and highly regulated nature, often necessitating the use of expensive equipment and specialized expatriates. This article discusses the concept of localization in HMA, emphasizing its distinct challenges compared to other humanitarian sectors. It further outlines the existing barriers to localization from the perspective of international donors, national authorities, international NGOs (INGO), and NNGOs while proposing solutions to enhance the capacity of national actors and ensure long-term sustainability of local HMA efforts.
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:00 PDT
- The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Authors: CISR JMU
PubDate: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:29:55 PDT
- Reviving Old Mosul: 3D Modeling Aids Safe Clearance in Iraq
Authors: Erin Atkinson et al.
Abstract: Under the 2014–2017 Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) occupation, the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, served as a headquarters for the self-proclaimed caliphate. ISIS produced, stored, and transited money, modern munitions, weapons, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through the city's ancient stone streets. To approach the immense and technically challenging task of clearing the Old City efficiently, effectively, and safely—without compromising the city's rich cultural history—Tetra Tech created a 3D model using aerial photogrammetry to quantify and visualize the scope and scale of the project.
PubDate: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 06:35:14 PDT
- Reviving Old Mosul: 3D Modeling Aids Safe Clearance in Iraq
Authors: Erin Atkinson et al.
Abstract: Under the 2014–2017 Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) occupation, the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, served as a headquarters for the self-proclaimed caliphate. ISIS produced, stored, and transited money, modern munitions, weapons, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through the city's ancient stone streets. To approach the immense and technically challenging task of clearing the Old City efficiently, effectively, and safely—without compromising the city's rich cultural history—Tetra Tech created a 3D model using aerial photogrammetry to quantify and visualize the scope and scale of the project.
PubDate: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 06:35:14 PDT
- Mine Action in Lebanon: Innovation, Learning, and Finishing the Job
Authors: Mark Wilkinson PhD
Abstract: Lebanon is a country that has been severely affected by landmines, cluster bombs, and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) through decades of war and civil war. In many cases these legacies of war remain today, intertwined with the complex geopolitics of the region. Yet Lebanon is also a country that exemplifies excellence in mine action—from the strategic to the operational level.
PubDate: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 06:35:00 PDT
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