The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Volume 6 Article 1
Issue 2 The Journal of Mine Action

August 2002

The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2 (2002)

CISR JMU
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)

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Article 1.
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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 1

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Focus
2 U.S. Humanitarian Demining in Africa by Sarah E. Kindig
6 Ensuring Effective Coordination: UN MAS and Mine Action
Coordination Centres in Africa by Sarah Campbell
8 Tailoring Partnerships for Success: Experiences from the
Djiboutian Humanitarian Demining Program
by Dr. Alan Childress & Major Matt Zajac
12 HALO Trust in Angola by David Hartley
15 An Interview with Hendrik Ehlers of MgM by Margaret Buse
19 Developing Safer Demining Handtools in Zimbabwe 85 One of a Kind: The Quick Reaction Demining Force by JJ Scott
by Andy Smith 87 An Interview with Angelina Jolie by Jenny Lange
22 Humanitarian Mine Action in Mozambique 89 Educating the United States: Landmines In and Out of the
by Dr. Hildegard Scheu Classroom by Susanna Sprinkel
29 Community Liaison in Mine Action: Partnerships for Growth 95 Update: The Landmine Situation in Chechnya by Hayden Roberts
by Tim Carstairs 98 What Use is a Database of Demining Accidents? by Andy Smith
33 Locating Landmines and UXO: A Methodological Lesson from the 102 The International Unexploded Ordnance Training Program
Ethiopian Landmine Impact Survey by Dr. Michael L. Fleisher by Tom Gersbeck
37 One Leg Dancing (Um Pe Que Dan~a) Angola Embraces the 105 Building a Safer World "The Philly Way" by Mike Felker
Future by Joe Lokey and Ken OJConnell 107 The Mine Action Information Center and the State Department's
42 Demining Efforts in Namibia by Whitney Tolliver Humanitarian Demining Fellowship by David Hartley
44 The Landmine Problem in Zimbabwe by Prince Makumbe
46 Demining in Ethiopia: A Demanding Task by Josef Strebel
50 Benefit/ Cost Analysis of U.S. Demining in Ethiopia and Eritrea
by Michael Litzleman Editorial
111 Africa: It's Big! by Dennis Barlow

Feature
57 The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development
Program by Nicole Kreger
62 Humanitarian Demining Research: The Future Role of the Journal of Mine Action
Contributors
European Union by Russell Gasser The Mine Action Information Center
at James Madison University
Editorial Board
Dennis Barlow Sarah Campbell
65 Driving the HD Machine in the African Bush by Andy Smith Issue 6.2 2002
ISSN: 1533-9440
Margaret S. Buse Tim Corstoirs
Greg Caison
69 Technology's Promises by JJ Scott The Journal of Mine Action is on officia l Submissions ond queries regarding the
Editor Jiri Chlade
k
Marga ret S. Buse Dr. Alan Childress
74 Pookie Rides Again by Willie Lawrence publication of the Mine Action Information Center
at James Madison University. It is published th ree
Journal of Mine Action should be submitted to
the editor at:
Harry Einstei n
Assistant Editor Mike Felker
78 Mine Resistant Boots by Jiri Chladek times a yeo r. The Mine Action Information Center
is o clearinghouse for information on land mine-
Mine Action Information Center
James Madison University JJ Scott Michael l. Fleishe r
Russell Gasser
81 The Landmine Menace: The Great Humanitarian Challenge related issues and topics and is sponsored by a
contract from the Department of Defense ond
MSC 8504, One Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Editorial Assistants Tom Gersbeck
by Thomas Himmler the State Department. For additional information,
p lease call MAIC a t (540 ) 568-2718, e-mail:
540-568-2503
E-mail: [email protected]
Jeremy Coulson
David Hartley
Thomas Himmler

83 The Versatile Tank-like Flail by Harry Einstein [email protected] u or visit the website at http://
maic.jmu.edu.
Nicole Kreger Sarah E. Kindig
Requests for issues and/ or Calls for Papers of the Hoyden Roberts Wieill Lawrence
Journal of Mine Action should be directed to the Susanna Sprinkel Michael Litzle mon
Upcoming Issues editor. [email protected] u Sara
h Taylor Joe Lokey
Version 6.3 Oct. 2002 Victim and Survivor Prince Moku mbe
Whitney Tolliver
Assistance The Jou rna l of Mine Action reserves the right to Ken O'Con nell
Versio n 7.1 Feb. 2003 Manual Demining and alter articles for readabili ty or space
Perso nal Safety Senior Graphic: Designer Dr. Ken Rutherford
considerations. Every effort will be mod e to
Versio n 7.2 J une 2003 Londmines in Europe ma intain the integrity and meaning of t he t ext. Emily Sm ith Dr. Hildega
he urd Sc
and t he Ca ucasus Andy Smith
Version 7.3 Oct. 2003 Mecha nically Views expressed in the Jou rnal of Mine Action Graphic: Assistant J osef Strebel
Assisted Demin ing ore those of the authors and do not necessarily Herb Plimpton Matt Zajac
reflect the views of the Mine Action Information
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 Center, J ames Madison Unive rsity, the U.S. Administrative Support Cover Photo 2
Department of Defense or the State Deportment. Christine Stephan Rodger Bosch for MgM
Carolyn Firki n
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program Funding: FY1993-FY2002 U.S. Funding for Humanitarian Demining: Fiscal Year 2002

U.S. Humanitarian
Demining in Africa
tal to worldwide mine action initiatives.
Due to the numerous internal conflicts, crises and wars that several of the In FY 2002, the United States will con- --.uun1nle East
nations in Africa have faced, this region is one of the places in the world tribute $8 million in humanitarian mine
Europe The AmericasG%
that is significantly affected by landmines. In an attempt to alleviate the action assistance to Africa. The Americas The Middle East
7% 14% 8%
suffering from landmine injuries, the United States has set out to provide 8%
humanitarian mine action assistance to many of these afflicted nations. U.S. Humanitarian vivors are able to re-enter society and par- 1994 has left Djibouti with an unknown growth in the region.
Demining Initiatives in ticipate in economic act ivities. Since number of landmines and UXO. The
Africa 1995, the United States has contributed U.S. has helped the government of Ethiopia
a total of $25,81 0,000 to the campaign Djibouti create a Mine Action Center and The government of Ethiopia's Na-
Angola to remove landmines in Angola. establish facilities and demining training tional Demining Office estimates that 1.5
As a result of more than 30 years of with support totaling $2,386,000 since to two million landmines and large quan-
internal political struggle, landmines lit- FY 2000. U.S. SOF have been insrru- tities of UXO persist in Ethiopia. The
Chad
ter Angola's provinces. The majority of menral in training Djiboutian deminers. U.S. provided $1.9 million in FY 2002,
The Libyan occupation of the north-
landmines is concentrated in areas nec- So far, the Djibourian demining reams whi le total U.S. donations have reached
ern region ofChad resulted in large (2- 60km
essary for survival, such as agricultural have des troyed 274 landmines and 28 $10,084,000 since 1993. Efforts by U.S.-
long) military minefields around key
land, roads, bridges, waterways, railways p.i eces of UXO and cl eared 5,661.6 rrained Ethiopian deminers have spurred
population centers, while rebellions in
and health care facilities. The acrual num- square meters ofland, which has been re- increased agriculture and refugee re-
other regions of the country contributed
ber of land mines in Angola is unknown , turned to productive use. With rhe cur- settlement. Two companies of manual
a large number of smaller minefields to
though estimates range up to six million. rent rate of progress, Djibouti should be deminers, trained and equipped by the
rhe landmine problem. There are an esti-
Aided by the U.S. and other donors, able to declare itself mine-safe by the end U.S. Department of State (DOS) under
mated 500,000 mines in Chad. Along
Angolan demining reams have cleared of2003. a contract wirh RONCO Consu lting
with other donors, the United States
over nine million square meters of land, Corporation, are operational and de-
played a pivotal role in estab lishing
841,887 square meters of it in 2001 Eritrea ployed to two sites in the Tigray region.
Chad's demining program. Since 1998,
alone. This cleared land allowed for in- Civil strife and rhe war with Ethio- Initial survey work has resulted in area
U.S. Special Operations Fo rces (SOF)-
creased food production and for the re- pia have resulted in a severe landmine reductions of more than 90 percen t in
trained Chadian deminers have cleared
settlement of many internally displaced problem in Eritrea that is concentrated targeted areas, in effect returning pre-
1,322,330 square meters of land, while
persons (lOPs) . Thanks to contributions around strategic military positions and viously suspected mine-affected land ro
destroying 3,800 mines and 148,000
from rhe U.S. Agency for International around water sources in the more rural use. Through USAID's LWVF, rhe Pros-
pieces ofUXO in the process. The United
Aid's (USAID) Leahy War Victim's Fund provinces. The National Demining Cen- thetic Orthotic Training Center of Addis
States has given $5,011,855 in aid since
(LWVF), Angola has a fully functioning ter in Asmara estimates that there are be- Ababa provides ready-made components
1998 and continues its' commitment to
orthopedic workshop that produces pros- tween 1.5 and two million landmines in- for I nrernarional Com mittee of the Red
• A Rwandan deminer
demining with a contribution of
taking a break.
by Sarah E. Kindig, JMU Today, landmines or UXO affect 30 theses and orthoses so that landmine sur-
$441 ,000 for FY 2002. festing rhe country. In order to help com- Cross- (ICRC) assisted rehabilitation cen-
Fellow, Office of of Africa's 54 .llf!• •lf!I. . . . .!IJI.Il!l!. bar this problem, the United States has ters for landmine survivors.
Humanitarian Demining countnes. Of Djibouti con tributed a roral of$10,244,000 since
Programs, U.S. Department of these 30 co un - Internal conAict between 1991 and 1994. C urrenrly, Ethiopian deminers are Guinea-Bissau
State tries, the U.S. clearing an average of Guinea-Bissau has an estimated
provides 17 with ,; 1,826 square meters per 16,000-20,000 landmines, some laid by
Introduction humanitarian week. In addition, mine Senegalese forces, others remaining from
-·~~· ·..>
mine action assis- detection dog teams are the war for independence, but most re-
The United States government's tance. Since Fis- averaging 6,255 square sulting from rhe 1998-1999 military mu-
Humanitarian Demining Program seeks
to relieve human suffering while promoting
U.S. interests. The Program's objectives are
cal Year (FY)
1993, the U.S.
ha s provided
.,.. - ..·
.
~ ·· ·- meters per week of area
clearance. According to
the UN, these operations
tiny. Since FY 2000, the United States
has been a primary source of assistance,
provid ing a total of $588,145, a signifi -
to reduce civilian casualties, create condi- Africa with have permitted refugees cant portion of that going to the non-
tions for the return ofrefugees and displaced $130 million to resetrle on safe land governmental organisation (NCO)
persons ro their homes, reinforce an affected (U.S.) while do- and spurred econom1c HUMAlD for mine clearance operations.
counrry's stability, and encourage interna- nating almost
tional cooperation and participation. $600 million to- • UXOinChad

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 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

• (Left to Right) AT refugees to return to their homes. To con- human itarian demining assistance to gram 111 1998, the United Stares has
mines in tinue this effort, the United Stares is con- Swaziland has ended. funded $6,749,000 in an effort to help
Ethiopia.A
Zimbabwe
tributing approximately $1.2 million in Zimbabwe rid itself of mines.
village on the FY 2002. Since 1995, the U.S. DOS has Zambia
edge of a live provided nearly $5.5 million for mine While the government of the Repub- Conclusion
minefield. and UXO clearance in Somaliland. lic of Zambia (GRZ) cannot estimate the
number of landmines on irs territory, it Assistance from rhe United States
Sudan believes land affected by landmines mea- and other donors ro mine-affected Afri-
To support the Nuba Mountains sures approximately 2,500 square kilome- can nations has helped to increase the
Ceasefire Accord the U.S. DOS deployed ters. Zambia is currently in the process quality of life in these once war-ravaged
irs Quick Reaction Demining Force to of being trained by U.S. SOF in mine countries. That assistance has also helped
Sudan in April 2002 to conduct mine risk education and is developing an indig- open countless kilometers of road to
The remainder of the funds purchased effort in Mozambique is focused on clear- in the southwest part of the country,
clearance operations, coordinati ng irs ef- enous humanitarian demining capacity. humanitarian aid organizations to recon-
equipment for Guinea-Bissau's Mine Ac- ing the Sena rail line, which will allow sandwiched between Gambia and Guinea
forts with the UN's Mine Action Service The United Stares donated approximately stitute infrastructure necessary to sustain
tion Center, which oversees demining the expo rt of agricultural and mineral Bissau, has left an unknown number of
and the Joint Military Co mmittee $800,000 in FY 2002 to support economies and to provide holistic health
operations. Since January 2000, Guinea products. Through the LWYF, USAID AP and AT mines in the ground there.
(JMC). C learance operations began in Zambia's program. Since the program's care to thousands oflandmine su rvivors .
Bissau deminers have cleared more than has supported the production and distri- These mines have adversely affected the
May. The government of Sudan estimates inception in 2001, the U.S. has contrib- Their fear has been replaced by hope. •
183,200 square meters of land and de- bution ofprosthetic devices for the estimated population, agriculrural activities and
that between 1989 and 2001, I , 135 per- uted a total of $1,792,000.
stroyed over 2,400 mines and 900 pieces 9,000 amputees in the country, most of tourism. In July 2001, USAID's LWVF
sons became mine victims in the Nuba *All photos courtesy of Office of Humanitarian
of UXO. In addition, 2,300 mines and whom are landmine victims. began providing money to th e NGO
730 pieces of UXO have been cleared. Handicap lnrernarional to support irs
Mountains, while Save the Children USA Zimbabwe Demining Program.
believes that an additional 25 mine re- Zimbabwe has an estimated
Namibia program to assist landmine survivors in
Senegal and to raise the population's lated incidents have occurred in these 2,500,000 landmines buried within its Contact Information
Mauritania Namibia declared mine-safe status
awareness of the risk of landmines mountains between December 200 I and territory. The U .S. has supported the
Mauritania's war in the Western Sa- last year when it completed the clearance
February 2002. humanitarian demining program in Zim- Matt Murphy, Program Manager
hara has left between 50,000 and 100,000 of irs ten known minefieldsand 4 10 electric through mine awareness education ef-
babwe since 1998 through training and Office of Humanitarian Demining
landmines within Mauritania's borders. power pylons. Nevertheless, there are re- forts.
With unilateral support from the U.S., ports that rebel forces of the National
Swaziland eq uipm ent donations. Zimbabwe's Program
Swaziland has one minefield located demining program has cleared 800,000 Bureau of Political Military Affairs
landmine casualties were reduced signifi- Union for the Total Independence of Rwanda
Rwanda emerged from civil war with along irs border with Mozambique. Since square meters ofland, allowing large parts Department of Stare
cantly. There was only one casualry in Angola (UNITA) have crossed over from
an estimated 100,000-250,000 land mines 1998, the United States has contributed of Victoria Falls to be opened for tourists E-mail: [email protected]
2001. Mauritanian deminers have cleared Angola and have planted mines in the
in irs soil. Many of Rwanda's roads were $1,046,000 in assistance. U.S. SO F trained and the Zambezi Valley to become safe
141 ,000 sq uare meters of land, destroy- Kavango and Caprivi regions. Namibia
Swazi military forces to conduct demining for resettlement. Currently, Zimbabwe's
ing more than 8,000 land mines and over has received almost $9 million in U.S. mined, cutting off entire regions and hin-
dering the flow of humanitarian aid and operations, and the DOS provided funds demining efforts are in the sustainment
5,700 pieces of UXO in the process. In demining assistance since 1994, includ-
commodities. Rwanda's demining program to procure demining equipment. U.S. phase. Since rhe beginning of rhe pro-
2001 , with support from the U.S., the ing $88,000 in FY 2002. Namibia's 1,000
Mauritanian government was able to clear deminers, trained by U.S. SOF have cleared is currently in the sustainment phase, and
• Demining electric power
90 kilometers of roadway to permit the over 1,000,000 square meters ofland and Rwanda expects to declare itself mine safe
pylons in Namibia.
transport ofwater &om the wells in Blonouar removed over 5,000 landmines and 1,300 in early 2004. Deminers have cleared
to the population of Nouadhibou. uxo. more than seven million square meters
of land, which is currently being culti-
Mozambique Nigeria vated for agricultural use. The United
Two decades of war have left Following the explosion of a mili- States committed $350,000 in FY 2002
Mozambique littered with landmines. tary ammunition depot in Lagos in January to the demining program, while Rwanda
Although landmines are found in all of 2002, the U.S. Department of Defense has received $ 11,399 ,999 from the U.S.
Mozambique's provinces, there is no re- (DOD) responded by providing a team since the program's inception in 1995.
liable estimate of their number or the of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
amount of mine-affected land. The U.S. experts. The U.S. Department of State has Somalia
provided $2,124,000 in FY 2002 and committed over $1 ,500,000 to provide The So mali land Mine Action Cen-
since 1993 has provided $28,825,999 to fo r an additional period of clearance ter has confirmed the presence of at least
support mine actio n in Mozambique. through irs commercial contractor, 28 mined roads and 63 known and 17
Thanks ro the combined efforrs of demining RONCO Consulting Corporation. By suspected minefields as a resulr of past
organizations, the Mozambique National the middle of April 2002, 39,800 pieces m ilirary conflicts. The greatest concentra rio n
Demining Institute reponed that in 2001 ofUXO had been cleared from the site and of mines is in Somaliland in the northwest
nearly two million square meters of land subseq uenrly destroyed. region of the country. Through February
were cleared and 2,727 landmines were 2002, the demining effort in Somali land
destroyed, permitting significant economic Senegal has cleared 19,663,265 square-meters of
development and allowing refugees to An almost two-decades-long conflict land and destroyed 1,333 mines and
resettle on safe land. Presently, the U.S. in the Casamance region ofSenegal, located pieces ofUXO. The cleared land has enabled

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Jished a MACC as parrofMONUC. The Sudan country. The IMSMA system is now ca-

Ensuring Effective primary objectives of the MACC are the

following:
• Develop a reliable mine and UXO
Sudan has been at war for nearly 40
years. While the ongoing civil war does
pable of receiving and displaying such
data.
Tn accordance with the Outline
information system based on IMSMA not currently allow for the implementa- Concept Plan for Sudan, UNICEF is

Coordination: • Implement emergency surveys as

required
• Implement emergency mine action
tion of a typical Mine Action Programme
(MAP), there are a number of immediate
actions chat can be taken to address some
deploying a Mine Risk Education (MRE)
officer to assist with coordination a nd
development of the increasing number of

UN MAS and Mine Action • Provide mine action expertise to

MONUC and the humanitarian com-
of the emergency needs of the civilian
population. Many of these actions have
MRE activities commencing in Suda n.

The Key to Effective

Coordination Centres in Africa munity
• Assist UN ICEF in developing ana-
tional risk reduction campaign
already been identified as a result of rhe
field assessment conducted in November
2000 on behalf of the Imer-Governmental
Coordination

As soon as the situation allows, the Authority on Development (JGAD) Part- To be successful, MACCs rely pri-
Effective coordination is an essential part of mine action efforts worldwide. •Information management for which ultimate goal of the MACC will be to ner Forum Working Group. These activi- marily on two things: the commitment
The author discusses the United Nations Mine Action Service's (UNMAS) MACC~ collect, anaiY'.e and disseminate the assist the national authorities in develop- ties are currently being implemented of national governments to mine action
coordination strategies, focusing on examples from Mine Action m ine-related data necessary to operations, ing a medium-to-long-term mine action through the European Union (EU)- and the strength of the partnerships they
Coordination Centres (MACCS) in Africa . most of the time using the Information plan to establish a national capability to funded Sudan Landmines Information build with a variety of partners, includ-
Management System for Mine Action coord inate and conduct mine action and and Response Initiative (SLI RI). ing donors, operators-in particular,
• A United Nations Nations is to provide them with th e (IMSMA), developed by the Geneva In- to clear th e country of mines and UXO. One of the initial responsibilities of non-govern mental organizations
deminer set s assistance they need and to support in- tern ational Center for Humanitarian In the immediate future, the MACC will the UN MAP in Sudan will be to develop (NGOs)-humanitarian agencies and
explosives around an
ternational cooperation. This assistance Demining (GICHD). also assist MONUC in impleme nting a more comprehensive understanding of the local communities themselves. The
AP mine in
Mozambique. c/o AP is provided through the United Nations • Resource mobilisation. urgent survey operations of suspected the scope of the problem and its impact United Nations aims to play a support-
Development Programme (UNDP) for In Africa, the United Nations system, mined airfields that are a threat to fur- on the people ofSudan. In addition, the fo l- ive and catalytic rol e in this regard and
long-term capacity building programmes, through UNMAS, UNDP and the ther deployment of the Mission. lowing actions will be taken to begin ad- will conti nue to be an active advocate of
and through UNMAS for programmes United Nations International Children's dressing the landmine and UXO problem: the importance of coordination in the
developed in the context of peacekeeping Emergency Fund (UNICEF), is involved EritreafEthiopia TSZ • Implementing an effective infor- field of mine action. •
operations or in response to immediate in mine acrion in Angola, Burundi, Chad, mation distribution network
hu manitarian needs. the Democratic Republic of the Congo Following the cessation of hostilities • Assisting with the creation and de- References
T he main principles under which (DRC), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Guinea Bissau, between Eritrea and Ethiopia in June velopment of an emergency national
MACCs supported by the United Na- Mauritania, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, 2000, UNMAS established the United mine clearance capability I. A/53/496, Annex II, available at
tions operate are outlined in the policy Somalia and Sudan. The source and scope Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea • Assuring that all mine action needs www.mineacrion.org

docum ent of 1998 , "Mine Action and of the landmine and UXO problem in 2. A/56/448/Add.2
(UNMEE) MACC. The UNMEE in the Nuba Mountains are carried out
Effective Coordination: The United Na- each of these countries is unique, a nd MACC has been designed to support the swiftly and effectively
tions Policy."lll This document has been therefore the mine action activities under- peacekeeping operation and humanitar- • Developing a relevant and effective
Contact Information
further refined with the formulation of taken vary from coun try to country. ian relief efforts within rhe TSZ, as well mine awareness/information distribution
guidelines clarifying the role of the mili- UNMAS, working with the United Na- Sarah Campbell
as to assist the governmenr of Eritrea to package
tary in min e action, and a sectoral policy tions Office for Project Services (UNOPS) UNMAS Information
strengthen its local and national capacity • Establishing a management pres-
on information managementY 1This year, as its executing partner, is currently directly Officer
to address the long-term needs of irs ence in Khartoum with field offices at the
by Sarah Campbell, UN MAS additional guidelines will be circulated de- responsible for supporting MACCs in the United Nations
people. The programme in Eritrea also local level
fining the role ofMACCs in relation to DRC, the Temporary Securi ty Zo n e has a liaison officer in Ethiopia who provides FF-360
In June 2000, the UN Emergency
Introduction victim assistance. (TSZ) between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and New York, NY I 0017
specialized mine action advice to the gov- Mine Action Project in Sudan was in its
While the responsibilities ofMACCs Sudan. Tel: (2 12) 963-5677
ernmenr of Ethiopia. third month and was making steady
G iven the range of activities and the vary from country to country, they typically The UN response requires a collabo- progress. The Mine Action Coordination Fax: (2 I 2) 963-2498
number of players involved in mine action, include: The Democratic Republic E-mail:
rative and closely coordinated effort by Office in the Nuba Mountains was op-
coo rdination is a prerequisite to the • The planning and operational coor- of the Congo [email protected]
UNMAS, UNDP, UNICEF and the eration al and derailed cooperation and
effective impleme ntation of mine action dination of all mine-related activities, other mine action partners to ensure a well- liaison mechanisms with the Joint Military Website: http://
programmes in the field. MACCs are surveys, demini ng and mine risk reduction Since 1997, the DRC has been en- www.mineaction.org
linked and continuous transition from Com mission (J MC) were fully func-
therefore a central co mponent of most activities in particular. gulfed in a conflic t involving six the current emergency operations to the tional. The UNMAS Technical Advisor
mine action programmes. Support for • Quality management, in accordance neighbouring countries. The humanitarian long-term developmental activities, as well (TA), in close cooperation with the JMC,
their establishment and development has with the International Mine Action Stan- consequences of the conflict have been as to ultimately provide a clear and coher- the government of Sudan (GoS), the
been at rhe core of UN mine acrion ever dards (IMAS) adopted by the United devastating. Since January 2001, the pol iri- ent ex it strategy. UNMAS, UNDP and Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC),
since the first such centre was established Nations in 2001, which now form the cal situation has improved, allowing for UN ICEF carry out their respo nsibil ities Sudan People's Liberation Army (S PLA) • A young man
for Afghanistan in 1989. bas is for rhe development of country- the deployment of the United Nations based on an agreed and integrated workplan, commanders and the local comm unity, demonstrating the
MACCs are normally initiated and specific national sta ndards and Standard Mission in Congo (MONUC). wh ich will evolve over time as required is now rapidly building a comprehensive method used to
developed under the direct auspices of Operating Procedures (S OPs) across all Under Security Council resolution deactivate a mine. c/o
by changing circumstan ces and needs. picture of the mine/UXO threat in the
UN/DPI-J. Monua
local authorities. The role of the United UN mine action programmes. 1291 of 2000, UN MAS recently estab-

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 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

• USCENTCOM, tasked the First Marine and taxes on HD-related equipment and to general, DOS PM/H OP contracts mine

Tailoring Partnersh IPS Expeditionary Force (I MEF) to lead the

training ream, in parr because I MEF was
familiar with Djibouti from conducting
support import clearance ofmine/UXO de-
struction training devices. T he stage was set
for USCENTCOM components to con-
clearance to industry, while DoD trains and
equips nations to demine d1emselves d1rough
train-the-trainer programs. Seldom have the

for Success:
previous and on going humanitarian assis- duct humanitarian demining training. two approaches combined ro achieve rime
tance missions. Thus, in setti ng a DoD HD and cost savings.
precedent, a team ro train and assist Preparing for Training
Djibouti establish a HD program was Training the Training Team
Experiences from the Djiboutian formed by USCENTCOM and led by l
MEF. The team was comprised of Marine
The Djiboutianmilitary provided train-
ing and billeting facilities located at Camp Prior to deployment, all U.S. trainers

Humanitarian Demining Program engineers and EOD experrs, Army Special

Forces, C ivil Affairs, and Psychological
LeMonier. However, since these premises had attended the Humanitarian DeminingTrain-
nor bee n occupied for so m e years, ing Center (HDTC) at Fort Leonard Wood,
Operation trainers, and a Navy corpsman. USCENTCOM's requirements analysis sur- MO, where they received important lessons
This article examines the multiple partnerships that were formed during the The U.S.-Djibouti Plan
Each component brought unique skills ro vey team determined that renovation ofthese on not only the technical aspects of mine
planning and training deployment of a team comprised of a sailor, Special the team and, while some technical capa- facilities was necessary prior to inhabiting action bur critical, experience-based guidance
Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers, Marines, Department of State resourcers, Fol lowing U.S. government approval
bili ries overlapped, they provided a basis fo r them. The spirit of cooperation of Depart- on the development of lesson plans, host-
a civilian demining organization, and U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) for HD assistance, the American Embassy
interesting exchanges and professional de- ment of State PM/HDP to provide up front nation civil organ ization development and
planners. Several of the first-time partnerships discussed could be applicable in Djibouti, the D jiboutian government,
velopment opportunities for the Djiboutian funds and support to refurbish these facili- overcoming common training challenges. It
to future Humanitarian Demining (HD) programs. A fundamental lesson is and USCENTCOM developed a one-year
trainees as well as the U.S. trainers. In ad- ties- before military training began- sig- was at HDTC that the face-to-face integra-
that the organizational parameters of selected U.S. government HD operations HD cou n try plan for Djibou ti. The
dition, integrating the experience of the nificantly reduced start-up time. This inrer- tion of this diverse, three-service military
require flexibility, and may need to be dismembered and recombined to Djibouti country plan outlined the U.S.
Special Forces team in training foreign sol- agency (DOS and DoD) cooperation en- training ream really began. As an example of
successfully accomplish a program's goals . Equally important, these train-the-trainer strategy to assist Djibouri
diers ensured that cultural considerations abled facility renovation and training plan- the cooperation and integration between the
cooperative efforts resulted in significant cost savings to U.S. taxpayers in creating a self-sustain ing, civil ian -led
were practiced and misperceptions quickly ning to occur simultaneously. M ilitary forces two groups, the HDTC D irector led a party
without degrading U.S. HD aid to Djibouti. demin ing organization capable of reducing
overcome. Not on ly did this unique con- were not available to perform the renova- to Djibouti to collect lessons learned while
the impact of the real or perceived landmine
glomeration of fo rces succeed , it accom- tions nor were they readily available to con- also contributing their expertise to the train-
by Dr. Alan Childress and ian secto r expertise. T he Djibouti HD threat in the near term and making the
plished its cross-service planning and ex- tract and oversee the renovation project at ers at work.
Major Matt Zajac p rogram results suggest that "out of the nation mine-safe in the longer term. The
ecution cycle within 12 months. Camp LeMon ier. PM/HDP's initial involve-
box" plan ning and execution cooperation plan focused on creating a Djiboutian ci-
ment was crucial to the ti mely start of the Djibouti Be U.S.
Introduction can achieve significant cost, schedule, and vilian steering committee and mine action
U.S. Be Djibouti Partnering USCENTCOM HD program in Djibouti Relationships
quality-related consequences that open center organization, training and equipping
and soon expanded from infrastrucrure and
During j anuary 200 I, U.S. Mari nes, H 0 programs to unforeseen advantages a mi litary mine survey and clearance unit,
Military and civil ian government co- logistical support for trainer success, to sus- T h e ac tu al tra in ing of th e
Army SOF soldiers, and a Navy corps- (and pleasant surprises) . developing a mine awareness and infor-
operation between the U.S. and Djibouti was tainment support of the program as a whole. Djiboutian demining ream began in Feb-
man joined American Embassy person- mation management capabi lity, and en-
already strong. Previous and on going U.S. In previous and current programs, DOS ruary and was completed in May 2001.
nel and a U.S. Srate Departmenr HD The Mine Problem ergizing the donor community within the
humanitarian assistance programs, as well as PM/HOP executes (outsources) thei r HD During this p eriod, two significant. part- ·
contractOr (RONCO) to execute a U.S. country and mined regions to help sustain
outstanding personal relationships between programs through a civilian contractor, nerships developed that contributed to
government-sponsored H D Program in Djibouti's mine problem is a result the program. Previous HD country plans
the U.S. liaison officer and the Djiboutian RONCO, while DoD's regional command, the program's success. One of these was
a Horn of Africa nation, D j ibouti. While of ten years of civil war. Due to the nature were based on an 18-24 month planning
senior military and civilian leadership, had USCENTCOM, execures irs HD programs p redictab le wh il e the other evo lved as
the commenceme nt of yet another U .S. of the warfare, the extent of the Djiboutian and execution cycle. Clearly, compressing
developed an environment where frank as- through military train-the-trainer programs, another "first" for USCENTCOM HD
demining program in itself is not neces- land mine problem is unknown. However, the length of rhe 18-24 month plan re-
sessments and solid commitmenrs to the pro- independent of civilian trainertft..,..
support. In
sarily newsworthy, this particular opera- repeated mine incide nts involving both quired the integration and cooperation of .o•b~•
....... _ _ _ __
S~•fii'I' S .-1

gram could be generated

tion enjoyed a few u nique aspects that military and civilian personnel, particularly both the Un ited States' and Djibouri's mili- ·. Eritrea
during a shortened plan-
stemmed from experience and a spirit of in the fertile norrhern regions of the coun- tary, government and civilian capabilities.
ningstage. The Djibourian
cooperation that e nabled the p layers to try, had brought economic activity, devel- T he program's planners could not visual-
military agreed to provide a
bring fresh ideas ro the planning tabl e. opm ent, and non-govern mental relief op- ize just how far the integration of these H 0
dedicated 35-man Ethiopia
From irs inception rhe program entailed erations to a near standstill. Mines/UXO compone nt s wou ld advance in rh e
demining platoon led by a
the partnersh ip of the Department of or the perception of the presence of mines/ Dj ibouti program-and the development
superb, multilingual, highly
State Bureau of Political-Mi litary Affairs UXO affects an estimated 45 percent of of new partnerships is truly the success story
educated and selfless com-
Humani tarian Demining Program office Dj ibouti. While French forces stationed of this program.
mander, Captain Youssouf,
(PM/HO
P ); A rmy SOF, Marine, and within the country had provided some ru- T he Department of Defense normally
an ex-French militaqcamp
Navy HD-related trainers; the civilian dimentary military breaching trai ning to executes HD training programs with a stan-
to house a permanent mine
demining communi ty; the Dj iboutian a small Djiboutian military contingent, dard package of Army SOF assets, which
action center wirh bi lleting
government; the U.S. country ream in Djibouti possessed neither the technical consists of Special Forces, C ivil Affairs and
and training facilities, and
Psychological Operations teams, and gen-
Djibouti; and U.S. Central Command nor organizational capabili ty to address irs
landmine problem. Consequently, in late erally aided by Army Explosive Ordinance
various logistical support. ......
planners. The success of the Dj ibouri H 0
program is due in large part to selfless 1999 Djibouti requested U.S. government Disposal (EOD) personnel plus a logistics
The Djiboutian military
obtained government ap-
h .-.
and accessible leadership and the conver- HD assistance. cell. Due in part to a shortage of Special
proval to waive cusroms fees
•....,. -";uic.i ' Somalia
• Navy corpsman observing first aid instruction .
gence of military, governmen t, and civil- Forces asset s, DoD, through

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

• Map reading training. nership was the solution to providing on- logistical support details allowed him to will nor describe success in socioeconomic
was the development of mutual respect the-ground experience and oversight ro the seek support from other agencies in teres ted factors such as people returned to their
and friendship between the U.S. trainers newly trained Djiboutian military. Given in helping the Djibourians and ro help rhe homelands, increased productivity, and
and the members of the Djiboutian HD that RONCO's representative now had first- government form a civilian-led HD orga- opened agricultural areas. We would chal-
ream. Although separated by an enor- hand knowledge of rhe training provided to nization. Finally, the costs associated with lenge Djibouti and other mine-affected
mous cultural gap that span ned both per- rhe Djiboutian military and their land mine four 7- 10 day visits to Djibouti by a war- nations to gauge their mine threat successes
sonal and professional experiences, mu- problem, the HD Training Team recom- ranted military contracting officer were from a combined socioeconomic and ca-
rual respen between individuals and mended ro the Ambassador that parr of the saved through PM/HDP'sconrractedsup- sualcy reduction base.
reams quickly developed. Many close DOS sustainment money for 2001 be used porr. Again, this was a result of
friendships and professional exchanges ro retain RONCO's services. RONCO's role USCENTCOM-PM/HDP parrnering in Conclusion
conrinue today. While secondary to the would then change from that of logistical rhe planning stages and a PM/HOP desk
value we may place on people's safecy and facilitator to an advisor to the Djibourian officer volunteering to provide support, The article examined rhe multiple parr-
fr eedom, th e role of humanitarian Mine Action Center (DMAC). This would through RONCO, in advance of training nerships that were formed during the plan-
demining as an engagement opportunicy provide several immediate benefits. First, a start-up. Although breaking new ground ning and execution of a demining program
was underscored in Djibouti. civilian demining firm's employees would during this cooperative endeavor generated by a relatively small ream of dedicated SOF
nor be under the legal restrictions that pre- several lessons learned, the experience and soldiers, marines, a sailor, and the benefits
Department of State vent DoD personnel from entering known results might serve as a model for future achieved from USCENTCOM and DOS
Logistics Support mine-threatened areas. This would allow the HD engagemems in orher mine-inflicted cooperating and coordinating throughout
Djiboutian HD program to benefit from nations seeking U.S. assistance. the program. Several of the partnerships dis-
The second unpredicred new partner- current mine action experience at the loca- cussed may be applied to orher HD pro-
ship that evolved revolves around the suc- and those most important to rhe HD Embassy in Djibouti, as the DOS represen- tion where demining is occurring. Second, Shifting the Measures of grams. A fUndamental lesson is that the or-
cess of PM/HDP's contractor, RONCO, program's sustainment, were recognized tative within the country, should assume ir provides a direct link between the Effectiveness (MOE) ganizational parameters ofUSG HD opera-
with renovating the facilities. Immediate re- during rhe HD training and given urgency oversight of the HD program and its con- Djiboutian military and the DOS represen- Paradigm tions must remain flexible, and indeed may
sults were gained from the RONCO as the USCENTCOM team prepared to tinued implemenration. However, prior to tative in the American Embassy, strengthen- need ro be dismembered and recombined,
supervisor's knowledge of the local economy, depart. The HDTraining leam had accom- the Djiboutian HD program, ing the abilicy of DOS to influence the use While nor directly related to rhe U.S.- ro successfully meet a program's goals. Self-
his language skills and his experience with plished irs mission and the Djibourian mili- USCENTCOM had performed this fi.mc- of USG provided resources. Finally, the supporred Djibouti HD program, an ad- less and accessible leadership is a vital ele-
the business culture. Historically, local logis- tary demining team proved their capabili- rion, usually through the U.S. Liaison Of- RONCO representative can provide ac- ditional lesson is raking shape from the ment in developing the inter-service relation-
tical support has generally been the respon- ties in a final, our-of-camp, week long train- ficer of the Defense Attache. The HD curate information regarding rhe Djibouti experience. The authors note that ships necessary to achieve these goals in a
sibilicyof the Civil Affairs liaison officer. His ing scenario designed to exercise indepen- Training Team recommended to rhe U.S. Dj ibourian programs development, en- HD success has traditionally been measured compressed time span. The Djibourian Hu-
training in civil-military cooperation and lan- dent planning, mine survey and clearance, Ambassador, whose ex perience with HD hancing USCENTCOM 's periodic train- in quamiries such as numbers of mines and manitarian Demining Training Team's flex-
guage skills made him rhe def.1ult choice. information management, local mine aware- progran1s in the region encompassed almost ing assessments. UXO neutralized, minefields or area ible approach, and the unique partnerships
However, with the Civil Affairs liaison of- ness and leadership skills. At the national a decade, ro assign responsibilicy for the con- cleared, and reduction in casualties. Donors generated, resulted in categorical success and
ficer continuously tied up with daily logisti- level, the Civil Affairs liaison officer had suc- tinued oversight of the H D program to one Cost Reductions and in particular often seek such numbers as provided unforeseen advantages to the U.S.
cal requirements, the U.S. team would lose cessfully integrated a national mine action of his Country Team personnel-perhaps Increased Training and incentives to cominue support. A notion demining program in Djibouti. •
his skills in advising and coordinating the center into an exisringDjibourian cross-min- the Political-Military Advisor. Obviously, Security Benefits being advanced today, in particular by the
isterial steering committee and obtained sup- close cooperation berween the Embassy Po- UN, is that success may also be a fUnction Bios
integration of host nation civil authorities
and the non-governmemal support essential port from the U.S. Ambassador, the United litical-M ilitary Advisor and the DoD- The results of completing infrastruc- of socio-economic impact considerations
Major Matt Zajac, USA, is currently the The-
to program sustainment. Recognizing this Nations Acting Resident Representative, and USCENTCOM Liaison Officer would be ture renovations at Camp LeMonier prior and people's perception of a mine threat. ;ncr Liaison Officer fur C Company, 96th Civil
misapplication of a scarce resource, the H D other promi nenr non-governmental organi- necessary. Thus, while USCENTCOM to the arrival of U.S. trainers, and remov- Although Djibouti was nor recognized as a Aflairs Battalion (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North
ing major burdens of logistical support high or even medium-threat mined nation, Carolina. He recently served as the Civil Affairs
Training Team commander requested that zations acrive within the country. Yet the new would conduct periodic assessment visits to
Liaison Officer during the execution of the USC
PM/HOP continue supporting RONCO's Djibomian HD organization (now formed evaluate the Djiboutian military's evolving from the Country Team and the Civil Af- roughly one-third of the northern region
HD Program in Djibouti and has deployed on Civil
involvement as the HD Training Team's lo- as the Djiboutian Mine Action Center or capabilities and re-train if required, respon- fairs officer can hardly be exaggerated. was immobilized due to a perception of Aflilirs missions throughout the USCENTCOM AOR
gistical contracting and disbursing officer. His DMAC) lacked planning and managerial sibilicy to assist rhe Djiboutian Government When rhe trainers arrived in Djibouti their mines and UXO. Exactly how much of that since completing a MS in lnrernarional Relations.
billers were secure and ready for occupancy, perception is real icy may be determined by Or. Alan Childress recenrly retired as a man-
management of the day-ro-day logistical skills and critical mine action experience-- in strengthening its civilian-led mine action
agement and technology consultant with Boot,
needs, financial accounting, and his abilicy both at the national and execution levels organization and to generate non-govern- transportation vehicles were in place, of- the Djiboutian Mine Action Center as ir
Allen & H amilton . A 26-year veteran of Army Spe-
to quickly effect facilicy repairs allowed the where the military had been trained. The HD menral, long-term progran1 sustainment sup- fices and training facilities outfitted, and broadens its operations; however, we pre- cial Forces and Rangers, he special
ized in interna-
HDTrainingTeam to focus on continuously Training Team's research into overcoming port rested with a CountryTeam civilian ad- messing areas complete. The savings in dict that rhe presence of mine/UXO aware- tional management while earning his business ad-
hotel/villa billeting and transportation ness and clearance teams will open the re- minisrrarion docrorare.
evaluating and improving training. Yer this these potentially debilitating wealmesses re- visor. This arrangement recogn izes rhat
evolution of rhe USCENTCOM-DOS- sulted in the reconfigurarion of and imple- longer-term U.S. sustainment is a fUnction costs were considerable and the en tire ream gions faster than exhibiting a number of
Contact Information
RONCO partnership still had one unfore- mentation of a new USCENTCOM-DOS of DOS funding, nor DoD, and in May was able to work and live in a secure envi- mines/UXO cleared. In fact, relatively few
seen, bur highly successfUl, permutation to HD partnership. 2001, the first DOS Embassy-based HD ronment. The Djibourian cadre were also mines may be found and still the areas will Major Matt Zajac
realize. Since one of the Country Plan's fUn- program manage r attended housed ar Camp LeMonier, which resulted have been opened to farming and com- Tel: 910-907-3070
damental goals was the establishment of a USCENTCOM's annual HD planning in training economies and relationship merce. Reduction in casualties remains the E-mail: [email protected]
Sustainment Innovations self-sustaining, national mine action organi- conference in Tampa, FL. building not achieved in previous most important consideration. Still, MOE
zation under a civilian-led steering commit- Another outcome of rhe USCENTCOM HD operations. In ad- calculated from periodic reports of num- Dr. Alan Childress
The final partnership developments, tee, ir seemed logical that the American USCENTCOM and DOS-RONCO parr- dition, freeing rhe Civil Affairs officer from bers of mines/UXO or minefields cleared Tel: 813-827-0692

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 10 • • 11

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 FOCUS ;I
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
.
Landmlnes in Africa
ment is controlled and used by 26 separate throughout the nation. Although Angola The conflict ultimately interrupted

HALO Trust in Angola demining teams.

HALO has been presenred with a
unique and daun ting challenge in Angola.
Nor only does the South African nation
has signed and ratified the Mine Ban HALO's demining operations. More im-
Treaty, little has been done to stop the portantly, however, the political turmoil
use oflandmines. When Angola's electoral displaced hundreds of tho usands of
process collapsed in 1992, a period of Angolan citizens. These bystanders were
HALO Trust, a British charity, is gaining acclaim for both the scope and quality have one of the most alarming landm ine indiscriminate mine laying commenced . driven from their homes and forced ro
of their demining operations. In Angola, HALO has successfully adapted to THE problems in the world (some sources es- Ango.la's civil war is the longest in seek solace around Angola's central pro-
timate as many as 15 million landmines), Africa. After winning independence from vincial capitals. For HALO, this has created
an unstable political climate to help clear mines and allow for the return of
hundreds of thousands of displaced refugees. In light of Angola's newfound HALO bur the Angolan socio-political situation
is also notOriously unstable. To dare, at
Portugal in 1975, Angola was torn be- an urgent and unique demining scenario.
peace, the Trust plans to expand their operations and finish the job. TRUST least 76 different types of AP landmines
tween the U.S. backed National Union
for the Total Independence of Angola A Downturn in Security
have been found in Angola, manufac- (UNITA) rebels and the communist-sup- In Angola, HALO seeks sim ply to
by David Hartley, MAIC United States has great faith in HALO
tured in 22 different countries. ported People's Movemenr for the Lib- "clear land so people can build homes,"
Trust and is subsequently the NGO 's Moreover, through their srricr prac-
eration of Angola (MPLA). The collapse "remove mines which inhibit the work
Introduction leading financial contributor. On June tices and innovation, HALO has gained Civil War of rhe UN's Angolan peace arrempr in of aid agencies, " and provide internally
I9'h, Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr. , the Spe- a reputation as one of the safest demining
I992 opened the gates for ten more years displaced perso ns (lOPs) with "safe ac-
With the landmine commun ity in- cial Representative of the President and operations in the world. For instance, Two decades of civil war have deci- ofbirrer conflict. Since 1992, conflict has cess ro agricultural land. "4 The organiza-
creasingly saddled with political and bu- Secretary of State for Mine Action, re- they have "pioneered a systematic and
mated Angola's population and lefr an continued between the Angolan govern- tion has been clearing land in Angola
reaucratic comroversy, HALO Trust is leased an official com mendation of very safe methodology with its dog teams untold number of landmines and UXO menral forces (FAA) and the UNITA. since 1994, bur had a definitive shift in
distinguished from ot h er demining HALO's efforrs. Worldwide, the Trust has whereby ground is searched in a series of
operational procedure in 1998.
groups by the simpli city of their mission. destroyed more than one million overlapping lanes to minimize the possi-
With the increasing FAA/UNITA
This British-based non -gove rnm enral landmines and items ofUXO, as well as bility of individual mines o r UXO being
turmoil and a subsequent "downturn in
organization (NGO), the largest private helped facilitate the operations of other missed. " 2 This lane system, as well as
security," HALO's operations were re-
non -profi t demining organization in the humanitarian organizations. other unique safety procedures, has given
str icted to less than 30 km around
world, shuns any involvement in religious Wirh its growi ng profile, H ALO HALO Trust an injury rate of 11 6 inju-
Huambo and Kuito in the Bie province.;
crusades or political campaigns and con- Trust is encounterin g opportunities to ries per 100,000 workers, a relatively
This meant that the land that HALO had
ferences. Instead, declares Africa desk of- pursue more substantial and diverse fund- small figure given the inherently danger-
previously surveyed was abandoned. Al-
ficer Tim Porter, HALO seeks only "to ing. The Ruyichi Sakomato-led Japanese ous nature of landmine/UXO removal. 3
though they have no evidence of remining
get mines out of the ground ... with as Benefit music project, "Zero Landmine," HALO Trust gives all of their em-
in Angola, HALO chose not to demine
little fuss as possible." 1 This no-nonsense has sold a su rp risingly high number of ployees, including accountants and desk
areas in danger of cha nging hands be-
demining stance has earned HALO an copies, providing HALO Trust sign ificant officers, the chance to work in the field .
tween government forces. Also, due to rhe
increasingly high international profile, financial support for the last two years. Given the growing rift between those
increased d eploymen t of anti-vehicle
highligh ted by the late Princess Diana's The musical rribme to landmine aware- with legitimate demining experience and
(AV) mines, HALO has been almost com-
visits to Angola and the recent Japanese ness features a variety of international art- those who make administrative and pro-
pletely dependent on aircraft for logistics.
Celebrity Benefit CD, "Zero Landmine." ists, including Cyndi L1uper and Brian Eno. cedural decisions, this policy is refreshing.
Furthermore, HALO was faced with
Founded in 1988, HALO divides its Ideally, all of the landmin e community's
a massive m igration ofiDPs into govern-
internatio nal operations into three basic Research & Development decision makers should have field expe-
m ent-controlled rerrirory. Due ro mili-
region al groups: Africa, Asia and the rience and a subsequent appreciation for
tary conflict in the outer municipalities,
Caucasus. Headed in Scotland by direc- Hailed as a leader in research and the arduous process of mine clearance.
as many as 80,000 TDPs flocked to Kuiro,
tor Guy Willoughby and a number of development, HALO Trust has broken
and up ro half a million to Huambo.
desk officers, HALO is hierarchically ru n new ground in their use of selective ar- HALO in Angola
Working with other humanitarian orga-
by program managers in each co untry of mor, tractor mounted hedge and verge
nizations to provide for the influx of refu-
operation. Free from political distrac- cutters, adapted and armored medium HALO's Africa program operates in
gees, HALO roiled throug h most of
tions, HALO can focus on developing wheeled loaders, and demining d ogs. Angola, Mozambique, Erit rea and
1999, 2000 and 2001 to clear land
new technology and expanding their pro- HALO's Mine Detection Dog (MOD) Somaliland. Like irs operations in Asia
around th e provincial capitals. The
grams, which al ready boast 4,850 mine program has seen sig nificant action an d the Caucasus, HALO's Africa pro-
Angolan IDPs were pouring into the area,
clearance personnel in nine countries. throughout Africa and has been aided by gram employs a small adm inistrative staff
"trying to compete wirh each other for
rhe installation of six weather stations. and emphasizes the developmenr of lo-
strips of land on which to grow crops."6
Funding The purchase of the weather stations wi ll cal management. Of H ALO's 386 em-
Shantytowns with open sewage and virtu-
help HALO predict the optimal condi- ployees in Angola, 385 are locals and on.ly
ally no basic amenities spru ng up, forcing
HALO's Angola program received tions for dog mine detection. the program manager is an expatriate. In
refugees to scavenge for food wherever it
$800,000 from the United States in the T he Trust developed the use of vi- Angola, HALO also owns and operates
could be found. These makeshift com-
2001 fiscal year, along with funding from sors without helmets, for improved 23 Land Rovers, two Case 72 1 armored
munities often appeared in close proxim-
the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Neth- demining comfort, as well as one-handed loaders, two Wer'Wolf mine protected
erlands, Switzerland and the European detectors and one-man drills. HALO has also area-reduction vehicles, a Fiat Allis FLS B
Union. The majority of this budget pays experimented with a variety of methods for tracked dozer and a New Holland 110/ • This Angolan la ndmine victim lost his legs
the salaries of HALO 's employees. T he charging rechargeable batteries in the field. 90 armored vegetation cutter. This equip- to an AP mine. c/o ICRC

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ity ro landmine/UXO-contaminared areas. landmine statistics are exaggerations. Conclusion

Nevertheless, the Trust responded to
1998's dowmurn in security with resolve
and determination. HALO's efforts in
With some figures as high as 15 million,
HALO believes there are on e million
landmines in Angola at rhe most. HALO
In the past decades, a variety of
Ango lan peace attempts have proven
An Interview with
Hendrik Ehlers of MgM
Angola have cemented their reputation Trust mine clearance consultant David fleering and temporary. T herefore, the
as one of rhe best mine clearance organi- Frederick credits a "lack of research and nation's citizens are skeptical that the
zations in the world. As of April 2002, thorough investigation" for this misinfor- cease-fire signed on Ap ril 4'" wi ll endure.
HALO had removed and destroyed 9,537 mation. T he problem, although severe, HALO Trust, however, feels confident
tha t rhe most recem peace attempt is dif- • Hendrik Ehlers
mines and 53,024 items of UXO. is finite and tangible.
ferent. While no one can predict Angola's Hendrik Ehlers discusses the challenges facing demining in Africa, research
I ,548,474 square meters ofland has been Furthermore, both Frederick and
future, the ci rcumstances surrou nding the and development, and mechanical clearance used by his company. His
cleared manually, while I ,480,228 square Africa desk officer Tim Porter challenge
FAA/UNITA cease-fire suggest that the candi d replies offer insight into the world of demining and managing a
meters have been cleared mechanically. UN reports of widespread remining in
conflict will nor resume. Savimbi, UN ITA's multifaceted organization .
In addition, HALO h as clea red Angola. The most urgent factor is not
2,632,810 square meters of battle area. 7 th ousands of new, recen rl y deployed fearsome leader for years, is dead and his
mines, but instead the movement ofiDPs army devastated. These two facto rs alone by Margaret Buse, Editor ing to ask some distant body if we may
Peace in Angola through previously mined sites. W hile should prevent conflict fo r the time being. buy a new truck or start a new opera-
HALO Trust's Angola program is some ami-rank mines have been laid on For all of the humanitarian organi- M argaret Buse (MB): Can you de- tion. W ithout that, our Angola opera-
run from Huambo, one of the central roads, there is simply "no evidence of zations o p erat in g in Angola, the scribe how MgM came to be formed tions would have stopped long ago, just
provinces on the nation's high plateau remining that is taking place."8 newfound peace is both a welcome bless- in Germany in 1996? because there was no funding ... To take have no formal milira~y background or simi-
(planalto). Their p resence is centered ing and a daunting challenge. HALO ir one step further, Hans Georg and me lar education. Well, I was conscripted for
mainly in this region, although in light The Future of Demining in Trust plans o n playing an important role Hendrik Ehlers {HE): My friend and both later became chairmen, which lets a year as a radar operator on the Hawk sys-
of recem developments, the NGO plans Angola in Angola's rebuilding. HALO's efforrs will partner since ch ildh ood, Han s Georg us take the entire legal responsibility, too. tem. We learned everything in the field
to branch our. On April 4'" of this year, allow other NGOs to operate effectively Kruessen, and I were on Christmas leave by doing it, which as a side effect gener-
UNITA and the FAA signed a cease-fi re HAL O Trust approac h es the and accommodate the hundreds of thou- back home, when we learned that our MB: What do you feel are the most ated a number of self-built clearance and
following the February 22"d assassination Angolan land mine crisis with confidence sands of lO Ps moving to Angola's outer co ntracts with GPC seconding AOP in unique aspects of MgM that set it apart management devices that actually work.
of infamous UNITA leader Jonas and vigor. W ith many prospects for new municipalities. As leaders in research and Mozamb ique as instructOrs and supervi- from other demining organizations? A very important thing is that we work
Savimbi. Reportedly, UNITA's forces are fu nding, the organization plans on fin- development, safety, efficiency and fund- sors of the survey plus explosive ordnance in a team of multi-talents with maximum
starving, demoralized and in no position ishing the job quickly and efficiently. As ing, H ALO is both confiden t and ca- disposa l (EOD) section were not re- HE: The above structure is absolutely decentralized decision-making. We are a
to launch any type of military offensive. well as a new grant from the U.S. State pable. l f other humanitarian o rganiza- newed. We had no chance but to do what unique and so is the fact that both of us group of friends and 99 percent of our staff
Therefore, most analysts are cau tiously Department, H ALO anticipates that tions follow H ALO Trust's lead , Angola's many people had told us to do before:
optimistic that the peace will last, at least their high public p rofile in Japan will desperate needs will soon be met. • make our own non-governmental orga- • The German mine
for the foreseeable future. encourage the Japanese government to nization (NGO). With the help of our sweeping
This welcomed upturn in security subsidize rhe demining effort. With new References old school pal Christoph Brocks rhis was organization
MgM People
has meant that the hundreds of thousands and more plentiful financial support, done within a few days and MgM was
Against Mines
of lOPs a re or are planning on HALO plans to "get on the ground, sur- l. lnrerview wirh Tim Porrer, head of HALO's Af- legally founded on January 16, 1996. developed a new
rica desk, 6117/02
rehabirating their villages in rhe outer vey, choose the h ighest priority sires, and device for the
2. Campbell Scientific, Ediror: Sruarr Cresswell
municipalities. The shan tytowns sur- expand our clearance cover across the MB: How has your experience, and clearing of land
3. 10-year Experience of Injuries Sustained During
mines. It is now
rounding Huambo and Kuito wi ll soon provinces."9 The death of Savimbi and Clearance of Ami-Personnel Mines. by Richard the experience of the founders of
being deployed in
be abandoned, and lOPs will attempt to the subsequent collapse of the UN ITA Brown, Eddie Chaloner, Sreven Ma nnion, Tim M gM, shaped the way MgM has the post war
Chearle. The Lancer, Vol358, December 15,2001.
reclaim their old land or establish new army should finally give HALO rhe op- been structured? scenarios in
pp. 204-249
holdings. Again, HALO is being forced portunity to operate rh roughour Angola. Southern Africa
4. Interview wirh David Frederick, August 25, 200 I
with great
to adapt to Angola's tempestuous politi- Hundreds of sires in rhe central prov- 5. lmervicw with Tim Porter 6/17/02 HE: We wa n ted to avoid the situation
success. c/o MgM
cal climate. T he mine sites identified inces have already been identified and 6. lnrcrview with Tim Porter 6117/02 that a HQ and/or board members in
7. HALO Trust
during the 90s need to be resurveyed and prioritized, according to humanitarian Germany could negatively influence our
8. Interview wirh David Frederick, August 25, 2001
cleared. As TOPs move back in to previ- concern. By the end of 2003, HALO 9. Interview with Tim Porter 6117/02
fieldwork. Therefo re, the entire board,
ously mined areas, HALO is resuming, pla ns on doubling their national staff to but three members, retired five minmes
with renewed urgency, the work they re- more than 800, as well as importing fu r- Contact Information after the foundation case of beer was
lucranrly abandoned in 1998. ther CASE armored loaders, vegetation emptied. Hans Georg and I remained as
cutters and demining equipment. Such a David Hartley majority over rhe si lent third, Christoph .
Avoiding Misinformation substantial augmentation to HALO 's al- MAIC Kri then shaped the IT structure of MgM
Although HALO will not understate ready impressive arsenal will allow them E-mail: [email protected] and we ran off into the bush. That gave
rhe urgency of Angola's landmine/UXO to spread thei r operations into Angola's us the unique structure to be in the field
siruation, the organization is quick to outer municipalities. and to be on top of the organ ization. We
point out that wide ly publicized call that the reversed pyramid. This en-
ables us to be very flexible and to react
based on field realities rather than hav-

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 14 • • 15 • 9

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

• Mine detection Has it affected your organi- solutions imo a working system. This was MB: How does MgM s p ecifically aid HE: That is a tricky one. In the end you this aspect is superior to Hans Georg and
dogs are an zation? rhe case for the fi rsr boom moun red in the rebu ilding of infrastr ucture? find yourse lf clearing rhe occasional T. Bur, above all, there are the national
important link
in the chain of vegetation cutters on a Wolf and later ammo dump, just so rhar donors don't SOP requirements, which differ signifi-
events of a MgM HE: Introducing MaM think- Samil20s, for rhe armored graders with HE: We got into it without really want- rhink you are lazy or incompetent by the cantly from country to country. In rhe
mine sweeping ing definitely has changed the dogs (Voodoo System). We found a lot ing ro and then ir quickly became an in- low numbers of mines destroyed. We future, rhe paperback version of !MAS
operation. way many operators work today. to learn in Vernon Joynt's pre-Mechem tegral parr of our work. If the road is nor were once even threatened with funds will make everybody's life much easier.
Requirements
for success are The other major change was to toolbox and on ly re-designed it. For Rorar drivable, you have to re-bui ld it, if rhe abuse because making a road drivable was
continuous and go away from destroying as Mk l and Mk ll, we found sol utions in bridge is blown up, you have to build one, understood as such. We are nor very ac- MB: What d o you fe el is t he m ost
thorough many mines as possible towards rhe construction industry and now with if there is no water, you have to repa ir tive in mine awareness towards the affected critical t rait nece ssary in a deminer?
training of both socio-economic impact. From our latest baby, the MMS, it was the haz- the well/pum p, if there is no health post, population; we usually do this through a In a field supe rvisor?
dogs and
handlers. 1992 to 1994, we cleared a ardous environment demolition industry the paramedics make overtime, ere. After local partner NGO like Trindade in
cloMgM mine-belt around Xangongo in that offered rhe perfect robotic base. You some rime, this creates an entire system Angola. Mine awareness requires a lot of HE: They need discipline and concen-
Kunene Province, Angola, of will sriII hear a lor of this little machine; thi nking and today we understand our- donor education, but this is rather diffi- tration. They also need courage and dedi-
has remained the same for many years. 42,000 AT mines. We destroyed some it is what everybody has been looking for. selves as nor a pure EOD ream anymore, cult, as many donor representatives have cation to the cause. lr is very nice ro see
25,000 AP mines, mostly stockpiled in We experiment a lor and as we starred bur as a specialist team re-opening haz- just arrived in rhe country, are on leave, that our staff loves the work, and rhat is
MB: Can you describe how MgM has the area, and cleaned ammo dumps from relatively Iare. We could afford the luxury ardous areas integrated into the aid work are jusr about to go somewhere else or valid for all levels.
grown over t he last six years? a thousand tons of explosive garbage. I to buy srare-of-the-arr equipment in com- of other organizations. know ir all anyhow. There are exceptions,
think we saved some cattle. In 1996 and munication and documentation, as there unfortunately few. MB: How ext e nsive is your t ra in ing
HE: We starred with zero and my father 1997 we cleared 250 kms of road from 23 was no need to be backvvards compatible. MB: Do you have examples fro m for deminers and s upervisors?
allowed us ro use his phone. We got rhe mines in Bengo Province, Angola. As a We developed a standard kit fo r all ve- your o w n work where d e mi ning has MB: How did MgM d evelo p it s Stan-
fi rst $600,000 (U.S. ) from the German result, almost 60,000 internally displaced hicles using nor only SELCALL HF, but changed t he s ocio-economic impact? dard Operating Pro cedures (SOPs)? HE: Strictly demining related training is
government in 1996, and it grew to an perso ns (lOPs) rerurned home after seven also a passive global positioning system Do you have a procedure fo r updat- done in accordance with the requirements
annual budget of $3 million in 1998. years in camps. Givi ng highest priority (G PS), wh ich enabled the CommsCentre HE: T he above-mentioned Bengo opera- ing the m or f ield input from your s u- of the local authority like IND for
Whereas the donors later supported to social-impact has changed MgM and in Luanda to track all movement. We de- tion was called by a fo rmer World Food p e rvisors or deminers? Mozambique and INAROEE for Angola.
Angola only very little (with the excep- all other operators significantly. veloped a nu mber of specific software Program (WFP) Director the most success- Th ey certify SO Ps and staff. Our Safety
t ion of the U.S. Departmenr of State so lutions fo r survey, log istics and fu l repatriation operation WFP has ever HE: The fl rsr one was adapting rhc l995 Officer, Ken, does additional refresher
(DOS)), the R&D secti o n H endrik MB: How im porta nt is transpa rency archiving. We build our own field UPS, done. Of those, we want co do many more. ADP ser written by Mike Croll , based on courses on base as needed. Dog teams are
Ehlers Consultants (HEC) grew rapidly, to MgM and how does MgM incor- VPN-Sar comm suites, Survey Kits, First rhe British Army's handbook. We do an under permanent training/evaluation and
so that rhe balance remains the sa me. The porate that aspect into its organiza- Aid Kits, mobile offices, etc. AJI of our MB: Ho w ha s infrastru cture d evel- annual update and whenever a new tech- so are paramedics through their work
number of staff has remained constant ar tion? development is strictly field orientated. o pment and socio-econo m ic im pact nology or methodology is introduced we wirh rhe population. We stimulate local
approx imately 150 fo r Angola and affected d o no r s upport fo r you r o r- add a chapter. Responsible for this is our staff to get driver's licenses, take computer
Mozambique with seven ex-pats going to HE: Our morro is safety, quality, trans- MB: What have been the successes ganizat ion? Safery Officer, Ken O 'Connell, who in courses, learn languages, etc., bur I guess
either area. W ith the latest development parency and non-profit innovation. Since and drawbacks of some of the tech- all training could be
in Angola our staff might grow to 250 1996, our website (W\vw.mgm.org) has nology that you have used? better.
and thanks ro rhe donations of private brought unheard-of inside project infor-
people, the an nual budget for 2003 IS mation our for rhe first time ever, and HE: A major drawback I S that MB : What do yo u
forecasted at $8 million. also challenged others ro do the same via prorotyping is quire an expensive enter- fee l ha s b een t he
the infamous MgM Demining nerwork. tainmen t. Diversification of heavy kits mos t sig nifi cant a c-
MB: Have t he met hods of demining I think we have set the level here world- causes some standing around; this is why compl is hm e n t in
change d over this t ime? wide. Ir feels very nice ro have nothing we look more and more into mulri-rools. MgM ' s w o r k 1n
ro hide and contribute ro rhe community, On hi-tech, we have always underesti- Ang ola?
HE: Very little. We started with mechani- be it through the invitation ro commu- mated rhe amount of training and super-
cally assisted manual demining (MaM), nicate through the network, or to copy vision it rakes. For example, in order to HE: To have cleared
and sri II work in the same former unique freely whatever we develop. make an Angolan dog handler use a com- significam areas from
combination of mechanical preparation puterized weather station ... This is why explosive hazards with-
(vegetation cutting, grading) in combina- MB: How does Mg M utilize innova- we favor low-rech like MMS and PWS, out a single acciden t
tion wirh dogs and manual methods. The tions and technology in demining? not excluding ro combine them wirh hi- neither through nor af-
number ofdeminers and EOD with MgM tech systems like Mineseye or similar. ter operation. Also, that
was always very small. That is another area HE: When Hans Georg had ro clear the we have not left Angola,
where I should have said we differ from road from Maputo ro Renamo Garcia in MB: Where do you feel research and even in rhe worst fi nan-
other operators- most ofour staffare d riv- 1995, a grader overtook him. The image technology need to be headed to cial and war situation.
ers, machine operators and mechanics. of unearthed mines neatly lined up on better aid demining operations? That is something we
rhe berms should define our later way of are proud of.
MB: Wh a t do yo u feel has been the working, but not through inventing HE: Detecting mines and/or defining
m ost significa nt cha nge in mine ac- something, but by looking ar mi li tary areas free from explosives more effectively
t ion s inc e MgM has been operat ing? scrap yards and combine/modify ex isring without compromising safety and quality.
• MgM's Rotar MKl c/o MgM

• 16 • • 17 •
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 10
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

MB: What are MgM 's activit ies in finished and not left half-done- as it
Namibia?

HE: Well, I live in Windhoek and run

sometimes looked like. One can only con-
gratulate U.S. DOS for their ongoing
commitment to this threat. I believe that
Developing Safer Demining
my duties as voluntary chairman from my
house. From an office/workshop I also
run the International Desk as Programme
the training of local capacities still could
be optimized. The special drill of the sift-
ing of berms is definitely nor applicable
to the challenges the NDF deminers find
Handtools in Zimbabwe
Manager in financial and logistics man-
This article reports on an R&D programme in Zimbabwe that led to the
agement. As it is not far, I also travel often in areas like Caprivi and Kavango today.
development of safer demining handtools. The programme is an example
ro Kunene Province and handle opera-
of the way in which small changes can make the deminers' work safer.
tions perso nally. Bur most things done MB: What are the future demining
in Namibia have to do with my company efforts for MgM?
HEC, which is the R&D branch for by Andy Smith, AVS Consultants Design Rules
MgM. HEC designs and builds demining HE: We will revolutionize demining
• Children in the equipment of all sorts and does the rest- worldwide. Together with a group ofyoung Introduction The following design criteria were adopted for making
MB: What are your future projects
Angolan slums. ing and documentation of our R&D scientists, I will present a new technol- appropriate excavation tools. Tools used during other demining
in Angola?
c/o Guy Tillim for ogy called PWS during the U.S. DoD A research and development program to design, develop, activities may nor have the same requirements.
joints with U.S. DoD, EC-ESPRIT and
MgM demonstrate and rest a wide range ofPersonal Protective Equip- I. The user's hand should bear least 30cm from the point
HE: Specialization on the clearance of others. Namibia is the rotating disc in the Workshop in Washington 22-27 August.
center of MgM. HEC is a non-profit In relation to this, Havard Bach will have ment (PPE) was initiated by the U.S. Army Communication of any roo!. Some argue that this is too long for the user to
roads, bridges, landing strips, etc. The
commercial feed into MgM. Its income to rewrite his view offuture demining tech- and Electronics Co mm and (CECOM), Night Vision and control. I suggest they try because this is not the case.
workload for Angola is vast. The big vi-
pays for staff (like me) that cannot be paid nologies that he wrote in your last issue. Electronics Sensors Directorate (NVESD), Humanitarian 2. The materials used must be sufficiently mall eable for
sion is to clear from Kunene, via Kuando
through demining funds and all it gen- Demining Program in 1999-2000. In a conceptual breakthrough, the tool to distort in any AP blast mine detonation .
Kubango, ro Moxico and through this,
erates in terms of eq uipment is directly MB: Based on your extensive field the PPE included safer demining handrools as an integral com- 3. The tool must be constructed so that it does not readily
re-open and re-connect the entire east/
channeled into MgM's demining opera- operations in Africa, what do you feel ponent of the personal protection scheme. The conrracror, Andy separate inro component parts in any AP blast mine detona-
north east with the rest of the country.
tions. Thanks ro a special agreement with has been the most catastrophic re- Smith (AVS Consultants), conducted this effort in Zimbabwe, tion-this usually means that the shaft must be taken right
the Angolan Government, MgM also sult of landmines in Africa? a mine-affected developing country, with the side effect of estab- th rough the handle.
MB: Can you describe the signifi-
runs a non-profit commercial workshop lishing an indigenous production capability and realistic condi- 4. The tool should be designed so rhar it is easiest to use at
cance in demining the Limpopo rail-
in Ludanda serving the NGO commu- HE: Something we call "The return of tions in which to test and evaluate. The contractor and author of a low angle to the ground by a kneeling or squatting deminer,
way in Mozambique?
nity and paying for MgM's administra- the white spots" relating to large areas rhis paper, AVS, retains no interest (commercial or otherwise) in so encouraging the user to keep his hand beneath the fragment
tion and logistics in Luanda. All of the without people and without information, exploiting these results. The U.S. Army CECOM, NVESD cone associated with many detonations.
HE: There are two aspects. One is ro cre-
above is handled fro m the international like on medieval maps. You don't know point of contact for thi s effo rt is Charles Chichester at 5. Whenever possible, the tool should include a blast-guard
ate safe agricultural land for the population,
d esk in Namibia and audited through about these areas and the problems people [email protected]. The programme involved close for the hand using it.
which traditionally stretches along these
MgM Germany, which links MgM Swiss, suffer, as nobody can go there. This is the collaboration with a company in the sma ll industrial secror of It is nor specified that tools should be designed for one-handed
42 km of densely min ed railway. The
MgM Austria and MgM U.S. Future real catastrophe, but we, as the demining Harare, Z imbabwe. T hat company is currenrly producing the tools. use, but this is recommended in order to expose only one hand
other is the technical challenge of a lousily
plans ofHEC are that it will develop into community, can stop rhis and make the to risk. Also, p ciders designed for t\vo-handed use put the "guide-
laid minefield in various rows stretching
a more commercial developer, manufacturer world a better place. I do not like ro think I nappropriate Tools Maim and Kill
42 km through partially very dense veg- • (Left) Commonly used
etation with a dense population. This h as and deployment agent for in-house, out- of demining as someth ing savi ng demining tools-most of which
sourced demining equipment and services individual's lives-although it does, and A study of recorded demining accidents revealed that demi ners are unsafe.
become our number one test and appli- (Below) Inappropriate tools
worldwide. This will focus on specialized is an essential part of it. But in my dreams frequently suffer severe injury when the tools they are using are
cation area for vegetation cutting and that have featured in accidents.
dem ining equipmen t and services which the faces of 80,000 victims of landm ines unsafe. They fail by being so short that the user's hand is inside
intelligent benning/sifting procedures.
are not common to normal demining op- in Angola alone sometimes haun r me. We rhe most violently disrup tive parr of the blast, or by breaking
With a Hydrema ExcavatOr, heavily
erators. As we don't foresee this effort to have to become better and do more. • up and becoming fragments when a deronation occurs.
modified by Hans Georg, and a MgM/
be a donor-dri ven concern, we still are The picture to the right shows a range of tools common ly
HEC Rotar Mk 11, we srill are coo slow.
working on a multi-sector business model Contact Information used in demining around the world. Many were designed for
Hopefully, an extended rest of the U.S.
that makes this viable and enhances our another purpose, and there is compelling evidence rhar almost
DoD NVESD HDD Unisifrer will bring
demining activities at the same time. H endrik Ehlers Chairman, Director all of them are unsafe for use in demining. Some of those that
some more effectiveness into the process.
OPS and R&D were designed for demining are also unsafe.
The significance is also the dialogue between
MB: What variables contributed to Srifrung Menschen gegen Minen eV It is nor only the users' hands rhar suffer. At least five
the sole donor, the German government
the demining efforts along the MgM MineCiearance NGO deminers have died after part of their handrool struck them.
and our conflict of quality against speed.
Ruacana power lines in Namibia? International Desk Namibia Parts of tools have so severely damaged rhe upper arm that am puta-
Thank heaven the Germans continue ro
Cell phone: +264 81 1277020 tion was needed. Parts of brittle handles have pierced the user's
allow us to work on quality and do nor
HE: I think rhat Namibian Defense Force Fax: +264 61 243477 chest cavity. The head of a garden trowel has sliced the user's
apply something like com mercial stan-
(NDF) and U.S. DOS did a successful E-mail: [email protected] face in half- injuries from which he later died. The mangled
dards to this nightmare.
job. I really appreciate that this job was Website: www.mgm.org head of the yellow-handled garden trowel (shown on the right)
was discovered inside a deminer after he arrived in hospital.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 18 • • 19 • 11

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

hand" too close to the blast and invite the use of excessive force. 3. The roo! did nor separate in AP blast fo llowing ways:
The excavation tools that were developed during the m in e tests. 1. T he user's hand is 37cm from the point of tool.
programme meet the above requirements but are not presented as 4. The tool is easiest to use at a low angle 2. The materials d istorted in AP blast mine tests. During the programme, rhe
the "answer." T here is no doubt that they could be improved upon ro the ground by a kneeling or squarring 3. T he roo! did not separate in the AP blast m ine team was asked to develop a means
ergo nomically, and I challenge design engineers ro do that now. deminer. T he length of the tool obliges a tests. of picking up mines rhar had been
There is a "downside" for purchasers. I do not bel ieve that kneeling/squatting dem in er ro work with 4. The unco nven rional shape of the roo! obliges deposited on rhe grou nd surface by a machine. The mines were
it is possible ro design tools with blast-resistant characteri stics their hand at a low angle w the ground . a kneeling/squatting deminer to work with their to be moved to demo lition pits for destruction. The Mine-
that are also very hard wearing. If you use the tools shown Needle-Probe after hand ar a low angle ro the ground. grab was the result.
The "Excavator" blast tests The Mine-grab is a two-handed tool with the weight supported
here, you will have to budget to replace the blades regularly.
T he materials I used were E304 stainless steel, Medium/ The Demining Brush ~ by the fore arm. The left hand holds the steadying handle; the
High Oensiry polyethylene (MOP) and mild steel. These are Designed as an alternative to the pick-axe or hoe commonly right hand rests in the support and pulls the trigger ro grip the
all very inexpensive and widely available. Mild steel parts were used in demining, this unconven- There is no evidence that any ~ mine. The grabb ing head is angled so rhar the mine can be
galvanised or chromed to inhibit rust. tional tool is used with a forward accident has occurred while using the paint brushes common ly app roached fro m the side while the user stands upright.
thrust, followed by a sideways seen in demi ning roo! sets. They are used ro brush away the It turns over, positions and picks up mines with relative
The Pick-Prod sweep to remove the loosened final soil stickj ng ro the side of a mine or suspicious object. ease and keeps them over a meter away from the man doing so.
spoil. T he sideways sweep puts However, paint brushes are not designed for this purpose. T hey Assuming he has frontal protection and a visor, he should survive
Made from a "T'' section of mild steel, the Pick- strain on the user's wrist. To avoid are far roo short for safety, and rhe bristles are usually roo soft an AP blast detonation without serious injury. I recommend
p rod blade is 3 l cm long. It can be used to pick at the this, the tool is extended so that a to perform their function well. long rubber knee-pads to extend a fron tal apron to the ground
ground with considerable force without the blade bend- sideways movement is supported The Demin ing Brush uses a 40cm section of malleable when workjng while standing.
ing. In softer ground, a twisting movem ent breaks up against the fore arm. Starting well back from the centre of the stainless steel pipe wi th bristl es set into it ar both ends. A simple In tests, we detonated a mine in the jaws ofthe grab. The polycar-
the ground more efficiently than a bayonet. T he blade extends detector reading, the user digs a downward slope towards the reversible tool, the Demining Brush has stiff "yard-broom" bonate jaws burnt up, but th e shaft and the handle were unmarked.
through the handle. reading. If a mine is present (and horizontal), the side of the bristles at one end and softer hand-brush bristles at the other.
Ground broken up with this roo] should be removed using mine will be exposed. ln blast rests, the bristles of the brush were placed o n top of a The Complete Tool Bag
the Excavator or Mini-spade. The Pick-prod weighs around 0.5kg The Excavator folds in half for easy transportation and weighs mine. The bristles were burnt off.
(1.21bs). In tests pressed against PPM -2, MAI-75 and PMD-6 0.9kg (2lb). In blast rests, rhe blade was distorted as intended and The Demining Brush co mp lies with rhe design rules in To make the tools more attractive
min es, the blades d istorted as intended. the metal structure, welds and fixings survived without visible dam- the following ways: to the manufacturer to advertise and
T he Pick-prod complies wirh the design rules in the age. T he handguard needed robe revised (the one in the middle of I. The user's hand can be at least 30cm &om the point of tool. sell, we designed a bag and filled it with
following ways: rhe posr-blast rest picture is the final version). 2. The materials burnt or distorted in AP blast mine tests. everyth ing that a demi ner might need.
l.The user's hand is at least 3lcm from the point of tool. The "Excavaror" complies with the design rules in rhe 3. The tool did nor separate in AP blast mine tests. The bag itself is made from waterproof
2.The materials distorted in AP blast mine tests. following ways: r-- -...,.--...,.,...,,.,.., 4. The tool's length makes it easiest to use at canvas reinforced wi th polycarbonate. The lining has pockets
3. The roo] did not separate in AP blast mine tests. I. T he user's hand is 35cm from the point of roo!. <~~~a9 a low angle ro the ground by a kneeling or for all the tools, held in place with Velcro straps. The bag ca n
4. The tool is easiest to use at a low angle to the ground by a 2. The materials used distorted in AP blast mine rests.
.,..,.,_,,..--......,.......,..,.-.;:,... squatting deminer. be used as a "suitcase" or a backpack. Several demining groups
• The Pick-prod kneeling or squatting deminer. 3. The tool did nor separate in AP blast mine While the roo! performed as designed, are now usi ng rhe excavation tools. •
after blast tests. rests. it would be possible to add a central disk as a
The MIT Profile Needle-Probe 4. The roo! is easiest ro use at a low angle to hand-guard (providing protection to whichever Acknowledgements
rhe ground by a kneeling or squattin g end was held). The following workshop techn icians and tailors contributed gready to
this programme: Colin Jombo, Field Burizha, Fanny Chai rezvi, C h ristopher
T his tool is based on the com mon demining deminer. It is virtually impossible for a dem iner Mariz.ani, Fordson Gwatidzo, Cosmos Mutema, Matthew Chambers, Wash-
probe or "prodder." Wi th a 40c m long blade, the in that position to use it to dig vertically. '-------~. The Demining Trowel ington Mbundire, Jonah Mahanisi, Marrhew Sm it h and Jonath on Gwaze.
shaft is 8m m stai nless steel that extends through the The following individuals provided invaluable assistance during the test-
after blast tests
ing and evaluation stages of this programme. My p ersonal and professional
handle and has been reduced to 5.5mm in one plane. The Mini-Spade The Oemining Trowel is a variant on the th anks to all of them. Hendrik Ehlers, Ken O'Connell, H erman van der Vorm,
The roo! blade is almost oval in cross-section, but gardening trowel that often features in a John Kirby, Temba Kananga, Fredrik Pallson, Noel Spencer, John Morrissey,
actually has flat sides as shown o n the right. The Mini-spade is a small excavation roo! deminer's roo]kjr. It is used to remove loose•lllil...,.:if6:\1!1 Steve Priestley, Fil ipe Mazuma, Havard Bach and Gier Bjorsvik.
Most thanks are due ro all at U.S. Arm y CECOM NVESD, in particuhr hester,
T he mol is designed to be used with a forward designed to remove spo il loosened with the spoil and to excavate in soft ground. The shaft Charles Chic the late Beverly Briggs and retired Colonel George Zahacz.ewsk")'.
thrust by o ne hand. T he forward movement is fo l- Pick-prod or the MIT profile probe, or to dig _ _ _ of the roo! extends th rough the handle and
lowed by a rotating acrion to reduce friction, then a entire excavations in san d. It is designed so keeps the user's hand at least 30cm (12in) from the tip of rhe tool. Contact Information
further forward thrust to move deeper inro the that it cannot be used vertically and is ineffec- The demining trowel is in widespread use bur has nor been blast
ground. The "oval" concept was published by a dem ining re- tive on hard soils that have not first been prod- tested. Andy Smith, AVS Consultants
search group led by David Levy at MIT. ded. The shaft extends through the handle. The Oemining Trowel complies with the design rules in E-mail: [email protected]
The complete roo) weighs around 0.4kg (12oz). In blast The tool is designed to flex when excess force is applied, the follow ing ways:
rests, pressed against against PPM-2, MAI-75 and PMD-6 mines, making it difficult to use for excavation of spoil that has not I. The user's hand can be ar least 30cm from the point of roo!. Manufacturer
the probes distorted as intended. The basic design has also per- already been loosened-a process that would involve the risk 2. The tool is made using the same materials and methods as T. Thomsen, Security Devices Pvt
formed well in more than a dozen actual demining accidents. of digging beneath a mine and detonating it with upward pressure. those rhat were blast tested, so it is expected ro sray in o ne 14 George Avenue, Msasa, Harare
The MIT Profile Needl e-Probe complies with rhe design The complete roo! weighs around 0.7Kg (1.5 lbs). After blast piece during AP blast mine detonations. PO Box AY 125, Amby, Harare, Zimbabwe
rules in the following ways: rests with the blade beneath PPM-2 and PMD-6 mines, the 3. T he tool's length makes it easiest. to use at a low angle to the Tel: (263) 4 487064/5
1. The user's hand is at least 40cm from the point of roo!. roo l had distorted as designed. ground by a kneeling or squattin g deminer. T he complete tool Fax: (263) 4 486885
2. The materials distorted in AP blast min e tesrs. The Mini -spade compl ies with the design rules in the weighs around 0.6kg ( 16oz). E-mail: [email protected]

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 20 • • 21 • 12
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

structure organ isational responses. "7 mid- I 993 a tender process for a $12 mil- to in tegrate overall development priori-

Humanitarian Mine History ofMine Action

Mine action in Mozambique started
lion road clearance contract. A consor-
tium of commercial companies was fi-
nally contracted in mid-1994. The
ties in the national plan, IND organises
inter-ministerial coordination biannually.
IND has a regional office in Nampula and

Action in Mozambique in 1993. A prelim inary plan of action was

developed in January 1993, but approved
by FRELJMO and RENAMO only in
November. Irs emphasis was on clearing
United Nations' Accelerated Demining
Programme (ADP) starred irs activities in
the southern provinces at rhe end of
1994. At rhe same rime a demining
one in Sofala province.
A National Mine Action Plan, based
on the results of the Landmine Impact
Survey (LIS), was formulated in Novem-
and South Africa . RENAMO targeted roads to facilitate the UNOMOZ peace school was established. After UNOMOZ ber 200 I . 11 The plan covers a period of
Mozambique is a geographically vast country populated by diverse ethnic mission, human itarian a id delivery and withdrew in December I 994, the United five years (2002-2006), with subsequent
major in frastructure co weaken t he
and linguistic groups. While most areas are not heavily mined, landmines the return of refugees and [ DPs. The fo- Nations D eve lopmen t Programme annual work plans schedu led. UNDP a nd
economy; roads, rai lways and power lines
and UXO still affect a large part of its population. The author discusses the cus on emergency-oriented objectives "re- (UN DP) rook over the management and the donors hope that the national plan
were heavily mined . Both sides have been
past, present and future of mine action in this country. sulted in a failure to recognise the need financial support of ADP. will enhance and improve the coordina-
accused of having used mines to terrorise
civil ians. for long-term demin ing in rhc country. tion and prioririsarion of operations. The

by Dr. Hildegard Scheu, Th e t raditi o n al system of gover- The Peace Agreemen t rha tended the In add ition , lirtle attention was placed on Mine Action Coordination Mine Action Plan recognizes the need for
rhe needs for comprehensive data gath- Since the en d of the civil war, m ine "aggressive and sustained Mine Risk Edu-
Consulting and Training nance, w hich the socia list Mozambique civil war was signed in Rom e in October
1992, and a UN peacekeeping fo rce, the eri ng and rhe establ ishment of sustain- action operations in Mozambique, be cation and marking cam paigns ro be re-
Liberation Front (FRELIMO) govern-
able indigenous capacities."8 they humanitarian or commercial, have launched"11 based on rhc Program for rhc
Introduction and ment sought to abolish after indepen- Unite d Nations Operation in
The United Nations wanted ro es- been carried out with a minimum of Prevention of Mine Accidents (PEPA M),
Background dence, still operates in many villages, bm Mozambique ( UNOMOZ), was de-
ployed to oversee rhe two-year trans ition tablish a m ine action unit of its own, ro mon itoring, coord ination or planning at wh ich was executed by Handicap Inter-
legitimacy, fun c ti ons and power d iffe r
period u nt il multiparty e lections were be converted into a nationa l capacity at the national level. The establishm ent of national (H l) in cooperation with the
T he United Natio ns Institute fo r from pl ace to place. "T he level of respect
held in 1994. the termination of the UNOMOZ mis- relatively independent NCO capacities in government between 1995 and 2001.
Disarmament Research, Geneva, co m- given to t he tradi tional versus the gov-
Early estimates of the magnitude of sion. Bur donors did not support this plan Mozambique, which persists today, can The Plan also affirms !NO's coordinat-
missioned three pilot studies on Participa- ernment leadership seems to vary a great
and rema ined commined ro secu ring largely be seen as a reaction to the slow ing role "to develop a coherent and coo r-
tory Mon itoring and Evaluatio n (PM&E) deal. "~ Therefo re, it is essential ro study the land m in e problem in Mozambique
have been modified as more data has be- demining con tracts for specific non-gov- United Nations response. 10 dinated national Survivor and Victim
of Huma nitari an Min e Actio n durin g and unde rstand the governance systems
come available, and t he landmine p rob- ernmenta l o rganizations ( NGOs) or The National Dem ining Commis- Assistance Po li cy and Program th a t
2002. Fact-fi nd ing missio ns were unde r- in place in a village an d the complexities
lem is now considered to be much less com mercial operators. The difference in sion (C ND), established in May 1995 adopts an integrated long-term approach
taken i n Cam bo di a, N icaragu a an d of com muniry strucwres if HMA is to
severe rhan assessed after the 1992 peace app roaches benveen the United Nations with representatives from seven minis- to the plight of victims and survivors." 11
Mozambique' to assess the general state be effective and make an impact on the
accord. C u rrently, land mines no longer and the major donors is seen as the ma- tries, was supposed to coordinate opera- The responsibiliry for urvivor and Vic-
of p lay in hum a n itaria n mine act io n livel ihood of those affected by m ines.
figure as one o f the ma in obstacles facing jor obstacle in establ ishi ng a functioning tions, maintain a national database, de- tim Assistance is shared between the Min-
program mes a nd activities, includi ng t he
t he cou ntry.6 central coordinating mechanism. ~ velop strategic plans and set procedures istry of H ea lth (MJ NSAU ) and the Min-
cu rren t provisio ns fo r vic tim assistance, The Landmine Situation in
Mo7~1mbique experienced devastat-
Norwegia n Peoples Aid (NPA) was for prioritisarion. CON, however, proved istry for Women and the Coordi nation
a nd ro explore rhe potencial of applying Mozambique
ing floods in 2000 in rhe sourhern prov- the first organisation to establish a unable ro develop the capacity ro set na- of Social Action (MMCAS).
participatory monirori ng and evaluation
demining capacity in Mozambique in tional priorities. After the development
techniques to humanitarian mine actio n. Mine and UXO Contamination inces of Gaza, Maputo and In ham bane,
A comp ilatio n of the h istory and recent Land mi nes were fi rst used by t he which killed about 600 people, d isplaced 1993. Areas for clearance were selected of the "National M ine Clearance Strat- Mozambique Landmine Impact
deve lo pm e nts in Hu ma ni tar ian Min e Portuguese durin g t he liberation war of about 200,000 and affected rhe liveli hood on t he bas is of expected refugee return; egy Approach" (November 1998), follow- Survey (2001)
priorities were set by the United Nations ing negotiations among the government The Mozambique Landm ine Impact
Action in Mozamb ique is su mma rized the FREU MO aga inst the Portuguese of abou t rwo mi llion people. The coun-
t ry also suffered a major flood in 200 I in High Commiss ioner for Refugees of Mozambique, the UNDP and major Survey (M LIS) was performed between
here. Colonial Power between 1964 and 1974.
the central provi nces of Sofa Ia , Manica, (UNHCR), which also co-financed the donors, CDN was replaced by a new January 1999 and August 200 I on be-
Mozambique is a huge cou ntry w ith After independence in 1975, FREU MO
1 ete and Zambezia. After rhe floods, it clearance operations. body with larger autonomy from min is- hal f of rhe mine-action authorities of the
a la nd s u r face of 799,38 0 squ a re form ed the government and followed a
was feared rhar disp laced m ines would The Haza rdous Area Life-Support terial control. government of Mozambique. Funding
kilometres a nd a long eastern coas tli ne M arxist app roach, which was soon vio-
pose an unco ntrollable risk, but fortu- Organ ization (HALO) Trust carried our In June I 999, the government of ($2.2 mill ion) was provided by rhe Ca-
of app roximately 2,700 kilomet res. T he le ntly opposed by rhe Mozambique Na-
nately, the accident rare did nor increase. a first national Level One Survey of rhe Mozambique established the National Jn- nadian Internat iona l Development
population of about 18 m illio n (2002)2 tional Resistance (RENAMO) supported
Mi ne special ists claimed that mines might mine situation in 1993 under contract srirurc for Demining (IN D ) w ith a man- Agency (CJDA) as part of the Canadian
is composed of d iffe ren t ethnic, linguis- by Rhodesia and South Africa. T he civi l
have been washed into the river and into for the Un ired Nations Office for Hu- dare to coordinate, supervise and man- Mine Action Programme in Mozambique.
t ic and religious groups. Mozam bique is war benveen 1977 and 1992 caused m il-
the ocea n and in some rare cases might mani tarian Ass istance Coordination age the cost-effective execution of a na- The principal findings were as fol-
amo ng rhe least developed countries in lions of peopl e to flee their villages and
(UNOHAC). T he survey did not cover tional mine action p lan. Since March lows:11
the wo rl d . lt has a gross national p rod uct li ve as interna lly d isplaced persons (IDPs) have floated to other areas, bur in general
th is has not grown into a major problem . the whole country and reco rded only 981 2000, UNDP has been providing tech- • Land mines affect all I 0 provinces
(GNP) of $230 (U.S.) pe r capita and a or refugees.
Most areas arc not heavily mined, mined areas ofrhe I ,761 registered in the nical assistance to IND designed to im- of Mozambique and 123 out of 128 dis-
poverry level of almost 70 percent. l Ac- Most of the landm ines laid down in
but the presence-or even assumed pres- National Mine C learance Commission's prove the capaciry of the latter to fulfil triers.
cord ing ro 1999 figures, life expectancy Moza m b iqu e we re emp laced by
ence-of lan d m ines and UXO remains database by early 1999. It also did not irs mandate, which it will continue co do • At least I .5 m illion persons, repre-
is 39.8 years, th e adul t illiteracy rare is FRE LTM O an d RENAMO betwee n
a significant obstacle to development. "A address t he socio-economic impact of until March 2003. A National Dem ining senting no less than nine percent of rhe
56.8 percen t , and rhe p rima ry sc hoo l 1978 a nd 1990. The government used
land mines. Fund was also established. national population in I 997, are affected
en rolment rate is o nly 40 percent. HI V/ landmines main ly to protect important substantial demining capacity will there-
in frastructure and s t rategic s i res . fore be needed for many years to come. With the Un ited Nations having dif- IND is a semi-auronomous govern- by landmines.
AIDS is becoming a major problem with
H owever, the priorities will appear less ficu lties establ ishing its own mine clear- mental institute that reports directly to • Ofrhe landmine-affecred commu-
a n overall adult prevalence of abou t 14 M ineflelds were also laid along the bor-
d ers with Ma lawi, Zambia, Z imbabwe pressing, and it will be necessary to re- ance capaciry, the organisation began in rhe Minister of rorc ign Affa irs. In order nities, 768 are classified as ru ral; however,
percent of the populatio n above 15 years."

• 22 • • 23 •
Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 13
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

23 urba n communities, incl ud ing three mine accidents were fatal because the vic- Anan da S. Millard from the Assistance cannot be used. If the land cleared is nor cenr yea rs, which can be seen as an indi- personnel mines, 538 anri-rank mines
with more tha n 30 ,000 inhabitants a re tims lacked (rapid) access ro health services. to Mine-Affected Communities (AMAC) of viral importance to people, a high level cation that people had identified rhe lo- and 34,386 UXO were removed and de-
also affected. In 1996, HI began the systematic Project ar rhe I nte rn ario nal Peace Re- of con fidence is needed for them ro use cations of mines and VXO and knew to stroyed.
• A roral of I ,374 Suspected M ined collecting dara on mine and VXO accidents search Institu te of Oslo (PRIO), con- rhar land. "For agencies, iris essential to avoid those areas. There was no shortage In 2001, four major humanitarian
Areas (SMAs) we re identified . They cover under its Project of National Coord ina- ducted an im pact srudy in three mi ne- know rhe degree to which affected people of cultivable land, and subsistence activi- organisations were operating in
a n estimated 562 square ki lom etres . t io n of Educatio na l Activi t ies for rhe affected com m un ities in Mozambique in are dependent upon rhe resource that is ties like hunting, fishing or charcoal pro- Mozambique: ADP, NPA, HALO Trust
Some 4 1 percent cover areas of less than Populatio n to Prevent M ine Acci den ts 2000. 1 ~ being freed through demining. "22 duction were not prevented by rhe pres- and H I. One d istinctive featu re of mine
I ,000 square metres a nd less tha n five (PEPAM). 16 Between 1996 a nd 2000, M ine clea rance operators work o n The Capi rizanje case srudy illustrates ence of mines. Consequently, none of action in Mozambique has been the ex-
pe rcent are large r th a n o ne squ a re 564 victims were recorded , specifica lly the assumption th at rhe phys ical rem oval rhe potentially d istorting consequences of these eight villages identified demining tent of commercia l invo lvement. By
kilometre. 3 09 m en, 84 wome n and 17 1 chil d ren of mi nes will have an "auto matic im pact," fa iling ro cons ider the full impact of a as their chief priority in regards to exter- 1997, as much as 45 percent of rhe total
• Nine years after the end of rhe hos- under 15 years o ld. Sixty-seven percent wh ich is not a lways the case. Also, the re clearance. T he inrended objective of rhe na l assistance. Nevertheless, all villages funding had gone to different commer-
ti liti es, landmine accidents sti ll occur: at of all accidents occu rred in the p rovinces may so metimes be negative effects. In clearance at Cap irizanje was to facilitate expressed rhe wish to hosr a dem ining cial corn pan ies. ! 4
least 172 ofrhe rota! of2, 145 la ndmine Maputo, In ham bane and Zambezia, a nd o rder w analyse the possible im pact, op- rhe return of refugees that would pass agency, because of the positive side effects
victims recorded during the MUS had o nly seven percent in the north ern p rov- eratOrs have to fin d answers ro a nu m ber through rhe area and to reduce rhe acci- of hosting an HMA agency, such as the Accelerated Demining Programme
come to harm durin g the two yea rs pre- in ces N ampula , Niassa a n d Cabo of questio ns, such as: H ow will the re- dent potential. T he actual result, how- improvement of roads and transport After the civi l war, UNOMOZ ini-
ceding it. Delgado. The majori ty of accidents oc- sources freed by demi ni ng affect rhe d is- ever, was that many returning refugees availability. t iated ADP, and demobil ised sold iers
• SMAs most frequently impact ag- cu rred wh ile rhe victims were engaged in rribution ofwealth in a com m un ity? H ow decided to serde in rhe newly cleared area The community srudy approach has from borh sides were trained as deminers.
ricu ltural land, roads and non-agricul- subsistence activities. T he fac t rhat men do mines a ffect power relationships instead of jusr passing through. If the proved to be an important tool for set- When the peacekeeping mission ended
tura l land used for hu nting, ga thering constitute rhe majority of the victi ms may a mong the popu lation? W ho will benefi t operators had rried to understand the ring priorities and is particularly relevant in 1995, ADP became a UNDP project.
firewood
, a nd other economic a nd cui- be explained by rheir greater in volvement from demining? perspectives of those being affected by rhe for rhe implememarion phase of Within the UN system, UNDP is respon-
rural purposes. Blocked access w drink- in economic activities like fa rming, hunt- Operarors should establish knowl- operation, th is impact could have been demining projects. sible fo r "addressing the socio-economic
ing wate r due to SMAs is less frequent, in g and transpo rta tio n. An addi tional edge of land rights, land ownershi p and foreseen. Operators need to be able to As Millard and Harpviken note, "In consequences oflandmine contamination
bur ir nonetheless has a serio us impact. hy poth es is is t h at t h e re is also an local la nd tenu re systems prior w clear- identify the impact that an operation will a country like Mozambique, where rhe and for supporting national/local capac-
• Drawing on th e Mi ne Impac t underreporring bias in rhe case of women. ance. Simi la rly, knowledge and under- have for rhe local pop ulation. majority of tasks have only a micro-level ity bu ilding" as well as "for rhe develop-
Score (M IS), 20 commu ni t ies wi t h C hildren beco me victims main ly either stand ing of local relations a nd local lead- In the spring of 200 I, Ananda impact, where the number of accidents ment of integrated, sustainable national
36,000 inhabiranrs are classified as hi gh- as a res ult of manip ulating gre nades, ership structu res is essential, as local lead- Millard also carried o ur a pi lot srudy in is rarely an accurate indication of impact mine action programmes."25
impact, 164 communities with 393,000 in- a mmun iti on and orher UXO o r parts ership is not standard ised across comm u- Manica province usi ng the community level, and where communities have largely At present, ADP is undergoing
habitants are classified as medium-impact, th e reof or when help ing with subs istence n ities. Respecting the au th o ri ty (or au- srudy approach. T he pi lot study used in- developed a lternatives to using mined transformation into an independent na-
and 607 communities with 1.1 mi lli o n in - tasks such as he rdi ng an imals, co ll ecting tho rities) in the vill age a nd bui lding re- formation from the C l DC LIS to iden- areas, rhe community study approach is tional NGO. UNDP will continue to
habi tants are classified as low- impact. firewood, or harvesting a nd hu nti ng. T he lationships with the co m mu nity is a pre- tify nine comm u n ities as sires for rhe very useful in the identification of pri- mobilise funds for ADP, bur upon
This classi fication is used fo r prior- study concluded that continued mine risk co ndition for max imisi ng impact. "The studies. The two high-impact communi- orities. Moreover, rhe need to ensure that completion of ADP's regisrration as an
ity setting fo r Technical Surveys (Survey red uctio n educatio n (MRRE) is impor- broad issue of co mmun ity relationsh ips ties and seven medium-impact ones impact material izes also requires a clear NGO, donors may choose to fund the
II) and clearance operations in the Five- ta nt especially fo r maki ng ch ildren aware is closely linked to the more special issue (picked from a larger number of medium- understanding of how the community programme directly.
Year Natio nal M ine Action Plan 2002- of th e dangers of mines and UX0. 1' °
of confidence in clearance."2 Confidence impact commun ities in Manica province) functions and how operators might best ADP operates in the three southern
200 6. Ofrhe 1,729 com munities polled by buildi ng is a process rather than an event. were selected. None of rhese nine com- adapt their work to suit a particular vil- provinces of Maputo, Gaza and
The M IS is a standardized ra n king rhe LIS, 18 791 identi fied t hemselves as Millard found that in many cases, the munities had previ ously undergone a lage. On this basis, rhe community study Inhambane.Irs annual budget is approxi-
in strume nt appro ved by rhe S ur vey m ine-affected. Of these, 429 com m un i- population did nor use rhe cleared land technical survey. approach seemed an appropriate tool to mately $4 million. ADP employs ap-
Working Group. lt reflects three aspects ties reported a roral of2 , 14 5 victims since immediately. Instead it rakes a long ti me Ananda M illard fi rst trained I 0 lo- fulfil NPA's needs." 23 proximately 500 Mozamb ican nationals
of rhe mine situation as it affects a given I 964 , the start o f rhe indepe nde nce before so mebody starts us ing t he area . cal NPA staff in rhe "philosophy" of im- The study also argues rhat, given the and five international advisors, who are
comm unity: struggle. This total must be co nsid ered a W hen no accident happens, other people pact assessment a nd impact maxim ising, financial constraints for mine clearance respons ible for management, operations
• The types of landmines, UXO and minimum , sin ce 3 1 comm u ni ties re- might fol low. It "seem s that th is is o fte n in rhe use of methodological tools and in in the years to come, iris of crucial impor- and qualiry assurance.
mun itions ported "many" victims but could not give Iinked to co n fld e nce in cleara nce. " 2 1 clara analysis and report writing. Group tance to consider economic and social The fie ld operations consist of l 0
• The categories of land , in frastruc- eve n a n approximate estimate. Generally, Clearing a m inefield acco rd ing w ex ist- interviews, open interviews with key lo- impact in setting priorities for demining manual demining platoons, two indepen-
ture and service areas to which landmines as the number of mine victi ms is low in ing tech nical standards is sim ply nor good cals and surveys were used as the primary and rhar alternatives to rhe removal of dent demin ing sections for smaller clear-
or UXO are blocking access both absolute and relative terms, their enough. Unless rhe areas a re rrusted and methods, complemented by a review of mines also be explored in order to sup- ance tasks, four survey teams and a mine-
• The numb e r of v ict im s o f medical, economical, socia l and psycho- taken in to use, rhe operatio n has fai led. secondary documents (when avai lable) port the development of communities. detection dog ream. The Finnish Flail
la nd mines o r UXO in rhe two yea rs pre- logical needs do not figu re pro m inently The ul timate objective of humani- and participatory observations during the Team provides a Mechanically Assisted
ced ing rhe group interviews of rhe (LI S). 1s in social programmes in Mozambique. tarian mine clearance is maki ng an im- field work. Three reams were formed and Mine Clearance Mine Clearance capability. The demin ing
pact on people's livelihoods. Millard and each conducted three communi ty stud- platoons are capable of operating in small
Landmine Victim Data The Socio-Economic Impact of Harpviken argue for the necessity to fo l- ies each. From 1992 to 2000, a total of groups rhar rapidly respond to priori ty
Reliable data on min e victims is nor Mines low-up project areas regularly after project Only one village our of nine, which 200,169,636 square metres was cleared, tasks. The Mine Clearance Training W ing
available. C ompared w other mi ne-af- W hile the victim rate is used as a completion in o rder ro be able to evalu- was close to a mi nefiel d ar rhe Zimba- including 60,821,630 square metres of of ADP runs a DeminingTraining School
fected countries, the numbers are com- m ajo r indicawr of rhe socio-economic ate rhe long-term im pact of demi ni ng. bwean border, had suffered a number of land, 68,323,951 kilometres of road, in Moarnba near Maputo, which supplies
paratively low and d efinit
ely declining impact of m ines, o ther aspects of impact Many m ine-affected comm u nities accidents involvin g civilians in the recent 68,8 13,455 square metres of power line technical demining training (e.g. the use
over rime. A study carried our by HI in have o nly recently begu n ro be explored have developed coping strategies ro deal past. Some vi llages reported acc idents conductors and 2,260,000 square metres of specific mine detectors suited for very
1993 found that 50-60 pe rcent of the in more derail in Mozambiq ue. w ith rhe situatio n t hat certa in resou rces immediately after rhe war, bur not in re- of railway lines. A total of 7 1,476 anti- highly contaminated soi ls), refresher

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

training, and survey courses for survey Handicap International (HI) ropean Union and the World Bank, have ar rhe request of UNHCR in 1993. Key civic education into all relevanr subjects. building long-term rrusr and confidence
ream commanders. Dem iners from NPA l n 1997, HI starred irs lnhambane con t racted commercial companies for per~ons from other o rganisations like the HI's proposal has been accepted by rhe between the outside mine action agents,
and HALO Trust were also uai ned here. Mine Clea rance Project (IMCP) in clearance casks, like MineTech (Zimba- Mozamb ican Red Cross, hea lth person- National Institute for the Development the development agents and the commu-
l nhambane province. Jr recruited and bwe), Mechem (South Africa), Empresa nel, reachers and local leaders in mine- of Education. The process of revising the nities. It is also a first step towards com-
Norwegian People's Aid trained four reams of 36 deminers. In Mos:ambicana de Desminagem, Lda, affected villages were trained to spread school curriculum began in 2001, and rhe munity development, as rhe momentum
N PA operates in rhe central prov- 2001, H I employed four reams of 12 (EMD), Afrovira (Mozambique), Lon rho mine awareness messages. Starring from new curriculum is to be introduced in 2003. initiated through mine awareness and
inces. N PA employs approximately 570 deminers each, one ream of22 deminers, (Mozambique) and Special Clearance rhe local level in Tete province, HI pro- community mine action (reponing, keep-
staff a nd uses both manual demini ng and one ream of eight people for techni- Services (Zimbabwe). gressive ly built a network of 84 GTZ!Mine Tech ing up marking signs, developing coping
un its (n ine) and mine detect ion dogs cal surveys. It also h ires dogs with their The German Development and organisations (public and private) up to GTZ began to collaborate with the strategies where mined areas cannot be
(about 30). It has a training field fo r dogs ha ndlers from South Africa when needed. Cooperation Agency (GTZ) has hired rhc national level. HI initiated and coor- Zimbabwean demining company used for subsistence product ion, ere.)
and Mozambican dog hand lers. Efforts are concentrated on those small M ineTech for the demin ing components dinated t he PEPAM Nationa l Mine MineTech in 1994, when, on beha lf of could eas ily be transferred to other de-
One objective of the clearance areas rhar are in close proximity to serrle- of irs integrated developmem projects in Aware ness/MR RE Programm e from UNHCR, it carried our the demining of velopment activities.
project is ro encourage maximum local ments in o rder ro meet rhe needs oflocal, Manica and Sofala provinces. The col- 1995 unti l 200 I , when rhe coordination roads in preparation for rhe passage of
participation in fighting rhe landmine laborative efforr led to rhe developmem
district and provincial populations. "Prox- ining" was transferred to IND. An evaluation refugees. Minefields were cleared around Cruz Vermelha de Mozambique
problem in an environmentally conscious im ity dem also refers ro the close con- of rhe Integ ra t ed H umanitarian of materials developed by PEPAM was villages, schools, health posts and ocher (Mozambican Red Cross)
manner. In areas where demini ng is un- race mainrained between rhe demin ing D em in ing lor Development (!HOD) carried our and published in 1999Y viral infrastructure in the two provinces The Mozambican Red Cross is a
de rtaken, N PA also cooperates w ith reams and the affected population. app roach and the Community Mine After the floods in February and of Manica and Sofala, where GTZ sup- cooperati ng partner in the PEPAM
Mozamb ica n gove rn ment agencies ro HI se lec ts po tent ial sires for Awareness for Develop me nt (CMAD) March 2000, HI, in collaboration with ports rural reconstruction and develop- programme. It carries our mine aware-
provide commun ity and p ri mary health dem in ing o n th e basis of p rio ri ty, local concepr. 10 IND carri ed out an intens ive awareness ment cooperation projects. GTZ and ness activities in 56 districts. Whi le HI
care services. needs, immediate value to local commu- campaign on the danger of mines from Mine-Tech jointly developed the concept provides training and material, Red Cross
NPA cooperated w ith the AMAC nities, local plans, porenrial rehabilitation Armed Forces ofMozambique March to Ocrober 2000 in rhe southern of! HOD char puts people and their com- agenrs and community volunteers imple-
project (based at PIUO) in rhe Manica funding, minefield size and input from In 2000, the United Stares Scare provinces. Similar campaigns were car- munities ar the cenrre. IHDD relies on menr rhe programme. Nowadays, there
pi lot swdy mentioned earlier. After the other organisations. Priorities are ser in Deparrmenr provided rhe Mozambican ried our in March 200 I in the Zambezi the local population ro gather informa- is not much emphasis on MRRE, and the
AMAC training in the community stud- collaboration with the provincial and dis- military (FADM) with dem ining equip- valley, which had flooded before. tion about the mined areas and UXO. new priorities are H IVI AIDS prevention
ies approach, NPA identified a ream of trict adm in istrations. Close contacts are ment and veh icles as well as funds for HI developed a database of i m ple- At rhe same rime, !HOD recognises that and d isaster preparedness. The Red Cross
rhree trainees ro create an impact assess- establ ished with rhe local comm u nities dem in in g. Umil 1999, rhe Mozambican menring pa r tners and activities i n since demining is expensive and money also provided Mine Victim Assistance in
menr uni t. The goa l of this unit is "to at dem ining sites. Department of D efence supported m il i- MRRE, wh ich operates from IND 's of- available for clearance is lim ited, many rhe provinces of Niassa, Cabo Delgado
provide N PA-Mozambique Mine Action tary training, wh ich also included the fices in MaputO and Nampula. A user's communities have ro live with rhe explo- and Gaza.
U n it with information on socio-eco- People Against Landmines training of deminers. The military runs a guide ro this database was also developed sive legacy of rhe war for quire some rime.
nomic impact at rhe m icro-level." 26 (Menschen gegen Minen} demining school in accordance wirh in- and installed in 200 I. It is rhus imperative to develop means to Survivor Assistance
Menschen gegen Minen (MgM) is ternational standards. Though military HI developed a sua regie proposal for enable rhe communities to prevent mine
HALO Trust a German NCO that has been working demin ing uni ts were involved in mine integrating MRRE in to rhe education and UXO accidents. The number of amputees is esti-
HALO T rust operates in the norrh- in human itaria n mine clearance since clearance along a power line from Sourh system.n The proposal has three major Parr of MineTech's work was gath- mated at I 0,000 people, which includes
ern provinces of Cabo Delgado, N iassa, 2000. After rhe floods at rhe Limpopo Africa to Maputo as well as orher tasks, objectives: ( J) capacity bui ld ing of reach- ering information from key informants all forms and reasons for amputation, like
Nampula and Zambczia. I n 2000, River in 2000, MgM handled emergency rhey do nor play any major role in hu- ers and insrructors of teachers ar teacher's and giving mine awareness lectures with traffic accidents, work accidenrs, diseases,
HALO had 125 employees and a budget tasks. Currently iris working on a mine- manitarian demini ng. training colleges, (2) producing and dis- the help of wooden mine and UXO mod- landmine accidents, etc. Special
of$1,105.426.r suspected area along the railway line in T he military was in charge of rhe seminating didactic material, and (3) els to rhe communities gathered at a cen- programmes for mine accident survivors
Priorities for clearance a re set in co- the Limpopo valley in Gaza province. landmine stockpile destruction in Sep- technical assistance for rhe implemenra- tral place. After some rime, rhe limita- or for the families of mine victims do nor
ordination with rhe respective provincial Manual demining reams, rwo dog teams tember 2001, when about 600 ami-per- rion and institu tionalisation of MRRE tions of this top-down approach became exist in Mozambique.
Governor, who gives his priority ranking and mechanical equipment are used. The sonnel m ines were destroyed. FADM has wirhin the school sysrem. PEPAJVI and obvious, and a pilot project to develop The responsibility for physical reha-
to a li st w ith surveyed areas given by dem in ing reams also assist rhe local popu- subm irred a detailed workplan and bud- the Ministry of Education collaborate at new, participative methods was under- bi li tation rests with MINSAU, which
HALO, which is rhen compared agai nst lat ion in clearing singu lar mines and get to IN D for the destruction of the ex- differe nt leve ls: national, provincial taken in Cheringoma district in Sofala runs the nine orrhoprosrheric centres (one
HALO's own ranking. A final decision is UXO when called upon. isting 37,500 anti-personnel mines in irs (Dircc<;:ao provincial de Educa<;:iio) and province in 1998. 14 The result was the in each provincial capital except for rhe
made jointly. A socio-economic impact possession th rough 2003.~ 1 The govern- local (Direcs;ao Disrriral de Educas:ao). CMAD concepr. 1' CMAD is based on Gaza and Manica provinces). In 1995,
assessmenr prior ro operations is nor per- Commercial Companies ment of Mozambique is committed to The technical as well as pedagogical ad- participatory, inreracrive methods and the programme of physical rehabilitation
formed. In 2000, the U.S . Scare D epartmenr fulfil rhe obligations of stockpile destruc- visors of PEPAM support rhe Ministry aims at mobilising and enabling commu- of disabled people implemenred by rhe
HALO's "simple mission srare- provided $3.14 m ill ion for demining to tion as per Article Four of rhe Onawa of Educatio n and its deparrmenrs. nities to effectively deal with rhe mine ICRC was taken over by Prosthetics and
ment-gerring mines our of rhe grou nd, RONCO, an American company. The Mine Ba n Convention, w h ich In mine affected areas, 403 so-called threat and rake adequate actions. Com- Orthotics Worldwide Education and
now" 28 seems to be reflected in the way ir company employs about I 00 Mozambican Mozambique has sign ed and rarified. zones of pedagogical influence (ZIP) were mun ity-based awareness raising and Rel ief ( POWER) Mozambique, a
operates: establish ing commun ication, deminers in eigh t teams with mine de- formed under the local education au- learning risk-red uction behaviour are the nationalised NGO scarred by the UK-
creating rapport and building confidence tection dogs. One major cask is rhe clear- Mine Risk Reduction thorities, each with a coordinator, usu- most important elements. Community based NGO POWER. In I 999, full re-
with rhe commu nity in proximity of rhe ance of the Sena Railway Line. RONCO Education ally a school director or a teacher-2,065 volunreers are trained as mine awareness sponsibility was transferred ro rhe
clearance operation is nor an exp lici t parr also provides supporr to IND ro train teachers have been trained. facilitatOrs and intermediaries betwee n MINSAU.
of thei r mission.29 their personnel and improve rhe database. Handicap International PEPAM's techn ical advisors are also rhe local population and the clearance Al l the orrhoprosrhetic centres carer
Humanitarian agencies and donors, H I began Mine Awareness Educa- involved in revising of the school curricu- organisation as well as national demining to all disabled, and the percentage of mine
includ ing UNHCR, UNICEF, the Eu- tion Programmes for rerurning refugees lum and integrati ng MRRE as a parr of authorities. It is essentially a process of victims is steadil y declin i ng. W hi le

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 26 • • 27 • 15

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

fund mine action activities directly. manirarian Affai rs. New York 1997: p. 18-21.
•
Community Liaiso n1n
landmine victims accounted for 29 per- 10. UNOP/GICHD: A Study of Socio- Econom-ic Ap
!lro:~ches ro Mine Ae1ion, rch Gc:m:va: M.1 200 I: p. I S2 .
cern of new patienrs in 1997, they ac- ll. lnsr iruro Naciona\ Dc:sminagcm
de: (INO) The Five·
counted for only nine percenr in 2000. Conclusion Year N::uion :~l Mine Action Pbn 2002-2006. Mapuro· I ~ Novem-
ber 2001 (lm p:l/w..vw.ind.gov.m.d
POWE R still provides technical support 12. Ibid. p. rsff.
Althou gh most are as in

M ine Action:
to th e MINSAU fo r runnin g t he 13. Ibid. p. 20f.

~MAG
14. Republic o f Mozambique:Land mine Impact Su rvey.
orrhoprosthetic services. Mozambique affected by landmines and Augu st 200 I : I I.
1S. Ibid. p. 79ff.
The Mozambican Red C ross, in co- UXO are not heavily mined, the presence 16. H a nd ica p lmernat ion:tl, "A recolha de d :tdos ~obrc
operation with Jaipur Limb Campaign of mines and UXO continues to repre- :1cid enres com m inas c cn gcnho~ c:xplosivm em Mopmbiquc,"
PE PAM puto'
1 9%-2000
H
, I. J ulho 2001.Ma
(JLC), established an orthopaedic centre
in Manjacaze district, Gaza province, in
sent an impediment to development.
Landmine action in the country is pri-
17. Ibid. p. 36.
18 . Republic of Mozarnbi(jUC: Landmine Impact Su rvey.
August 2001 : 311T.
Partnerships for Growth CLEARS MINES SAVES LIVES BU ILDS FUTURES
2000. Most beneficiaries are victims of mari ly carried our by a number of for- 19 . A. S. Millard a nd K. B. H upvikcn, g Reasse<osin the lm-
pa..:r of H umanitarian MineAc:tion: lllu~tr:u ion from Mozambique.
landmines. A plan for a mobile centre could eign humanitarian NGOs and a host of PRIO Report ( 1/2000). o~lo: I mern:uion:d Pe:ace and Rcsc:m:h - ln
i st tulc:, 2000.
Using a Community Liaison (CL) model that emphasizes community
not yet be implemented for lack offunds. different commercial companies con- 20. Ibid. p. 99. participation, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) prioritises minefield clearance
The Min istry for Women and the tracted by donors and international hu- 21. Ibid.
22. Ibid. p. 9). to lessen landmines' impact on communities in Angola.
Coordination of Social Action d eveloped manitarian agencies. The military plays 23. Ibid. p. X.
24. UN D P/G I lCI D· A Stud)' of Socio-Economi\: Ap·
a Policy fo r Disabled Persons, wh ich was a very limited role. pro:tches ro Mine Anion, Gc:nc;v,1: March 100 1: p. 154.
approved by the Council of Ministers and Although precise data o n mine vic- 25. UN MASred {UnineN:trions Mi Action Sccvicc): Tited
ihe dMine by Tim Carstairs, MAG • Returning home after doing the
tims in Mozamb ique is nor available, their
Action a nd Effecti veCoor in;H On. Un Nations Policv. New family washing in the Luena river.
pub lished in 2000. 36 HI, POWER and r k Yo 1998 ( hnp k://
i www.un. org/Dep t s/dp o/m rH:I
Before MAG's intervention, the area
oth er donors support the M inistry at vari- numbers appear be comparatively low
to
POLI CY_doch un ). A recent intervenrion at the May
26 . Norwegian People's Aid-Mozambique: Standud Oper- es ;md G u ideline:. to either side of the path was mined;
ous levels in the implemen tation of the and fa lling over time. It seems relatively .tt ing Proced ur Internationa l Stan di ng Co mmittee of
fo r [mpan A<>sessmcnt Unit . lntt"r- Tete, NPA·Moz;unbi(pJe c ired three people had been injured.
tul Draft. 2001. in Ibid . p. 2).
policy. But a lo t still has to be done to clear that rhe needs of mine victims are 27. Mozamb ique, l.-1ndm ine Mon itor R(·pon 2001, http:!/
Experts (ISCE) meeting in Geneva was
reach the obj ective ofsocial and econom ic poorly attended and that even demin ing
to
www. l.orgicb
p<m/I.M\X'eb-0
0 /l m/2 00/re 7 .php3. p. 6 of 12 paraphrased in this way: "The humani-
28. Cited from the web page: ww,v.halotrust.org/intro.luml
integration o f disabl ed persons. programmes do not necessarily heed to 29. SC'e also A. S. Millard and K. ll. 1-larp lm p
t ,.iken (112000): tarian impact of landm ines must guide
Reassess ing thC' :K of Hu manit:arian Mine Actio n: Illustration
Complaints about the lack of con- th e requirements of the local population from Mozambi{\ue, , : PIUO Report 0 (l /2 00) Oslo ltuernat ional
the priorities of donor countri es." This
cern regarding victim assistance on the concerned. t•c.Kc andh Resc.1rc
lns0tiu: H e, 200 p. SS . statement made by the representative of
.30 . M:t e r,mi Frirz: Chris Pearce & Ulrich \Xleyl: T he for -
part of rhe governmen t and government Due to limited resou rces and a chal- gouc n Minc:ficlds. Univecsum Verbgs::~nsta!t, 2000 {G:r z Publica- Norway goes directly to the point and
tion).
employees were rampant. lenging socio-econo mic environment, the 31. l nstiw to Nacional de Dcsminagem (I N D ): The Five-
presents us all with rhe real problem of
POWER is working closely wi th lo- adoption of participatory monitoring and rYea N.~t i()lwl M ine Action Plan :p2002·2006 . Ma uw 19 Novem- ensuri ng rhar our resources are used most
be-r 2001 (hnp:f/,~ww.ind .gov.mz): p. 22
cal disability organ isations, specifically evaluation approaches would nor be an 32. H andicap ional:
urensilios
Internat "0 ~ do PEPAM em wisely and effectively to address these needs.
1\lo.;:unb ique. Capitaliz~u;io~l \iiO Progr.1ma de Educ. par.1 a
with the Association of Disabled People easy task. The most promising line of Prevenc;iid e Acidenrcs c a usado s I'Or MilLIS e outros engcn hososi"os.
This article seeks ro briefl y explain how
de n:urio
as.

of Mozambique (ADEMO), rhe m ain approach is the introduction of pilot par- c xpl Coor Min H I Mu1.ambique: Mapmo 1999 MAG conducts the process of prioritisation
33. H :md1c a p lntcrnation:d: 0 PEPAM n o sis1cma de
association for disabled Moza mbicans. ticipatory monitoring and evaluation Ed tH.:a tOrmal.
\:io
: Capitalit.a~::io.
M aputo HI 200 I. as parr ofan integrated mine action response.
34. Scheu , 1-iildcg~n.l: Commun ity Mobilisation and Mine
ADEMO runs a community school for projects in collaboration with the major Aw:u al
. eFRness
. Pilur
a ApproProjectch in c:pon in lnh :un ing.t,
W hat seems clear ro us is that mine turn- become key players with in the vey process is nor designed to cope with
disabled children in Maputo and is de- humanitarian NGOs already active in the Cheringoma distri(t, Sof.1 laince, prov Mozambique, June 29th w action is nor and should nor be allowed prioririsation process. This is good devel- the immediate n eeds of co mmunities
Scprember 5th, 1998. Submirted 10 GTZ. Eschborn.
veloping a pilot project for vocational country and in conjunction with IND. Pre- Scheu, H il degard : Ti-aining in panicip.uory mcrhod.s and ro rema in a "stand-alone" discipline. opmenr practice that has been encour- faced with life-threatening mi ne/ UXO
training (bakery, metal wo rks, carpentry liminary inqui ry suggests rhar HI, NPA
commu n iL:a tio n tedH1iques for Comm unir}' Mine: Awarene..s for
Development (CM AD) ad\•iscrs . S"' w l6'"of0ctober. 1998, Harare,
Mine action is an integral part of wider aged since rhe late 1980s. T he concept contami nation. We also need to p rovide
and probably leath er works at a later and ADP would be willi ng participants Zimb abwe: . Final Report subm itted w GTZ , E.s.chbom, 1998. rehabilitation and development. As the of CL is being mentioned more fre- mine action ro those that need it now, ar
35. Sche11, H ildegard : CMAD: Dcvdop1nenr of Concept,
stage) as well as a pilot project to provide in th e establishment of such projects. • Method and Approach in a l)ilot Projt-ct,lnh~minga, Moz.tmbiquc. opening quote says, we have ro deal with quen tly now in relation to mine action , the same time placing rhar action firmly
In: l m~{'r;ued
rural disabled people with donkey carts
nirarianHDtuna
3od Cqmm uniry Mine Awarenc!>> for P s;vdopment
smjnjni; for Deydopmem UHDDl
Brm- (CMAD l.
rhe impact of mines on people. In rhis and we hope that this short article will within the development sphere, working
as an alternative means of transport in order Endnotes .sd s, 23 and 24 Fcb ru;.tr}' 1999. Conft:"rcncc RqKm . Eschborn: GTZ. case, the impact of mines and UXO is h elp exp lain h ow
38-55. Interne!: mauhd.i hrrp:// ic.jmu edu/ djn mal/4.3
to enhance their mobility and livelihood. Scheu . H ildcg.ml: anir:irelm egrien c hurn Emmi nung fi..ir die most ofren to be co nside red within a we understand ir.
L. T ht.: :1111hor mer rcprescm;u ivcs of major pbycr) in Mine
Enrwicklung im la nd lidu:n Mt)Sambik. In: L:mdmincn und dercn
wider context of econom ic, social and The G lobal
~· Report Vcrl<~g, June 2000. 52 -')3.
1\crion :md rdev.m t im1inni ons in Moi'.ambiquc [x:p.ve.;n 22 Ocw-
36. Rcpt'iblicJ d t: Mos-;un biqw:, MinisrCrio da Mulher c political recovery from conflict. Prioritisarion Impact Survey pro-
Mine Action Funding bcr-3 November 2001. A field rrip was made w ith H .l!ldic,tp
r- lntc
Coordcnao;:ao d,1 Ac~;iv Soci:tl: Politica par:~ a Pcssoa Ponadora de
n:uional (H I) tO two communities wili1 a mine dc:u:IIIL"e progr;~ mmc.
DcftciCn..:i:~, Nov. 2000 and appropriate action are therefore ro be cess enabl es us to
2. lu1 p: //y,ww.in
On .
e.gnv.m7/ indicadorc)2/imags/popul::
u;:io

According ro rhe Landmine _a

Moni- bso!tna2002 gif stinuo Nacion:1l lde Es1at s1ic.t)
www. i
37. Moz:unbit(Ue, Landmine Mon itor Report 2001, Im p :// LM\XIcb-0
cbl.orgllm/200 /reporr/ hp3. p. 4 of 12.
taken ar rhe same level. Furthermore, the understand the im-
0 7.p

3. World B.mk Report No. 20521 : Mem(Jrandum of the

tor Report 2001 , mi ne action fu nding presiJc:m of the IIH('rnalional D cvelopmem A~soci.11ion and the In· individuals and groups in rhe equation pact of landm ines
totalled some $17 million in 2000. Of
lc:rn<~tional Finance Corpor;H tive
1heion
Dirccrors
Exe tO cu on .1
Contact Information are not passive and helpless but active parts and UXO on basic
Cmumy Assist ance S~rategy of t he \X'oriJ [la nk p Crou fo r the Rc·
pub lic oUvlozambique, June 14, 2000 : p. 2. of the process and worthy of respect. h um an n eeds and
this, $6.6 million was allocated to the 4 . UNDP Hum~n Devdopmcm Report 2001 (f;tblc 1 Hu~
IND, and $ 10.6 mi ll ion was provided to man D evdopmcnt lndc:x , Table 10 Literacy and En rolmen t , Table 7 D r. Hildegard Scheu In the m id-1 990s, MAG developed on rhe longer-term
mine clearance organisationsY
Leading global he;~ld1 crises .l!ldallenges)
ch
Consulting and Training the practice of applying a CL model to developmental pro-
5. Millard, A na nd.t S. & Kristian Berg Harpviken ( 1/2001):

M ajor donors are rhe UNDP with Commun ity Stud ies in Practice: Nc:w lrnplerm.·nting :1 Approach to
Stedrer Weg 13 mine actio n situations in Angola. We be- cess and economy
lmp:~c1
Landmistrations
neAssessment wi th lluu from Mozambique.
funds from Canada, Sweden, Denmark, PRIO Report 112001. Oslo: Interna tional Peace Resea rch lns1i1ute Germa ny I Alemanha lieve in wo rking together with all actors and thus is a factor
Switzerland , Germany, and Ireland, as
(!'RIO ), p. )8
Tel: +49-(0) 6 172-898235 ro find the best solution to problems. The in establishing rhe
6 . UNDP/GJCH O : A Stud)'ofSocio-Economic App roaches

well as th e individual countries of w Minc:Acrion, C.enCV;i: March 2001: p. 149 Fax: +49-(0) 6 172-70 30 human subjects- the communities rhat long-rerm priorities
7. Ibid . p. 1 SO.
Canada, Norway, Germany, Austria, the 8. Ibid. p 1 S 1. E-mail: [email protected] live in mined areas or thar have been for humanitarian
9 . F.,,ton er ai: Mozambiq ue: The De,·dopmenc of lnd ig·
min e actio n. That • Following clearance, a safe IDP camp has developed in Muachimbo,
Netherlands and rhe United Stares, which driven fro m m ined areas and wish to re- outside Luena. A school and health centre have now taken root.
r.:nous Mine Action Capaciti es. United Natiom Department of H u·
being said, the sur-

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

real element in the ability and capacity interventions, MAG cleared the road of communities to help lessen the risk. The
Water Supply in Luena The Community Liaison Process
to appropriately prioritise, organise and mines that had cur off the village since reams provide appropriate safety and
Water and access are as much immediate and ur- A MA~ office or a MAG team is usually contacted by a village
coordinate the various elements of mine 1993. LWF started rebuilding basic in- avoidance messages and discussion. At the
gent concerns for a beleaguered community and an leader and tnformed of problems relating to mines or UXO or asked to
action for development. Partnerships en- frastructure, IDPs began arriving, and a same rime, they garber information about clear a particular area . It is true to say that MAG's flexible, mobile
IDP population as they are development needs in the new community is building itself once mines and ordnance to pass on swiftly to
able us to bring to bear the most relevant teams (MATs) facilitate and
longer term. In 1993, mines were laid to protect the more. CL plays a key role in creating the rhe Mine Action Team's (MAT's) rapid
expertise-which may not always be a strengthen this process as they
water treatment and pumping station against attack means on the ground to build commu- response reams to clear the danger. MAG are accessible to the local people
mine action solution. MAG 's CL teams
by rebels of the is currently seeking funds to create more and are already skilled inCL. The
will regularly provide information about nity and economy.
Capitalist Na- such reams to "accompany" rhe peace and request will be recorded, and a
other needs to appropriate partners. If we Rebuilding is not enough in itself:
tional Union for renewed confidence that is breaking our in community liaison team will visit
can nor fix it, someone else will be able to. as the IDPs find their feet and expand
the Independence the village and assess local
In Angola, MAG works with a vari- their activities from their new base, rhey the province.
of Angola (UN ITA). needs, discuss village mapping,
ery of other partners in such fields as: begin to find lan dmines and UXO. Despite rhe conflict situatio n, MAG
However, the collect village history, identify the
• Water and Food Distribution MAG's CL reams work within the IDP reams have continued to work in Moxico beneficiaries of clearance tasks
mines did not and ro conduct mine awareness and data
o Action Against Hunger and prioritise the minefields to
stop the station Community Liaison:
o World Food Programme (WFP) gathering work even when clearance was be cleared.
from being dam- An Academic View
• Refugee/TDP matters Development writers also argue no longer possible in the lare 1990s. This MAG will also coordinate Village mapping being conducted by MAG's CL
aged in fighting,
-
The water station, Luena, Angola. and since then,
o Ministry for Reconstruction for approaches like CL. "[A]s develop- work was supported by Save US and by with local authorities and NGOs team in Lumege, Moxico province. Stones
and Social Affairs mentis an essentially human ising pro- MI. Over the years, donors have been en- to make sure that the agreed represent mines and mangos represent UXO.
fresh water has been in short supply. Deprived of run- cess, participatory development must couraged to set aside their reluC[ance to prioritisation meets with na-
o United Nations High Com-
ning water, most townspeople would come to wash be consciously based on people, their fund min e action work in co nflict areas tional or provincial clearance and development pions. The CL teams
mission fo r RefUgees (UNHCR) will if necessary negotiate land ownership and the use to which the
clothes, bathe and collect water using a well-worn path needs, their analysis of issues and their and tO support humanitarian operations
o Lutheran World Federation
beside the pumping station. There is a market garden decisions," writes Peter Oakley. There land will be put post-clearance. In some countries where MAG works
(LWF)
is a strong body of opinion that argues
on behalf of populations beleaguered by land ownership is handed down through families and knowledge of i~
area just near the river. Three people have been in- the war. We wish to rhank the donors that
• Medical Care and Prosthetics; Social is carried with tribal and village chiefs. In other areas, ownership is
jured in the area. that participation, the basis for CL,
Reinsertion have "kept the faith" and continue to sup- recorded and registered with local authorities.
The local community asked MAG to help with this brings the following benefits:
o CAPDC • Enables development practitio- port MAG's mine action work in Angola If required, the CL team will conduct mine risk reduction educa-
situation. The area was cleared. In all, 17 mines were re- 0 (Moxico and Cunene provinces): the gov- tion in the community prior to completion of the mine clearance. Once
Vietnam Veterans of America ners, government officials and local
moved and destroyed from along the perimeter of the ernment of Germany (Fo reign Affairs), clearance has been undertaken, the CL teams will continue to liase
Foundation (VVAF) people to work together to plan con-
pumping station, including several just inches from the text-appropriate programmes (World LWF, Mise reor, Brot fur die Welt, with authorities locally to ensure that agreed development of the land
o Trauma Care Foundation
path. Clearance has enabled repairs to the pumping sta- 0 Bank Sourcebook). UNOCHA, Anri-Landm ijn Stichting goes ahead smoothly, and that the identified beneficiaries are indeed
Medico International (MI) benefiting.
tion to be carried out, and in April 2002, the water • Ensures greater efficiency of
As in many other areas of the globe,
taps of luena ran with fresh water again for the first resources. STOP PRESS:
relative peace and stability bring with it Community Liaison Assists
time in eight years. Just 17 AP mines had impacted on • Improves cost effectiveness. and the U.S. Stare Department. We be- Contact Information
added dangers. Luena, the capital city of Demobillsation
some 300,000 people. • Makes projects more effective lieve that this continued fund ing has saved
Moxico province has been home to over as instruments of rural development. In the Cunene province of south-
where possible within national and pro- 300,000 people. Many of these people many lives and contributed to growing Rob White
• Helps to break the mentality of ern Angola, MAG was recently re-
vincial development parameters. fn an were displaced in 1998 when conflict dependence that characterises so confidence in Angola. • Head of Operations, MAG
quest ed by the provincial authori-
emergency and emerging situation- flared again after the elections of that year. much of development work. Tel: +44 (0)161 236 4311
ties t o help with the establishment
Luena in eastern Angola is a good ex- Almost under siege for several years, • Promotes self-awareness and About MAG E-mail: [email protected]
of resettlement camps for former
ample-CL skills as developed by MAG movements were restricted and the confidence. Website: www.magclearsmines.org
• Has a much wider coverag e UNITA soldiers and their families in MAG has 12 years experience implcmeming
can be a good way to fulfill this functio n population became reliant on WFP food Lande. The actual quartering area
than government- participation mine action around rhe world. The agency currently
at reasonable cost. CL enables us ro carry deliveries. Mines ringed the town. Mine is reported free of mines, but the conducts a varicryofinregrarcd mechanical, manual
increases peoples' control over the is-
out emergency mine and UXO clearance action became impossible between 1998 roads and towns in the area are and dog clearance program mes, as well as CL, train-
sues which affect their lives; they learn
and at the same rime build up a commu- and 2000; in fact, mine clearance was not how to plan and implement develop- heavily mined. Working with the UN
ing and d evelopment
programmes in a num-
nity-based picture of the wider develop- permitted during that time. Security has ment projects. Office for the Coordination of Hu- ber of areas including
menr needs within society. improved since 2000, and people are • Ensures sustainability as people manita rian Affairs (UNOCHA), Angola, Cambod ia,
again able to think longer-term. maintain a project's dynamism (Paulo MAG's CL team has been gathering Laos, Lebanon, north-
Partnership: Mine Action Today, the M inistry for Social Assis- Freire). ern Iraq, Som
, al iland
data a nd has conducted initial vis-
tance and Reimegrarion (M INARS)- • Stresses the importance of southern Sud an, Sri
for Development in its, locating eight minefields to Lanka and Vietnam.
rhe government authority charged with so- community participation during data-
Angola gathering, shared analysis, and trans- date.
cial and refugee matters-is gradually re- The soldiers' families are ex- 'All photos courtesy of
parent negotiation of priorities to the
locating internally displaced persons Sean Sutto11/MAG.
No single agency or person has all development of national Poverty Re- pected t o join them, and as many
the answers. No single agency or NGO (IDPs) in different and previously unused duction Strategy Papers (World Bank/ as 300,000 people may be involved.
can provide all services or help with the areas to relieve pressure on space and re- IMF). ~s of m id-May 2002, 697 soldiers
post-conflict rehabilitation of every aspect sou rces. M INARS consults with MAG Applied to mine action, MAG be- In the ca mps were accompanied by
of community development; that is why before p lanning new refugee and IDP lieves that these approaches make • Cultivating land in
633 marr ied women, 373 male chil- Luena that was
partnership is so important. Our experi- camps. The Muachimbo camp is just one sense. After five years of practice, we
dren (10- 16), 441 ma le children (un- previously a
such exam ple. In 2001, in response to CL can say that they do indeed work.
ence points to partnership as being a very der 9), 41 female children (10- 16), minefield.
5~0 fe male children (under 9), 56
Wtdows, 47 male orphans and 54 • 31 •
Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 30 • 17
female orphans.
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

July 5, 2002: MAG Opens Main Road f r om Luena, Moxico Provin ce, Angola
Allowing Aid to be Distributed to Thousands o f Star ving Families
Locating Land mines and UXO:
The Lucusse Road between and Reinteg ration (M INARS) the immediate futu re. MAG has
mad e it clear t hat all d rivers
A Methodological Lesson from the
Luena and Lucusse in Moxico and the Un ited Nations oil
province in eastern Angola has
been the scene of heavy fighting
agreed that t he major demining intend ing to use the route must
p rio rity in the p rovince was this first atte nd a mine safety
Ethiopian Landmine Impact Survey
for decades. There was fighting road. b riefing cond ucted by MAG.
One of the most important parts about implementing effective Landmine
many yea rs ago between Cuban Due to the grave Although it can be safe to use
Impact Surveys is first identifying which communities have a landmine/ UXO
and South African forces and humanitarian situation, MAG the road, there is a very good
problem. The author describes how Expert Opinion Collection (EOC) is used
over much of the last decade undertook an emergency survey chance that any deviation from in Ethiopia to overcome the obstacles survey teams face when gathering
between t he government and of the road immediately tracks of t he previous vehicle their information.
forces of the National Union for follow ing the request from may lead to a fata l mine
the Total Independence of UTCAH to see how much the accident. It is hoped thot by Michael L. Fleisher, Ph.D., • Hand-g renade victims
fund ing ca n be ra ised to e nable in Kobo woreda.
Angola (UNITA). The road is situation had changed since Deputy Team Leader/
littered with the wrecks of 1997/ 98. Previously, during this complete clea rance of the Operations Manager,
trucks and armored vehicles brief period of peace, MAG had ve rges and other suspect areas Ethiopian Landmine Impact
destroyed in anti-tank mine surveyed and cleared 92 along the route. Survey
blasts and ambushes. It is said kilometers of the 148-kilometer On July 6th, MAG escorted
that over 6,000 soldiers died route. After re-survey on J uly 3, Medecins sans Frontieres- Intro duction
here trying to get convoys of 2002, it was clear that there Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
had been no new vehicle wrecks to Lucusse so t hat medica l In every country where a Landmine
supplies in and out of Luena .
since that t ime; however, using assistance wou ld be made Impact Survey is being implemented, those
The road itself serves thousands
available to the UN ITA charged with conducting it are faced with
of people living in its vicinity. the route still requires extreme
rhe challenge of compi li ng a reliable list
Opening it up can dramatically care. The survey teom was able quartering areas. MAG has also
of the communities that need surveying-
change the socio-economic to travel to Lucusse where they faci litated the access of Dom
because before a com muni ty can be sur-
s ituation in the province. met with the Police Bosco, a respected Angolan veyed to assess the landmine/UXO impact,
On July 3,2002, Mines Commandant and UNITA non-governmental organ ization it musr frrst be accurately identified as a com-
Advisory Group (MAG) staff met officials who explained they (NGO) to t he quartering area. munity having a landmine/UXO problem.
with the Angolan Technical Unit were desperate for food and Dom Bosco has al ready begun Owing to irs vast size and irs ongo-
for Coordination of other emergency a id. registrat ion and identification ing, highly variegated conflict history,
MAG teams retu rned July of needs. It is hoped that WFP Ethiopia prese n ts Landmine Impact the long rainy season, all but impossible. communities from the no n-affected com-
Humanitarian Assistance
4th to clear and destroy severa l deliveries will be authorized surveyors with particularly daunting Even in salubrious weather, many Eth io- muni ties as quickly and as efficiently as
(UTCAH). Lucusse will be used
with in the next week. These are difficulties. The Italian invasion of the pian com munities are accessible only by possible. To accomplish chis, they must
as a quartering area for 4,000 items of UXO seen on the road .
1930s; Eritrea's protracted, and ultimately foot or by mule. The task of determini ng first devise a straregy rhar will enable rhem
UNITA soldiers being disarmed Areas where veh icles w ill have all vital elements in the peace
successful, war for independ ence; rh e where the landmines/UXO a re, so as to to derermine where rhe most thorough,
and demobilised under the new to travel off the edge of the and confidence-bu
n ild ing, most reliable information regarding rhe
1990s Ogaden war with Somalia; the be able to fo rmulate a complete, reliable
peace agreement. While the road to get around mine c raters i demobil zatio and Ethiopian People's Revolu tionary D emo- locatio ns of la ndm ines/UXO may be
list o flandmine/UX:O-affecred communi-
Lucusse Road has been closed, or vehicle wrecks will also be no rma lization p rocess. MAG is cratic From's (£PROF's) successful revo- ties fo r impact surveying, is nor an easy one. obtained and how to acquire this imelligencc
thousands of families have not checked for mines. MAG has proud that mine action can play lution ro topple the Marxist Dergue re- T he technique developed for sur- as swiftly, sysremarically and cosr-effecrively
received aid of any sort. It is a lready identified several its role and is grateful to a ll gime; the recently concluded trench war mounting this problem, EOC, e ntails as possible.
reported that 38 percent of the suspect mined areas on the those pa rt ies in Angola and to with Eritrea; and the sti ll-simmering in- gathering information from all available This a rticl e aims to facilitate this
roadsides that will be marked . its donors for enabling such ternal conAicrs with the Oromo Lbera- sou rces- civil ian governmem adm inis- information-gathering process for all
children in the area are severely
p rogressive and positive rion From (OLF) and the Ogaden National trators, military authorities, UN agencies, countries u ndergoing Landmine Impact
malnourished. The World Food Passing areas a re being
Liberation Front (ON LF)-any and all of IGOs and NGOs, in-country scholars Surveys by sharing some lessons learned
Program (WFP), the Angolan targeted for special clearance outcomes.
these muse be regarded as potential comribu- and so on- and usi ng chis in fo rmation by the Ethiopian Landmine Impact Survey
Ministry of Social Assistance efforts to minim ize the risk in For additional information, visit rors co Ethiopia's landmine/UXO legacy. (ELlS), which is currently being carried our
to compile a gazetteer of the affected
www.magclearsmines.org To make matters still more compli- co mmunities to be surveyed. However, be- by Norwegian Peoples Aid (N PA), u nder
cated, the country's a rduous terrain and cause rime and resources are inevitably the auspices of the Survey Action Center
poo r-to- nonexistent roads make travel in limited, survey teams are pressed to de- (SAC) , in Washington, D.C., and in close
the rural areas problematic in the best of vise methodologies that will enable them partnership with the Eth iopian Mine Ac-
rimes and, in innumerable areas during to separate the landmine/UX:O-affected tion Office (EMAO) in Addis Ababa.

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

• Demolished Dergue Tanks in Kobo woreda. Figure 2

List of Kebeles
Ethiopian Survey EHorts for Wadla Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region
No. Name Condit ion Access Hours
Affected Possibly Affected Not Affected Cor M' cycle Foot Mule (on Foot)
In Ethiopia, the survey's efforts are
~ [M] [N~
mainly focused on the five regions of the X
country's II that are regarded as being Kane (urban )
X X
the most highly suspect for landmine/ Kone (rural )
X X
2 Derero X 2
UXO contamination: Tigray, Amhara, X
3 Betehore
Afar, Oromiya and the Ethiopian Somali X X
4 Yewotet
National Regional State. However, because X
5 Delengo X
the ELlS's mandate is to cover the enti re X
6 Chen a
country, none of Ethiopia's other six X
7 Sumerno X 5
regions may be neglected. Each of 8 Genchere
Ethiopia's regions is divided into zones; ing rwin goals: Requests and Responses 9 Wegediet
the zones, in turn, are divided into dis- 10 Abdikome
I) Acquiring firsthand knowledge of
tricts (woredas); the districts are divided 11 Kurkur Solelo
the magn itude of the landmine/UXO After having consulted with officials
into sub-districts (kebefes); and the sub- 12 Beteyohonis
problem in the landmine/UXO-suspect at the regional level and after having se- 13 Gosheno
districts are divided into sub-kebeles corridors northbound from the Ethiopian lected one ofAmhara regio n's 11 zones- 14 Ye nejokinkino
(tabia, but baito in Tigray region), which capital, Addis Ababa, to the Tigray region. North Wollo-for rapid assessment (RA), 15 Zugeyo
are in turn made up of "communities" 2)Evaluating the reliabili ty and the ELlS staff visited eight of the zone's 16 Q uana
(si ng. got; pl. gotoch), although "commu- specificity of information concerning the nin e woredas for consu ltations with 17 Meleyie
nity" is not an official administrative unit. landmine/UXO situation at the regional, woreda administrators. In the course of 18 Toleit
What is desirable in terms of both zonal, woreda and kebele levels of Ethio- 19 Nubet Alaloch X 1
this effort, the following request list for
economy and efficiency, assum ing it is 20 Washo Michieol X 1.5
pian governmental administration. woreda administrators was developed and
possible, is to pinpoint an administrative 21 Guozono Jebeyo
employed (Figure 1) . X
level at which sufficiently thorough and 22 Yeniketno Yewoyin
In response, the woreda administra- X
accurate information regarding the pres- 23 Yegind
tion p rovided the ELlS ream with a kebefe X
ence or absence oflandmines/UXO may 24 Feresmegrio
X
be acquired. In the ideal world, we would 25 Gogbio X 8
Figure 1
26 Monatunajo X 8
hope to acquire all of the landmine/UXO REQUEST LIST FOR WOREDA ADMINISTRATORS 27 Yenejono Misgua X
data we needed at the national level with- (To Be Recited Orally)
out leaving the capital, but this ideal state
list. Here is the list provided for Wadla identify false negatives. Significantly, our landmines/UXO in their communities,
of affairs does not exist in Ethiopia, nor Sir/ Gentlemen, we would be very grateful if you could provide for us the following :
has it existed in any of the other countries 1) A list of all the kebeles in your woreda; woreda, Norrh Wollo zone (Figure 2). of the more than 50 kebeles interviewed, whereas a false positive will invariably be
where Landmine Impact Surveys have been 2) That the list of kebeles be marked to indicate, for each kebele, whether you Armed with such lists, the ELlS team not a si ngle fa lse negative was found. Al- surveyed and, as a consequence, changed
and your fellow woreda officials consider it to be affected (A), possibly affected conducted interviews with the residents though woreda administrators sometimes to a negative.)
carried ouL Experience has shown, in
fact, that the h ighest, most inclusive ad- (PA), or not affected (NA) by landmines/ UXO; of more than 50 kebefes, including those identified a kebefe as positive for
3) That you indicate, on the kebele list, the kebeles that ore not accessible by that woreda-level administrators had landmines/UXO, only w be contrad icted The Kebele Interview
ministrative level at which generally reliable
car and also by what means it is possible to get there-i.e., whether by motorcycle, deemed to be landmine/UXO positive by kebele intervi ewees, they never once
information may be found is the district. on foot, and/ or by mule-and also the approximate length of time it will take to
In November/December 200 I, an and others they had labeled as negative, identified a kebele as negative for In this work, the following schedule
travel to each one from (insert town nome], the waredo center; in order to formu late as reliable an assess-
Advance Survey Mission (ASM) to Ethio- landmines/UXO that turned out w be of kebefe interview questions was utilized:
4) That you provide a list of all the landmine/ UXO accidents that have oc-
pia, on behalf of the ELlS, identified ment as possible of the landmine/UXO positive. (It is false negatives that pose a 1) Are there any land mines in thi s
curred in your woreda;
5) That you facilitate our meeting and talking with any landmine/ UXO victims threat in this area. serious threat to the integrity of the ELlS, kebefe?
approximately 5,000 of the country's
26,000 kebefes as being possibly affected in your woreda, as well as any persons whether inside or outside your administra- The RA strategy then employed was nor false positives-because a false negative, 2) Are there any UXO in this kebele?
t ion who might possess useful knowledge of the londmine/ UXO situation here; one of visiting and conducting a group if left uncorrected, represents a threat to 3) Have th ere ever been any
by landmines/UXO. Fou r months later,
6) That you provide us with a letter of permission and introduction to all of interview at every kebele that had been the lives of people endangered by landmine/UXO accidents in this kebele?
the ELlS survey team set about the task
the kebeles in your woreda requesting their full cooperation in carrying out our labeled either as positive or suspect for
of establishing the number of affected 4) lf yes , please tell us when and
work; landmines/UXO by irs woreda adminis-
kebeles more precisely so as to be able to where they occurred; what the circum-
7) And that you provide us with a police guide to help us find our way to the tration-except in those few cases where
quantify Ethiopia's landmine/UXO prob- various waredas. (This guide should not be dressed in a police uniform.) stances were; what kinds of landmines/
the distance and/or relative inaccessibil- UXO were involved; and whether any
lem as accurately as possible for the pur- 8) We would also appreciate your opinion as to whether, in the future, with
ity of a kebele rendered an interview visit person(s) or animal(s) were killed or injured.
pose offormulating a viable countrywide sufficient advance warning, and at our expense, it might be possible for you to
bring informants from remote kebeles into [nome town], the woredo center, t o impractical given the time constraints of 5) Are there any areas in your kebele
Landmine Impact Survey strategy.
enable us to interview them here. this missio n. The team also vis ited as where people are afraid to go because they
In April/May 2002, ELlS field staff
carried out a I 7 -day field assessment in 9) And I would like to provide you with my contact information in Addis Ababa many non-suspect kebeles as possible, in
to enable you to contact me in the event you hove any additional information on an opportunistic manner, in an effort to • Bulldozer disa
bled by a landmine in Guba
Ethiopia's Amhara region, one of the five
the londmine/ UXO situation in your woredo. Lafto woreda .
highly suspect regions, with the follow-

• 34 • • 35 •
Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 19
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

fear that there may possibly be land mines from the presence of ha nd grenades, Th is assessment has had (and wi ll
or UXO in those areas?
6) If there are any such areas in your
w hich have been responsible for the vast
majority of rhe UXO incidents there.
continue to have) profo und implications
for the ELlS. Had the worst-case estimates
of the ASM proven accurate, some 5,000
One Leg Dancing (Urn
Pe Que Dan~a)
kebele, can you rake us to these areas or The ELlS field staff has urged the
describe them to us? adoption of a program of hand-grenade kebeles, and an estimated 10,000 gotoch
7) How many gotoch are there in awareness and clearance to deal with th is within those kebeles, would have had to
your kebele? problem. be surveyed, a task ofsuch magnitude that
8) Are all the a nswers that you have The ELlS assessment also produced it would have exceeded the capacity of
give n us about the presence/absence of
landm ines/UXO in your community also
valuable evidence rhat information col-
lected at the woreda level is of satisfac-
the ELlS ream to carry out the survey
within existing time, money and man- Angola Embraces the Future
tory reliabili ty and speci ficity to ensure power constraims by a wide margin. Our

I
true of all of the other gotoch in your
kebele? Or would the people in these other the ELlS 's requirements of thoroughness hopes w hen we plan ned the North Wollo
During a period of peace, demining efforts in Angola continue to require
gotoch perhaps give different answers to and accuracy. Although adm inistrators at field assessment were th e following:
top priority in order to reopen the country to desperately needed aid
our questions? the woreda level occasionally erred o n the l) Evidence would eme rge suggest-
prog rams. Unfortunately, funding by countries and non-governmental
9) What is rhe name of your got? side of pronouncing a kebele in their area ing that the magni tude of the land mine/
organizations (NGOs) in recent years has been low due to a sense of
10) Has there ever been any fight- of administration to be definitely or pos- UXO problem along the Addis-to-Tigray
confusio n and an unsuccessful history of previously under-funded projects.
ing betwee n the Dergue and the EPRDF s ibly la ndmine/UXO-affecred and it corridors might be far less than worst-
case estimates had suggested.
• Kebele leader with 2) The assessmems of government by Joe Lokey and Ken roads to prosperity are lirrered with deadly
turned-in UXO in officials, at least at the woreda level, would O'Connell, MgM remnants of their dismal past.
Kobo woreda. be sufficiently accurate and well-informed Angola suffers due co the series of
to obviate the necessity of carrying out Cur rent State internal power struggles and civil wars
RA survey work at the kebele an d got lev- have inflicted a tremendous amount of
els. We now fee l that signifi cam progress Peace has broken out in Angola, or destruction on th is country since their
has been made toward achieving these goals. so it seems. The world has seen this before independence from Porrugal in 197 5.
and their cautious optimism is under- Three arrempts at peace ( 1975, 1991,
standable. To the people of Angola, the 1994) have all co llapsed for various rea- building an incremental settlement that
Conclusion
promise of a brighter future is everywhere so ns. The Angola n governme nt an d fo llows the 1994 Lusaka peace accords.
and the motivation to ensure a lasting National Union for the lotallndepen- The momentum fo r this latest effort began
EOC is a worthwhile, e min emly in ea rnest after the leader of the insur-
peace has never been stronger. But the dence of Angola (UNJTA) officials are
practical and extremely valuable technique,
but like any research method, it is valu- • The Ludana slums. c/o
Rodger Bosch for MgM
able on ly to the extent that it generates
accurate, verifiable data. The experience
of the ELlS ream in North Wollo argues
strongly for thorough verification/au-
the ntication of expert opinion obtained
at the higher administrative tiers-i n the
ELlS case, the woreda- through sensitive
in rh is kebele? turned out nor to be (i.e., this kebele but rigorous interviewing of ordinary citi-
11) Do yo u think that any of the turn ed our to be a false positive for the zens at the kebelelgot level, where people's
kebeles that are adjacent to your own woreda administration), they never erred lives are at stake. •
kebele might poss ibly be contaminated on the side of pronounci ng a kebele to be
with landmines/UXO? free of landmine/UXO contamination
12) If so, please name those kebeles. and it turned our nor to be (i.e., the kebele •All photographs wurtesy of Nils jorgensen
, GIS
administrations produced no false nega- Specitzlist, Ethiopian Landmine Impact Survey

Results tives). This is an extraordinarily positive sign.

Further assessment work still needs Contact Information
The results of this mission strongly to b e done, howeve r, to determine
suggest that the landmine/ UXO problem whether the results d erived for No rth Michael L. Fleisher, Ph.D.
in theAmhara region is not nearly as pro- Wollo also hold true fo r Amhara region's Deputy Team Leader/ Operations
nounced as rhe original worst-case esti- orher 10 zones- and also to gauge the Manager
mates had suggested. The team uncov- landmine/UXO threat in Ethiopia's four Ethiopian Landmine Impact Survey
e red no evidence w hatsoever of there be- remaining highly suspect regions as well P.O. Box 60300
ing a landmine problem in this zone, and as in the six other regions that are so far Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
no evidence of a UXO proble m apart nor suspect. Phone: (25 1-1) 62-68-38
E-m ail: m.Aeisher@j uno. co m

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

• The Ludana The war destroyed over nire role in rhe process and almost no in- UNITA rhat hampered the free move- governments and private donations. A
slums. c/o
5,000 schools in Angola volvement in the administration of rhe ment of parry represen tatives so crucial major problem is rhat demining is only
Rodger Bosch for
MgM and those who do man- camps. The Angolan government quickly ro rhe political reintegration of UN ITA as a being conducted in eight of Angola's 18
age ro periodically make points our rhar rhe UN peace agreements viable political parry in Angola. This ban provinces. The following demining or-
ir to overcrowded class- brokered in 1991 and 1994 enabled has si nce been lifted, but the continued ganizations have operational bases, with ad-
rooms- sometimes UNITA to rearm and rebuild and rhar obstacles ro a equate funding levels, in these provinces:
holding as many as 90 fu rther UN involvement could once workable peace NGO Provlnce(s)
in one room-have few again forrif)r UN ITA borh logistically and presented by Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) Huila, Malanje, Kwanza Norte, Moxico
resources with which to politically. T h ey are determined rhar rhis rhe United Na- Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Moxico, Cunene
learn. Even with access will nor happen again. tions are nor HALO Trust Huambo, Bie, Benguela (Cubal)
to educa ti on, chi ldren The recent survey report from rhe unnoticed.
frequen ytl arrive late or Geneva l nrernarional Center for Hu- INAROEE remains a viable entity Two other demining organizations,
leave early to help earn ma nitarian Demining (GICHD) (The in Angola though plagued with the same I NTERSOS of Italy and Sta. Barbara of
a living for rheir fami- Mine Action Sector in Angola-Mission Re- resource constraints as other governmen- Germany, have no funding committed
lies. About three our of port) is an example of rhe UN's desire to tal activities. They have pur together a for 2002 and are not active in thei r op-
ten rural women over expa nd UN influence and control over mobile ream in Bie Province working erational province of Huila. This means
I 5 can read or write. rhe landmine process in Angola. While wirh T-55 tanks equipped with KMT-5 rha r rhe following provinces have no
Only a third reach fifth minimizing and dism issing rhe role of rollers. They have also begun coordinat- demining cover at the moment: Luanda,
grade and none bur rhe INAROEE, rhe report does support rhe in g with the Angolan Armed Forces Kwanza Sui, Uige, Zaire, Benguela (ex-
children ofAngola's rich new inter-mi n isterial coordination body (FAA) combat engineers who will have a cept Cuba!), Cuando Cubango, Lunda
governmental elite have (CN IDA H ) bu r recommends the injec- 25 percent representation on rheirdemining Norte, Lunda Sui, Namibe and Cabinda.
rh e opportunity fo r tion of UN advisors and the replacement reams. The INARO EE Dem ini ng School This may change as coordinating com-
higher education. Teach- of the Angolan landmine database wirh ar ETAM is operational and rhe instruc- mittees in provincial cap itals work with
gent UNITA rebels, Jonas Sav imbi, was NGOs have remained present, dete r- ers musr overcome land mines ro reach rhe rhe UN's Informatio n Management Sys- tors who were trained by Sourh Africa arc government officials to get their mine
ki lled in February of2002. mined ro keep roads open, fie lds clear and srudenrs. tem for M ine Action (IMSMA) system in camp and preparing for an influx of action needs into rhe national Critical
A peace me mo ra nd um was sig ned hope al ive. On e of rhose, rhe German T he cam ps are the focal po ints of rhar was designed to give evenrual UN deminers, surveyors, explosive ordnance Needs Assessment and adequate resources
on Ap ril 4rh rhar allows rhe movemenr charity Srifru ng Menschen gege n M in en inrernarional arrenrion bur rhe greater ove rsigh t over fu nd ing and resources go- disposal (EOD) personnel and team lead- are allocated as a result.
of fo rmer UNJTA soldiers into 35 can- (MgM) is one of rhe most well known human tragedy swirl ing around rhcm are ing inro national programs. While rhe ers ready for retraining. The World Food Program (WFP)
tonment areas where demobilization and and highly respected dem ining cha ri ties mi ll ions of displaced Angolans rhar have report acknowledges many of rhe cha l- contin ues to address rhe hunger situation
disarmamenr activities coinc ide with in Angola, and rh is is our view. been avoiding rhe fighting for decades. le nges, ir did li rrle ro recommend Demining Priorities in Angola, compares it to the mine threat
retraining and repatriating former com- Adding to rhis number is another half Angolan solutions ro Angolan problems. in former areas of hostilities, and sets pri-
baranrs and their fami lies. Of particular Impact of the War million or so emerging from previously The United Nations had also been The majority of mine clearance in orities. In Malanje, WFP needed to clear
concern, though, is rhar rhe government held UNITA area. Women and yo ung a major obstacle toward peace by con- Angola continues to be done by a small and prepare areas outside the ciry to allow
underestimated rhe numbers of return- The horror of landmines only mag- girls are particularly at risk as rhey forage tinuing travel sanctions on members of group of NGOs unilaterally funded via all Internally Displaced Peoples (lOPs)
ing soldiers and rhei r fami lies with more nifies rhe crisis in basic health provision for food, wood and water. The number within the ciry limits at least
than 79,000 arriving with 236,000 fam- in Angola. H ealth professionals and aid of displaced people in Angola is d ifficul t 0.5 hectare of arable land.
ily members. This has overwhelmed rhe groups ca nnot travel safely on m ined to measure bur NGOs indicate it could This was done to reduce de-
Angolan government and rheir movement roads ro address basic health needs. be over four m illion with about halfbeing pendency on food aid received
throughout the country is on ly exacer- Nea rly every hospital, clinic and health children. In Moxico alone, there are over from WFP. Likewise in H uila,
bated by rhe land mi ne problems. T hus facility in rh e country has been destroyed. 250,000 disp laced and rhey a re expect- WFP feels that one of rhe big-
far, the d emobil ization process has been lr is nor uncommon to fmd shocking i ng another 350,000 to emerge from gest th rears to the develop-
less than effic ient wirh rhe confusio n da il y deaths due to malaria, malnurririon former UN ITA areas. As if the daily hor- ment of safe areas for safety
between the government and Un ited and orher prevemable diseases. Immuniza- ror ofrhe exposure of war were nor enough, of the population and resettle-
Nations (UN) effectively isolating rhe rion rates in Angola are among rhe lowest as many as halfofthose are reported to have ment is large stockpiles of am-
NGOs and aid groups. Confusion is pre- in rhe world. About half of rhe children witnessed a landmine incident. Trying ro munition. The first priority
venting action. Landmines don't care. under five in Angola are underweight and address this has been difficult since less rhan given to MgM is the clearance
Of rhe 2,610 known m inefields in ar critical risk to a variety of diseases. No 30 percent of the $233 million (U.S.) of a huge cache rha r exists ar
Angola, less rhan a fifth have been cleared trained anendam ar births directly con- sought in an inter-agency appeal has actu- the end of the runway, next
and released for public use. Many more tributes to rhe astonishing 172 deaths per ally been received. to rhe hospital in rhe town of
m inefields remai n in fo rmer UNITA- I ,000 births in Angola. Angola is one of Caconda. There are more sires
conrrolled areas and rhe extent ro which five countries nor to eradicate polio. The UN Role to follow.
roads, airporrs, bridges, railways and other Opening access routes is rhe first step. These priorities were
infrasrrucrure may be mi ned is unknown The educational systems in Angola The UN is nor viewed in Angola as written up last year when
to anyo ne. While much of the world has are in a shambles. Si nce children are rhe an enriry rhar can be crusred, and for good there was lirde hope of peace
abandoned Angola for perry political rea- fu ture ofany country, Angola is guaranreed reason. The government of A ngola has in Angola. Now the situation
sons, a s mall handful of mi ne cleara nce a generational dependency on outside aid. resisted giving UN aid agencies any deft- is continually changing. Ar
• Only t horoughly t rained explosive detection dogs are being deployed in the mine sweeping projects of
MgM. c/o MgM, People Against Landmines

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 38 • • 39 • 21

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

the NGO level, th e re is still a certai n who rhen proceed homewards. This is not funding that WFP is rhe lead agency. This a priority set by WFP in 1998 for the available for the reconstruction of these Angolan deaths. Mines can be cleared now.
amounr of confusion as to wh at is hap- thought ro be a spon taneous relocation now means that, on rhe o ne hand, MgM ro ute cleara n ce fro m the town of lines, most of which have to be checked Without increased support at this
pening inside the country. It is reported out of Luanda, but rather fami ly mem- wi ll be working in the same provinces as Cazombo. This wou ld have allowed for and cleared oflandmines prior to engineers critical junction, the lack of access by
rhar rhe UN ITA fighters are going into bers returning to their homes ro grow N orwegian Peoples Aid (N PA) while, on road transportation offood flown in from starting work on them. Initial contacts WF P and other aid groups and the lack
thei r designated holding camps, handing crops ro return and sell them in Luanda. the other hand, there is no funding avail- Luanda or transported across the border have been made co introduce MgM to of simple in fo rmation will indeed doom
in thei r weapons in pre para tion to be in- The rest of the fami ly stays in Luanda to able fo r MgM's traditional operational from Zambia. This project would have the possible main con tractor for the thousands of Angolans to starvatio n as
regrated into the FAA as well as being fed conti nue as they have for the last few years areas of Bengo and Cunene Provinces. eventually cleared into Cuando C uban go developments of these lines and MgM's they continue to roam the m ine infested
and receiving a salary, though thi s may since rhey relocated ro the capi tal. Funds are now being sought to expand and on to Cunene linking al l areas with extens ive experience clearing th e roads and fields in search of life itself.
only be the officer corps for rhe moment. T hroughout the country there are on these projects as well as projects that MgM aid and developmem comi ng from Zambia Limpopo rail lines in Mozambique are a MgM is ded icated to resolving this and
The main fear for so me organizations is lOP camps and peopl e residing in safe wish to continue in Bengo and Cunene. and Nami bia. These th ree provinces are valuable reference. The key to rhe future has pledged itself to con tinued relief in
rhat those troops designated for demobiliza- cities. T hese displaced peoples arc rhe In Bengo, th ere are over 60,000 sparsely populated, bur over 200,000 may be rhe opening of the rail line to the one of Africa's keys to future econom ic
tion may not be trained adequately for rein- o nes who wish ro return to their homes; lOPs in two camps outside Caxito. Al- nomads are forced to live outside Angolan rich coffee growing area ofNambuangongo. growth, rich in both resources and culture.
tegration inro society. they are also the ones who are most at though one group of around 25,000 have borders. C learance in these areas will al- Both these projects are looked upon as high MgM remains at the front and welcomes
Much of rhe donor hesitation revolves risk from rhe threat of mines. Also, there already starred to relocate to areas where low free movement for these people again. priority, for the safety of the people living in additional assistance and support. We also
around the simpl e fact rhat Angola is, on are people who are in areas formally un- access is open, rhere a re a further 35,000 In 200 1, MgM also carried out two an ammunition dump who with all like- gratefully acknowledge the tremendous
paper, one of rhe wealthiest coun tries on der the control ofUNITA who have been who come from an area (Dembos) rhar is major surveys. One survey was carried our lihood will not return to their original homes, fin ancial contri b utio ns of the U.S.e Stat
the African continent in terms of irs natu- isolated and require immediate aid. In co mpletely blocked. Access is available at the sire of an old ammun ition storage and for those who would like to eliminate D epartment's Humanitarian Demining
ral resources. Almost all agree rhar rhe both cases, access is the watchword: safe along tar roads to towns of Ucua, Piri, site that suffered a major detonation. This their dependency on aid in the long term. Program Office in recogn itio n of the
Ango la n government itself must play a access ro allow people to return to th eir Quibaxi and Alto Galu ngo, while roads site contained aerial deployed weapons value of our efforts. Please visit our web
large role in clearing landmines and address- homes, and access to allow aid agencies to towns of Bula Atumba and Pango and is now su rrounded by a residential Conclusion sire or contact us to learn more. The wo n-
ing the panoply of ills affiicting the victims an d organ izatio ns to support iso lated Aluquem and others in the jungle are in- a rea. The m ajor ity of the serviceable derful people of Angola deserve you r
of mines. Toward that end , a pledge of com munities most at risk. access ible. The people vacated this area ordnance has been moved, tho ugh a sub- The frag ile peace in Angola appears thoughts, prayers and cons ideration . •
This is rhe type o f three and a half years ago and rhe roads stantial amount was left spread over a to be a reali ty, and demining is an integral
• Graves in Angola.
c/o Guy Tillim for operation tha t MgM are completely overgrown. Nobody will large area close to the International Air- part of sustaining this very delicate pro- Contact Information
MgM specia lizes in , having atte mpt to drive down them fo r the threat po re of Luanda. No check has been done cess. There h ave been discussions about
cu r its teerh, so ro of mines, forc ing people to stay in the of what was left in the so il, and a simple large amoun ts of aid pledged for Angola, Joe Lokey
speak, in opening up lOP camps fo r food, security and other rake can pull up unexploded munitions bur this appears to be far offat rhe momen r. D irector, MgM, Inc. USA
over 270 kilometers of support. W ith fundin g for clearance in this where childre n play daily. Dono rs seem to be waiting for more de- E-mail: [email protected]
roads in rhe jungles of area, eventually these people will be able The second survey was carried ou t velopments and possibly sma ll successes Website: http:/ /www.mgm.org
northeast Bengo Prov- to return hom e. This developed clearance on rhe Benguela railway line in Huambo. in the short term before committing. The
ince and allowing over team will then graduate on to clearance [r is now obvious that the railway network problem is rhar all NGOs in Angola have Ken O'Connell
5 0 ,000 peop le to of routes from Negage and Uige cities, in in Angola is central ro rhe regeneration been under-funded for years relative to Program D irector, MgM Angola
safely return to their Uige Provin ce, to outer commun ities. of the interior of the country and especial! y the task at hand, and their equipment E-mai l: [email protected]
homes. Negotiations Uige has been one on the major recent the towns and cities that lie along those needs alone may nor permit the ki nd of Website: http:/ /www. mgm. org
will have to be entered barrie zones in Angola, along with lines. There appears to be Eu ropean progress needed. Donor reluc tance may
inro wi rh Provin cia l Malanje, Lunda Norte and Moxico. O nce Union (EU) and possibly Angolan fund ing be responsible for hundreds of preventable
$57 m illion was set aside by Angola from Authorities, WFP and oth er bodies to route clearance has been carried om in
which demining was ro have received draw up new plans and priorities. It is Uige, it can move on to clear the few
around a 10 percent share. The NGOs certain rhar in Malanje province the pri- routes closed by mines in Za ire Province.
in Angola all report little optimism that orities wi ll now change from opening up Cunene is another province badly
this will ever reach them and none be- land for use by lOPs close ro the city to needin g rome clearance. MgM has an
lieve it will actually get spent. open ing roads to allow the TOPs safe ac- extens ive maintenance facility developed
cess to their homes, a nd also in turn ac- in Ondjiva, parr of which is to support
A Matter of Access cess to markets. MgM demin ing operations in the south-
ern provinces but also supports other
Demining is an importam parr of MgM Solutions Need NGOs in the region. Many com m unities
the peace process. Parti cul arly, it helps to Support a re isolated from rhe provincial capital.
provide safe access to aid groups, while This restricts support and forces people,
also allowing them more freedom of When pri orities were being prepared especially women, to carry goods to main
movement. Unfortunately, the problem fo r proposals for year 2002, MgM had roads for sale at markets.
is that the same freedom is afforded ro been asked by rhe WFP to starr demining Romes eventually have to be opened
the Angolan population. On a positive note operations in rhe provinces of Malanje into Cuando Cuba ngo, which still has
this freedom mea ns that the usual mili- and Huila. This also fi r in with priori ties many areas closed off due to the threat of
tary-o rganized co nvoys are a thing of the requested by the U.S. Department of mines. Similarly in Moxico, routes also
past. As an example, there are large groups State (DOS) for funding purposes for need to be opened in rhe central and
of people who gather to the east ofViana , 2002 funding. It also helped for DOS southern areas o f th e province. MgM had

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1
• 40 • • 41 • 22
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

a new wave of civilians became UXO vic- ing th e program whi le international From June 1989 to December 1999,

Demining Efforts in Namibia rims. However, amendments to Namibia's

Arms and Ammun ition Act have seriously
curtailed rhe scrap business.
newspapers broadcasred the dire situation
the Namibian people faced.
UXO accounted for 87.4 percent of all
landmine incidents, AP mines for 5.8 per-
cent and AT mines for 6.7 percent. Dur-
US. Involvement ing the period of January 2000 ro Janu-
police bases, two water supply rowers and
Previous mine clearance programs in Namibia started the country on a Second Phase of Mine U.S. arrenrion focused on Namibia ary 2001, UXO percentages fell to 71.2
the pylons on the Ruacana high-tens ion
clear path towards demining success. Unfortunately, a current lack of funding Clearance for two reasons. The first arose from the percent, wh ile AP and AT mines rose to
power line. 2 Fortunately, in most cases,
and a spillover of the longstanding conflict in Angola have thwarted progress. failed demining missions. The United 21.9 and 6.9 percent respectively.'
the SADF properly marked, mapped and
Ar the starr of rhe second phase of Stares drew concern over the conti nued This increase is due to a spi llover
fenced in these minefields. 1
mine clearance, local companies were detonations of AP mines in supposedly from the long-running conflict between
that human suffering hired to conduc t rhe removal process. "cleared" minefields. The seco nd gener- Angolan UNlTA forces and Angolan
has declined." 1 First Phase of Mine government forces- Forcas Armadas
Namibia Blasting Agents gained a con- ated from the effective public awareness
Unfortunately, Clearance
traer from South West African Water & campaign. In response to their concerns, Angolanas (FAA)-across rhe northern
s in ce that time, the Ele ctrici ty Supply Corporation the United Stares signed rhe Memoran- border. In 1999, Namibia granted rhe
number of casualties With rhe impl ementation of United
(S WAWEK) to clear minefields sur- dum of Understanding with the govern- FAA the use ofNDF military bases along
has once again increased, Nations Resolution 435 in 1989, South
rounding the Ruacana power lines. T hey ment of rhe Republic of Namibia in the border for the purpose of defensive
especially In r h e African troops conducted the first mine
used rhe same grid roller method as the 1995. As a result, the Demining Liaison attacks against UNITA forces in south-
northern regions of the clearance project in Namibia. The pro-
SADF to clear the berms left next to rhe Committee was formed, and rhe U.S. eastern Angola.·l However, rhe FAA has
country. At the end of cess they used involved driving heavy
pylons. However, even after the final mil itary began training rh e NDF and also used these bases for the stockpile and
1999, Namibia became barrie tanks pulling grid roll ers across
sweeping phases of the fields, unexploded Namibian police deminers. transfer of ammunitions, and in irs 2001
subject to the terrors as- designated m inefields and bases ro clear
landmi nes and UXO were found and As the nvo governments worked to- report, the Landmine Monitor stared rhar
sociated with the long- the areas. However, our of the 44,594
detonated by civilians and livestock. gether, minefields were cleared, fences there have been allegations rhar these
standing conflict occur- landm ines laid, only 40,779 were neu-
were taken down and land was finally ammunitions include AP and AT mines. 3
ring in the neighboring tralized and 96 deton ated. Over 2,479
Government Involvement returned to rhe community. Towards rhe
state of Angola. T h e mines were left unaccounted for. 1 There-
As rhe second phase of rhe demining end of the project, as General Jamerson Conclusion
Angolan National fore, the first demining project concluded
process was concluding, rhe Namibian said during a final mine clearing cer-
Union for rhe Total In- with only a 92 percent success rare. Even
government assumed the responsibility of emony in 1998, officials had great hopes A major problem st ill exists in
dependence of Angola with the first phase of mine clearance
all mine clearance and mine awareness for Namibia. The country was almost Namibia. UXO and recently placed AP
(UNITA) rebel move- completed, rhe country still had major
programs. On May 19, 1992, a Namibia completely mine-free and rhe NDF and mines from the Angolan con flict continue
men r crossed the border landmine probl ems.
Cabinet resolution halted a second con- the police Explosives Unit were properly to rake innocent lives. The NDF and
into the north east re- After Namibia's independence from
traer for the clearance of minefields sur- trained in landmine clearance. The offi- Explosives Unir lack the adequate person-
• A woman injured by Whitney Tolliver, MAIC gions ofthe country, laying new mineflelds South Africa and rhe SADF's withdrawal
ro unding former military bases by cial U.S.-spo nsored demining program nel and budget necessary to eradicate the
by an AP mine. open ro innocent civilians. Thus, Namibia's in 1990, rhe number of casualties result-
c/o NamPa/ Reports Namibia BlasringAgents. 1 The resolution concluded on February 8, 2001, bur at problem. Mine awareness campaigns, al-
Overview of the Situation prior goal of becoming one of rhe first ing from accidental detonations actually
instead gave the NDF the expl icit orders the rime of their withdrawal, rhe United though very effective, fail to reach rhe
countries in rhe world to successfully com- increased. The destitute population rook
to clear all known minefields of AP mines States donated more than $2 million remote corners of rhe country, the people
On May 14, 1998, during a cer- ply with the Ottawa Treaty received a ma- and removed fe nces marking the remain-
and AT mines, and told the Explosives (U.S.) in earthmoving equipment, detec- who need ir rhe most. Inconsistent maps
emony marking the last minefield-clear- jor setback. As Colonel J.T. T heyse, Chief ing mi nefields for their own personal use,
Unit of the Namibian police to remove tion devices, computers and radio com- and minefield reports make 100 percent
Inspector of Explosives for rhe govern- rhus allowi ng livestock and people to
ing task in the Ohangwena region of and destroy all mi litary ordnance and munication equipment ro the NDP accuracy of mine removal nearly impos-
Namibia, General Jamerson, Deputy ment of rhe Republ ic of Namibia stared freely roam highly dangerous mined ar-
UXO across the former war zone. Unfor- sible. The once seemingly simple lanclmine
in a report, "Up to the end of 1999, the mine eas. Specifically, small, unprotected
Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Euro- tunately, both the NDF and the Explosives Current Status problem in Namibia has again been com-
problem in Namibia was finite and well- minefields were laid open around the
pean Command described rhe country as Unit lacked rhe suffic ient number of plicated. The Namibian government needs
"a model for Africa and the wo rld. "' The known; it could be solved rapidly with pylons on the Ruacana high-tension
clearance experts and equipment neces- Although demining efforrs increased additional support to once again become
Namibian Defense Force (NDF) and appropriated measures."' Now the govern- power line. These fields contained 25-
sary to successfully complete rhe projects. with U.S. involvement, rhe current num- a "model to Africa and rhe world." •
Namibia police deminers, trained and ment desperately needs renewed funding 30 plastic AP blast mines, and four to six
The Ministry of Home Affairs also ber of casualties has recently risen in rhe
in order to clean up these new areas be- J .69 all-metal bounding fragmentation
s upported by the governments of created rhe first Namibian Public Aware- northern regions of Namibia, most no- References
fore officials can once again declare Namibia mines. 1 As travel resumed in these areas,
Namibia and rhe United States, success- ness Campaign during rhis rime. Their tably the regions ofKavango and Capri vi.
fully reduced the number of landmine a model country on rhe road to success. vehicles and people also detonated old, I. Colonel J.T Thcyse, The Namibian Experience.
goal was to inform the public of rhe dan- In 1997, landmine casualties were li sted
unmapped land mines placed along road- 2. Colonel J.T. T heyse. Global Conference: Milirary Con-
casualties during a three-year demining gers of handling UXO a nd how to mark as one killed and I 0 injured for the year.' rributiom to Humanitarian Demining. Jan.2001.
program. The number of deaths due to History ways and footpaths; rhe number of UXO
and report landmine and UXO findings Bur during the following year, these num- 3. Landmine Monitor Repon 2001. 120 - 13 I (2001 ).
landmines and UXO fell from 10 in 1994 victims increased significantly as well.
to the proper authorities. While rhe NDF bers increased ro three killed and 22 in-
Before Namibia gained its indepen- After the war, hundreds of thousands Contact Information
ro just one in 1997, a 90 percent reduc- an d the Explosives Unit struggled to find jured and police reports from 2000 indicate
dence from South Africa in March 1990, of pieces ofUXO were left behind in the
tion. The number of injuries dropped as funding and demining expertise for their 14 killed and 125 injured from landmines. 3
well, although nor as dramatically. At the the South African Defense Force (SADF) northern provinces along the border. W h itney Tolliver
projects, the public awareness campaign In addition to an increase in the
end of the General's speech he concluded, m ined the northern regions of rhe coun- Many local civilians joined in the lucra- MA!C
received a great deal of national and in- number of casualties, rhe types of inci-
"The decline in casualties means rhar the try heavily. By rhe end of 1986, more than tive bur very dangerous business of col- E-mail: [email protected]
ternational attention. National radio and dents responsible for landmine civilian ca-
352,000 square meters of minefields had leering and removing them for Angolan
citizens of rhe northern regions of Namibia television services cooperated in launch- sualties have changed p ercentage-wise.
are safer now than they were before and been placed around eight military and and Namibian scrap dealers. As a result,

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 42 • • 43 • 23

...
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Mine Awareness and The evaluation of rhese innovations is Zimbabwe's Ceo-informatics and Survey-

The Landmine Problem Victim Assistance

Since 1980 the Z imbabwe govern-

funded by the EU and members stares
a nd has led ro the engagement of con-
sultants from Namibia and Zimbabwe ro
ing department. The training comprised
training in Geographic lnfonnarion Systems
(GIS), globa l positioning system (GPS)

in Zimbabwe
ment has through the Army Engineers conduct rests of the devices. and database management for mine action.
cond ucted mine awareness campaigns Tests have been conducted in Zim- It is hoped thar on commissioning of this
and mine awa reness training in all areas babwe at Pomona Barracks in Harare project, all regional mine action informa-
affec ted by lan d mines. Agricultural with rhe assistance of the Zimbabwe tion will be accessible globally.
awareness campaigns, mine awareness shows and t rade fairs have been used for Army Engineers and the
Progress in all areas of mine action is steady in Zimbabwe.ln addition to clearance,
train ing, UXO and exposed mines disposal. conducting mine awareness programs. National Dem ining Of-
victim assistance and research, the nation's government has established a mine
In 1984, the Z imbabw e Enginee rs Incidences of human beings bei ng ki lled fice. Members of the
action database available to international demining organizations.
Corps commenced demining operat ions or inju red by AP m ines have been greatly SADC mine action com-
wirh a priority of clearing those areas re- reduced co minimal levels due to these mirree attended these
quired for economic exploi tation such as awareness efforts. H owever, rhe menace rests rogerher with mem-
in frastruc ru re develop men r ( roads, continues unabated to affect livestock and bers of demining organi-
powerli nes, ere.), resettlement, access to wildlife in the uncleared zones. zations, both military and
water and grazi ng. Meaningful dem in ing Casualties of the mines civi lian.
was no r possible at this rime due to lack Killed 500 The consul rams rec-
of resources; rhus, u ntil 1998 only I 0 per- Injuries 1,200 ommended improvements
cent of rhe total area had been cleared. Tota l incidents 12,643 and corrections on the de-
vices to the innovarors. Af-
Total Clearance Program Re search & Development ter the improvements,
further field rests were
In 1998, rhe U.S. governme nt , The private sector in Zimbabwe has conducted in Chimoio,
th rough their Department o f Defense, been involved in research and develop- Mozamb ique with the
offered assistance in the for m of eq ui p- ment programs towards improving the help of the National Demining Institute • Mine awareness
ment like graders, armored bulldozers, clearance of lan dmines and safety of the of Mozambique (NDIM). Conclusion lecture for villagers in
mine detectors, prodd ers, protect ive demi ne rs. Further resrs on th e devices were progress.
clothing, ere. The U.S.Special Forces A company based in Harare, Security conducted in Namibia along with labora- Despite enormous setbacks in rhe
helped train men from rhe Z im babwe Devices, has been developing a series of tory rests in South Africa. The consultants funding of demining projects in Zimba-
Defence Forces engineers in dem ining. dem iners' protective garments with the are currently finalizing rheir report on rhe bwe, progress is steadily being achieved
It was rhen rhar rota! clearance co m- aim of improving rhe safety of men on rests with a view to advise SADC to adopt on the mine action front. Zi mbabwe has
menced from Victoria Falls towards M li bizi, the minefield. Their research has been on the use of the devices, reject them or rec- abundant human resources for mineacrion,
to the east. Though fun d ing has been improving the quali ty of the demin ing ommend furrher im provement. with thousands of trained and experi -
h ard to come by, progress has been steady apron, the visor, hand tools like prodders, enced deminers who have worked locally,
with the army having cleared a 150 km ere and knee shin pads. Database for Mine Action regionally and internationally. Some have
• W02 Matikiti of the by Prince Makumbe, Mine 760 km of minefield was laid along the srrerch and destroyed more rhan I ,696,000 Anorher company has been develop- worked in Europe and Asia. With adequate
Zimbabwe Army
Engi neers giving a
Clearance International borders with Zambia and Mozambique. mines in the process. TI1e National Demining ing a mechanical device for detonating and With the establishment of the National financial and material support from the
lecture t o school The total mined area was rhus 2 10 sq km. Office was also established in 1998. destroyi ng detected AP mines without Demin ing Office at Pomona Barracks in donor community, Zimbabwe would be
children about mine Z imbabwe, a councry in southern Complementing rhis effo rt by the having ro remove them from their posi- Harare, rhere followed rhe inception of able to rid itself of rhe landmine menace
awareness in mine Africa, is one of rhe countries in rhe regio n Mine Clearance mi l itary, t he E uropean Union (EU) tions. T his device is called the flip flamer the national database for m ine action at in a short space of time. •
infected areas.
affected by landmines as a resu lt of the fund ed a mi ne clearan ce p rogram of and, as the name says, ir is placed close rhe same office. This is being enabled
war aga inst coloni al rule. Efforts by rhe Z imbabwe govern - about 130 km of the minefiel d on rhe to a derecred mine. Using long cables a through SADC's mine action program • All photos courtesy ofthr nuthor.
Zimbabwe starred exper iencing ment to erad icate rhe landmine menace northeastern border in Mukumbura, rhus deminer can trigger the device by pull- funded by the EU and member stares.
land mine problems during the war for inde- com menced in 1982 when a mine clearance destroying over 162,000 mines. This pro- ing rhe cable, rhus releasing a hammer, The national database, when fUlly opera- Contact Information
pendence in rhe 1970s. The rhen Rhode- program was launched under the National gram was executed by a civilian company which h its rhe m ine. The machine chen tional, will allow access to all information
sian government planted AP mines alo ng Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program. ca lled Koch-Mine Safe, with q uali ty explodes, thereby reducing rhe risk of a relating to mine action in the country and Prince Makumbe
the Zambezi River to rhe north and north- To t his, th e governments of the United assu rance conducted by BACTEC. Koch- dem iner having co remove it for disposal will be linked to all other national databases Mine Clearance lnrernarional
east bordering Zambia, and to the east and Kingdom , the Federal Repub lic of Ger- M ine Safe was a joint venture between a elsewhere. in the region , whose regional database is P. 0. Box 1653
sourheasr bordering M ozambique, with many and rhe United States came in w ith German Company (KOC H ) and a Z im- T hese research an d developme n t being established at the NOIM. Harare
the aim of p reventing the infiltration of donations of equipme nt, vehi cles, ere. babwean company (Mine Safe) . Due to projects have received support from Training of database managers has Zimbabwe
guerillas operating from rhosc two countries. H owever, rhe resou rces avai lable ro the exhaustion of the funding from rhe EU, Southern African Development Commu- already been conducted with people from Tel: +263 9 1 405 303
On t he o rh er hand , the guerill as new narion ar rhe rime were nor adequate rhe program prematurely ceased opera- nity (SADC), wh ich has commissioned both military and civilian sectors attend- Fax: +263 4 773906
plan red AT mines against military vehicles for the com mencement ofacrual demining tions in December of 2000 and to dare rhe evaluation of such innovations with ing the trai ning. The rrainingwasconducred E-mail: [email protected]
used by rheir adversaries. The result was operations; hence rhe army rook charge of only the A rm y Engineers slowly b ut a view ro make use of rhe same co en- by Tynok Training Services of Harare in
that between 1976 and 1979 a toral of only mainrain ing the mineficlds, mine steadily con tinue to clear rhe m inefield. hance demin in g activities in the region. conjunction wirh rhe University of

• 44 • • 45 •
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....
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

• EMAO Director addresses his deminers before they take off for
setting up camp in the priority areas.

try of Finance two compan1es of 200 total manual

and Economic deminers trained to lnrernational Standards
Development with the assistance of the U.S. State Depart-
(MoFED) so ment. General surveys were conducted in
Mines and UXO are an ever-present danger for people and their livestock in that it could be- two priori ty areas where Technical Survey
many parts of Ethiopia, which has been ravaged by years of conflict and war. gin with hu- and Clearance started in mid-May 2002.
The Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) is the focal point of Humanitarian manitarian mine Th is capacity is a starr bur is not the
mine action in Ethiopia and therefo re in charge of locating and destroying action in Erh io- total solution to solve the land mine prob-
the cruel a nd hidden killers. A demining program under its auspices began in pia. By mid- lem in rhe country. EMAO is conscious
May 2002 with clearance work in the priority areas of northern Tigray. March 2002, the of the extent of the landmine threat in
two co mpanies rhe country, and we know to address the
fh.·)·r-A·.f' &,.S!.,t·l\'f .11/l''hMl..f''f tTflll.h
v~d·f'A"Y ..c:m. M»IJ>s K·fn.-)- from an u nknown object. T hese objects were full y enti re mine action needs of Ethiopia.
• Mine/UXO are a threat in The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia were almost certainly live hand grenades equipped and rhen deployed to the pri- As of now, mine action in Ethiopia
many places all over Ethiopian Mine Action OffiCe ority areas in northern Tigray, where they sits at important crossroads. EMAO 's
Ethiopia due to almost left behind from the civil war. How many
The extent of the mine problem will other areas are threatened through mines/ set up camp and established communi- ranks are filled with trained staff. Mecha-
70 years of conflicts.
be assessed through an overall Ethiopian UXO is unclear ro dare and wi ll b e cation. nisms for covering expenses in some cost
Landmine Impact Survey (ELlS), for learned through the ELlS with the nec- Currently, the field capaci ry includes centers have been developed, and rhe
which the appropriate methodology is essary details to plan action and allocate two companies of200 men in total. They government has com mitted funds. Ad-
curren tly being evaluated and the best the restricted resources of EMAO. have been trained u p to international ditionally, international advisors are in
approaches are being studied. The Sur- standards by technical advisors from place and draft training plans and the de-
vey Action Center (SAC) gave the non- RONCO and with th e financial support velopment of longer-term national mine
governmental organization (NGO) Nor- N ational Capacity of the U.S. State Department. Right now, action strategies are under way. Now that
wegian Peoples Aid (NPA) the task of car- Development EMAO Headquarters is in phase two of we, rhe Ethiopians, have demonstrated
rying our the ELlS. So fa r, there is only filling its ranks with junior staff and will the necessary resolve to undertake hu-
very limited data avai labl e, which was On December 5, 2000, the govern- be at full strength this summer. A second manitarian m ine action at international
gathered in northern Tigray and Afar by ment of Ethiopia dedicated from a World contract w ith the
Bank loan for an Emergency Recovery • EMAO's Deputy
rhe Ethiopian Demining Project (EDP) World Bank th rough Director during
and Ethiopian NGO Reh abi litation and Program (ERP) a slice of $30 million MoFED covering the a briefing for the
by Josef Strebel, in modern times make a thorough hu- (U.S.) for humanitarian mine action. visiting Mine
Development Organization (RaDO) dur- next five months has ·~,..-
Mine Action Advisory Team, manitarian demining effort a huge task The Ethiopian Mine Action Office .- ~ ~~ Action Support
ing its ongoing Min e Risk Education been final ized and is ' ~ .,..._
Information Advisor to EMAO that requires extensive information gather- (EMAO) was established in February Group (MASG)
(MRE) effort. Only limited lists of inci- being implemented.
..
- -·
ing. The search for mines is painstaking,
0
'h ::J 0 -~
dents/impacts and maps or sketches of 2001 and began to develop field capac- After addi tiona!
Introduction requiring patience and time. Time that minefields exist.
nobody really has in view of the destruc-
ity and a management center by July training, accreditation - ·-~
Additionally, information can be 2001 . The same monrh, the D irector and and worst-case medical
The ropography of Ethiopia, there- tion and pain that these lethal weapons Deputy Director were appointed and the
gathered through questioning adminis- evacuation procedures
moteness and inaccessibility of some of produce, the rehabilitation programmes tration representatives and the population D irector participated in a senior mine were put in place,
the areas where mines have been laid, and that are hampered and the delay of the in areas where minefields are likely to be act ion managers training program at EMAO started real
the lack of roads and other infrastructure return of Internally Displaced Persons expected. Unfortunately, one of rhe best Cranfield University in the United King- demining by mid-May
is a major obstacle to the demining pro- (IDPs). dom.
indicators for the presence of mines are 2002. A general survey
gram. Another major impedi ment is the EMAO's Mission accidents or, in the technical jargon of In September 2001, UNDP final- previously conducted
nature of the conflicts and the way they • To develop a sustainable national mine humanitarian mine action, incidents. ized the comprehensive project documenr in the priority area pro-
were carried our. Often, the conflict- action capacity Tampering wirh mines is a major cause ETH/0 1/001 using core United Nations vided enough data for
ing parries did not produce maps or • To alleviate human suffering caused by of injuries and deaths in Northern Development Programme (UNDP) demining activities
sketches of the areas where mines were Tigray and Afar in the aftermath of the fun ds together with Dutch and Norwe- that can be carried
landmines/ UXO
laid. For the last war, the Ethiopian gov- gian cost sharing contributions, which
• To facilitate relief and developmental ac- war. through until the end
ernment handed over all minefield-re- A preliminary su rvey to ELlS re- outlined and partially fund the mine ac- of2002.
tivities in support of lOPs and the repa-
lated information to United Nations cently conducted by EMAO and NPA tion requirements through 2002.
triation of deportees
Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea • To facilitate a conducive environment for in Bahir Dar and North Wollo region, Two companies of rhe Ethiopian Future Plans
(UNMEE) for their area of responsi- Army were demobilized and transferred
resumpting normal social and economic norrh of the Ethiopian capital Addis
bility. to EMAO for trai ning as deminers. In Overview
activities in areas currently affected by Ababa, also revealed that victims have
The sheer size of the country and landmines and UXO been injured or killed by removing "a January 2002, EMAO's management Currently, the
the many conflicts it has experienced metal ring, the size of a finger ring" signed the first contract with the Minis- fie ld capacity stands at

• 46 • • 47 •
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 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Training oftwo additional pacity that is to conduct a community

EMAO's Achievements to Date manual demining companies mine awareness programme in their ar-
• Nov. 2001: Dangerous area survey of If additional manual demining as- eas of responsibility. The RRTs will be
Tigray and Afar regions sets are nor trained and deployed, the established as soon as possible and will
• Feb. 2001: EMAO Headquarters initial two companies of manual be trained before deployment.
established deminers will be overwhelmed by the
• June 2001 : Two demining companies
tra ined by RONCO and demobilized
scale of necessary activities, even in the Establishing RRTs
priority areas. Two manual demining The l;111dmine-conraminated area in • Livestock killed in a minefield:
• June 2001 : Mine Action Database set up Herders as well as their animals
• July 2001: EMAO Director & Deputy companies are planned to be trained starr- the Tigray and Afar regions covers hun- get maimed or killed by mines
director assigned ing in July 2002. UNDP is providing the dreds of square kilometers, and utilizing and UXO.
• Sep. 2001: Terms of Reference submitted & trainers ro deliver the training. The cost only the in itial manual demining capac-
approved by the Prime Minister for the equipment and vehicles for these ity of 200 men would create enormous Landmine situation in Ethiopia is a result of:
• Sep. 2001: Project document signed with two companies, however, is yet to be re- delays for dependant rehabilitation work. • The war during the Italian Invasion (1935-1978)
UNDP alized. The recruiting of the deminers Many lOPs have already moved back to • The Ogaden war between Ethiopia & Somalia (1977-1978)
• Jan. 2002: Contracts signed with MoFED & shall happen during June, and training locations within the contam inated areas.
Ethiopian Recovery Program Management • The border war with Sudan (1980)
will starr in July 2002. To support these people, the need of • The Civil War (1975-1991)
Unit
RRTs is very urgent. • The current conflict with Eritrea (1998-2000) mines and
• Feb. 2002: General survey in Tigray
started
Structure ofMine Risk Education To address the immediate need of UXO are a threat:
• Mar. 2002: Demining, transport and office In order ro educate the local people communicating the danger of mines to • High risk to be killed or maimed
materials purchased about rhe continued danger oflandmines the local population , to remove any im- • Restricted access to neighbors, water, food,
• Mar. 2002: Two demining companies and UXO and ro reduce the number of mediate threat and ro mark the current agricultural land
deployed to priority areas landmine and UXO accidenrs among the threat, RRTs should be established and • lOPs/Deportees can't go back
• May 2002: Demining started in the priority affected population, various projects of trained as soon as possible. lt is suggested • High risk to loose livestock
areas in northern Tigray community awareness will be implemented that these Rapid Response Teams are • Rehabilitation and reconstruction work can't start
by EMAO. Community awareness activi- allocated ro the contaminated weredas About 33 different kinds of mines have been found so far.
standards and have comm itted substan- ties will utilize a variety of techniques, (districts) where they can respond on
tial funds for execution, it is critical that including TV and radio broadcasts, pre- short notice and also conduct their func- to the other contaminated areas of Ethio- capacity by developing an MOD tra in-
the international community step for- se ntations to school and commu nity tions within the community. In general, pia to ensure assistance to the whole EMAO's Challenges
ing center for the train ing of new dogs
ward with the willingness to support the groups, and the widespread distribution these RRTs will allow the larger manual popu lation. The immediate requirement • To deal with the mine/ UXO threat in time
and handlers.
expansion of the programme. of mine awareness materials (i. e., post- demining units to concenrrate on known is for seven teams. despite the lim ited resources available
The following are aspects that ers, 1'"-shirrs, school m ate ri als, etc.). larger contaminated areas, maximizing • To meet the International Mine Action Stan-
Establishing a Training Facility
EMAO urgenrly wanrs to be addressed Wherever possible, community awareness their economy of scale. The RRTs also Establishing a MDD Capacity dards through proper training and supervision
EMAO is housed th rough the help
to ensure that effective mine action ac- will be directly lin ked to dem ining ac- allow the local authorities ro have addi- Mine dog detection has rapidly be- • To gather reliable data of the mine/ UXO
ofUNDP in a rented building chat is only
tivities are undertaken: nvt nes. tional assets within their administrative come the second most co mmon m in e problem for planning and prioritizing
temporary. It is important that a perma-
• Training two additional manual The Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), regions that can respond to immediate clearance approach in the world, and to- • To liaise and cooperate with all national and
nent facility is obtained in the future that
demining companies by September 2002 based in rhe seven mine-affected weredas threats from constituents. day, more than 25 organizations world- regional stakeholders
will assist future planning and the expan-
• Starting MRE by August 2002 (d istricts), will also contain an MAE ca- The RRTs are also ro be expanded wide use mine dogs . sion of the office. This facility should also
• Establishing rapid response reams While dogs cannot replace manual be able to support training requirements.•
by December 2002 mine clearance, they are powerful tools
• Establishing a Mine Detection when used in combination with manual •All photos courtesy ofthe author.
Dog (MOD) capacity by June 2003 and mechanical clearance and can often
• Establishing/obtaining a perma- have a large potential within humanitar- Contact Information
nent EMAO headquarters and training ian demining operations.
facilities by December 2003 It is recommended that MOD are EMAO
• Completing the planned Landmine implemented in Ethiopia through a two- Gofa Camp, Addis Ababa
Impact Survey (LIS) by mid-2003 stage approach, as follows: Ethiopia
• Establishing a mechanical capac- Stage I: Obtain an immediate MOD Tel: +251 1655 534
ity to assist clearance by June 2003 capacity of six MOD reams (two dogs per
team) and also to train the fi rst twelve Josef Strebel
Ethiopian dog handlers. E-mail: [email protected]
Stage 2: Develop a national MOD [email protected]

• Ethiopian Demining Project (EDP)/Halo Trust (HT)

General Survey teams marked a suspected mined
area in Northern Tigray and Afar: here suspected area
(HT004) seen from the landmark.

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• 48 • • 49 • 26
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

M ea suring Benefits and are now available to rhe populace, and on expected production

Benefit/Cost Analysis Costs

The U.S. government (USG)

159 villages were cleared of landmin es.
For Eritrea, $6,005,000 was expended for
the demining program during this rim e
without the min es, agricultural produc-
tion could increase by three to six per-
cent. T here were also costs associated with

• Demining Program Funds, which are the period, and, as a result, 43 villages were disabi li ties. The m osr common inj ury

of U.S. Demining 1n actual sources of rhe (U.S.) funds and

costs from FY93-FY97 of the Demining
Program will be analyzed, as will the co-
cleared. Over4,750 land mines were elimi-
nated. As a result of rhe demining, over
26 1 hectares were cleared, and 35 kilo-
among survivors of landmin e incidents
is the loss of a leg. Many victims had to
undergo multiple operations for their
injuries. More than hal f of all victims were
ral amount of funds used for demining meters of road are now available for pro-

Ethiopia and Eritrea in Ethiopia.

Matrixes of compiled performance
impact data will be used to indicate some
of the HN benefits of the Demining Pro-
ductive use.3 The dollar con triburions of
the H Ns were not available."

Primary and Secondary

admitted, each spending an average of
rwo months in a hospiral.

Analysis
gram, although the reader should keep Benefits5 or Costs Saved
A Benefit/ Cost (B/C} Analysis is a tool used to compare the rewards reaped
in mind rhar some of these impacts, taken The primary benefits rhar this study
by a program to the costs expended to accomplish it. The author discusses
by themselves, are non-quantifiable. This Primary benefi ts include preventing will consider include lives saved (deaths
the B/ C analysis of demining operations in Ethiopia and Eritrea and
cost of removing the mines by quanrify- data was acquired from the Special Op- people fro m being ki ll ed, inj u red or from each blasr), injuries prevented (in-
extrapolates the meaning of the results.
ing as many primary and secondary ben- erations (Central) Command, MacDill maimed by landmines, as well as the ben- juries fro m each blast), transportation
efits as possibl e. Examples of primary Air Fo rce Base, which received the data efit of saving med ical costs co treat and saved (cost of fees to the hospital), ad-
by Major M ichael Litzelman, primary and secondary costs saved as a benefits include preventing loss oflife and from the demi ning cen ters in Addis rehabilitate person nel. Additional ben- m ission charge saved, bed charges saved ,
U.S. Special Operations result of the U.S. Army's demining pro- limb. Secondary benefits may include Ababa, Ethiopia, and As mara, Erirrea, efits that are directly due co demining blood saved (or cost of blood saved) and
Command gram in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This study land, farming and in frast ructure, which and shou ld be considered reliable. Th is include evacuarion of rhe wounded, sur- amputation costs saved. Some of those
will measure rhe social costs oflandmines are part of an economic/social benefit and study will recommend the demining pro- gical treatment, transfusion of blood, re- figures for the method were taken from
Based on B/C theo ry, an analysis using the B/C approach and the social which can be used as a result of demining. gram if there is a greater excess of benefits habilitarion (often including prosthetic the study dealing wi th Mozambique. 9
comparing the benefits co the costs of a over costs; and if rhe coral projected benefits limbs, which must be fitted indi vidually All of the benefits ofdemining, how-
program (benefits and costs received now Ethiopia are less than rhe total costs, the project will and must be replaced after some years). ever, cann ot be quanrified. 10 T he study
and later, quamifiable and non-quantifi- be deemed not worth underraking. 1 Severe disabili ty can lead, of course, to focused on only those benefits that can
---""'""'""
__. -- other incalculable costs. 6·7 Econom ic and
- · -~ balf11rt
ab le) can be determin ed to assist the be quantified , such as the benefits of
* N.t~c.Qit.l
Unite d States in co ntrollin g AP ,..,,_ Costs from AP social co nsequences of mines, wh ich also human life, the benefi ts obtained from
landmines through an America n- led
demining program. In this study, B/C
analys is is used as a cool to evaluate the
- - - -
Tt»d
La ndmines 2

Much of the costs from FY93-FY95

transla te ro secondary benefits, might
include farmland, firewood and d rinking
water that would have been inaccessible
using land that was once mined and the
future benefits from saving the lives of
farm animals. 11
issue of the relevancy of using Depart- were used for rhe ini tial start-up cost of because of the mines, as well as roads or In order ro calculate whether the
ment of Defense (DoD) dollars for a par- rhe demining infrastructure, which in- tracks that would be impassable because demining program will have net benefits
ticular kind of humanitarian assistance cluded renovating the demining head- of the landmines. over time, this study calculated present
program, demining AP landmines. quarters and the training fac ilities, etc. This st ud y use d data from values. Present value is a stream of ben-
There is an importallt U.S. interest These were the most significant costs at Anderson's study, which documenred the efits or costs expressed as the expected
co controllandmines, especially those rhar the start of the program. U .S. Army train- effecrs of landm ines on the health and value in each year, discounted by the in-
are imbedded in rhe land of countries that ers and liaison personnel were sent to the social con ditions of co mmunities in terest rare compounded over that time.
are of national and viral interest ro rh e HN in 1995 in order ro complete the 32,904 households with 174,489 people Non-comparable benefits and costs can
United States and irs allies. Reducing or stan-up phase and train rhe trainers. The living in communities of four affected be made comparable by expressing every-
elim inating these weapons may help to total number of mines eliminated is im- countries, including 37 in Afghanistan, thing in present value terms, wh ich could
stabilize an important area and region ponanr in respect to the fact that th ere 66 in Bosnia, 38 in Cambod ia and 65 in indicate benefits realized over a period of
inimical co U.S. interests. T he existence are m ines that could kill or injure if left Mozambique. Since Mozambique is simi- time. C osts, especially for the start-up
of landmines has led to economic and in place. The number of hectares (one lar to Ethiopia and Eritrea in many ways (i.e., bu ilding infrastructure), will be in-
pol itical calam ity and creates a greater hectare is equal to I 0,000 square meters (culturally, geographically, ere.), this dicated up-front, while som e costs, such
cha nce of them being used by a faction or 2.47 1 acres) and amount of roadway study used these findings as a surrogate as monitoring the demining progress, will
o r group aga inst innocent civilians or clea red indicares land char is now avail- market, as suggested by Gram lich,8 to be recurrent. In this case, the study rraced
even U .S. personnel. AP landmines may able for productive use. ex trapolate some of the possible costs out costs and benefits over rime (i.e., over
sustain a culture of conflict and violence. In sum, in Ethiopia, $6,089,000 saved for Ethi opia. Fo r example, this re- a 30-year period, or other projectio ns in
Therefore, it may be in the United States' (U.S .) was sp ent from FY93-FY97 ro search determined the costs of death and the future) and potential maxi mum ben-
interest w ul timately assist in eliminat- el iminate 325,625 m ines char could po- injury based on data from Ethiopia, us- efits.
ing these undiscriminating weapons, tentially have caused injuries or death. As ing th e following information from
which could be of direct benefit ro the a result of demining, over 7,391 hectares Mozambique: in Mozambi que, each blast Calculating Primary
United States and host nations (HNs). have been cleared and are available for killed 1.45 people and wounded 1.27 . Benefits of Demining
Data will be reviewed to calculate productive use, 285 kilometers of road Roughly 40 percent of blasts resul ted in

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 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Costs of lives saved is calculated us- as follows: about $20, and a unit of saline costs ap- each animal lost, is equal to $168,492 in sonable range over rime. The total cost discounr period or year. T he data and
ing $550 in Ethiopia and $660 in Eritrea, • Injuries prevented: In Ethiopia, 44 proximately $1.00. 14 animals saved by demining. Eritrea only of the program (FY93- FY97) is then sub- analysis indicates that demining is not an
the 1998 annual per capita income (per persons inju red divided by 1.27 from 35 • Amputation costs saved: Mine am- lost a reported total of six livestock due tracted from the total benefits in order appropriate B/C study for the United
capita used since all victims would in- blasts, wh ich yielded 44 injured (Ander- putees may require a total of320 units of ro landm ines in FY97. This amounts to to calculate rhe net benefits. These cal- States when only the quantifiable ben-
clude men, women and ch ildren), and son 1995). 12 Eritrea averaged 20 person- blood per 100 patients. 14 a value of $9 16 lost in that year. culations could also demonstrate the op- efits and costs are analyzed over 30 years.
multiplying by rhe average number of nel injured per year. • Rehabilitation costs saved: It costs T he total worth of the above primary tion of doing nothing. Sensitivity is the
lives saved per year as a result of th e • Transportation costs saved: Fees to approx imately $125 to replace one lim b. and secondary benefits over time was cal- change of assum ptions, such as the num - Summary and
demining program . Data in the last a hospital could range from $2.40 to The lower boundary fo r this study is the culated using percentages of discount ber of potential victims saved and the Implications
couple of years for Ethiopia indicate be- $4.80. 13 T his study used the lowest, con- income for men, women and children rates, calculating rhe net benefits for the ranges of plausible values. The Net Ben-
tween 60 and 120 Iives are lost due to servative number ($2.40). (per capita) for workers or no n-workers. present value (tracing our costs and ben- efits Spreadsheet for both Ethiopia and This swdy was only able to quantifY
the landmines per year. Approximately 76 • Admissio n charge saved: the ad- In regards to the wages of the Ethiopian efits over time) of the maximum benefits Eritrea (listed below) enabled this study selective primary and secondary benefits,
lives were lost in FY97; divided by 1.45 mission charge saved could range fro m demi ncrs, the wages are the same as they over I 0, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years at to find the range of reasonable values, and other benefits that are non-quantifi -
(52 blasts), this yielded 76 deaths. Sev- $2.40 to $16.00. 13 Again, this study used receive while serving in the Eth iop ian the discount rates of three percent (mini- co mparing the d iscou nt rates with the able were considered. Costs saved due to
enty-six lives saved multiplied by $550, the lowest co nservative number ($2.40). army. They cannot leave a job in the army mum rate), five percent and I 0 percent maximum benefits over the above years. eliminating deaths are what actually drive
would mean $4 1,800 saved in Ethiopia • Bed charges saved: Bed charges (flat si nce other jobs would be difficult to find. (maximum rate) . T he Net Benefit Spreadsh eet indi- the costs of the landm ines.
for one year. E ritrea lost an ave rage of 10 rate fee) saved has been approximated to l t does nor m atter how the individual The net benefi ts for each of the cates that shortfalls or costs are greater The data and analysis indicate that
civilians in FY97, 10 lives saved multi- be $.80.' 3 deminer values their life (utility). 15 above periods at each of the above dis- than the benefits and were almost exclu- demin ing is not an appropriate subject
plied by $660 yearly per capita inco me • Blood saved: Generally, for every count rates is composed of rhe addition sively and predictably evident through- for benefit and cost study. Although costs
equals $6,600 saved per year. 100 landmine patients, 120 units of Data Used to Calculate of primary and secondary benefits, which out the demining process evident in both have come early, which is typical for B/C
Calculati ons of other benefits were blood are required. A unit of blood costs Secondary Benefits of equals total benefits, and which is a rea- Ethiopia and Eritrea, regardless of the analysis, benefits only exceed costs in two
Demining situations. Using the present value meth-
Ethiopia Net Benefits Eritrea Net Benefits
ods of comparing future costs and ben-
(76 lives x $528 = $40,128 for FY97) (10 lives x $622 = $6,220 for FY97)
This study was able to quantifY the efits (p rimary and secondary) i.e., li ves
10Years 3% 5% 10% dollar value of cultivable land and acces- 10Years 3% 5% 10% and injuries of HN personnel indicates
Primary Benefits $348,547 $315,838 $252,517 sible grazing land, as well as the increase Prim ary Benefits $55,530 $50,460 $40,892 that benefits do not exceed costs in ei-
Secondary Benefits $2,213,981 $2,001,284 $1,108,542 of forestry as a result of land being Secondary Benefits $443,704 $401,499 $319,864 ther country regardless of the d iscount
Total Benefits $2,562,528 $2,317,122 $1,361,059 demined, usi ng gross domestic product Tota l Benefits $499,234 $451,959 $360,756 rare or years in operation (one to 30
Total Costs $6,089,000 $6,089,000 $6,089,000 figures for FY93 for commercial purposes Total Costs $6,005,000 $6,005,000 $6,005,000 years). Benefits do not exceed costs in
Net Benefits ($3,526,472) ($3,771,878) ($4,727,941) (agricultu re, grazing, forestry and fish ing), Net Benefits ($5,505, 766) ($5,553,041) ($5,644,244) Ethiopia and Eritrea at any point in this
using proj ected present value at FY97, study. In terms of benefits and costs, the
15Years and d ata of cleared land from FY97. 15 Years
U.S. demining program should nor ex-
Primary Benefits $485,314 $422,786 $311,258 Calculation of seco ndary benefits Primary Benefits $76,808 $67,040 $49,995 peer benefits to exceed costs within 30
Secondary Benefits $3,104,239 $2,686,354 $1,970,982 Secondary Benefits $621,401 $539,773 $395,943
were as follows: years. However, if human lives and qual-
Total Benefits $3,589,553 $3,109,140 $2,282,240 • Total area cleared: For one year in Total Benefits $698,209 $606,813 $445,938 ity of life are to be taken seriously, th is
Total Costs $6,089,000 $6,089,000 $6,089,000 Ethiopia, the to tal area cleared was 6,112 Total Costs $6,005,000 $6,005,000 $6,005,000 humanitarian benefit should be enough
Net Benefits ($2,499,447) ($2,979,860) ($3,806,760) hectares or 15,1 02 acres, and for Eritrea, Net Benefits ($5,306,791) ($5,398,187) ($5,559,062) for the United States to co ntribute a
26 1 hectares cleared or 645 acres. The demining program to these countries. In
20Years 20Years
value per acre of land in Ethiopia is $ 14, terms of these lives, something should be
Primary Benefits $603,697 $506,501 $347,809 whereas in Eritrea, which is th ree times
Prima ry Ben·efits $95,131 $80,015 $55,658 done in order to prevent the potential loss
Secondary Benefits $3,860,107 $3,226,555 $2,208,038 smaller and much more arid and dry, the Secondary Benefits $774,116 $648,058 $443,148 of life and limb. The fo llowing table lists
Total Benefits $4,463,804 $3,733,056 $2,555,847 value per acre is $93.40.
Total Benefits $869,247 $728,073 $498,806 the benefits and costs of the U.S./HN
Total Costs $6,089,000 $6,089,000 $6,089,000 • Increase C ulti vabl e Land: Of
Total Costs $6,005,000 $6,005,000 $6,005,000 demining program.
Net Benefits ($1,625,196) ($2,355,944) ($3,533,153) Ethiopia's to tal land, 12.7 percenr is used Net Benefits ($5,135,753) ($5,276,927) ($5,506,194) The non-quantifiable benefits fo r
for growing crops, and in Eritrea, only five the United States appear to vastly out-
25Years percent of the land is considered arable. 25Years
weigh the costs ($6 mi llion) of rhe
Primary Benefits $705,977 $572,082 $370,469 • Accessible Grazing Land: In Ethio- Primary Benefits $110,928 $88,842 $59,168 dem ining program. For the HN, quanti-
Secondary Benefits $4,512,122 $3,655,232 $2,362,155 pia, 40.8 percent of the total land is used Secondary Benefits $905,729 $733,018 $473,124 fiable and non-quantifiable benefits far
Total Benefits $5,218,099 $4,227,314 $2,732,624 for grazing, which also applies ro Eritrea.
Total Benefits $1,016,657 $821,860 $532,292 outweigh the costs, especially if one rakes
Total Costs $6,089,000 $6,089,000 $6,089,000 • Forestry/Wood Industry: Of Total Costs $6,005,000 $6,005,000 $6,005,000 into account the primary and secondary
Net Benefits ($870,901) ($1,861,686) ($3,356,376) Ethiopia's total land, 24.6 percent is used Net Benefits ($4,988,343) ($5,183,140) ($5,472, 708) benefits of Ethiopia.
as forest and woodland, whereas only five For a demining operation, one could
30Years 30Years
percent of Eritrea's land is used for these determine the winners and losers. Losers
Primary Benefits $793,972 $623,430 $384,536 Prima ry Benefits $124,566 $98,136 $61,347
purposes. of the progra m could include the Ame ri-
Secondary Benefits $5,082,090 $3,988,775 $2,444,820 • Livestock Saved: In Ethiopia, Secondary Benefits $1,019,568 $799,103 $490,898 can taxpayer, if one were to just count
Total Benefits $5,876,062 $4,612,205 $2,829,356 l ,478 animals were lost in FY97, which
Total Benefits $1,144,134 $897,239 $522,245 the U.S. quantifiable benefi ts. If one were
Total Costs $6,089,000 $6,089,000 $6,089,000 when multiplied by $1 14, the value fo r Total Costs $6,005,000 $6,005,000 $6,005,000 to rake into account the U.S. non-quan-
Net Benefits ($212,938) ($1,476,795) ($3,259,644) Net Benefits ($4,860,866) ($5,107,761) ($5,482,755)

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

droughts in the 1980s, Ethiopia in turn the most important secto r of rh e and other organizations. 17· 19 ln addition, than demin ing, their original intended ally been enhanced as a result of the nu-
tifiable benefits, the American taxpayer
voted for a critical American resolution eco nomy." 16 Agricultural development the United States has helped governments use; in addition , an American renovated merous deployments, wh ich have resulted
would be a winner (see above list). The
in the UN Security Cou ncil to support a has been potentially expanded to regions such as Ethiopia and Eritrea help them- headquarters in Ethiopia is being used as in less train ing for service p ersonnel.
United States may eventually be able to
military build-up after the invasion of that were demined. Mi ne incidents have selves by educating civilians on the dam - a military academy. Agriculture, grazing W inslo w Wheeler, a d efense a n alyst
gain many of these benefits whi le on ly
Kuwait by Iraq in 1990. i significantl y decreased with the local ages and locations of landm in es, and by and forestry developm ent may also be " ... found evidence of extremely serious
supporting the start-up of the program.
" Ethiop a's greatest potential to im- herdsmen and farmers, which has co n- prov iding badly needed humanitarian expanded as a result of demining for both Army-wide personnel a nd training prob-
One unforeseen benefit from Ameri-
prove t h ei r councry eco nomically is tributed to the successes of the nations as support to th ese wa r- torn countries. countries, although no data exists as to lems. The Senate Budget Committee ap-
can assistance to Ethiopia was support
through the promise of agricultural de- a result of the U.S. dem ining program T hese benefits are manifest, tangible, whether this land is being productively used. peared primed to join the critics of the
from the coumry at a crucial rime when
velopmem because of the fertile soil and accordin g to MSG Barthol om ew and q ua ntifiable achievements. If impl e- (3) Strength ening U.S. relat ions adm inistration who say the Pentagon robs
U.S. viral interests were at stake. After the
rainfall. It accounts for 47 percent of the MSG Johnson. 17 H owever, there is as yet mented , the primary and secondary ben- with these governmenrs at a critical rime readiness accounts to pay for peacekeep-
U nited States supported communis t
G ross D omestic Product (GOP) and Is no data to support th at assertion by these efits, as listed in this article, can make a in wh ich rhe governments are engaged in ing operations. An internal report by the
Eth iopi a during t he i r devastating
two individuals who played a large part real difference in the lives of the com- nation -b uilding. There is no way of panel's senior defense analyst has concluded
Benefits and Casts of U.S. Demlnlng Programs In Ethiopia and Eritrea in setting up the demining program in mon people of Ethiopia. knowing whether rhe access and trust that Army readiness at irs tvvo major stare-
U.S. QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS U.S. QUANTIFIABLE COSTS both cou ntries. (2) Promoting stabili ty by enabl ing gained from the demining programs di- side combat training centers is inadequa te
None None Other benefits, in terms of the U.S. countries to better solve their problems, rectly produced confli ct resolution in the and could become even worse .... "27
U.S. NON-QUANTIFIABLE COSTS demining programs' original goals and rebuild their eco nomies and build pub- case of Ethiopia and Eritrea during their This study has found that th is may
U.S. NON-QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS
Creating intangible moral, humanitarian benefits Threatens readiness for some troops objectives a re listed below. 18 lic co nfidence in th eir governments by recent war. Although the U.S. govern- be true for peacekeeping operations, bur
Promote regional and country stability in HN (1) Enabling the U nited States to mee ting th e n eed s of th e peopl e. ment was unable to stop both sides fro m not for the humanitarian demining op-
Creates friendly countries amicable to U.S. interests
make a tangible diffe re nce to people D emining programs do not produce a fighting o ne another in the early part of erations, which consist of Special Opera-
HN more supportive to U.S. interests
Strengthens relations with HN struggling to rebuild their lives after long panacea. Today, Ethiopia appears to be rhe conflict, it did help to persuade both tion Forces (SOF). lnitially, U.S. Special
Attainment of U.S. foreign policy objectives years of war: The DoD has provided U.S. stable within its own borders, but the U.S. sides to negoti ate an end to the conflict Operation soldie rs 28 gained access and ex-
Access to foreign bases and transport facilities
trainers who have train ed the Ethiopians demining program has not directly pro- in June of 2000. Such international or- perience, but th is was generally during
Provide example of how military con promote good
Provides military access to DoD and Eritreans in demining, public aware- duced stabi li ty betwee n Ethiopia and ganizations as rh e European Union and the period of building its demining in-
Provides political access to DOS ness and historical research. Since 1993, Eri trea in terms of preventi ng these coun- the Organization of African Uni ty as well frastructure, while training the Ethiopian
Creates intelligence gathering tries from fighting one a nother. From as UN Secretary Kofi An nan appear to soldi ers how to train their own person-
Provides Commanders-in-chief with peace-time means rhe U.S. demining program has produced
of achieving goals more tangible be nefits in Ethiopia than May 1998 to June 2000, fighting broke have had litrle influence in the recent nel. Since then, only a few liaison offic-
Provide training benefit to Special Operations Forces in Eritrea, i. e., 325,625 mines eliminated out along a disputed border area of these confli cr. 25 A question re mains as to the ers have gained rhat experience. SOF sol-
Increases morale among U.S. troops
and 15, I 02 acres cleared in Ethiopia ver- two countries. T he Un ited Stares esti - degree ofAmerica n influence with Ethio- diers have continued ro train in-country,
Provides humanitarian support to war-torn HN
Benefits U.S. demining companies sus 4,750 mines destroyed and 645 acres mated that between 50,000 and I 00,000 pia and Eritrea. but on other soldier tasks (i.e., in fant ry
Boosts mine clearing U.S. technologies cleared in Eritrea. In Ethiopia, 285 road- soldiers died, with both countries using (4) Providing a valuable example ro skills) as well. A demining program could
Enhanced public relations with international community
ways have b een cleared, versus 35 in valuable reso urces to buy mili tary hard- these countries of how a military can pro- o nly co nsist of a few months, deployment
Enhanced foreign policy in public relations and good will
Access to regional transportation Eritrea. U.S. trainers also provided hu- wa re to fight each other. 20 mote the public good rather than just for these el ite personnel, who would train
Agriculture benefits (importation of HN goods) manitarian donations in veh icles (more Some othe r potential benefits that wage war and oppress peopl e. As men- the host nationals.
HN QUANTIFIABLE COSTS than I 20) for both countri es and medi- have been lauded have been regional sta- tioned above, the demining program is (6) Gene rall y increas in g morale
HN QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS
Ethiopia: 292,791 landmines destroyed Data not available cal aid packages (medical, equipment-re- bility, promotion of de mocracy and eco- promoting publi c good and has shown among U.S. troops while enabl ing them
Eritrea: 2,852 londmines destroyed lated and ambulatory). They also assisted nomic development. 2 1 Wi th rhe fighting its citizens that rhe military can be used to engage in acti vities wirh measurable
For both Ethiopia/ Eritrea: 500,000 potential lives saved
in creating a demin ing infrastructure by occ urring in the Horn of Africa between fo r other purposes than oppressing irs benefi ts that are greatly appreciated by
76 lives saved per year for Ethiopia
10 lives saved for Eritrea supporting the construction and renova- Ethiopia and Eritrea, regional stability has own people, although some of the re- the host population. Morale among U.S.
44 injuries saved per year in Ethiopia tion of 1 I facili ties. The United States not been a be nefi t, although demining sou rces, as noted ea rlier in this article, troops has nor been surveyed.
20 injuries saved for Eritrea
has helped to conduct emergency medi- has helped to li mit the accessibi lity of have been used for other purposes. Some
1,478 livestock saved per year for Ethiopia
6 for Eritrea cal care in hospitals and implemen ted m ines that were destroyed to rhese co un- critics are also alarmed that foreign gov- Conclusion
For both Ethiopia/ Eritreo: 11 facilities constructed new surgical techniq ues fo r injuries as a tries' arsenals . .In regards to promoting ernme nts, such as the United States, do-
and renovated120 vehicles for demining
result of landmin es, in addition to sup- democracy, Ethiopian citizens have been nate hundreds of millions of dollars in In sum, there is normally a lack of
15,102 acres cleared for Ethiopia
645 acres cleared in Eritrea pl ying mine detection d evices, publi c repressed , a nd some have actually been aid, despite mounting allegations of hu- competitio n for a pub Iic good, especially
282 km of infrastructure cleared in Ethiopia awareness training, hisrorical research and to rtured after being arrested. 15· 22 H ow- man rights violations. 26 a purely public good, such as a demining
35 cleared in Eritrea ever, som e inroads have been made to- (5) Providing an invaluable training program. Co mpetition is necessary to
97 Trainers trained in demining, public awareness, and demining training. U .S. demining may
historical research, and 356 HN personnel trained also help to redistribute some wealth from ward democracy. W hen Ethiop ia claimed benefi t to U.S. troops, giving them ex- prevent market failure (and non -marker
$12,000 influx of U.S. dollars in local economy the United States ro the Eth iopian gov- victory in May of2000, it came ahead of perience in relating to d iverse cul tures, failure). Sus t a in ed co mp etitio n in
HN NON-QUANTIFIABLE COSTS e rnm ent. For example, some costs have general elections scheduled on May 14 , organ izing prog rams in sparse, fore ign deminin g operations from the ini ti al
HN NON-QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS
Contribute toward stabilization in HN Potential loss of sovereignty been inflated for some services to get on ly the second general election in rhe environments and honing foreign lan- implementation by the United Stares ro
Coordination for donations provided by Ethiopian participation, such as the costs country's history. An esti mated 20 mil- guage ski lls. Readiness is supposed to be the sustainment by UN fo rces and
other countries and U.S. organizations
Active employment of soldiers for peaceful means of contracting the transportation for the lio n registered voters chose me mbers of e nhanced with uni ts and personnel exer- NGOs , with co operation from HN
Assistance with infrastructure development demin in g eq uipment, wh ich totaled the 548-seat federal parliament, nine re- cisi ng joinr a nd inrer-service operations, demining programs should produce th is
Increase of prestige and security from U.S. alliances $ 12,000. The U.S. government has also gional assemblies, and rwo citycouncils. 2.l· 24 and critical wartime skills are practiced. essential public good of demining. The
Potential increases the rote of repatriation of refugees
Reduce unemployment increases (costs) led support including coordination for T his study has shown that Ethiopia However, some of the military ch iefs have long term winners from demining operations
Donations of medical aid packages donations provided by other cou ntries has misused vehicles for purposes other questioned whether readiness has actu- are the H N people and their government;

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 54 • • 55 • 29

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

the short-term losers are those who fund II . Data is taken from fou r differenr sources: 23. Associated Press. 2000. "Ethiopia Claims

the program, especially paying ou r the

capital expenses, i.e., American taxpayers.
The demining headqu arters in the I-IN,
pian Ministry of Defense, DoD Humanitarian
a Victory

Demining and Special Operations Command Cen-

th e Erhio- in Erirrean War."Washingron Post(l4 May).
24 . Amy Aleum. a recent emigree to rhe
United Stares from Eth iopia, claims that "The cur-
The U.S. Humanitarian
But rhe Un ited Stares will also benefi r in
rhe longterm as the projected non-quan-
tifiable benefi ts indicate. •
tral, MacDill Air f'orce Base, Tampa, Florida.
12. H idden Killers (1994) states that
Erh iopia's 500,000 land mines are causin g between
rem governmen t p retends to be democratic. It has
kept the offtcials from the Mengitsu govern ment
in jail, and it wants people 10 believe it is becoming
Demining Research and
Endnotes
five an d I 0 casualries per week or 60,120 per year.
The dara from FY97 falls within this range.
13. Robcrrs, Shawn, and J ody Williams.
1995. After th e Guns Fall Silent: T he Enduring
more democratic" (Aiemu 1999).
25. Vick, Karl. 1999. "Old Tactics. New
Arms, Lethal Result." Washington Posr (21 March ).
26. The cu rrent Mcles regime is alleged to
Development Program
I. Q uade, E.S . 1989. Analysis for Public De- Legacy of Lan dmin es. Washington, D.C.: Vietnam have comm itted many human rights violations since cially available items for detection and
it rook power in 1991. The government has arrested The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (R&D) Program
cisions. 3o1 Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Vetera ns of America Fou ndarions.
clearance, which are rhen sorted and stored
2. The ICR darabase cur rently inclu des AP 14. International Committee of the Red thousands of critics an d opponents. It has detained rapidly develops, evaluates and demonstrates equipment for humanitarian
Cross. 1995. "Landrnines Must Be Stopped- The more journalists in the past th ree years than any in fu lly searchable databases. The data-
victims from some of the provinces and regions o f demi ning, hoping to improve the overall safety of the individual deminer
Cambodia, Afghanistan, South Sud an, Angola, Wo rldwide Epidemic ofLandmine Injuries" (Sep- other African govern ment. Two years ago, the In- bases are updated and maintained on the
and t he efficiency of humanitarian demining operations worldwide. By
malia,
So Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda, Lebanon, tember). Washington, D.C. ternational Committee of the Red Cross estimated Internet, and th ey serve as the basis fo r
15. Alernu, Amy. 1999. Telephone interview, that I 0,000 Ethiopians were in prison for political colla borating with a number of different members of the humanitarian
north ern Iraq, Yemen and Burundi. Demographic identifYing available eq uipment rhat may
dara was not broken down by rh ese countries, nor Dallas, Texas (January). or national security reasons (Buckley 1998). demining community, the R&D Program strives to cater to the needs of those
16. U.S. Department ofSrare (DOS). 1995. 27. Weible, Jack. 1998. "Congress to consider be suitable for Humanitarian Demining.
would t he International Red Cross in Geneva re- in the field and effectively fill any tech nology gaps as quickly as possible.
lease the data for this study. "Soldier Guid e for Ethiopia and Erirrea" (Febru- whether Pentagon robs military readiness ro pay for 0
Developmental rests are conducted
3. During the early 1990s. Eritrea had imple- ary). Washington, D .C. peacekeeping efforts." Army Times ( 12 Janu ary). at FortAP Hill, which has the ranges ro sup-
17. Bartholomew, Robert, and John Johnson. 28. Special Operations inclu de soldiers who
mented its own dcmining program, which elimi-
1997. Personal interview, Special Operations Com- serve in Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological
by Nicole Kreger, MAIC ing, marking, mapping and neu tralizing port live and inert mine testing. From these
nated rhousands of mines at a sreep cosr of demi ners.
mand, MacDill Ai r Force Base, Tampa, Fla. (Sep- Operations and other branches involving logistics. mines, p rotecting deminers, clearing veg- rests, changes are recommended and imple-
The precise figures of num ber of mines and inju-
ries and deaths of dcminers were not available ro tember). Introduction etation and promoting m ine awareness. mented, after which the tools are retested.
this study. 18. Report to Congress on lmplemeruation References T he most successful of these have been 0
In-co untry fie ld-testing is per-
of Sec. 306 of rhe Narional Defense Authorization
4 . An official with DoD 's Humanitarian
Acr for FY94.
History deployed in nations all over th e world to fo rmed and suppon traini ng is conducted
Demining believes that paymen ts made by the HN 's I. Buckely, Stephen. 1998. "Ethiopia: A
19. T he U.S . Army has discovered in 1996 The U.S. H u manitarian Demin ing undergo field resting. for indigenous personnel wirh multi-l in -
Ministry of Defense ro their d emincrs arc most Rights Violator' Foes Say Foreign Aid Props Up
likely t he same fee as other mil ita r ry pe sonnel that Eth iopia had misspent some of irs dcmining System of W idespread Abuses." Washingmn Post, R&D P rogram was conceived in late The DoD Humanitarian Demining gual multimedia on equipment operation.
d ley (Du 1998). resources, i.e., turned rhe Demining Headquarters (I 3 April) . 1992 and early 1993, when the D irector R&D Program is parr of the Nigh t Vi- T he real driving fo rce behind the
into a military acad emy and used vehicles inrended 2. Dudley, Mike, I 998. Telephone interview,
5. Primary benefits will include savings on for Acquisitio n in the Office of the As- sion and Electronic Sensors D irectorate R&D Program is its Annual Requi re-
deaths and injuries of HN individuals. for dernining for other mil itary purposes. Department of Defense, Wash ington, D.C., (20
20. The Wash ingron Post rep orted that both sistant Secretary of Defense (OASD) for (NVESD) at Fort Belvoi r, Vi rginia. The ments Worksh op, held in no rthern Vir-
6. Vict ims of AP mi nes who survive inju ry November).
andy rrcarmcm arc usu all left with severe disabiliry, countries have misspen t their resources acquiring 3. Internet on Ethiopia, 1998. Special Operations and Low-Inrensity Program strives "to provide suitable tech- gin ia. Demi ners from non-governmen-
which can le.td to unemployment, divorce, poor modern military hardware (\VP 1999). It has been 4. U.S. AT my Central Command. 1998. Data Conflict (SO/UC) deve loped several nology to derect and clear all landm ines, tal organizations (NGOs) and Mine Ac-
prospects for marriage and being ostracized. All such reported that t he Ethiopian and Eritrean govern- fro m Er itrea's Min istry of Defense (March). concept proposals fo r a rapid-prototype improve operato r safety, and provide spe- tion Centers (MACs) attend this event
situ ations have been witnessed but have not b een ments have purchased from the Ru ssian governmem Demini ng Center, Asmara, Eritrea.
high-tech Sukhoi-27s along with package deals that program. The Undersecretaries of Policy cial small and handheld tools for opera- to give an update on their programs' tech-
quantified (Coupland 1995). 5. U.S. Army Central Command. 1998. Data
7 . Cou pland, R.M. 1996. "The Effects of included mechanics, rra iners a nd perhaps even pi- from Eritrea's Ministry of Defense (March). and Acquisition supported the proposal, tors."1 According to a video on the nology requirements. This is the best way
Weapons: Surgical Challenge and Medical Dilemma." lots (US News and World Report 1999).
Demining Center, Addis Ababa, Erhiopia. considering it a logical and necessary program's website, "The Humanitarian for the R&D Program to get feedback
2 1. Since taking power rhe new governm ent
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. technology in itia tive to be part of SO/ Demining R&D Program focuses on the on cu rrent projects and ideas for the fu-
8. Gramlich, Edward M. 1990. A Guide to has revived the economy of this East African na-
tion of 60 mill ion people, most of wh om make Biographical Information LIC's rasks in the low-intensity and peace- testing, demonstratio n and validation of ture. It also gives dem iners from all over
Benefit-Cost Analysis. 2 "J Ed., Englewood Cliffs,
N.J .: Prentice Hall. about twen ty-fi ve cents a day. Eth iopia has enjoyed rime engagement arena. When the Assis- various eq uipmenrs suitable for immedi- rhe wo rld an opportunity to interact and
9. Quade, Gramlich, ere., have emphasized five to seven percent economic growth rates since Major Michael F. Litzelman is currently a tant Secretary of Defense (ASD) SO/U C ate use in various international hu man i- d iscuss their successes and lessons learned
the early 1990s. The government has privatized 190
in their respective books that benefi ts may be very Civil A flairs Operations Officer, Special Operatio
ns requested support, fund ing was identi- tarian demining m ission environ ments." 2 with one another. In-co un try assess-
difficult ro qu anrifY hut rhar analysts should quan- srare-ru n enterprises. Private investment has tripled Command, Korea. Dr. Lirzelman received his Ph.D.
since 1994, and 120 American investors now do fied in the Defense Advanced Research ments-also known as operational fiel d
tifY what they can. in Public Policy from George Mason University in
I 0. Some anecdotal benefits cannot be quan- business. 2001. Projects Agency and was scheduled to How the Program Works evaluations-are another key ro raring the
tified bur are significant. For example, in Ethiopia, 22. Buckley states that opposition leader Dr. Wayn e Perry is currently a Professor of begin in Fiscal Year (FY) 1996. Decid ing T he program operates on a multi- needs of specific demining operations. A
Ken gaymach Behele believes rhar any assistance Public Policy at George Mason University's School
landmines killed a CARE employee in the early rhar there was a more immediate need year investment strategy as follows: team of rhe R&D Program's engineers
given to the present government is wrong. Beyene of Public Policy and was the Chairman of Dr.
1990s, preventin g rhe CARE staff from undertak- for the program, Congress provided ad- o An nual requ irements workshops perform the assessments, after which rhe
Petros, a prominenr opposition polirician, argues Litzelman's Ph.D. committee.
ing further relief and devclopmenr work. "At vari- involving people from affected coumries
the regime allows just enough freedom ro keep dit io n al fu n ds to the U .S. Army's host nation submits a fo rmal request fo r
ous rimes, particularly in 1991 and 1992, we had
major donors quiet. Some critics have become C ountermine Program to fu nd hu ma ni- are used to identifY system requi remems. specific tools.
to suspend major parts of rhe program for varying
alarmed that foreign governments shower Ethiopia Contact Information
lengths of time b ec.ouse of mines or th reats of mines tarian demining fo r FY 1995. Congress o Data analyses and assessments deter- The R&D Program interacts with
ann u ally with hund reds of millions of dollars in
on rhe main roads and secondary roads leading ro has conti nued to support the R&D Program. m ine rhe system requiremems in rwo ways: private industry, academia, other U.S .
our project areas" (Internet on Eth iopia, 1998).
aid, even though there arc mounting allegations of Michael F. Litzel m an
human rights violarions (Buckley 1998). Since the p rogram's beginnings, the I . Determining rhe performance ca- and foreign government laboratories and
970 I New England Woods Court
Department of Defense (DoD) has been pabi lities of commercially available metal Army in-house laboratories and work-
Bu rke, VA 22015
researching cost-effective tech nologies for detectors to identifY AP mines in countries shops in a slew of countries in order to
E-mail: m litzelm@hotmail. com
the demining com m un ity. Since then , where a significant number of mine-related identifY emerging technologies that may
sign ificant p rogress has been made in 111Juries are occurring. be suitable for humanitarian demin ing
developing and im proving tools and tech- 2. ldemifYing where technology voids missions. O nce a new rool or technology
nologies fo r humanitarian de m ining. exist. has been successfi.tlly analyzed, it is deployed
These devices assist in clearing, detect- o Marker surveys identifY commer- to dem in ing organizations worldwide so

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 56 •
• 57 • 30
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

of the countries burdened by mines. performance of the company's full-size mine awareness training and mine risk • The Mine Clearing
that it can be extensively tested in opera- Cultivator is a
The tools and technologies devel- AN- 19 handheld metal detector. Now education." To fulfill this mission, the Hu-
tional field evaluations. These evaluations vegetation clearance/
oped by the Humanitarian Demining part of Schiebel's product line, the MMD manitarian Dem ining R&D Program has mine removal
require coo rdi nation with host nation
R&D Program fall into one of the fol- has been deployed in three countries to developed a number of informational aids. machine that is
demining officials, demining NGOs, and
lowing categories: mine detection, mine undergo operational field evaluations. One of the most significant of these aids remotely controlled
U.S. State Department and DoD officials as well. This tool has
awareness and training, mine/vegetation is the Demining Support System (DSS).
within the cou ntry in wh ich fie ld evalu- been one of the R&D
clearance and neutralization, and deminer Camcopter The DSS includes five fundamental train- Program's most
ations are to take p lace. So Far, over 40
tools and individual protection. This ar- The Camcopter, another product ing modules, specifically mine awareness, successful
prototype technologies for demining have
ticle touches on some of the major de- made by Schiebel, is a small radio-con- demining training, medical training, mis- developments so far.
been developed by the R&D Program;
velopmen ts in each area as wel l as some trolled helicopter that can detect mines sion planning and landmine database.
18 of them have been sent to nearly 30
ofthe future prospects ofthe R&D Program. over a large area in comparison with stan-
countries for operational field evaluations.
dard handheld detectors. It can be used Mine Awareness Materials
Funding for the program is provided
Mine Detection to detect, identify, map and mark mines The R&D Program's mine awareness t-• llililll
by ASD SO/LIC, who also offers direc-
and minefields, and it is operated either materials include graphics for posters and
tion and oversight. The Army's Humani-
manually or automat ica lly if pro- han douts, a debriefing guide for
• The remotely grammed. In several tests at Fort Belvoi r, demining teams to use when a landmine
controlled
the Camcopter demonstrated the ability incident occurs, and a database oflandmine
Camcopter is
a fully to detect both AT and AP mines, using information. The posters are mostly • Constructing a Non-Electric (HDO) Training Aid Device
autonomous lR sensors and an on-board global posi- aimed at children, who are very suscep- !nictating Assembly and Substitute Sum mary
tool used to tioning system (GPS). It is capable of tible to severe mine injuries because of • Priming Explosives Non-electrically • HDO Program of Instruction
detect,
reaching speeds of up to 90km/hr and their height and their natural curiosity. • Priming Explosives with Detonating Summary
identify, map
and mark altitudes of 2000 m. An evaluation is The debriefing guide gives an overview Cord • Medical Information Collection Form
landmines currently underway by the U.S. Joint on how to treat a landmine survivor so • Constructing a Ring Main • Mission Concept Brief Format
while Area C learance Advanced Concept Tech- that he or she can overcome the psycho- • Radio Procedures • Policy: The DoD Humanitarian
allowing the
nology Demonstration (JAC-ACTD) ro logical trauma of the event. The landmine Information on each of these lessons Demining Program
operator to
be a safe determine the Camcopter's potential to database is an on line searchable database ca n be downloaded from the R&D • Pre-mission Checklist
distance from detect mines along routes. that allows the user to identify a mine Program's website (see contact informa- • Route Reconnaissance Report Format
the minefield. using several factors, such as size, shape, tion below). and Procedures
The Future ofDetection material and manufacturing location. All • Trip Report Format
For the past few years, R&D effons of these tools are avai lable online at the Medical Training Module • Unit Status Report
in the realm of mine detection have fo- R&D Program's website (see contact in- The following six procedures are Information on each of these topics
cused on honing the skills of fi nding and formation below). covered in the medical training module: is available for down loading from the
identifying mines. Additionally, the Pro- • Bleeding and Shock R&D Program's website (see contact in-
gram has been looking for ways to de- Demining Training Materials • Environment Assessment formation below).
crease the amount of false alarms in de- T here are 19 lessons covered in the • Instructor's Guide for Leg Injury
tectio n. Examp les of cu rrent R &D demining training module. The lessons Treatment Program Landmine Database
projects in detection are different forms include the following topics: • Instructor's Guide to Buddy Aid: The landmine database module is
of GPR, lR and technologies to detect • Demining Training Objectives Training Program for Treating called MineFacts and can be used as a ref-
tarian Demining R&D Program Office The process of detecting mines is
explosive vapors. • Identifying Likely Mined Areas Arm, Eye and Face Injuries erence tool. Many users find it helpful in
at comunications and electronics com- vital to demining yet presents a number
• Locating Tripwires • Introduction to Planning Module identifYing types of mines and in provid-
mand (CECOM) NVESD carries out the of challenges. The most prominenr diffi-
culties are detecting mines with low metal Mine Awareness and • Marking Mines and Tripwires • Medical Trauma Kit: Airway ing training materials to demining newcom-
program with a program manager, two
conrent and distinguishing mines from Training • Assembling the Mine Detector There are also 27 more detailed les- ers. It includes text and images to assist
deputies and a staff of approximately 20, • Identifying Mines in Bosnia sons in emergency medical procedures
scrap metal. ln order to address these is- the user in identifYing and understanding
which consists of government engineers, Mine awareness and traini ng are • Visually Detecting Mines in Likely available from the Combat Lifesaver
sues, the R&D Program has assessed sev- items in the database. More information
logistics specialists and contractor support important aspects of mine action because Areas Courses. All of this information is avail-
eral prototypes using technologies rang- is available on the R&D Program's website
personnel. This ream has a broad range they have a direct effect on the civilian • Locating Mines by Probing able on the R&D Program's website (see (see contact information below).
ofskills, including extens ive backgrounds ing from Ground Penetrating Radar
populations of mine-affected countries. • Unpacking the Mine Detector contact information below).
in counrermine technology development, (G PR) to the use of dogs to infrared (IR)
and ultraviolet sensors. Two ofthe program's T he human itarian demining R&D Pro- • Locating Mines Using the Mine Mine/Vegetation
acquisition and contract management. As Mission Planning Module
most successful developments are the M ini gram is dedicated to improving the qual- Detector Clearance and
Sean Burke, Program Manager of the
Mine Detector (MMD) and the Camcopter. ity of mine awareness programs and • Marking, Recording and Reporting The following 12 procedures are Neutralization
Humanitarian Demining R&D Program, deminer trai ning courses. Their mission Minefields covered in the Mission Planning train-
put it, "All of the team members ... know For mine awareness and training is as fol- • Directing a Demining Team ing m odule:
Mini Mine Detector The Humanitarian Demining R&D
the mine problem inside and ou r.".lEx- lows: "The Humanitarian Demi ni ng • Demolition Safety • After Action Report Format
The MMD is a version of the tradi- Program's biggest successes have been in
tensive travel to mine-affected areas of the R&D Program is comm itted to continue • Using and Maintaining Demolition • Demining Status Reporr
tional metal detector rhar is small enough the area of mine/vegetation clearance and
globe is another must for all staff mem- working on information aids and tech- Equipment • DeminingTeam
to be fitted onto a belt-mounred pouch. neutralization. Of the Program's recent
bers. This enables them to demonstrate nologies that support demining missions, • Identifying UXO • Humanitarian Demining Operation
It is made by Schiebel and marches the technological developments, three vegeta-
the latest technologies to native cit izens

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 58 • • 59 • 31

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

rion clearance systems have been highly neu tralizes A P and AT mines as well as Aame from the Aare penetrates the cas- gram invo lves developing tools that im- (PPE) for the humanitarian demining Conclusion
successful: the Survivable Demining T rae- any orher objects in irs path. Irs protec- ing of the mine o r UXO and ignites the prove rhe efficiency of demining opera- world. It also allows more valuable rests
tor and Tools (S DTT), th e Mine C lear- tive sh ields on the d river cabin and other main cha rge. The mine does not deto- tions. In terms of protective equipment, for predicting how PPE items will work Building on past successes and al-
ing Cultivator (MCC) with the Sifter and sensitive components allow ir to survive nate; instead it burns. Even if the mine visors, boors, vests a nd other gear for in certain mine incidents. ways expanding their repertoire, the U.S.
the Rhino Earth Tiller. Two neutraliza- the blasts ofborh AT and AP mines while detonates before all of the explos ive has deminers a re created as well. The AIR- Humanitarian Demining R&D Program
tion products have Aourished as well. suffering linle damage. The Rhino can burned , the explosion is signi ficantly re- SPADE is an examp le of a rool for Lessons Learned is paving the way for improved humani-
accomplish irs goals of m ine neutral iza- duced. Both the T hiokol Dem in ing Flares deminers developed by the Program, tarian dem ining tools and technologies.
Suroivable Demining Tractor & Tools tion and destruction in varied terrains, and LEXFOAM have been deployed in the while the Lower Extrem ity Assessmem Mr. Burke spoke of some of the les- Mr. Burke poinrs out that the Program's
The SDTT is a modified version of including those wi th vegetation. Croatia, field, most recently in Kosovo. Program (LEAP) was a program to im- sons learned by members of the program. work is never done: " .. . what if there is
a co mmercial farm tractor. An assortment South Korea and Cambodia currently use prove individual deminer protection. He said that one of the most important something our there we have not uncov-
of specialized vegetation clearance tools the Rhino, and it has just successfu lly Future Plans in Mine/Vegetation lessons was "the importance of ta lking ered? In add ition to someone's new idea
can be incorporated into the system for completed operational field evaluations Clearance & Neutralization AIR-SPADE d irectly with deminers to full y under- or ex isting technology that is sent into
use in a range ofhumanirarian demining in Jordan and Israel. It is also being con- T he Program is currently working The AlR-SPADE is a tool that al- stand their capabilities, their environmen- our program for consideration or evalua-
simarions. The system is armored and has side red for use in Azerbaijan. on several projects to improve this aspect lows a deminer to excavate A P and AT tal constraints and most importantly, tion, we are always actively looking for
mine-survivable steel wheels that ca n of their efforts, especially in vegetat ion mines in ha rd soil conditions with in- their immediate technology needs." 3 The possible solutions in areas not trad ition-
withstand AT mine blasts; however, it is Neutralization Products clea rance. The challenge in clearing veg- creased safety. The system integrates a Requ irements Workshops have been in- ally linked to counrermine."3 The Pro-
specifically intended for use in areas with The two successful neutralization etation is to create a device that has a high commercial off-the-shelf air compressor, strumenral in doing this by helping the gram staff must be ever-vigilant in order
AP mines, since it can endure A P min e products that have come out of the R&D performance level but comes in a more a gasoline or diesel power engine, and a Program "focus on [deminers'] most im- ro ensure that the humanitarian demin ing
explosio ns with no damage to the system Program are LEXFOAM and the T hiokol compact package than current machines. specially designed air nozzle rhat creates mediate and significant needs." community is getting state-of-the-art
or its operator. In 2000, the SDTT under- D emining Flare. LEX.FOAM is a nitro- An up-and-coming tool in this field is the a focused jet of air that Aows at a super- Mr. Burke also menrioned rhar pre- equipment that will increase the speed
went an operational field evaluation in me thane-based explosive fo am rhar is UK Development Technology Workshop's sonic velocity. It separates and removes deployment visits are viral requirements and efficiency of eradicating the world's
Cambodia, which was highly successful. used to neutralize m ines a nd so me types (DTW's) Tempest. The Tempest is a small the hard-packed soil or clay from around to operational field evaluations. Before landmine problem. •
Following the system's success in Cambo- ofUXO. T he explosive is activated when remote control vegetation clearance tool/ a mine faster than existing digging tech- the Program will deploy p rototype tools,
dia, neighboring Thailand made a formal iris mixed with a liquid propella nt; how- mine Aail. The tool has been undergoing ni ques. The air jet will not detonate the these visits must be conducted to verify References
request for a similar operational evalua- ever, each of irs co mponents are ind ividu- operati onal fie ld eva luations in Cam bo- mi nes because it does nor exert enough that the most appropriate equ ipment is
tion . The system now supports the efforts of ally classified as either inert or C lass Two d ia and Thailand and will be modified and pressure to do so. Operational field evalu- being sent to the country requesting ir. I. The Dcmining Support System: Worldwide .
An~lysis and Assessmem World Wide Web: http://
the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC). Aammable liquids. Thus, thei r transpor- res red agai n early next year. ations have been conducted in Afgh ani- If rhe technology requested is deemed
www.humanitariandemin ing.org/pubs/dssreporr.pdf
tation is much easier and safer than that stan and Cambodia, and the AIR-SPADE inappropriate for that location after the 2. Technologies to Assist with the Global Demining
Mine Clearing Cultivator of C lass On e ex plosives. Deminer Tools and is used to support mine clearance opera- pre-deployment visit, the Program sug- Effort. 19 99. Online video : htrp: /1
The MCC is designed to expose and The T hiokol D e mining Flare is a Individual Protection tions in Angola and Ecuador. gests other possibilities until a sarisfac- www.humanitariandcmining.org/newvideo.hnn
rory arrangemenr is made. 3. E-mail interview wid> Mr. Sean Burke. june 28,2002.
remove AT mines and large bounding AP p y rotechni c device used to defuse
mines from the ground in both urban and landmines without explosives. After a Because manual demining is sti ll the Lower Extremity Assessment Program Another essential lesson learned at 'All piJoros courresy ofHumanitarian Demining R&D
rural loca tions. While removi ng mines mine has been detec ted and partially un- most widely used mine clearance method, LEAP was a joint p rogra m iniriared the R&D Program is "ro st ick with those Program.
from rhe soil, it also avo ids creati ng a covered, a Aare is placed near it and trig- improved tools and deminer safety are in 1998. The program's purpose was to technologies showing promise that have
co ntamin ated berm a nd all ows th e gered from a safe dista nce. The intense important considerations. The R&D Pro- assess the effectiveness of various types of high potent ial payoff down the road. " Contact Information
ground to be used for agricultural protective footwear against several differ- While projects may at first seem costly
purposes, someth ing that is often nor ent AP mines. Using cadaver legs, the with no immediate rewards, they often Sean Burke, Program Manager
• Developing Personal
possible after demining operations. strain exe rted o n a deminer's leg from a have benefits that can only be gained from Humanitarian D emini ng R&D Program Protective
The system utilizes remote controls mine detonatio n was studied. Also, the long-term investmen t. Mr. Burke cired US Army CECOM NVE SD Equipment (PPE) is
to decrease rhe amount of training study was designed to observe injury par- the MCC and the Floating Mine Blade ATTN AMSEL-RD-NV-CM-HD (S. Bwke) important since
terns and medical outcomes to determin e (FMB) as two examples, stating that af- 10221 Burbeck Rd, Su ire 430 manua l dem ining is
necessary and increase the safety of
still the most widely
the operator. An operational field rest the development of inju ry cri teria. This ter a few years of research and modifica- Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5806 used clearance
of the MCC was conduc ted in Egypt program determ ined that the U.S. Army tions, "these designs have matured into Tel: (703) 704- I 047 method.Testing
in 2000. At presenr, it is being pre- Blast Boor and the U.S. Army Blast Over- robust m ine clearance systems."·1 Fax: (703) 704-2500 done by the R&D
shoe were the best combination to reduce Lastly, Mr. Burke comments that E-mail: sean.bu [email protected] program has
pared fo r deployment in Ango la.
allowed for more
lower leg amputations and decrease the "the oldest lesson learned is to recognize Website: http:/ /www.humanirarian- effective PPE to be
Rhino Earth Tiller chance of infection. when it is time to stop or eliminate a dem ining.org/R_D/defaulr.htm developed.
The Rhino is another remo tely project that is no longer viable or
controlled machine that crushes and Continued Progress needed." 3 This is an imporranr aspect of
Researchers at the Humanitarian the program so that time and money are
Demini ng R&D Program have put a lor best spent on the projects that will yield
• The AIR-SPADE is a safer way fo r ofwork into undersranding rhe effects of the most productive results. Test results
de miners to excavate landmines
min e blast explosio ns on rhe human on these tools are kept ro help make the
proving itself especiall
y useful in hard
soil conditions. The airjet, which travels body. As they acquire more knowledge, program more efficient in the future.
at a supersonic velocity, is powerful it enables the industry to design more
enough to break up tough soil, yet will effective Personal Protective Equipment
not detonate mines.

• 60 • • 61 •
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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

withi n the same framework programme. gained by different programmes working rrd2002/ which also has useful links to

Humanitarian There is going to be a very large dif-

ference between FP6 and previous frame-
work programmes. The gap is so large
together and achieving "critical mass"
will, it is foreseen, significantly advance
research goals.
"Instruments," "Roadmap," "Budget"
and "Background documents." The page
on Instruments also leads to rhe sire of
that it has been described as a "paradigm "In its communication 'Towards a

Demining Research:
the Directo rate General for Research
shift." Participating in RTD in FP6 us- European Research Area' of January about the future of RTD under Frame-
in g the new "instruments" will be very 2000, the Commission outlined the ob- work Programme 6 (http:/ /europa.eu.inr/
different from any previous EU research. jectives and the scope of a new strategy. com m / research/ fp6/ nerwo rks- ip.h rm I).
Withi n the structure of the Framework The vision of having a fully developed,
The Future Role of the European Union Programme, HD R&D will be carried
out in particular through rhe Priority 2
functioning and interconnected research
space, in which barriers would disappear,
This page gives access to extensive infor-
mation about the new instruments,
which organisations interested in partici-
"Information Society Technologies" ac- collaboratio n would flourish, and where pating in RTD funded by the EU in com-
on the success of irs predecessor, Eudem.
This article aims to give an introduction to the information about the tivities, under the first building block a functional integration process would ing years may find useful.
The current RTD projects focus o n new
European Union's (EU) Research and Technological Development (RTD) "Focusing and Integrating Co mmuni ty rake place, was thus clearly expressed." T he two most imporranr new instru-
sensors and mulri-sensor data fusion and
programme, available on several of the EU websites, which are listed below. Research ." Test and evaluation activities http:/I europa.eu. int/comm/ research/ pdf/ ments are Integrated Projects (IPs) and
range from artificial dog noses based on
will continue to be supported by DG com-200 1-549-en. pdf Networks of Excellence (NoE).
biotechnology to improved Area Reduc-
JRC. It might be anticipated that the pro- In recent humanitarian demining
by Russell Gasser, Project ares General also played important roles tion using advanced airborne sensors and
posed budget for HD RTD will be about meetings an d conferences (e.g. IST Integrated Projects (IP)
Officer, Humanitarian in humanitarian mine action RTD, no- data fusion.
the same as in recem years. Programme HD cluster meetings held in
Demining RTD tably the Joint Research Centre. The Joint Research Centre of the
Brussels in November 2001 and June IPs will be larger in scale and ambi-
Th e EU contribution to research European Commission also supports HD
The European Research 2002, a conference organised by rhe tion than previous research projects; a
Legislative policy on landmines is and development, through th e IST research through a number of actions,
Area Royal Military Academy of Belgium in high degree of ambition and hence some
determined by the European Council and programme, is generally in the form of a principally through irs Insti tute for the
Protection and Security of the C itizen April 2002, and an IST meeting to in- increase in associated risk are essential for
European Parliament, which have maximum of 50 percent matching funds
The new European Research policy troduce FP6 ro potential partners in May IPs. A nwnber of different ways of working
strongly supported the Ottawa Process for developing demining technologies. (IPSC) http:/ /humanirarian-securiry.jrc.ir/
emphasises the fundamental position of 2002) there has been a clear expression are suggested, which range from complete
and the eli mination of all AP landmin es The remainder of the funding comes from index.hrm I. The JRC runs the ARIS net-
the concept of the European Research of a desire to improve Europe-wide co-ordi- definition of all participants and goals
within ten years of ratification of the participating industrial partners. The work for demining research http:!/
Area (ERA) by stating that "The frame- nation and move towards a more collabo- from start to finish, through to defining
treaty; this includes the political decision programme is therefore oriented towards demining.jrc.irlaris/, and the main website
work programme is structured in three rative approach to solving the technical prob- the goals and the core team, bur working
to fund mine action. The EU Research the developmems of prototypes, which about EU humanitarian demining http:/
main blocks of activities: focusing and lems of mine action. The concept of the our the precise derails no more than 18
and Technological Development (RTD) can be rurned into commercially success- I eu- m i n e-acrions . j rc.cec .eu. in r/
integrating community research, struc- ERA appears to have been well received months ahead and adding or dropping
for Humanitarian Demining (HD) is ful ourcomes so that the participating demining.asp. The IPSC Institute also
turing the European Research Area and by the European HD research community. participants and work packages along the
administered by the European Commis- businesses can recover their R&D costs hosts rhe secretariat ofthe International Test
strengtheni ng the foundations of the way. This opens one potential route for
sion (EC). In 2000, the European Union from future sales of demining equipment, and Evaluation Program for Humanitarian
or other equipmem in the case of dual- Demining (ITEP) http://www.itep.ws/.
European Research Area," the first and Existing and New the participation of Small and Medium
(EU) contributed $125 million to the the third of which, as regards indirect Instruments Emerprises (SMEs) who could be brought
fight again st AP landmines through both use technologies. This is a very different
actions, "should be implemented by this into an IP consortium to use their spe-
member states' donations and funding R&D environment from many military European Union RAD in
specific programme" (hrtp://europa.eu.int/ Nor all the existing "instrument s," cific expertise, and who would then leave
administered through the EC. Further de- programmes which are I 00 percent the Coming Years:
eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2002/ which have been used in previous frame- the consortium again as the work moved
rails of EU mine action can be found at: funded and rhus do not have rhe same Framework Programme 6
en_502PC0043_ 0l.pdf). work programmes, will be abandoned on ro another phase, for example, test and
http: //euro pa.eu.int/comm/ commercial drive and commercial con- (2002-2006)
The thinking that lies behind FP6 immediately. Targeted Research Projects, evaluation of a prororype system .
external_rela tions/ min e/ pub Iicarion/ straints. The EC is also seeking resulrs in
is based on the need for the member similar to the current FP5 style research The size of IPs is expected ro be
index.hrm. the short to mid term in order to aid com- The EU organises its RTD activities
countries of the EU to be more competi- projects with very specific technical goals, considerably larger rhan projects under
In July 2001 the Council and the pliance wi th the goal of APL clearance by in multi-a11nual "Framework Programmes"
tive with other advanced countries, no- will still be used where appropriate. A previous framework programmes. "The
European Parliament adopted rwo Regu- 2010. Academic partners and Support Mea- which typically last fi ve years. Framework
tably the U.S. and Japan. In proportion range of supporting Accompanying Mea- value of the activities integrated by a
lations on the Reinforcement of the EU sures aimed at providing a service to Programme 5 (FP5) is just finishing and
to the size of their national economies, sures, which provide services to research- project is expected to range up to many
response against AP landmines: the first demining RTD can be funded at up ro 100 FP6 wil l last from 2002 to 2006, inclu-
both of these countries currently spend ers, will also continue. However, there tens of millions ofEuros. However, there
one covering developing countries and percent of additional costs. sive. The Framework Programme defines
subsramially more on advanced technol- will be a great deal of focus on the new will be no minimum threshold, provided
rhe second one covering other countries; Derailed information about past and the purpose and overall goals for all RTD
ogy R&D than European stares, and the instruments of Integrated Projects and of course that the necessary ambition and
the regulations lay the foundations for a present EU co-funded RTD can be found throughout the EU and describes the
European work is more fragmented due Networks of Excellence. critical mass are there. Inregrared projects
European integrated and focused policy. on the Eudem2 website (http:// working practices and methods, which
to the number of different countries in- The main website for information are expected to have a duration of typi-
The majority of the RTD spending was www.eudem.vub.ac.be). Follow the route are known officially as "instruments."
volved. FP6 aims ro address this, and has about the RTD programme is http:!/ cally three to five years. However, there
delivered in support of the Information Technologies - Research & Development The instruments cannot be specifically
proposed new "instruments" to make www.cordis.lu, though navigation will be no maximum, so a longer dura-
Society Technologies (IST) programme Projects - EU-Financed Projects. Eudem2 focused on the needs of any one area;
collaborative EU-wide research both through this large sire is nor always tion could be accepted if it is necessary
administered th rough the Directo rate is itself a project funded by the EU and humanitarian demining's needs are not
more structured and more viable, rhus straightforward. For information about to deliver the objectives of a project."
General Information Society (DG- Swiss government to provide an informa- necessarily identical to those of the much
allowing for a more efficient use of its the future direction of RTD, a suitable (http:/I eu ropa. eu. int/ comm/ research/
INFSO) http://www. cordis.lu/ isr/ tion service and technology watch larger RTD programmes in such areas as
resources. In the ERA, the added value starring point is http:/ /www.cordis.lu/ fp6/pdf/ip_provisions_070502.pdf)
kal/ envi ronment/projecrs/ programme to the humanitarian demining telecommunicat ion s and transport,
clusrering.htm#cluster3 . Other Director- research community, and Eudem2 builds which also use the same instruments

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 62 • • 63 • 33

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

per perso n joining the network. T he key the proposed scale of activities in IPs, ir

Networks of Excell ence (NoE) in

FP6 will be substantially different from
item of a NoE is the Joint Programme of
Activities, wh ich goes fa r beyo nd cu rrent
activities like internet Forums a11d can even
seems li kely rhar rhe market for human i-
tarian dem in ing equ ipment may, by itself,
nor offer a viable return on investment
Driving the HD Machine
include proposals for exchange of person nel for compan ies investing 50 percent of

in the African Bush

the Thematic Networks in ea rlier frame-
work p rogrammes-the use of a similar between institutions for extended periods. research costs to match the 50 percent
name does nor imply the same prim ary paid by the EC. Increasing attention is
goals or structures. The docume nt at Impact of FP6 on being given ro dual-use and multiple-use
http:/ I europa.eu.i nr/ com m/ research/fp6/ Demining Research technologies ro help reso lve this issue; for
exampl e explosive vapour detection has
Almost every country in Southern Africa has a mine problem and most of
pdf/noe_0705021.pdf clearly sets out the
The new instrum ents pose some pote nti al applications in humanitarian these countries have a tradition of solving their own problems. Because the
purpose of this new instrume nt:
challenges, as well as offer some real oppor- demining, civil security (e.g. ai rports), region is famous for its mine-resistant vehicles, this paper concentrates on
"Networks of excellence are designed
range remediation and m il itary purposes.
innovative mechanical technolog ies-but it could just as easily have
to strengthen scienrific and technologi- tunities for HD research and development.
Many participants in HD research in Within a single JP it is envisaged that concentrated on PPE or testing facilities where Southern Africa also leads
cal excellence on a partic ular research
Europe are already welcoming the potenrial there will be integration from develop- the way.
wpic by networking wgether at European
level the critical mass of resources and structuring effect a nd inc reased co-ordi- ing the concept with "principal
stakehold-
expertise needed to provide European nati on that could arise from one o r more ers, including users" through ro transfer by Andy Smith, AVS Mine but "political" concerns lead to it being
• "Easy" African bush.
leadership and robe a world fo rce in that NoEs. For example, improved co-ordi - of the fin ished technology, demonstration Action Consultants accepted. If you measure R&D success
ropic. nation of the many test fac ilities located and tra in ing, and also integratio n across in terms of the eq u ipment being pur- thorough mine clearance, which is where
"N etworks of excelle nce a re there- throughout Europe cou ld bring immedi- the applications of dual and multiple-use R&D in Southern Africa chased and used around the worl d, the most "mechanical assistance" comes to
fore an instrument des igned primarily ro ate be nefits both in rerms of comparing technologies, see http: //europa.eu.in r/ number of R&D successes falls drama ti- the fore these days.
address the fragmentation of Eu ropean res ult s and a lso i n promoting a comm/research/fp6/pdf/ If you measure research and devel- cally. Moreover, most of the R&D rhar
research. T heir main d eliverable consists complementarity wh ich allows individual ip_ provisions_070502.pdf. opment (R&D) success by the presence has achieved this success was "home- Steel Wheels and Rollers
of a durable structuring and shaping of sires ro fo cus on their specific key areas O verall, the goal of the EU remains of the equ ipm ent somewhere in rhe field, grown." lr did nor originate in rhe ivory
the way that research in Eu rope is car- of competence. Similarly, developi ng ar- ro deli ver the new rools and equipment rhen a lot of useless equipment can be towers and defence research centers of the Using machines to "deal with" the
ried out on panicular research topics. eas of co mmon interest in resea rch could t hat h u manita ri an demi ne rs urge ntly called a "success." T his is because those developed world. Most ofir was also very vegetation began wirh MECHEM's steel-
Though it is nor their primary purpose, nor o nly reduce duplication of scarce re- need and want. • who su pported the R&D want to be able low-cost. O ften it was the result of inspired wheel and rollers in the early I 990s. The
ne tworks of exce ll e nce wi ll generate sources bur also aUow faster progress towards ro clai m "success" so they "give"ip- equ lateral th inking that led to im proving wheels and rollers were attached to AT
knowledge on rhe topic through the sup- the goal o f eliminating m ines. Managing "Legal Notice: By th~ Commission ofth~ Eu- ment to field users. Sometimes rhis is a existing techno logy and methods. mine-resistant vehicles developed during
rop~an Comnumiti~s. Information Soci~ty Di"ctor-
port they provide to e nab le excelle nt rh e require me nts of co mmon-interest direct gift, sometimes it is formally a The most famous-and successful- South Africa's in volvement in the Angola
ate-General, n~itha th~ EuropMn Commission nor
reams to work together. It is important collaboration between competing commer- any person acting 011 its behalf is responsible for the "loan" or is ried to furth er fun d ing. This mechanised mine-derecrion system ever and Mozambique wars.
that these networks do not act as "closed cial co mpanies remains a major challenge, use which migbt be made ofthe infonnation contained equipment would often be wholly uneco- was the Pookie, developed in Zimbabwe The wheels and rollers "crushed" the
clu bs," co ncentrating on ly o n strength- whi ch has to be addressed in a realisticin the present publictllion. The Commi
European s- nomic for the users to buy- because its (then Rhodesia) . Unfortunately it was undergrowth , which tended to spring
sion is not responsible for the externalwebsites referred on ly good at locating large steel-cased
e ning the excellence of the parmers inside manner in FP6. utility is fa r too limi ted ro justify the ex- back up u nless rhc mach ines were fo l-
to in the prnmt publiauiou.
the network. Each network wi ll therefore In regrated Projects also offer some in thisThe views ~xpressed
publimtion are tbose pense. So metimes it is not even wanted, mines recently buried on roads, but that lowed up by demine rs immediately.
also be given a mission ro spread excellence challenges, as well as oppo rtuni ties, to ofthe authors and do 1101 necessarily reflect the official was what it was designed to do and it Deminers had to follow up because the
beyond the boundaries of its partnership. develop key technologies in areas such as EuropeantheCommissio11s
subject." view 011 saved many lives. With its low-weight, wheels and rollers left mines and ordnance
Trai nin g will be an essential compo nent airborne area reduction as well as tools "V"-hull, sacrificial wheels and high-fre- behind. The system pushed a cushion of
of rhis mission. a nd eq uipment used during individual Contact Information quency VHF detector pans it was vegetation over the mines making it less
"It is expected rhat larger networks mine detection and elim ination. it is now truly revolutionary in the 1970s. likely that the wheels would in itiate
may involve several hundreds of researchers. clear th at atte mpts by indiv idual Russell Gasser, Project Officer, them . l n rhe first half of the
Others may be of a muc h more lim ired o rga nisation s to work alone and develop Humani tarian Dem in ing RTD Mechanical 1990s, several deminers were
size, provided chat rhey pursue ambi tio us new eq ui pment in isolation arc no lo nger DG-lNFSO BU 31, Office 4-82 Assistance severely injured or killed
goa ls a nd mobili se rh e c riti ca l mass a n option. European wide collaboration Ave de Beaulieu 31, B-11 60 Brussels, while following rhis kind
needed to ensure their achievement." o n a large scale is required, the necessity Belgium When looking for of area preparation.
T he proposed method of fundin g to form groupings or "consortia" is now Tel: +32 (0) 2 29 84642 Fax: +32 (0) 2 more sophisticated mines (These exa m ples are re-
NoEs will be in the form of a o ne-off urgent and th is is especially true for SMEs 29 9 1749 laid a long time before corded in th e DDIV/
grant rowards the cost of integration, paid who wish ro participate in F P6. Given E- mail: [email protected] rhey are cleared, the use DDAS introduced in an-
of machines had to other paper in this jour-
change. Old m inefields nal.) Civilians were also
in man y parts of the injured in areas suppos-
world tend to be over- edly cleared by these
grown, and the vegeta- methods. As a result, rhe
tion must be cut ro allow wheel and roller methods

• The Pookie: a sing le-seat mine-resistant • An example of a simple steel

el -whe
mine-detect ion vehicle. standing about 125cm (4 feet) high .

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

• MgM mulcher rally deronares a mine w ith irs wheels, no • The MINETECH flail-a local ly made monster that was far
mounted on the chea per to make than any commercially
e available a lt rnative.
har m is done. They are preferable to
back of an armoured cracks which ca n be severely damaged by
"Wolf."
large AP mines. pattern there may have
and less destructive-but the mine-proof
been and leaving dam-
vehicle adds a lot to their cost. Back in
Vegetation Mulchers aging mines and ord-
1996 it was recognised that the cutting
(flails) nance behi nd .
head could be co mpact enough to allow
MineTech h as
irs ca rri er ro be very small and light-
C utting (as opposed to "crushing") been u sing a long-
weight-especially ifir were radio controlled
efield min vegetation was probably starred chain flail for vegeta-
so that ligh ter armour could be used. I
by MgM in Angola but may have been tion cutting since the
d evised su ch a mac hi ne to meet
led by Leonard Kawinski's side- mulch- mid 1990s whe n they
MineTech's needs, but the donors were
ing t racror in Cambodia, which he came recognised the value
more interested in fundin g mini-flails
up with at abour the same time. In both rheHydremaandAardvark flai ls in ro their of cutting the vegetation in advance of
that hi t the ground.
cases, commercially available off-the-shelf Angola operations in the mid-1990s. They deminers. T hey made thei r machine be-
Mini-flails such as the Bozena in Croatia
technology was adapted to rh e purpose. are sti ll apparenrly operating, although cause the cost of the blast resista nt flails
are effective at cutting vegetation, bur they
MgM uses rhe bush-curring technol- ofren o ur of service in a counrry w here sold commercially was far roo high. The
also miss mines, break mines, bury ord-
ogy available to South African ranchers logistical support can be tricky. M ineTech flail could hit the ground, but
nance and cost a lot to run and maintain.
to mulch the lighter undergrowth in ad- NPA claims that ground "cleared " it is nor deployed in rhar mode.
lost credibility in Mozambique. Rollers CSIR Sourh Africa: [email protected] vance of thei r dem in ers. They mounted with their flails is always covered by a full Locally made also means rhar rhe
Mini-Mulchers
were also used in the early days in Angola, Steel wheels are being used on veg- their mulcher on a blast-resistant vehicle foll ow-up w ith ano ther method (manual parts required for service and mainte-
where, in 1993, there was a fatal accident etation clearance machines in Mozambique which made it much more versatile. Con- or dogs). nance are available locally which keeps
Last year, MgM began to develop a
w ith a roller system mounted on a rank. now. T his allows th e machine ro move tact: H endrik E hlers, Director MgM ar PAD (fo rm erly UNADP) in "down-rime" to a minimum. If rhe user
mini-mulcher in Namibia, and it success-
Rollers have nor been used by any of rhe through the entire area, and if ir acciden- [email protected] Mozambique have had a militaiy fla il rel ies on the m achin es, designers should
full y underwent irs first trials at the end
serious humanitarian demining groups in from Finland for several yea rs . It a lso remember rhar rhe mean-rime ro repair
ofMay this year. Contact [email protected]
Angola since rhar rime. spends a lot of rim e unused whil e the can be far more important than the mean-
T he MgM M ini-M ulcher is much
Experience in Africa proved that steel technicians wait for spare pans. rime betwee n breakdowns. Co ntact:
wheels and rollers do nor clear mi nes and
Firsts for Africa W ith fu ll follow- u p required, rhe minetech @minetech.co.zw
bigger than rhe machine plan ned in 1996,
• Steel wheels bur is a major step in the right direction.
do not leave ground rhar is safe ro walk performa nce an d the cost effective ness of
on- lessons that are sri II being learned in
• Vegetation mulchers on mine-proof vehicles grou nd -engagi ng fl a il s has lon g bee n Tree Shears
• Locally made Monster-flail Other Ground Processing
rhe in dustrial R&D centers of Europe questioned. Safety is another issue.
and rhe U.S.A. Steel wheels can be AP • Tree shears on mine-resistant vehicle Ground-engaging flails do not clear MgM has a solution to the problem
Apart from Monster fl ails, a range of
blast proo f and can save rh e body of a • Mini-mulcher the ground a nd so in humanitarian oflarge trees that make it hard to use their
ground processing machinery has been • (Left to Right) The
vehicle from an AT blast, so they have a • Successful ground processing dem ining a full follow-up is always re- mulchers. They use a tree-shear, which is
tried in Africa. In Namibia, rhe ill-favoured Finnish flail
purpose in HD. Contact Vernon Joynt, qui red. The rota! cost of running th e flail simpler a nd clean er, leavi ng no carpet of standing idle in
Berm-Processor proved impossible to de-
Tech nical and Scie ntific Consultant, must then be added to the cost of the cuttings o r fa lle n trees fo r the deminers Mozambique. A
ploy over rough terrain. ln Mozambique, Hydrema flail in
manual clearance, wh ich makes their use ro n ego tiate. Contact Hans Georg
t he Krohn system fa iled to perform as Ethiopia after it had
pro hib iti ve ly ex pen sive compared to K ru esse n on m gmmoz detonated an AT
designed. In Zimbabwe, the ground-milling
Monster Flails orher methods. @rropical.co.mz
Mine Buster was used with co ntroversy mine that it had
Large fl ails do have the advantage of A long-chai ned flai l is often much missed with its flail.
The main diffe ren ce between a being able to "chew" through big trees, bigger than is need ed. Mulchers on ex-
mulche r and a ground-engaging fla il is bur they have the disadvan tage o f dis- rending arms moun red o n min e-proof
rhe length of the cutters. Mulchers often rupti ng rhe ground, destroying any mine vehicles are smaller, more comrollable
have cutting " hammers" hinged onto rhe
fla il spin dle, whereas ground engaging
flails h ave chains berween the spindle and
the "hammers." T he power requirements
of a ground-engagi ng flail are very high
and rhe machines are o fte n designed to
withstand multiple AT mine detonations
making them suitable for military use.
This means that they are large and heavy,
so expensive to buy and to operate.
Flailing to detonate mines has been
widely tried and aban doned. Nonetheless,
• An NPA Aardvark starting up in Angola. When up to speed, the dust raised makes it impossible
to photograph. Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) introduced

• 66 • • 67 •
Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 35
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

• (left) The first mini-mulcher during a trial at the end

of May 2002. (Below) The MgM Tree shear carries a
large trunk out of the mined area.
Technology's Promises
• A soldier
Every technology under development makes big promises. Here are five tests a
portable
projects that may someday impact the world of mine action. Fido unit
during field
trials. c/o
by JJ Scott, MAIC ried Mr. John Sikes of Nomadics about John Sikes
his company's aptly named device, its
Introduction developmental process and its promises
for the future of landmine detection.
Peruse any brochure or website that I can't exp lain exactly how Fido
promotes a developing technology and works, for doing so would require me to
there is one word that will come up re- accurately use words like "collimate,"
peatedly: promise. Every new gadget "borosilicate," and "pentiprycene," which
pro mises to vastly improve, simplify or I am not prepared to do. However, thanks
otherwise revol utionize some aspect of to Mr. Sikes, I am able to explain what
over its thoroughness and there were sev- relation" to the sophisticated West. Its Contact Information modern life, and the products aimed at Fido does now and what ir might do
eral incidents while following it up. ln demining is often underfunded and any mine action practitioners are no differ- someday. It turns our that Fido doesn't
Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and R&D is usually undertaken on a financial Andy Smi th ent. Each promises to make demining specifically detect landrnines at all. As a
Angola, a variety of rollers and bulldozer knife-edge, but in terms of the development E-mail: [email protected]. uk quicker, easier, safer or cheaper, and each vapor detectOr, it alerts irs user to the pres-
techniques have been used with very poor of useful demining equipment-its suc- breakthrough promises to be more earrh ence of trace amounts of chemicals such
results. cesses speak for themselves. Even when MineTech shattering than the last. I looked into a as TNT-wh ich happens to be the most
The only ground processing tool the " host" machin e is manufactured else- HG 632 variety of devices that promise to have common explosive used in landmines. concentrated effort, but we don't really
that has performed properly is another where, the design concepts originated in Highlands an impact on some aspect of mine ac- Fido is by far the most sensitive detector have the funding for that right now ... "
example of an existing machine be ing Southern Africa and the assembly of off- Harare, Zimbabwe tion, from new mine-detecting sensors to yet tested, capable of discerning one As Mr. Sikes put it, "The problem is that
modified for demining. Very successful the-shelf pans took place there. • Tel: ++263 (4) 776216/776531/ new types of landmines-even a poten- femtogram (that's ] o·IS, Or the people who need our technologies the
at processing the piles of mines and earth 746230/746682/746791/746902 tial landmine substitute. These projects 0.00000000000000 I grams) of TNT most are going to be able to afford it the
left by bulldozers and graders, MgM's Biography vary widely in their goals, budgets and vapor in a milliliter of air. According to least." Obtaining funds is an all roo com-
ROTARMk 2 sifts the soil mechanically, MgM MineCiearance NCO, feasib ility, bm all share one common the company's website, that is equivalent mon problem among inventors and de-
retaining mines and ordnance in its Andy Smith in an independent Mine Action Stiftung Menschen gegen Minen e.V., bond: if fed enough money, each prom- to one drop of fluid in 25 Exxon Valdez- velopers, leaving projects to lie fallow
specialist who has worked extensively in Africa dur- international Desk Namibia
armoured bucket. It also includes an ex- ises to forever alter the practice of mine sized rankers. 4 Mr. Sikes said that at this until a bit of seed money allows their
ing the last 10 years.
tending arm and mulcher (on the rear) Tel +264 81 1277020 action. level, "on the best days under the best promises to bloom.
which makes it especially versatile. ' All photos courtesy of the author except the Mini- Fax +264 61 243477 condi tions we're up there with dogs." This But let us return from this digres-
Africa is often thought of as a "poor Mulcher, courtesy ofMichael Ehlers, MgM. Web: W\vw.mgm.org Fido is quite an achievement, but Nomadics sion to the task at hand: identifying
hopes to push Fido even harder, until the promising technologies. Fido looks like
Dogs are superb at detecting device can detect one attogram (I o·IS it will be a useful addition to deminers'
• The ROTAR Mk2 at work in landmines. Their noses are some of the grams) of material. 4 Ar thar poi nt, dogs toolboxes someday, as the basic technol-
Mozambique. most sensitive detection devices ever cre- mighr be able to go back to fetching sticks ogy is sound and operable. Mr. Sikes fore-
ated. That is, until they get tired. Or sick. and lying in the sun all day, leaving the sees an area-reduction role for Fido, de-
O r it gets roo hot outside. All cause dogs' mine det ect ion to sensors and th e claring, "That's the great thing about this
effectiveness ro drop rapidly. Dogs also deminers that use them. system: it can tell yo u where the mines
tend ro lose interest in demining as the Looking ahead to this inevitable day, are nor , so farmers can get back to
day wears on, which is an in evitab le l asked Mr. Sikes about the miniaturiza- work ... " and other redeve lopment
though particularl y dangerous conse- tion prospects for Fido. After all, who projects can get starred. Further develop-
quence of their assigned task. How might wants to carry around a sensor device thar ment (as permitted by funding) will lead
one retain the mine-sniffing benefits of is heavier or more awkward than it needs to smaller, hardier and more sensitive ren-

dogs while negating their shortcomings? to be? Mr. Sikes believes his company dition s of the device. Nomadics is cur-
Nomadics, l nc., with funding from the "can get rhe basic technology down to rently designing standard handheld de-
U.S. Army, is developing a vapor-detect- about a cigarette pack size, roughly a tectors using their technology, but that's
ing senso r they call "Fido" that promises pound or so." Technical problems are not not all they are planning. Fido happens
to detect mines almost as effecti vely as a holding them back, he explained, add- to be just the kind of sensor device needed

dog but will never get tired, never get sick, ing, "We probably wouldn't even need to by two other developing technologies:
never get bored and never ger fleas. l que- do any custom electronics, just more of a remote explosive detectio n and roboti c

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

mine detection. Both projects are under- rhe [research and developmem] necessary don't receive i nsran t answers. l nsread, reedy on top of the mine (o r activate irs teet nearby targets and then use some mines they have laid over the past few
way, and it is to these that we now wrn. to get practical snake- like devices in to they rake their carefully stored filters and rripwi re) to ser it off. To make up for rhis method ro engage rhat target from a dis- years and replac e them wirh more
mined a reas." Ir seems rhat lots of people line them up on special stands in a pre- "shortcoming," sold iers must saturate an tance. Th is is certainly an advance in le- deminer- fr iend ly va rieties? I'm nor an
Robotic Snakes are intrigued by the possibi lities offered determined order. Trained dogs then in - area with mines ro ensure rhar area de- thality. Bur do these mines offer any simi- international expert by any means, but I
by robotic snakes bur nor interested e nough speer each filter, indica ring if rhey iden- nial (see next section for more on area lar advances to ease rhe job of those who th ink nor. Unfortunately, I predict that
The c ha llenging terrain that ro actually pay for thei r development. tify any rrace of explosives. The system denial) objectives are met, tying up valu- must someday neutralize them? Mr. when tensions rise, most countries and
deminers often face can severely h inder has evolved using dogs as rhe derecror, able personnel and littering areas wirh Kogler answered in the affirmative. If the NSAs will continue to plant good old-
their ability to carry our viral procedures REST bur Fido (or a si milar sensor) may some- excessive numbers of mines. To address mines work as advertised, each minefield fashioned landmines that are cheap and
such as surveying a known or potential day prove just as effective. In fact, rests rhese deficie ncies, researchers are inves- would require less of them. Fewer mines effective as ever.
minefield. The land might be roo steep Robotic snakes would provide an are u nderway in Croatia at this moment tigating several methods for increasing rhe in place means fewer mines to remove. Of course, no mi litaries will get to
or overgrown or muddy fo r a man with a effective method of bringing senso rs into ro determine whether Fido can march rhe range of individual mines, allowing fu- But rhar's nor rhe only advantage these use-and no deminer will get to clean
detector o r dog ro safely ma neuve r contact with the scent of explosives, bur dogs' detection fears. In any case, if a dog ture m inefields to maintain effectiveness next-generation mines w ill offer up-the next generation of mines if they
t hrough. How then ro dete rmine the w hat if a deminer could instead bring the or sensor detects explosives on one of the with fewer mines than are now necessary. 2 deminers. Mr. Kogler informed me rhat aren't fully developed . Mr. Kogler ex-
presence or location of land mines within scent to t he sensor? Proving that such a filters, rhe deminers can then trace it back Also, new safeguards will be built inro any fully developed mine eventually de- plained rhar after September ll '\ fund-
rhe a rea? One man , Dr. Ian Gravagne of scenario is nor on ly possible bur also use- to a general, known location. When they rhese high-tech mines to aid the deminers ployed will contain a "communications ing to these projects was cur and has been
Baylor University, has recently proposed ful, t he Ge neva International Center for don't detect any explosive threat, that who will inevitably end up removing module," allowing a man-in-the-loop- reallocared. He added, " It is nor clear if
a novel solut ion: anach mine-detecting Humani tarian D e m in ing (G ICHD) is specific section of road or la nd can be them and to protect civilians who might type capab ility. According to Mr. Kogler, and when this program will continue."
sensors to a robotic s nake. 1 currently facilitating the further develop- declared safe, significantly reducing the rrod the ground in w hich they're planted. 'This ability w ill aid demining operations While 1 agree that using zero mines wou ld
Usin g a robotic snake as a senso r ment of a technique rhar rhey call Re- area that manual deminers must pa ins- T hro ugh e- m a il correspondence by [al lowing a soldier to] turn the m ines be better (for practitioners of mine ac-
platform would offer o ne key advantage mote Explos ive Scent Tracing (REST). taki ngly inspect. with Mr. Kent Kogler of the fiT Resea rch 'off' when rhc mission has been com- tion) than high-rech mines, advanced
over dogs, men or other types of robotic REST is based o n a technique originally Accord ing ro Mr. lan McLean, are- Institute, I learned some of rhe derai ls pleted." The mines will still be victim mines are sri II better than rhe status quo.
devices: the ability to sl ither. This unique developed by rhe South African com pany search analyst with G lCHD, the great behind these concepts. Mr. Kogler our- activated, bur only so long as the mission If mines are going to be laid, rhey might
method of loco motion allows a snake to Mechem, who had named it the Mechem advanrage of rhe REST system is rhar it lined four anti-vehicle mine prototypes lasts. Also, soldiers can program self-de- as well have an "off" switch.
ger places rhar rwo- or four-legged crit- Explosives a nd Drug Detection System allows several dogs or sensors the oppor- that meet rhe desi red criteria: struct rimes into the munitions, blowing
ters can't access. A robotic snake that (MEDDS). Th e REST system is now tun ity to check each sample, reducing the • T he Small Uni t Robot (SU BOT) them to bits after a certain amount of Metal Storm
cou ld fa ithfully reproduce a real snake's u sed primarily as a n area reductio n cha nce that a co ntaminated area is carries irs payload arou nd on whee ls, us- rime. This would presumably be a backup
motions could easily slice through dense method, mosr ofte n along roads, where missed. In the field , only two dogs sn iff ing sensors to track and engage enemy to rhe "off" switch. When used by legitimate armies (not
foliage, c rawl up a steep slope or slosh it has proven especial ly effective. suspected areas, while t hree to five ana- vehicles. It is under development by the The mines oudined above offer ad- always the case), landmines function pri-
through a flooded field. Of course, robe- As hi nted at above, REST involves lyze each RE T fi lter. Mr. McLean also Center for I nrelligent Systems, a d ivision vantages for both soldiers and civilians. marily as an area denial weapon. A me-
snakes would also work splendidly on bringing air samples from suspect areas commented on the potential use of me- of Science Applications lnrernarional Fewer soldiers will need to lay fewer thodically laid our minefield fulfills this
level ground, p roviding rhe normal ben- to a remote detector that determines the chanical vapor detectors, foreseeing a situ- Corporation (SAlC) . mines that will destroy more ranks, while role very well, defending against both
efits of mechanical solutions: they won't presence or absence of explosive vapors. arion where "machines and dogs can serve • The Sp ider mine being developed unused mines will self-destruct or be infantry and armor cheaply and effec-
ti re, they maintain a known standard of First, a ream equ ipped with scent trap- to QA each othe r," rhus adding another by Tracer Rou nd Lrd. acts a bit like Sp i- rurned "off" so deminers can safely re- tively. AP mines incapacitate the soldiers;
detection, and if rhey do e nd up raking pi ng devices must venture into the sus- level of safery-enhancing redundancy ro der Man- when a target rolls by, the move them. It's as much of a win-win AT mines impale the tanks. Once
one for the ream, well, it's just a few more peered area, following in rhe tire tracks the system. When asked about rhe future m ine shoots our a tether device rhar at- situatio n as can be found along rhe mili- emplaced, a minefield ca n protect an area
pieces of shrapnel to dispose of. of a mine proof vehicle. The scent trap- of REST, Mr. McLean concluded that taches to the vehicle. T he mine rhen pulls tary/mine action interface. But will the indefin itely, ensuring that no one gets in.
Alas, ir will be years before robotic pers wear bac kpack-m ounted sucti on "scent collection on filters, whether for itself in reward the target, ensuring a di- humanitarian potential of these mines Permanency and reliability are two of
snake technology reaches the level it must machines-which bear an uncanny re- inspection by dogs or machines or both, rect h ir. ever be realized? After all, impressive tech- landmines' advantages over other area
to prove useful in a min efield. No ex ist- semblance to rhe p roton packs rhar the will almost certa inly always offer advan- • Under development by the Depart- nology comes ar a price: rhese next gen- denial weapon systems. Once a minefield
ing s nake prororype cou ld move well Ghostbus re rs used- r har draw air tages in terms of efftciency for a rea re- ment of Defense's (DoD 's) Weapon Sys- eration mines will cost at least $1,500 is installed, area denial is assured. Bur
eno ugh , carry enough or last long enough through a lo ng rube rh ar has replaceable duction, so scent collection is more likely tems Techno logy Information Analysis (U.S.) each. when the war has ended and the soldiers
ro make good on the idea's pro mises to filter cartridges at irs rip. As t hey walk ro increase in use than to be phased our. " Cenrer (WSTIAC), rheSideArrack M ine This brings up an important con- have dispersed, rhe landmines remain to
mi ne action. Dr. Gravagne has presented along rhe safe lane, t he t rappers sweep The REST system is one emerging tech- (SAM) engages its target from a d istance. sideration: assum ing that militaries co n- exact an unwarranted toll on civilians. AP
his idea to several imeresred parries, bur t heir rube back and forth as air is con- nology rhar has already had a positive When an unwitting vehicle passes nearby, tinue to use m ines for area den ial, will and AT mines linger on, assuming a new
rhe impression they a ll gave him was, t inually sucked through the filters. At impact on mine action, and through re- the SAM tracks it rotationally from irs they use rhese highly effective, high-tech, role: denying land to the citizens who
"co me back when you've got a finished regu lar intervals (100-300 meters), they finement and addit ional testing, prom- position, fir ing its warhead inro rhe high-priced mines or the slighdy less ef- need ir to restart their interrupted lives.
product." Current prototypes honestly stop and replace the filters, carefully stor- ises to further increase efficiency. target's side. fective, low-tech low-cost mines that they What if a military could lay down a
don'r slither all that well, limi ti ng their ing rhe used filters for later examinatio n. • Contrary to its deceiving name, the have been us ing for decades? And what m inefield that held no mines? What if a
usefulness to fa irly flat areas. T hey also After sweeping a predererm ined distance, Next Generation Mines WSTIAC's Bounder mine is not a classic about rhe non-stare actors (NSAs), free- m ilitary could achieve irs area denial ob-
ca n't carry enough weight to accommo- the ream returns ro a designated resting bound in g AP m ine. Instead, Bounder dom fighters and/or terrorists who sow jectives with a method rhar left when rhe
date both sensors and barreries-eirher area. Though deminers are hard at work uses a telescopi ng appendage to elevate mines primarily to sow rerror?They prob- soldiers left? What if soldiers cou ld iden-
of which a robotic s nake is fairly useless Notice that up unti l this point it is dealing with the last generation of mines, itself about three meters, increasi ng its ably won'r have access ro rhese supermines tifY potential targets of their area denial
without. D r. Gravagne said that "while completely unknown whether or nor the researchers are also hard at work devel- view of the surrounding area. Able ro and thei r advanced capabilities. Do war- weapons before they were blown up? A
some impressive-l ooki n g prototypes area sampled contains any mines. T his is opi ng the next generation of mines. As ir track rotationally like the SAM, Bounder lords in Africa care whether or nor their new technology known as Metal Storm,
exisr. .. the ' interested ' institutions and o ne big d iffere nce between REST and stands, most mines' triggering ranges are also attacks irs targets from the side. mines can be turned "on" or "off"? Wi ll under development in Australia by Metal
indi viduals do nor seem prepa red to fu nd other d etection tech niq ues: demin ers effectively zero: the target must step di- All of these mines use sensors rode- the Indians and Pak istanis dig up all the Storm LTD., promises ro address the per-

• 70 • • 71 •
Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 37
< • fi~TURE
gy
I I .
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
gy
manency problem of land mines while bang grenades and o ther non-leth al ord- T he immediate, massive fi repower war zo ne where conventional muni tions Conclusion ons Systems Conference, hosted by the DSTO in
November 1999.
maintaining their area denial "advan - nance, giving several options fo r dealing made possible by Metal Storm technol- were or will be fired or dropped, and those
(6) Taggart, Stewart. "New Gun Fires 'Laser
tages." with intruders. Every sensor is connected ogy could eve ntually become a suitable muni tions unquestionably leave UXO As in every other fie ld these days, of Lead ."' Wired News. September 28, 200 I . Re-
Let us first outline the technology ro every ADWS pod, and all are co n- alternative to rraditionallandmines. The proble ms behind. Typical mine detection mine action is bursting with new, prom- t ri eved from <www.wired.com/news/prinr/
itself before we delve into irs potential nected to one central co mmu n ication scenario outlined above answers the ma- methods would be severely compromised isi ng technologies. The projects outlined 0, l294,46570,00.htmb on May 10, 2002.
jor compla in ts that mine action practi- under such conditions, as the sh rapnel (7) Unpublished G JCH D report, prepared by
impact on the min e action world. Metal hub, represen ted by a laptop co mputer above all promise ro sign ifica ntly alter the
NOKS H.
Storm techn ology allows nearly simulta- in the company's webs ite demo. 3 T hi s tioners level against landmines: the sys- would eliminate metal detectors and the mine acti on landscape-if they are given
neo us firin g of multiple projectiles from laptop is in turn monitored by a soldier tem is no r victim activated and does no r ubiquitous vapors would negate the use proper funding. As Mr. Sikes pur it, "From
th e same bar rel , res ultin g in unprec- who represents the ever-so- necessary leave behind buried explosive d ev ices. A of dogs and even Fido. Though Metal Contact Information
a commercial standpoint, just going out
edented rates of fire. By firing from 36 man-in-the-loop. real live person must confirm each stri ke Storm m ight not create UXO problems, and making demining equipment is nor
barrels at the same time, a protorype gun So, we have sensors linked to pods befo re it happens and soldiers carry our it might prevent deminers from cleaning ]] Scott
particularly profitable." And there's the
demonstrated by the co mpany nearly va- lin ked to a laptop watched by a soldier. the ADWS pods w hen rhey depart. Area others up.l asked Mr. Yehlow about th is MAIC
crux of the mine action technology prob-
[email protected]
porized 15 wooden doors in just two- H ow does this system de ny area? And denial objectives are also mer, as Metal potential compli cation, and he reminded le m: so much promise, so little money.•
tenths of a second, representing a fi ring how is it better than landmines? Let's Storm promises to deal with any verified me that any time a round deto nates in
rare of over one million rounds per imagine that enemy forces-say, a few intruder at least as thoroughly as a con- an area there will be some sort of sh rap- Dr. Ian Gravagne
References Baylor University
minure. 6 Metal Sto rm uses an entirely tanks a nd some a rmored perso nnel car- ventional minefield. nel effecr. H e stared that Metal Storm's
electrical firing system , doing away with riers-are encroaching on th e turf rhar However, unleashing such a tremen- advantage lies with the man-in-the-loop's [email protected]
(1) Gravagne, Jan A. and Woodfi n, Ronald
20<~• century relics such as mechanical fir- our lone soldier is guarding. From his pro- dous number of munitions within a lim- abiliry to tailor th e system's respo nse to L. "Mi ne Sniffing Robotic Snakes and Eels: Fan-
tected position, he notices hi s laptop ired area brings up a few other problems. the id entified threat, mea ning that no tasy or Real ity'" Fifth International Symposium: Mr. Kent Kogl er
ing pins and triggers. The only pa rts o f a
Metal Storm gun that move are the bul- flash ing an alert. The buried senso rs have First, unless the grenades can reduce rhe mo re munitions than necessary ought to Technology and the Mine Problem. Monterey, Cali- liT Research Insrirure
fornia, April 2002. [email protected]
lets. And they move fast. Because each triangulated a target's position while it is target to its component atoms (which be fired at any o ne rime. I see hi s poin t (2) Kogler, Kent; Kokod is, Victor; Kisatsky,
buller is fired so soo n after the previous, still out of visual range. In a traditional they can't), a lor of shrapnel is going to and agree with his reaso nin g-Metal Paul; Wagner, Rick. '"Area Den ial for Next Genera-
by some strange law of aerodynamics min efield serrin g, whatever is out there be spread around the target area. And Storm does offer signifi cant advantages tion Sc:mcrable Mines." Weapon Systems Technol- Mr. Jan Mclean
those in the rear "push" th e bullets in would already have been blown up, re- whi le shrapnel and metallic scraps aren't over a conventional minefield for soldiers ogy Information Analysis Center. Volume 1, Num- G IC HD
ber 3, July 2000. I. [email protected]
front, increasi ng their velociry. Reload- gardless of whether it is a civilian's truck as dangerous as landmines, they certai nly and dem ine rs alike -but the ability to (3) Metal Sto rm ADWS Descriprion: Re-
ing is acco mp lished by simply inserring or enemy tanks. aren't good for crop growing or redevel- saturate an area with thousands of gre- trieved from <http:!/www.metalstorm.com/l l _ap-
opment either. nades in a fraction of a second still does plica tions/military.htm i#ADWS> o n May 10, Mr. Chuck Yehlow
another factory-packed rube of bullets But our soldier has the opportunity
into the barrel. Besides bullets, Metal to check out th e target before he buries it Then there is the fami liar problem nor seem Iike a huge step forward for so- 2002. Meral Storm LTD.
(4) Fido Sensor Description: Retrieved from cveh [email protected] m
Sto rm technology has been adapted to under a barrage of explosive munitions. ofUXO. The Metal Storm website claims ciety. Nevertheless, the mine action co m- <www.nomadics.com/Landmi ne_Detcctor/Fido/>
much large r munitions , including 40- According to Metal Storm LTD., the that "rhe fuse for the Metal Storm ADWS mun ity can look forward to deployment on June 18, 2002.
and 60-mm rounds and a variery of gre- ADWS pods will accommodate a vi deo proj ecti les is bein g designed with a high of Metal Storm ADWS pods in as little (5) Puri, Vi nod: Forbes, Steph en; Fil ippidis, Mr. Joh n Sikes
camera in one of rhe barrels. The soldier probabili ry of function (99 .9 percent) as 18 months, potentially signaling the Despina. "Metal Storm: Key Technology for Fu- Nomadics, In c.
nades, greatly upgrading the destructive
tu re L1nd Warf:1rc." Proceedings of the Land \'(leap- jsikes@nomad ics.com
capability of this weapon system. s can choose to launch this camera to posi- with self-destruct function after a period beginning of the end for conventional
Metal Storm LTD. has devised sev- tively identifY the target fro m a bird's-eye of rime, hence extremely low UXO lev- minefields. And that's something to cheer
eral possible uses fo r their technology, and view. In this case, the soldier sees that els.".\ 1 spoke with Mr. C huck Vehlow of about, isn't ir?
one of those happens to be as a land mine enemy forces have indeed infil trated his Metal Storm to determine how rhe com-
replacement system rhat is co mpatibl e perimeter. Using his laptop, our man-in- pany p lans to fulfill this audacious claim,
wi th the Mine Ban Treary. Both the Aus- the-loop ord ers up a punishing response since no munition yet d eveloped h as
tralian and U.S. militaries have shown to this incursio n while the sensors keep come close to 99.9 percent effectiveness.
great interest in rhis potential application , tracking the target's position. H e can Mr. Yehlow explained that each rou nd
providin g a steady flow of funding to choose how many munitions to fire off used in the ADWS will include a propri-
bring the co mpany's co ncepts ro fruition. and also which rypes to use. As soon as eta ry internal fus ing system-which is
What follows is a basic a rea denial sce- he confirms his decision on the screen, still under development- to assure that
na rio as c urrently imagined by Metal every barrel in every pod erupts simulta- munitions explode on co ntact with rhe
Storm LT D . For more technical informa- neously. A split second later, thousands target or ground. Mr. Veh low assured me
tion, view the company's website at of 40-mm anti-armor grenades rai n down rhar once deminers locate the 0.1 percen t
<www.metalstorm.com>. on the enemy tanks and personnel carri - of munitions rhar do nor function cor-
First, friendly soldiers bu ry a few sen- ers, e ngul fi ng them in a flood of exp lo- rectly, an external component on each
sors arou nd the area they are guarding. sive fire. round will allow demi ners to defuse rhem
They rh e n place severa l Area D e nial After the soldier's army decides that quickly an d easily.
Weapon System (ADWS) pods-each particula r area no longer needs defend- If Metal Sro rm does succeed in cre-
containi ng up to 98 barrels rhar would ing, combatants can round up the pods ating a UXO-proof fuse, there is still rhe
in turn contain up to six 40mm gre- and sensors and u ansport them to wher- problem of detecting other UXO in a
nades-in strategic locations so that each ever they might be needed. No explosi ve shrapnel-laden field that is also drenched
pod's line of fire intersects with another's.' devices are left behind-only the ruined in explosive vapors. After all, these activi-
So me barrels could be reserved for flash - remnants of invading forces. ties are all presumably taking place in a

• 72 • • 73 •
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 38
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

rank mines in action with the Rhodesian • The Pookie

Pookie Rides Again

during
army, this was only at the cost of new
testing.
wheels and rim replacements, but nose-
rious human casualty.
At the end of the Rhodesian con-
weight chassis and carried a one-person
Following the buzz caused by sniffer wasps and the scurry from mine-seeking flict, Pookie went out of commission, and
armour-plated cab. The cab had a V-
rats, now it seems it is time for the African bush baby to come into its own. it sat around gatherin g dust as a war relic
shaped undercarriage designed to deflect
Mine clearance specialist MineTech International is completing work on a from the early 1980s onwards. However,
any blast away from the driver and to
three-year project to transform an abandoned Zimbabwean war relic into a
rhe advent of new mine detecting tech-
combat centre blast mines. The wheels
cost-effective mine detection platform for the 21 •• century. Project leader Willie nology has added a new lease of life to
were positioned some distance from the
Lawrence of MineTech International plots the progress ofthe revival of Pookie. this vehicle. In late 1999, MineTech
cab, again to protect the driver in the
brushed off the cobwebs and bega n look-
event of deronation by offsetting the sear
ing at the potential of Pookie as a low
by Willie Lawrence, Mine Tech lines the steps now being taken to bring of explosion, and they were ho used in
ground pressure platform fo r Ground
Pookie back from its burrow for mod- Formula One racing tires, apparently
International Penetrating Radar (GPR), enabling CPR
ern-day mine detection. bought in bulk from the South African
to be used safely in close proximity to target
Grand Prix. Wide with low pressure, they
Introduction mines to enable accurate mine detection.
The History of Pookie exert a minimum ground force. The ve-
In the drive to improve safety and hicle was propelled by an engine from a
Pookie's New Mission
efficiency in mine clearance, one thing Between 1972 and 1980, it is esti- Volkswagen Beede that was capable of
to remember is that o ld need not neces- mated that more than 600 people were taking Pookie ro mine detection speeds
MineTech began a three-year col-
sarily mean outdated. Often it's the tried killed and thousands more injured by of up ro 60 kilom etres per hour. Two
laboration with a team from a German mineral mining world. The motor is ca- In 2001, Pook ie went on location on
and tested solutions that prove the best. landmines on hundred of kilometres of drop-arm detectors were m ounted left
company, Tricon, with the objective of pable of travelling at I 0 kilometres per roads in Senafe, Eritrea, 130 kilometres
Born out of the necessity to counter the roads and runways in Rhodesia. The roll and right and equipped with a detection
co nverting Tricon 's GPR technology into hour, slow for the movement of a Pookie south of Asmara. This first fu ll pilot
heavy casualty to ll from land m in es would have been much higher but for the system that bounced magnetic waves in to
a viable application in the field. As a first between targets, but a good average speed project was funded by the German gov-
planted on roads in former Rhodesia in invention of Pookie, a small detection the ground as well as an acoustic signal
step, rhe GPR system was initially trialed for quality GPR data gathering. Pookie ernment and run in conjunction with the
the early 1970s, Pookie is testament to vehicle designed ro travel ahead of mili- to indicate metal.
in Mozambique, mounted on the from was set to run on slightly inflated formula Eritrea Mine Action Centre, who was
the fact that cost effective solution s on tary a n d civi lian convoys and light On first trials, Pookie detected every
of a Land rover on trial minefields. The one racing slicks, delivering a weight dis- asked to be responsible both for target-
the front line of mine detection need not enough not to detonate anti-tank mines. metallic mine and went on to prove itsel f
results were good, and the technology tribution that exerts a pressure of only ing the Pookie team and for conducting
be rocket science. Pookie, so named because of irs re- both rei iable and safe. Even th ough
proved its ability to identify density four pounds per square inch per wheel a form of quali ty control on the system
After some 20 years of dust gathering, semblance to the small wide-eyed African Pookies did detonate ami-personnel
changes in the soil surface on a trial on the road surface. (However, the steer- in general.
Pookie rides again, proving irs potential bush baby, was constructed on a li ght- mines and several booby-trapped anti-
stretch of road to a depth of 0.5 metres. ing system wasn't man enough ro deal The first objective was specifically to
as a platform for What was needed to convert this into a with the enhanced tires and ground to a test the operational issues of the whole
modern mine detec- practical application was the right plat- halt at speeds in excess of 20 kilometres system and its performance as a means
tion technology and form from which to gather the informa- per hour.) This was replaced with a hy- of gathering data along suspect roads,
in particular as a ve- tion. As a lightweight vehicle designed draulic steering system and steering ram, which could then be used to give an ac-
hicle to deliver GPR specifically for unsurfaced road condi- which linked to the original relay system curate positioning of potential mines in
safely in close prox- tions, Pookie once again ca me into its by a number of arms and joints. Pookie a way that would be of practical use co
imity to the min e. own, able to traverse anti-tank mines and also needed a substantially en hanced rhe deminer. Secondly, we aimed to as-
Recent field tests in take the CPR system direcrly to a prob- power system sufficient to support five sess the steps required to link a Pookie/
Eritrea were designed lem area. radar sensors from the system. This was GPR demining solution to international
to highlight how a In stage two of the project, trials were provided by two small lightweight, 12- demining standards. From MineTech's
partnership between fi rst conducted combining Pookie with volt batteries linked to the motor's alter- perspective, we were keen that the trials
the old and the new rhe CPR system. These were held in nator. The GPR system used by Tricon be rigorous and conducted in an envi-
could be used effec- Somaliland. The results were conclusive was fixed to Pookie with aluminium spars ronment where the system would be open
tively in cleari n g enough to show that the CPR system designed to overhang the front ofPookie to a wide-ranging scrutiny to ensure an
mines from unsurfaced worked with irs new mounting partner, by approximately 1.5 metres. These carry extremely thorough and possibly critical
roadways. This ar- but it wasn't quite a marriage made in five sensors that pass over the ground as analysis of the package on show. The
ticle examines the heaven. Although the basic concept was Pookie moves. Each sensor is 40 project team worked as far as possible to
work done to dare in sound, Pookie would need more than just centimetres wide giving a total width of the normal MineTech Standard Opera-
the revival ofPookie, a facel ift ro bring her into the 21 " cen- coverage of two metres. tions Procedures (SOPs), but part of the
identifies the results tury. In the next phase, the VW engine To complete the project, a full pilot aim of rhe exercise was to develop a set of
and findings of the was replaced by a hydraulic pump sys- of the system was needed in a theatre with unique SOPs specifically for the evolv-
field tests and out- tem, a Harz 40 Horsepower hydraulic a high concentration of mined roads. ing Pookie system.
mo tor manufactured in Germany and Eritrea was the obvious choice, with an
used on numerous small vehicles in the ongoing need for this type of technology.
• The Pookie.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 74 • • 75 • 39

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Findings to pinpoint the position of potential this respect, Pookie's motor performed well. Positioning Potential occurs, and the question is how to get a prove efficiency in demining: mechani-
mines with an accuracy of up to one metre Devices team leader or medic upfronr rapidly to cal ground preparation and now elec-
The overall conclusion of the trial at 1000 metres. This was rrialed and tested. Data Gathering sort out a problem, whether a simple tronic mine detection. Thanks go both
was positive in that the combination of The method used to translate the blocked fuel fllrer or a mine detonation- to the support in rerms of funding from
Pookie as a mechanical platform work- Mechanical Performance In terms of data collection, rhe span G PR data to an accurate position marked which potentially requires a rapid response. the German government and to the Mine
ing in conjunction with GPR does of the sensor area at two metres would on the road was found ro be effective, Cu rrently, MineTech is investigating a Action Centre in Eritrea for its support,
achieve the aim of gathering relevant data The trial was nevertheless a learning seem to be ideal, enabling the system to although a second tachometer has now number of practical options, to be in - confidence and constmcrive criticism, which
on a potentially mined road both safely experience, and a number of constraints perform effectively on roads of a va riety been mounted on the rear of Pookie ro cluded in the SOPs, bur rhe most effi- have enabled rhe system ro continue to
and cost effectively. In a total of 11 work- were identified. From an operational per- of different widths. It was particularly act as a failsafe system. It was suggested cient would appear to be a second Pookie be developed in a positive direction.
days, the team covered 89,436.2 square spective, the platform required further suited to the average Eritrean road we that the method of verifying positioning modified to take a second person or row Without doubt, the best way of resting
metres of ground and investigated 79 modification to improve mechanical encountered (between 4.5 and five metres fo r rhe field team should be re-examined. a stretcher trolley. and proving a system is nor in the labo-
readings. No landmines were found. availability. Pookie had most difficulty wide). Widening the sensor coverage ro, It's obviously crucial to eliminate any dif- ratory, but in the workplace. In our case,
What was clear was that a Pookie perform ing in very stony conditions. The say, six metres would obviously be more ference in measurement, no matter how Q.uality Control that is a minefield where the unforeseen
working a six-hour data-gathering day at formu la one tires are good for most roads efficient on six metre roads but would not slight, that could be caused by uneven happens in real time, wh ere problems
a speed as low as five kilometres per hour experienced in Eritrea. However, if seri- cover a road of eight metres and would gro und, the curve in the road or human In Harare, MineTech is developing must be corrected and sol utions need to
can readily cover l 0 kilometres of road, a ously rocky terrain is to be surveyed, a certainly be probl ematic on a narrow erro r, to ensure no mines are missed. SOPs specific to the operation ofPookie be effective. And it is in the minefield,
good average and readily achievable. This more durable tire is needed, an issue that three-metre track or roadway. Increasing One solution is to ensure rhe field to resolve rhe challenges identified during nor on a rest bed, that Pookie has earned
is based on the average width of road gen- could also be dealt with by better target the width of senor coverage also raises the ream uses an identical measuring wheel the project. Emphasised in these will be its stripes as an effective platform for elec-
erally experienced in Senafe of between choice. In the mean time, the racing slick trade-off between weight and perfor- so the exact same technology is used to all rhe issues relating to safety, techniques tronic mine detection.
4.5 and five metres. With a two-metre will continue to be used, possibly with a mance. Wider coverage means more sen- re-identify marks. A better alternative, of gathering production figures, quality The GPR Pookie is a fast, cost-ef-
sensor width, three sweeps over each road new lighter-weight rim. sors and an increased power requiremen t, however, is for Pookie itself to operate a control, support ream techniqu es and fective and accurate system for identify-
section guarantees good coverage and Similarly, while the modifications to adding more weight and increasing the second run from the previous day's start logistics relating to support for the system. ing and clearing mines from unsurfaced
some overlap. The best quality data is re- the steering system were on the whole risk of detonation. poi nt, marking each suspected mine There are arguments stating rhat for roads, with an important role to play in
corded at around eight to 10 kilometres successful for the speeds required for data At th e time of the trial, the GPR point with a jet of paint from a paint gun a mechanical system to be proved, a sec- opening up essential comm unication
per hour. Data gathered at significantly gathering, so me changes in design are technology had not been developed ro the mounted on the platform. This reduces ond system must cover the same ground routes in countries such as Eritrea, Sudan,
higher speeds becomes too blurred to in- needed for high speed rravel between tar- stage whereby real time data gathering any margin for error, with the same in- entirely. Running a second system over Somalia, northern Iraq, northern Iran
terpret with any accuracy. gets. Similarly, the motor, capable of 10 and interpretation could take place. This strument used to record initial distance the same ground, however, is not cost- and Lebanon. But as far as Pookie is con-
The data was integrated to a GPS to kilometres per hour was perfect for data will possibly be available in due course, zeroed and used again to verify targets. effective demining. For the areas and dis- cerned, the potential does nor stop there.
give a position that was then translated gathering, but slow for movement be- and further modification to platform de- ranees expected to be covered by Pookie, MineTech is also investigating the role of
to a distance measurement along the road. tween targets. To overcome both of these sign as well as drills and SOPs will then Compatibility with it is sim ply not going ro be efficient. Pookie as a platform for a broad loop
The system recorded both distance from issues, a trailer is being designed to take be needed ro manage the concurrent de- International Standards MineTech's approach to quality has always metal detector, and a prorotype system is
the start point to target and distance in Pookie from one job to another. In practical tection and clearance. been to build quality standards into work- currently under construction.
from the edge or verge. A small tachometer terms, the more important factor in field In the meantime, the current GPR In order to meet international stan- ing practice through rigorous systems and In rhe front end of mine clearance,
• The Pookie's
detector arms. mounted on the rear drive axle was used operation is mechanical reliability, and in system is capable of gathering up ro eight dards for humanitarian demining, further procedures. To dare, this approach has what continues to be needed more than
hours of data in one work exerc ise. systems are required to mark rhe stretches proved consistently effective in that not anything are technology solutions that
Downloading the data takes a further of roadway as they are covered. To tackle one undetected mine has yet been found improve removal rates, overall efficiency
three hours. Reading the data requires a this, a marking system has been devel- behind a MineTech operation, a record and safety for everyone involved. And
highly trained eye, and in general, the job oped to plot regular points of Pookie's we are keen to sustain. while rhe pot of money available for the
of interpretation takes abom as long as progress. This will help ensure the driver One approach being investigated to job remains very finite, these solutions
data gathering, especially in areas of rocky overlaps his run correctly and covers the quality test the Pookie GPR system is to need ro be easy to implement and cost-
terrain , which generates more readings entire road. As a result of the trials, rhe run performance rests over sections of effective. In all of these respects, the G PR
and consequently requires more interpre- SOPs now developed for the system rec- road pre-p lanted with dummy items. Pookie fits the bill, wirh the potential to
tation rime. om mend rhat the area robe investigated Another is to use dogs to verify in- detect mines and enable mine clearance
The current method of data capture, for each suspected mine will be a mini- dividual sections of rhe ground as a check from com munication routes more effec-
download and interpretation was identi- mum five metres in advance and ro the procedure, and again, MineTech is de- tively than previously achieved. •
fied as a productivity bottleneck, bm this rear of the marked point and across rhe veloping these ideas in the SOPs.
could be modified to improve daily our- whole width of the road. This provides a 'All photos courtesy of Exploration Logistics Group.
put. Greater efficiency could be achieved factor of safety in case there is ever a mea- Summary
simply by overlapping activities, down-
Contact Information
surement dispute. It also provides a l 0-
loading data for interpretation after, say, metre by four-metre box rhar can be used The modifi cations identified for the William Lawrence
just two hours of gathering, so that the if dogs are on site. Pookie platform are now virtually in place
MineTech International
data can be interpreted at the same time Equally important from an SOP and the completion of the Pookie pilot
PO Box HG 632 H ighlands
as the next phase of gathering occurs. The point of view is medical provision and has been a successful and important phase
Harare, Zimbabwe
other alternative is simply to increase the Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC). A in integrating GPR into humanitarian
Tel: ++263 4 776216/531
available manpower for interpretation. Pookie might be five kilometres away demining. As a result, MineTech can now
Fax: ++263 4 746902
from a control point when a problem field two key systems in the quest to im-
E-mail: [email protected]

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 76 • • 77 • 40
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2
Mine Resistant Boots
• Test position.

Mine Resistant Boots WOODEN BOX so kg

Boots (lTC). Tests results showed chat the
rest boots meet the requirements of the
ZEMAN Shoe Ltd. 's Independent CSN EN 344- 1 and CSN EN 347-1
The task of demining is highly dangerous. Deminers and humanitarian
Development standards. Very optimistic resu lts con-
workers are at risk to injury every time they step onto a minefield. Jiri Chladek
In I 998 Zeman Shoe Ltd. also cerning a sole puncrure resistance in value
and t he Zeman Company have developed a special boot to reduce risks
starred R & D wo rk concerning mine 2958 N (standard required min . II OON)
incurred when stepping on landmines. resistant boors. During rhe preliminary were also obtained. Derails are available
stages they used availabl e in forma tion in Final Report No. 723302 19/2001.
by Jiri Chladek, M.Sc.,Dr., workers and al l who rem edy former from abroad and experience from rests Joint Research Be The final tests were undertaken in
Independent Advisor & battlefields. For all of these people we carried out in rhe United States. Zeman Development the resting facility of the Deparrmem of
Expert in Explosives prepare "Blast Protective" or "M ine Re- Shoe Ltd. based their development on a Theory and Technology of Explosives at
sistant Boors." sole with a special shape that contained Both sides first mer during an Inter- Testing the University in Pardubice. Tested boots
Each war brings killing. To kill the an alumi num insert for moving explosion national Exhibition of Defense Technol- were fitted to a measuring device of its
enemy, machine gu ns, cannons, ranks ... Independent gases away from the boot. ogy (IDET 99) in May 1999 in Brno, The m ai n problem concerning rest- own construction and equipped by an ac-
and also landmin es can be used. When Development A final protOtype was prepared for Czech Republic. At the start, they were ing is rhe lack of international stan dards. celerometer. The weight of one person
the war finishes, soldiers return home, tanks tests in spring 1999. These rests showed given basic requirements for the final During rhe preliminary period each was simulated by a 65 kg weight situated
go away and only landmines-rhese small Dr. Chladek's Independent that their direction in R & D blast resis- product: sample was loaded by a wooden box filled inro the basket.
hidden killers remain. They are sleeping Development tant boors was nor successful. T he boors • Boors should be appropriate for all- with sand and soil with a total mass During tests, resea rch ers placed a
in the so il and waiting for their own vic- Dr. C hladek began work geared at did nor have the required protection level. around 50 kg. Later a few different steel testing charge under the heel in contact
clay wearing,
rim. They are sleeping in the soil and solving the problem offoor protection in During rhe rests they also obtained some legs were used, but the results showed that with the sole. The AP mines were simu-
• Must be resistant against AP mines
waiting for 10, 20, 30 or 50 years. They 1997. First, he collected different mate- interesting findings: these tests did not meet rhe R & D re- lated by a plastic ring, 4 5 mm in diameter,
and/or unexploded ordnance like sub-
are waiting on some body's last step ... rials appropriate for amour co nstruction • Sole shape is nor so important and qui rements. Useful results were obtained filled by 25, 35 or 50 g of plasric explosive
munitions and related items containing
During the war killing is casual. It is and then prepared a number of different it has minor effects on protection level. at least 35g HE, when "woode" n man (b lock of wood) Semtex. They also carried out tests using
terrible, but killing soldiers during the flexible arm ours. The armours differed in • Boor construction must not con- with a mass of around 65 kg was used. a charge buried rwo em in the soil (*).
• Must be designed for all people
war is casual. Why do the landmines kill material, number and thickness of lay- rain any metallic parts. Trials with charges exploded in front of
who must wa lk across dangerous areas,
civilians, childre n or farm ers 20, 30 or ers, and tech nology of layer connection. • It is necessary to find appropriate rhe boots simulated a situation when the Result of Co-operation
especially the wide range of humanitar-
50 years after the war? Why? Because Each sample was rhen rested by ex- testing methods (there are no interna- user kicks the unexploded ordnance. The
ian workers as well as for de-miners.
there are over I 00 million landmines scat- plosion. As resting charges were used, tional standards). boots were independently tested at the The combined efforts ofJiri Chladek
During R & D work each material
cered in 60 countries in the world. There- boosters were made from TNT; PETN After the rests, the company found Institute for Testing and Certification of and Zeman Shoe Ltd. were able to inrro-
and technology was rested by explosions
fore the Zeman Company starred their and Semrex. In accordance with the re- it necessary ro find an expert experienced of different charges. It
own development of protective boots. sults of previous steps, new test samples in explosives and explosive protection.
• (Left to Right) was necessary to find Table I. Resu lt of tests
were obtained and a sole was made. Af- Representatives of Zema n Shoe Ltd. mer
Prototypes of Already different technologies for new technologies and ~MPLE • (Left to Right)
ter successful trials with different explo- with Dr. C hladek, independent expert in CHARGE COMMENTS
armours prepared mine and UXO locating exist and new also new materials ap- Ordinary combat boots Sample weighted
for testing. Steel leg methods and technologies are likely to sive charges, there appeared a clear re- explosives, at the exhibition ID ET 99 and 25g fatal destruction of boot and leg- AMPUTATION! by"wooden man."
propriate for resistant Zeman AM 25g damaged heel
second generation. be developed in the near and fast fuwre. quest: co-operation with a boor producer a new era in R & D of blast protective Boot and charge of
Boots w ith steel leg
boot production. Spe- Zeman AM 35g damaged heel and part of sole Semtex prepare for
But during different demin ing opera- is necessary. It was necessary to know boors successfully began.
second generation cia] attention was given Zeman AM 50g heavily damaged heel, inner po rt of boot OK test. Measuring
tions, a deminer must walk across suspi- which material and which technology can equipment. Boot
filled by silicone to the main pans of rhe Zeman AM 25g* minor damage of heel
rubber. cious areas, as well as many humanitarian be used for resistant boors production. prepared for test.
boors: sole, toecap and

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 78 • • 79 • 41

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
The Landmine Menace

Perforation Protection

The Landmine Menace:

• Boots before
explosion and Special construction of rhe
after explosion. sole ensures 250 percent anti-per-
foration according to the require-
ments ofEU standards. It protects
2- 5 times more than special safety
Th e Great Humanitarian Challenge
shoes containing usually steel anti- complywith the economy/efficiency aspects.
perforation inserts. On the basis ofthe conflict scenarios and the resultant threat, it is necessary
Practical use frequently fails owing
to develop methods and means to eliminate the threat. Simply using
to rheas yet inadequate ease of handling
Protection 5th Level-Tread Energy available tools is not always easy. What is necessary is to optimally combine
duce a product called "Mine Resistant of rhese methods, the technical complex-
Protection existing detection and clearance methods and, if necessary, to develop new,
Boots," model Zeman AM (Anti-Mine) ity and expenditure involved, which are
The Mine resistant (Blast Protective) Special construction of heel and ana- promising technologies in a targeted manner.
offering resistance against AP mine ex- still too great and, in some cases, the ex-
plosions and unexploded ordnance with boor model ZEMAN AM offers a few tomic replaceable innersoles absorb tread treme requirements applicable to user
a charge around 50g HE. The boors are levels of protection. energy in the heel seat. • by Thomas Himmler, lnstitut cion in which the public can live their qualification. Ongoing development
characterized by a robust and resistant Dr. Forster lives safely in former conflict areas. proj ects, such as the research activities
design with long-term service life. They 1st Level-Multi-Layer Armour References launched within rhe framework of rhe
do not contain any metallic parts. in Sole Introduction Detection Euwpean Union's European Strategic
The sole contains a special multi- j. CHLADEK, Research & Development of
Programme for Research and Development
Mine resistant Shoes, Report, 1998
Technical Specification and layer ballistic armour. When excess ive J. CHLADEK, Czech Mine Boot Develop- Lien Ta had just started to repair the We must first fundamentally differ- in [nformation Technology (ESPRIT), do
Description ofMine Resistant Boots pressure (energy of explosion) is exerted ment, lecture on annual conference, World EOD irrigation ditch in his field when an ex- entiate between surface and near-surface indicate, however, that it is possible to
T he "Mine Resistant Boors" model on the armour, part of the energy is re- Foundation, Sandown Park Conference C entre, plosion shattered the tranquility of the threats and the threat posed by UXO, reduce the existing handicaps. In small
flected back from the armour, part is con- UK, 1999 early morning. One small step on the
Zeman AM are a special all-leather boot frequenrly at great depth. The criterion steps, we are approaching the target of
J.Strnad, J. Majznk, Determination of resis-
with protection against explosion of AP sumed by programmable destruction pre- tance level of Blast Protective Boors mod. Zeman
wrong spot wiped our the life of this of clear and, rhus, reliable signal indica- practical suitability, a race against rime
contact mines and related UXO items pared layers, part flows around rhe boors AM, Un iversicy of Pardubicc, Dept. ofTheory and farmer. A family lost a member of its com- tion has absolute priority. In addition, rhat we must win. This is certainly no
with a charge around 50 g of high explo- to surrounding space and only a small Tech no logy of Explosives, 200 I munity and children lost their f:1.ther and other essential deciding factors include easy undertaking if we consider rhe strin-
part of rhe energy goes through the multi- lTC Zlin, Final Report No. 723302 19/2001
sive. The boots can be provided with the security of their existence. how easy the method is to apply and irs gent requirements placed on use in the field.
Sympatex lining, which ensures I 00 per- layer armour and hits the inner armour. Regardless of whether a farmer tills efficie ncy and economy in use.
~All photos courtesy ofthe author.
cent waterproof protection while keep- his field in Yiernam, a woman in Angola Where are the Problems?
ing comfort by letting perspiration out 2nd Level-Inner Armour fetches drinking water from a well orchil- Near-Surface Detection
Contact Information
of the boor. The inner armour is situated inside dren in Bosnia go ro school , they should Well, minefields may be laid any-
Boot Description: the boots, around the lower leg. This re- all be able to do rhis on safe ground and In rhe majority of cases, metal de- where; not only level and easily accessible
Jiri Ch ladek, M.Sc.,Dr.
• Upper material grain leather, hy- duces an effect of overpressure enteri ng on safe footpaths. Bur rhis is far from rhe tectors based on eddy-current technolo- areas may be mined, bur also slopes, road
Independent Advisor & Expert in
drophobic, smooth, thickness of2.0-2.2 through the multi-layer armour (from case. Even years after con flicts and wars gies are used for near-surface detection embankments, wooded areas, desert ar-
Explosives
mm sole) as well as overpressure and fragments have almost disappeared into oblivion, today. Regardless of whether they are eas or beach areas, even front yards. One
Sulova 1247, 156 00 Praha 5 Z braslav,
• Leather co unter incoming from rhe surrou nding area. the menace from landmines and UXO handheld, individual sensors or large-area other factor is extreme infestation with
Czech
• Double thermal roe puff Special attention was given to the devel- in these areas is extreme. systems, which are sometimes designed extraneous objects that must be clearly
E-mail: [email protected]
• Special lasting insole from ballistic opment of a heel sear and roe cup. Trials The United Nations is aware of over with several channels in the form of sen- detected. In addition, many of rhe areas
material of rhe thickness of7 mm with charges exp loded in front of the GO affected countries in which the civil- sor arrays, the technological fundam en- are covered by vegetation that grows back
Libor Zeman, M.Sc.,
• Bottom design with use of sewn boots simulated a situation when a user ian population is still constanrly threat- tals are very largely the same and have cons ranrly or are subject to constant
Mr. Peter Zeman
through technology kicks at unexploded ordnance. The hu- ened by hidden mines. Estimates extend been tried and rested for many years now. change as rhe resu lt of erosion or floods.
Ms.Jvear Zemanova • zemanAM-
• Special rubber sole with the thick- man body received only a small part of from 60 ro over 100 million mines laid Attempts have been made to solve Th e detection tasks required will
ZEMAN Shoe Ltd. Biast Protective
ness of20 mm combined with bal- the energy entering through the multi- during rimes of war and con flier. In many rhe problem of the high alarm rate and largely be performed by metal detectors
765 02 Orrokovice, Czech Boots.
listic material while preserving suf- layer armour because the inner armour areas, rhe number of items of UXO still the non-derectabilityof non-metallic ord- until the above-menrioned methods and
E-mail: [email protected]
ficient flexibility reduces it. substantially exceeds the number ofmines. nance associated with this technique by method combinations are advanced enough
• Closed tongue Besides the resultant personal threat opting for a combination with comple- ro a stage ar which they can be introduced
• Leather collar bandage 3rd Level-Ballistic to the indi vidual, this also blocks traffic mentary sensor systems. Essential aspects on a large scale. Here as well , further ad-
• Sock lining absorbing treading Protection routes on land and water. Urban areas are in this case are the incorporation of vances have been made in recent years.
energy in toe All-leather pares of the considered risky and unsafe, and valuable "metal-independent
" methods, such as The ex isting Conti nuous Wave
• Lacing: 4 eyelets 5 passes through boots are reinforced by ballis- agricultural land necessarily lies fallow. grou nd penetrating radar (GPR), and (CW) and Pulse metal detectors in use
• Thread stitching I 000 tic material. It ensures ballistic Reconstruction of any kind and the ere- infrared (IR) sensors. Material-analytical worldwide have undergone substantial
• Black color protection against fragments arion of viral structures are delayed or pre- methods such as rhe Nuclear Quadropole development. They are rhus sti ll the
• Boor height: 30 em (mine bodies, soil, stones) ac- vented ro an unacceptable exrenr. It is Resonance (NQR) method co mplement method that most widely covers the lis red
• Weight: only 2980 g per pair celerated by explosion or other only an immediate and targeted solution the range of methods that can be used. requ irements of practical use.
• Sizes: 6- 12 flying particles. to the problem that can provide a quick On the one hand, all new methods In regards to the metal detectors, we
4th Level-Anti- remedy an d make a contriburion to the must meet the extreme requirem ents of shall explicitly illustrate further develop-
urgently required restoration of a si tua- the task at hand; on the other, they must ment by way of example of rhe Minex

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 80 • • 81
• 42
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

merhod must be in recent years: site sounding and informa-

countered appropri- tion editing by specialised reams, fo llowed
ately. One way of do- by clearance and disposal by appropriately

The Versatile Tank-like Flail

sensor array. Object... -
ing this is to use an trained Explosive O rdna nce Disposal
signals in two

..=......
;;. appropriately adapted (EOD) personnel. Similarly, the detec-
colour tangential ..,
circles. Object size combination of sen- tion and evaluation method can be used
and circle diameter ,,
........
are corresponding .
... sors (e.g., by adding as a subsequent method of quality inspec-
GPR technology). tion after clearance has been performed . The University of Rhode Island may soon get to test a new minefield clearance
:::"" The illustration vehicle. With its sturdy frame and versatile design, this machine may be
....:~ Conclusion
·-...·- _..
'"'
""
'"'
""
~~
shows the rest track
plot results achieved
.J in a first test step, ini- Mined areas can be used safely by
suitable for areas like farmlands .

tially exclusively with the civilian population only if definitive by Harry Einstein, PE simple and could be manufactured in be raised or lowered hydraulically as re-
2fd. This two-frequency CW unit has a m etal detector that was later comple- clearance of all munitions and ordnance NEBETCO countries with limited facilities. The ma- quired by the operator for the desired
been meeting th e requirements for mented by CPR. is carried our and completed and only chine can be driven on ramp boards up depth of engagement with the earth.
ground adaptation for years now (i .e., the when rhe cleared area has been certified NEBETCO Engineering in Rhode on a trailer bed or a medium sized open Several accessories could be used
electronic circuitry adapts the unit auto- Detection at Depth and the areas released. Achieving th is Island has developed a new self-contained, or closed truck. Most if not all countries with the basic machine. lr is also possible
matically to changed ground conditions). humanitarian goal in a very short time affordable, rider-controlled machine for would permit such mobile machines to ro have the machine pull a tiller or a cul-
This means that optimum detectability As mentioned above, detection and after the end of conflicts or wars still neces- safely discharging land mines in farmlands be driven on paved or unpaved roads for t ivator while clearing minefields ar the
is guaranteed even in areas with magnetic clearance of the surfaces must also be sitates a great deal of commitment on the and other accessible areas. The operator short distances from one area to another. same rime. A simple addition is the in-
or conductive soils and in saltwater and followed by detection and clearance of part of all concerned. It is the challenge is well protected by heavy steel plates and The mine discharging section shows stallation of a row of tines or a cultivator
brackish water areas. the deeper-lying UXO. In this field as to the menace of landmines and UXO. sirs ren feet behind rhe mine discharge, a revolvi ng square or round tube to which installed o n the underside of the machine
Integrated, selectable soil-adaptive well, essential advances that have en- All technologies already available today the force of which is confined and directed are affixed rows of strings of hinged, flat behind the driving wheel or tracks. If such
functions that learn allow additional ad- hanced performance have been made in offer an extraordinari ly good basis for away from the operator. The heavy steel pounding plates or heavy chain which Ay operation is desired, a larger engine would
aptation to extreme situations. When, in recent years. These include creating large- developing more extensive and optimal structure of the machine is designed to outward by centrifugal force and repeat- probably be required, depending upon
the I 950s and 1960s, the plastic age area sensors incorporating pulse technology methods fo r efficient/economic and safe wi thstand the explosive force of an AP edly strike the earth. The hinged plates the land conditions. The operation and
gained ground, mine manufacturers also and operating on the basis of the eddy- detection of the heritage of numerous m ine. Should AT mines be encountered, are shown flat, but contoured plates could depth of entry would be under the con-
developed so-called "plastic min es" current method and creating appropriate crises. It is the joint task of all those in- some damage to the machine could re- be more effi cie nt. Additionally, spikes trol of the operator.
wh ich, in extreme cases, incorporate only methods for editing and representing the volved-be they users or manufactur- su lt, but the operator should be un- could be incorporated on the ourer plate Safety ofthe operator has been provided
a minimum metal share (e.g., the firing measured signals. ers-to continue this development process ha rmed. The machine is designed to clear of the string that could help break up the for. The revolving mine discharging ro-
pin). Allowance has been made even for The magnetometer technology, devel- in a targeted manner. Regardless of this, a four-foot wide path and to clear one soil. Rotation is provided by a hydraulic tary mechanism is housed in heavy steel
this development, a dramatic one for oped by Prof. Friedrich Forster, is available however, it is absolutely essential to en- acre in two to four hours depending upon motor. The power source is an internal plates with openings in front for discharge
mine detection, by adapting the sensor for high-resolution detection offerromag- sure appropriate support for this process at the ground conditions. If desired, rhe combustion engine driving a hydraulic of earth a nd exploded mine fragments.
performance. An adequately high trans- netic objects at great depths. H aving been a political level, which requires e labo- described machine can be remotely op- pump. Hydraulic power is also supplied T he small opening between the rotary
mit power and software-aided, automatic further developed constantly over the rating corresponding fundamen tals and erated. This operation would be desired to the two hydraulic motor wheels that mechanism and the wheel housing, which
evaluation of the in some cases minimal years, it supplies the clearest results avail- standards and ensuring that they are in- wh ere AT or heavy concenuations of provide (motive) power. Individual valve is also housed in heavy steel plates, is
secondary signals of the metal object able today. Safety and efficiency/economy troduced and applied worldwide. • UXO are suspected. control of each hyd raulic motor wheel covered by a heavy steel woven-flexible
guaramee reliable detection capability. are of prime importance in the case of When nor needed for mine elimi- provides for speed and steering. The pre- blanket. In addition to the heavy steel
T he appropriate arrangement of the re- UXO detection as well. Here as well, the Contact Information nation, the machine can, with add-on ferred wheels are pneumatic with heavy plates indicated, the operator sits above a
ceive elements, some of them as twin , method of choice is to add corresponding accessories, serve as a shrub cutter, a till- threads. Automotive type chains may be heavy steel floor. Additional protection
idenrical modules, allows precise posi- evaluation software and to set up large, T hom as Himmler ing or cultivating machine, a small tractor, used to increase traction. A second driving can be provided by a heavy reinforced
tioning (pinpoin ting) of the object. full-coverage sensor arrays analogously to I nsrirut Dr. Forster a portable hydraulic supply for o cher arrangement is the use of tracks instead plastic e nclosure as needed. •
One further step towards enhanced rhe procedure used for surface detection. GmbH &Co. KG machinery or as a portable electric supply of wheels. An alternative to pneumatic
efficiency of detection is the design of The related evaluation software sup- In Laisen 70 with the addition of a generator. Some wheels or tracks is all steel wheels with Contact Information
large-area sensor systems, generally by plies clear magnetic field charts and, on Reudingen 72766 of these operations can be performed at steel ears that were common on very early
maximising the above method. A maxi- the basis of this, makes it possible to com- Germany the same rime as rhe demining operation. rracrors. Harry Einstein, PE
mum transmit power in conjunction with pute suitable object lists fo r informing the Tel: +49 I (0)7121 I 140-311 The design features three wheels and a The machine is supported by the 98 Parkwood Drive
a large number of receive elements in a clearance team deployed subsequently. Fax: +49 I (0)7121 I 140-280 narrow track providing for operation on two wheels, or tracks, and a single rear Kingston, RI 02881
suitable array makes it possible to quickly When using such systems, the quantity E-mail: uneven ground. The machine is relatively free swiveling wheel that is designed to Tel: 401-792-9139
scan large areas. Using a high-resolution of data produced is very large, so it is prac- hi mmler. [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
position -finding system then makes it tical to make a separation on the basis of
possible to plot the object on correspond- data acquisition, data evaluation and
ing location maps or to precisely mark clearance. Data acqu isition and simulta-
the position of the object with paint directly neous evaluation of this data are already
on site. However, the flood of so-called technically feasible today. This "division
false alarms necessarily accompanying this of labour" has proven ever more successful

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002

• 82 • • 83
• 43
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

One of a Kind:
Top View
... ,.------ ----- ------ ----- -----------
---------- -,---- - - -- - - - - ---------- - -
I
I
----------------
-------------&..:":::: =~ :
I
I
The Quick Reaction Demining Force
I
I
II ---- - ----------- ' I I
I I
6 eral c riteria. After scouti ng the world,

!-L-- r--r--:-:~:::::
I I
I
_.:..--18 M r. Harry "Murf" McCloy shares some of his insights into the formation
I p lanners swifrly serried on Mozambique.
I I and resulting success of the U.S. State Department's uniq ue Quick Reaction
:--- - -- - · l.--J-~
I I
I 14 : I Mr. McCloy derailed the reasoning be-
I Demining Force (QRDF).
h ind the choice: "Why did we establ ish
: 15 :
I I the QRDF in Mozambique? Well, we
I I
I
I
I
I
by JJ Scott, MA/C sence. Mr. McCloy recall s, "In Kosovo, were looki ng for a country that had a serious
~12 : all of a sudden the war ended, and it was m ine p roblem to begin wirh because we
: 15 : Introduction obvious that there were going to be hu n- knew the QRDF wasn't going to be deployed
I /,-~
:•-- - ----- 1----- ~--------:1 1
dreds of thousands of refugees flooding 100 percent of rhe time. We knew there

I
I I I I I I
Escorting a n idea alo ng rhe path back in to dangerous areas. T hat consti- was goi ng to be a lor of the ri me when
:---.:.::.:.::.:.'---~---·--------,---
1
1 "' : i i ----.. .- ----.,
I ~ I ' I '• I I ,. I I from concept ro reality often entails a tutes a real crisis si tuation. " they would not be deployed outside of
: .,. ... ... ... _ .~
1
I J I I :1I I 1:
1
~ .' 1
It was a situation the world had seen
I I
1: \. --------1:----
Ill
1:1:
_____ II•! ............
-14 ____ .__
It--- ·

.,
. . . ..,:I ............... .!
I
I
I
I
I
journey rhar is rid iculously rou ndabout,
strewn with obstacles, and com plicated before, bu t this time the outcome would
[their] national boundary." He added,
"Since we were going to be payi ng for
1-- - ---
- -·
_... _____ _
I _t ___ _ -----~------------J-~--------------------------- by bureaucratic bu ngl ing. These tribula- be different. Mr. McCloy had been wo rk- [the force], we wanted there to be wo rk
---- - - - ------ - -~---------- tions ensure that on ly the most original, ing since 1998 on plans for a demin ing for them to do while rhey were deployed
innovative, useful and timely ideas make force th at co uld respond to just such as well as work fo r wh ile they weren't."
it tO the concl uding stage: fi nal judgment emergencies. "I guess you coul d say I An abu ndance of qualified de mi ners
by the real world. Approval from this came up with a concept and then set it with in the cou n try also simpl ified the
harsh arbiter sets rhe few truly special up," he explains, "and that wo rked so wel l decision. "We had a nice convergence there:
ideas apart fro m rhe chaff. Mr. H a rry that ir was decided to make it a ful l-time you had a coun try in need and a surplus
"Murf" McCloy hatched jusrsuch a singu- thing." Along with others at the DOS and o f trai ned dem iners that would be avail-
lar idea and shepherded it durifi.1lly through in Kosovo, Mr. McCloy hastily assembled able immed iately, and it would be eco-
all irs trials, evenrually presenting the a demining squad and put them to wo rk. nomical to spin rhem up and get them
world with the QRDF: a u nique squad Tha t fi rst team of dem iners arr ived in ready to go o ur," Mr. McCloy concluded.
of highly trained, well-equipped dem iners Kosovo quicke r than an y othe rs and An experience that Mr. McCloy had
who travel worldwi de, responding to p rovided emergency clearance of heavily while running the U.S. dem ini ng pro-
emergency demi n ing siruations wherever traveled roads, cleari ng a safe path for the gram in Kosovo may have sol idified the
the need arises. Mr. McCloy now serves imminent deluge of weary refugees wh ilc dec ision to b ase the QRDF in
as the teams' Program Manager, a job he rhe longer-term programs geared up. The Mozamb ique and staff it entirely with
tackles from his position at the U.S. State squad saved lives and became rhe rem- Moza mbican deminers. He explains, "I
20
D epartment (DOS). l spoke wi th Mr. plate for a permanent force of dem iners first starred working with those guys in
McCloy about the QRDF's origins, ide- now known as rhe QRDF. Kosovo. We needed to bring in some
Notes Key ology, deployments and fi nal judgment. deminers ro do somedeminingofa suspected
1. Main frame (prototype of steel plate 12. Steel shield Brainstorm•ng mass grave. I rold them rhey ought to
Length: 12 ft.
and angle) 13. Steel floor bring in Moza.mbicans because t hey were
Overall width: 5 ft, 4 in. 14. Drive wheels
2. Steel cover plate Buildi ng o n that experience, Mr. poli tically neutral. lr was obvious that
Demining path: 4ft. 3. Operator seat, shock mounted 15. Hydraulic motor In 1999, the stage was set for a hu- McCloy a nd others in rhe DOS set about rhey weren't Serb, they weren't Musl im,
Overall height: 3 ft. 4. Operator console 16. Steel mesh shield manitarian d isaster in the Balkans. The designi ng a strategy that would give a few they weren't Croat-they were these guys
(Height over console: 4ft.) 5. Plastic shield as required 17. Optional drive (track) war in Kosovo had d riven a massive number d emi n ing reams rh e means to respond to fro m Africa. It worked o ur perfec tly, and
6. Hydraulic oil tank/ reservoir 18. Rotary support tube of civilians from their homes, fo rcing demi nin g crises as ep ito m ized by the th ey d id a good job for rhe International
7. Swivel wheel and hydraulic height 19. Hydraulic motor them ro seek temporary shelter in sprawl- Kosovo situation quicker than any previ- Wa r C ri mes Tribunal."
Estimated total weight: 4000 lbs. 20. Pounding plate string
mechanism ing refugee ca m ps. Aft er punishing ous mobile demining group. The DOS After answering rhe what, who and
8. Hydraulic valve(s) controls 21. Land surface reference line NATO air strikes convinced Slobodan determined rhar they needed a stand ing where questions, rhe DOS tackled the
9. Operator's swivel wheel 22. Skid Milosivec ro end his vicious cam paign in force of demine rs who were always on how. They enlisted dem ini ng con tractOr
Height control 23. Tine rack operating piston June, rhe refugees and internally displaced call, able to co m mence emergency opera- RONCO's assistance in constructing rhe
10. Hydraulic pump 25. Shoulder screw (hinge pin) persons (lO Ps) began the a rduous trek tions anywhere in rhe world withi n two QRDE Outl in ing rhe DOS' relationship
11. 50 HP engine 26. Elastic stop nut home, a journey made more d ifficu lt by weeks of noti fication. with RONCO, M r. McCloy said, "We
27. Hydraulic motor support hu ndreds of thousands ofland m ines and Next, rhe DOS had ro locate a home turn to them and say, 'This is what we want.
UXO deposited d uring the citizens' ab- base for rhe ream that would satisfy sev- We want a Quick Reaction Demini ng

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Force, we want it so big, we want it to working independently or in conjunction a heavy influx of refugees now rhat peace
have dogs a nd all the other stu ff,' a nd
then they go our and buy t he equipm ent,
build th e faci lities, scree n a nd hi re
with one, two or all three other reams,
with o r withou t dogs. M r. M cCloy
po inted our the flexibility this arrange-
has broken o ur. "
W hil e all four reams were occupi ed,
a new and very different emergency situa-
An Interview with Angelina Jolie
dem iners, and get the dogs read y." In ment offers, saying, "We can shoor them tion materialized in N igeria. An ammuni-
short, RONC O did the dirty work nec- all in at o nce or we can phase them in tion depot exploded in Lagos, send ing Un ited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) Goodwill
essary to c reate the QRDF. RONCO and out or rotate them or send the m our showers of UXO and red -ho t sh rapn el Ambassador Angelina Jolie discusses her time in Cambodia and the effects of
formed four I O-man reams along with two and two, th ree a nd one." Rotating rain ing down o n a nearby residential land mines there as well as the impact the trip had on her personally. She is
eight min e detecting dog (M OD) teams, the reams between foreign assignme nts district. T he DOS quickly scrambled an wi lling to share her experiences with the world to help raise more awareness
each cons isting of one dog and one and their day-to-day t as ks around ad-hoc ream of d e min e rs from fo r mine action.
trainer. According roM r. McCloy, "These Mozambique also keeps th e men's morale Mozambique, sin ce "it was a situation
are ma nual demining ream s with MOD u p. "You can't just use rhese guys like a rhar certai nly could be taken care of on
capabilities,'' but if the situatio n requires rag ro wipe up the bar, rhey have ro go an emergency basis by rhe resources we
by Jenny lange, MAIC
it, "they a re capable o f operating w ith and see rh eir wives and kids. That's one had available ro us,'' because rhe in fra-
Jenny Lange (JL): What f1rst mode
mech ani cal equipment.
" All are based of the reasons we've got the QRDF bro- structure was already in place, according
near Be ira, Mozambique, and trained in ken up into separate reams,'' he explained . ro Mr. McCloy. The new teams, though
o u ware o 1 th a'1dmm 1tuat o
nd th w r d
the latest demining techn iques. operating in rhe same capacity as the
Deployments QRDF and under rhe directi o n of rhe
Ideology W hen I wenr
DOS, will not be maintained permanently.
to Ca mbodia fo r work, I was suddenly in
D espite rhe DOS' besr efforrs ro The missio n in Sudan ended after
a co untry where I saw ir was a very big
The DOS designed rhe QRDF for keep rhe reams near thei r families, t he five weeks, and rhe DOS foresees an in-
problem. We were restricted to where we
very specific situations a nd therefore lim- QRDF's job descri ptio ns - respond ro country stay of at least three months for
could move or walk because ofl andmines.
irs irs deploym ent to suitable events. M r. emergency demin ing situations anywhere rhe S ri Lankan and N igerian projects.
McCloy expla ined how the DOS deter- in the world with in two weeks of not ifi- With o ne job under their belrs and two
JL: W at ob t Co bod•o pulled
mines rhe QRDF's missions: "There a re cati o n-m eans rhe m en must keep thei r others we ll und erway, I asked Mr.
some things that are going on every d ay passports ready. Since its inception , the M cC loy to rare rhe rea ms' performan ce
our attention away from the mov1e
in the demi ning landscape rhar rhe nor- DOS has officially deployed QRDF com - so fa r. H e said the only problems encou n-
towards Combod a and ts people
mal programs rake care of. We look for ponents tw ice, ro Sudan and then S ri tered have involved "the s imple stu ff, like
I think it's a lor of th ings like kno wi ng
places where qui ck d emi ning assistance La nka. While barding rhe hear in Sudan , how ro import explosives into a cou ntry,
the history of rhe place, [and] having nor
needs to be applied." H e added , "This
program is n or designed to cu re a
two ream s from the QRDF managed to
demine several essential roads "so rhar the
sruff like that. " H e continued, "There's
nothing our there rhars been a showstopper,
been taught at school. I fel t l should have ,
been raughrabour the landmine problem . Angelina Jolie detonating a land mine in Cambodia. do UNHCR/Marie Noelle-Little
co untry's deminin g ills. l r's so rr of a people who were doing the peacekeep- as long as you understand rhar you d on't
brushfire fighter. It's o nl y there to pro- ing and refugees who were returning conduct each Q RDF deployment based
It made me suddenly realize certain things
abou t the world and how much I had to Awareness [of] rhe p lig ht of these day they explode them, and they let me
vide immediate assistance where no other could move arou nd freely and do what on what you did the last rime. Basically,
learn, like rhe h istory of the people. They peop le. I t hink they shou ld b e explode one. It was a great feeli ng because
assistance is avail lab e." Living up to rhe they had to do,'' Mr. McCloy said. most problems can be taken care of with
are so warm and great and sp iri ted; they commended for what they have survived, you k now som ething like rhat, if H ALO
" Q " in QRDF, the fo rce's deployments Another siruario n emerged soon af- planning and fo resight. "
are such survivo rs. I thin k they are such nor looked down upon . I th in k peop le hadn't been th ere and if you weren't
generally last three to six months, just te r rhe Sudan deploym ent, sending rhe
amazing people. a re often uncomfo rtabl e and do n't like d eto nating it, that it might o t herwise
enough to "serve as a bridge while the rem aining nvo QRDF reams ro tro pi cal e Verdict
the idea. They seem to shy away because be hurting som eone, and you are getting
longe r-term sruff is getting on the road ,'' Sri La nka. The lo ng-si mm ering conflict
JL. D yo~.o opproac UNI-fCR o ofwhar it means ro them. I th ink these rid of something rhar could be otherwise
accordin g to M r. McCloy. between th e Ta mil Tigers and the Sri Wi th no m ajor problems as of yer,
There are some requi remenrs rhar a Lankan government has fin ally cooled off Mr. M cCloy eage rly shared his opinion
'J th y approach }'Ou after you are really amazin g people that are n o r dangerous or deadly. So it is a great
\o • t to Cambod1o1 really understood. Also, I personally just feeling.
siruarion must satisfY before the DOS will a bi t, allowing thousands of refugees rhe ir of the Q RDF's performance to dare. 'The
wanted to m eet these people around the
deploy the QRDE For example, the DOS first chance to return ho m e in years. As way you judge the success of an o pera-
l approached UNHCR because I world and know them , because they are IL: A you able to des r b
dem ands that hosril iries cease prior to rhe in Kosovo, however, thousands of mines tion is by determ ini ng if it achieves what
ream's d eparture in a bid to ensure rhe litte red their path, a perfect opportunity you sent it in there ro do. Like in Nigeria,
believe in what the U nited Nations is my heroes, and I think they are wonderful er on a ly th cff~>ct that cmdm n
attem pting to do, ... and I support rhe people. 1od on th VICtims m Cambod1a
demine rs' safety. "We're nor purring them for rhe QRDF ro show irs stuff. " I n Sri they sent it in ro clear up all that exploded
United Nations. I read about the different phy al ycholo oily and
our t here to ger killed. They're nor sent Lanka they're working for the government, ammunitio n, a nd the fact is that we're
chapters and UN HCR was rh e most L: ntl d that y u w ec om cal y
in as a peace enforcing enti ty, bur rather bur rhey are demining in the government getting rid of a lor of it," he said. Such
[appealing] because I believe refugees are 1b e to per onol y detonate a
to re info rce peace. They're nor there to occupied areas where a large portion of su ccess has earn ed t h e QRDF com-
the most vulnerable people in the world. a dm n I this •ru I think it's difficult to describe because
push p eople aparr; they want to help the Tamil population is. So with the assis- mendations from offi cials in borh the
Theyareaffecred byeveryrhing, including these p eople are victims of such horror,
them get back together," Mr. McCloy tance of the government they're conducti ng N igerian and Sri L1nkan governments.
landmines. They are vulnerable to everything. I wenr wirh HALO, which is a g reat a nd yet they are so strong, that they don't
stated. After all, d eminers' jobs are dan- de mining so rhe refugees can com e a nd In Nigeria, Mr. McCloy reports rhat "the
organ iza ti o n. We we re there i n see m like victims. So, I thin k, you don't
gero us e nough without having to worry occupy rhe homes rhar they did before government is sayi ng, 'We wish you could
about bullets flying overhead or directly the war kicked them our of there,'' Mr. stay lo nger,' so rh ar says we're being suc-
Th oug, your po 1t on a Cambodia. We were ... in one field t hey want to shout that they are victims. We
cessful down there." And rhe "Sri Lankan
R what xac. y a yo were demin ing (where] they had foun d should make a point rhat rhey don't have
at them. McC loy ann o unced. As in Kosovo,
The four reams are each capable of "they're there ro try and pave the way fo r government loves it. .. because there was
ompl s three different min es. At the end of each to go t hrough this, because they are such

Continued on page 104

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Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 45
+
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

survivors. Bur cerrainly ir affects them we were go ing and ro know the area. For Jl. D you hove ny
111 so man y ways. There's an
organizarion-CVD, Cambodia Vision
and Developmen t -char works with
anybody rhar works in any kind of
de mining or any kind of humanitarian
aid work, there is danger and ir's always
u th
um n1t a
th
p ogre s or mer
f1 ally ondm n o g n zat on
Educating the United States:
vulnerab le people; most of them are a high risk area.
land mine victims. If you can imagine the
area and the land in Cambodia, I mean ll: I om ure yoL hav m t an
Yes, with landmines, well rhe film [
just fin ished deals with a lor of things
Landmines In and Out of the Classroom
enhance Landmine Studies, such as an
there are hardly any roads in big pa rts of nflul nt ol pt o I and h('ard man bu r it also deals with landmines wh ich
extensive UN depository library, an ex-
t he cou ntry. T he roads they have, in the 1rnozrr g 5toru~s Are ther any a has been great, a very interesting thing Enthusiastic students are giving back t o their g loba l community as U.S.
cellent Model Un ited Nations group, and
rainy season, beco me just mud. So, if th ell.p nences thnt yo w ulc w have the whole c rew learni ng about, Department of State-assisted londmine education programs are b eing
the Department of State's Ann ual Muskie
you're so mebody that has just one leg, 1k to ">han• the effects of landmines. But yes, I launched in grammar schools, colleg es and u niversities across the notion .
Fellowship, which al lows students and
or blind with no arms and you have certainly will. We were just in Namibia, In these programs, students o re g iven a chance to both lea rn more about
fac ul ty from mine-affected countries to
children and you're trying to work, and There are so many. Really irs just and I am more aware of chat area. T hat th e global londmine crisis and to act ively contri but e to the m ine a ction
attend SMSU . Aside from spreading
earn some money, and rake care of your person afrer person in every diffe rent area is... changing and I don't know if community.
awa reness in and out of the classroom,
home, ir's hard enough to be a parent country rhar has a life rhar I can't even we will und e rsta nd more about rh e
chis program includes a variety of acti vi-
and do all of cha r normall y. I r seems imagine and has gone through horror landmine situation the re. And i n dow ofopportunity for students to actively
Afghanistan, I'm sure with UNHCR
by Susanna Sprinkel, MAIC ties to directly involve students in rhe
impossible and probably would be rhar I can't even imagine. And yer, in every improve their futu re on a global level. mine action community and uses local
impossible wirhour rhe help of a lor of cou ntry, eve ry family was more generous moving back in rhere will be a lor rhey
Introduction television and radio broadcasts to extend
these organizatio ns. Organizations like rhan I have mer in other counrries with will be dealing with, and they will be outhwest Missouri State the word beyond campus.
CVD pur a lot of these people rogerher rheir rime or whatever rhey had. Trying dealing with working hand in hand with :Jniversity Landmine
Most U.S. citizens cannot even
so they can work in a group. They are to find food or rea or something and give deminers. And in Cambodia, I have ... tudies
you a smile, and [they] are so grateful funded some schools and I plan to move
imagine rhe exrent of the land mine rhrear On-Campus Activities
amazing. T hen you go ro some places
rhar exists worldwide, as ir is one prob- Land mine Studies at SMSU includes
where it's so hard for them to access li mbs, for what they had lefr-an unbroken w Cambodia, and have a house there and Background
lem they wi II probably never have to face. various activities on and off campus. On-
depending where they are in rhe country. spirit. And that was remarkable fo r me a place to li ve. So all of rhar has to be In 2000, rhe political science depart-
Assisted by the U.S. Department of State, campus demonstrations have included a
And you ng chi ldren, if they survive and rhar that was nor specific to o ne place o r dem ined. The schools have already been ment at Southwest Missouri State Uni-
a variety of programs have been enacted Shoe Pi le Commemoration, a Petition
rhey have lost a lim b, rhe ir bod ies are one perso n. T hat continues to be the dem in ed. The la nd wi ll have to be versity (S MSU) enacted a Landm ine
to educate students about the global Drive, and a visit from guest speaker Jody
still growing so they have to go back quite majo ri ty of these people out there. For demined. There's also organizations roo, Stud ies Program that focuses on
landm ine crisis. T hese programs nor only Williams, of the International Campaign
often. They don't have cars o r local whatever reason, I don't know why, but like the Campaign ro Ban Landmines. demin ing and survivor assistance. This
help spread awareness to U.S. communities, ro Ban Land mines (IC BL) . The Shoe Pile
hospitals. lr's a big trek to go in and find they've learned someth ing in t he ir I've met with Jody Williams, and spen t program is coordinated by Ken Ruther-
but they also get more people involved in Commemoration demonstrated a
somebody who wi ll vol unteer to refit you suffering and their struggle rhar we have some rime with her, we've had an evening ford, a land mine survivor and co-founder
mine action. Many people believe that the landmine being detonated every 22 min-
and shave rhe bone down. They are going lost touch with. ar rhe house to raise awareness. There's a of Landmine Survivors Network (LSN).
youth of wday hold the future in rhe palm utes. Students began wirh a pile of shoes
to have char their whole life because rhey lor ro do. Hopefully, it will stop all rhe SMSU houses a number of resources that
of rhei r hands; these programs open a win- at 8:00 a.m. and added a pai r every 22
are growing. lr's a really horrible thin g. JL· WI a d yo b g a manufacturing and everybody will sign
A be odor for UNHCR ho I n off, because that's what has to happen A few of the
JL· Wh1l ou we n Camood1o o fort 0 9 IZOt 0 before anything. SMSU students
Pok to'l or Afr a d1d you ver involved in
IL: Do you hov any f 1tur plan organizing and/
p r:;onolly fee m donge h •c ou of I hope it has brought more awareness.
or participating
ondm nt:> or uny othc 1 That's all ! can hope for. J know what ir's Nth NHCR in the shoe-pile
done for me, bur I hope it has brough t event gathered
Well, landm ines specificall
y would more awareness. I feel ir has because I will be in Washington for Refugee for a m id-
people tend to ask me questions, and I Week, and chen its looks Iike I'm off to morning picture.
be Cambodi a. Yeah , I we nt off into
c/o Ken
certa in areas where you were just told char have received a lor of letters from young South America. • Rutherford
noth ing had ex pl oded in this area people ta lking abour the thin gs t hey are
therefore ir's not considered a high-risk doing to make a d ifference. And that's ontact Information
area, bur you along with everybody else been a very nice thing because I didn't
sray on a very clear path that has already ger letters like char before. The mosr Journal of Mine Action
been walked. You don't srray from ir. You imporrant thing, or the thing J think I One Court Square
know in the middle of rhe night when I accomplished most was going to rhese MSC 8504
had to go use the bath room in rhe bushes places and sitting down wirh rhe families Harrisonburg, VA 22807
and was nor really sure where rhe path for about an hour, and I think ... what Tel: (540) 568-2508
was. lr's crazy rhe rhoughr rhar you rea lly matters most of all is that you go our of E-mail: busems@j mu.edu
don't know, and for people ro live like your way to sit down with people and
that all the rime. There were rimes when listen to their stories and calk with them
we would go wanderi ng off in Cambodia and show them somebody cares and is
and had ro be extremely careful where listening .

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Landmine Studi es program has been a ets can be d ownloaded or ordered for free The MCLAP Robotics Team hope
on lin e at http://www.du.edu /cri r/ to design a low budget robotic
two-day vis it to Fort Leo nard Wood, a
vehicle that can safely and
nearby Humanitarian D emining Train- pubs_free.hrml) effectively
ls d eliver too into
ing Camp (HDTC). On this trip, 22 stu- minefields. c/o MCLAP
dents and two facu lty members woke up Upper Elementary Program
at 6:00am, ate b reakfast with soldiers in T he Uppe r Elemen tary Program
training, learned about the d ifferent types correlates with a Social Studies class and
of landmines/UXO, dressed up i n is designed to reach students about poli-
demining gear, and prodded for artillery tics, geography, international affairs, cur-
in an inactive m inefield. Many of the stu- rent evenrs, analytical thinking and prob-
dents earned an even higher respect for lem solving. The curriculum includes up
deminers across the world as they experi- to l 0 hou rs of in-class education with
enced firsthand how dangerous and frus- three major activities: a presentation on
trating demining can be. a specific landmine-relared topic, a per-
suasive letter to a government official or
Internship Experience publication ed ito r and a poster related to
Several SMSU students wanted to mine action. To assess the students' un-
gain further experience in the mine ac- derstanding of the global landmine cri-
ti on co mmuni ty and decided to intern sis, the course concludes with a final per-
at landm ine- relared organizations in the suasive speech, where students "will pre-
tend that [they] have been asked by the politics, sociology, economics and tech- students hope to increase awareness in the field. The Robotics Team is designing a
Un ited States. During the summer of
United Nations Fact Finding Commit- nology are applied to real life situations. Messiah co mmunity, ro furrher research robotic vehicle rhat will deliver tools into
2001, fo ur students participated in in-
tee to testify before their committee as To assess the students' understanding of on the globallandmine crisis and to de- minefi elds. This robotic vehicle is geared
, _.~ .. ternships at the Center of International
the curriculum , they are asked to act as sign more projects to enhance the mine towards a desert environment, and stu-
minutes umil rheyended with 72 pairs- Rehabilitation (CIR), Physicia ns for an expert on landmines" (p. 6).
Sophomore United Nations Mine Action Services action comm unity. C urrently, there are dents hope that it will be inexpensive and
Fa biola Gag liardi the average number oflandmine victims Human Rights (PHR), the United Na-
tions Development Program (UNDP) Middle School Program (UN MAS) representatives in prioritizing nine stude nts actively invo lved in easy to use. The Education Team will fo-
uses a metal rod to per day. In the mea ntim e, the group
detect one of and the Vietnam Veterans of America The Middle School program is also six countries, by writing a needs assess- MCLAP. During the summer of 2001, cus on providing awareness to fellow stu-
passed out statistics to fellow students and
three trip wires. c/
Foundation (VVAF). Of these four, at geared towards a Social Studies class, fo- ment report, comparing each country's Aaron Dahsltrom, student and co-facili- den ts and fac ulty members. In mid-Sep-
o Ken Rutherford faculty. O n February 27, 2001, Jody
least two plan to conrinue working in the cusi ng on geography and civics, and it needs and developing a mine action plan tator of MCLAP, conducted extens ive te mber, students will host a mine aware-
W illiams e ncouraged members of the
involves up to 13 50-minute class peri- fo r the country with rhe greatest needs. research on the landmine issue and the ness week, which will include games, dis-
SMSU commun ity to get involved in glo- mine action field. In addition, two other
Land mine Studies studenrs are currently ods of instructio n to co mplete (if the Other suggested activities cover various number of resources avai lable. This re- plays and a shoe-pile commemoration .
bal issues. After her lecture, she discussed
reacher chooses to complete all activities). aspects of mine action, including produc- search has provided a founda tion for fu- Addirionally, students will take a day trip
her involvement in the mine action com- working at LSN.
For the final assessmenr, studen ts should tion trends, the Onawa Treaty and the ture efforts at the College. to Fort Belvoir, VA ro watch a Landmine
munity with a group of interested students.
Un1vers•ty of Denver's complete an essay based on the "My Turn Global Landmine Treaty, the Korea Ex- Technology demonstration.
Landmines: Exploring the Essay" portion of Newsweek. In th is es- ception and U.S. involvement in th e Senior Engineering Design Projects
Off-Campus Activities m ine action world , and the Adopt-A- In order to fulfill graduation require- ewsweek's Issues Today
Off-campus activities have been per- Hidden Crisis say, students discuss the landmine situa-
tion in a designated country, describe the Mi nefi eld campaign. Th e program can be ments, students in the Engineering D e- Map "Landmines:
haps the most infl uential for those in-
Background United States' contributions to demining altered to include all or some of th e ac- parrment at Messiah College must co m- liminating the Hidden
volved in Landmine Studies. So far, stu-
T he best time to get people involved in this country, rake a stand on the tivities (completing all nine activities in- plete a Senior Engineering Design hreat"
dents have made two trips to Washing-
volves nine 50-minute class periods). Project. A number of these projects have
ton D.C. where they saw and spoke with in global issues is at an early age. As a landmine crisis and suggest methods for
result, a number of faculty members from spreading the word about the landmine dealt specifically with the landmine is- Background
speakers such as Queen Noor of]ordan,
the Center fo r Teaching Internatio nal crisis. In-class activities include watching
Messiah College's sue. Related projects have included us- The Newsweek Education Program
Croatian Ambassador Ivan Grodes ic and
Relations at the University of Denver- landmine-relared videos, learnin g to cre- landmine Action Project ing acoustic sound waves and infrared has developed a number of activi ties for
Pat Parierno of the U.S. Humanitarian
supported by a grant from the U.S. PM/ ate maps that demonstrate specific mine photography to detect buried landmines, teaching global issues and current events
Demining Program (PM/HOP). Addi-
HOP-have put together Landmines: Ex- actio n statistics, studying and discussing Background training ferrers to sense landmines, build- in the classroo m. A pan of this program
tional ly, students attended a Co ngres-
the G lobal Landmine Treaty and the Since 1997, students and faculty of ing a device to contain shrapnel while it is is creating an Issues Today Map o utlin-
sional meeting, a prayer service honor- ploring the Hidden Crisis educational
packets for upper elemen tary school-, Korea Exception, exami ning mine aware- Messiah Coll ege in Grantham, PA have detonated and designing an enhanced flail ing the topics covered in their programs.
in g landmin e victims and su rvivors, a
ness techniques, and reading fiction sto- actively researched Landmine issues, and system that is more efficient and less costly. Working with the U.S. Department of
"Mines to Vines" dinner reception, a large middle school- and high school-age stu-
dents. T hese p rograms involve a series of ries about middle school-aged children a number of students have used this re- S tate in 2002, Newsweek designed a
shoe pile commemoration and a
extensive activities that not only make growing up with the horror oflandmines. search ro d esign low-budget detection MCLAP Activities "Landmines: Eliminating the H idden
demining demonstration. After these
students more aware of the landm ine cri- and clearance techniques for cou ntries Th e MCLAP team is divided into Threat" wall map. T he Deparnnem ofState
trips to DC, four graduate students from
sis bur also demonstrate how the United High School Program thar cannot afford other machinery. In three separate teams: the Vapor Detec- requested this project in o rder to provide
mine-torn countries helped rhe IC BL
States interacts on a global level. Each The High School Program can be the fall of 200 I, a group of students, with tion Research Team, the Robotics Team humanitarian and mine action organiza-
develop parts of the Landmine Monitor
packer includes instructions fo r in-class used in Geography, International Rela- the help of Dr. Donald Pratt, enacted the and th e Education Team. The Vapor tions with an extensive map outlining
Report and another graduate student has
activities as well as a number of hand- tions or other related courses and is de- Mess iah College Land mine Act ion D etection Team is continuing work with current statistics on the landmine threat.
continued focusing on the landmine crisis.
ours and other valuable resources. (Pack- signed to show students how geography, Project (MCLAP). Through this project, ferrets by training them ro work in rhe
One of the favorite activities of the

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 90 • • 91 • 47

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

Issues Today Map sis, su rvival stories ofa person, a minefi

eld G lobal Care U nlimited, a separate non- (Fo r mo re information see M ark H yma n's rhe MAJC, a lo ng with a num ber o f vol- Articles
T he " La nd mi nes: Eliminating rhe and a n enrire nation, descri ptio ns of rhe profit o rganizatio n t ha t receives d o na- contact informat ion below.) un tee rs fro m the J MU co mmuni ty, have "A T ime ro Pla nt Mines, a T ime to
Hidde n T hrea t" wall map nor on ly col o r different demin ing techniques, and a look tions and handles all pape rwork. Students develo ped the Shenandoah M inefi eld Make Ames": nd T h is a rticle, o riginally
codes each landmine-affecred coumry by at futu re mine actio n endeavors. Discus- used butter fli es to de mon stra te how Additional Pro rams Ado p tio n Project (S M AP) in ord er ro published in Siern Reap j ournal, tells the
severi ty, but also provides brief profil es sio n questions in rhe guide include find - much mo ney had been raised (the but- p romote awareness in the J M U co mmu- srory of a man w ho planted mines fo r a
of A fg h anis ta n , A ngo la, Co lum b ia, ing ou r d ifferent world leaders' op in ions terfl y was chosen as a symbol because the United Nations CyberSchooLBus: ni ty a nd surro und ing areas. T h is past guer rilla movem ent as a c hild and has
Croatia, Fra nce, Jo rda n and Vi etnam . of rhe la ndmine crisis, researching oppor- bu tterfl
y-s ha ped lan d mine, w hic h can SchooLs Demining Schools sp ring, SM A P me m bers spo nso red a s ince ded icated his effo rts ro clearing h is
he r Ot informatio n provided on rhe map tu nities fo r landmine survivors and p ro- easily be mistaken for a small roy, is most In an effort to spread awareness to la ndmines awaren ess week where they native land. T h is article is available fo r
includes descriptio ns of d iffere nr aspects fil ing rhe la ndmin e crisis in a s pecicfi harm ful to children). sm de nrs a round rhe world and encour- passed our sta tist ics a nd d iscussed th e $2.50 fro m th e New York Times (http://
of mine acti on, picwres of comm o n AP country. T he o nline portio n of rhe pro- age schools to support rhe cleara nce of la ndmine problem with interested stu - query. n ytim es.com/search /).
mines, a list of basic statistics abou t the gra m (h ttp:/ /www.newsweekeducarion . Previous AccompLishments mi ne-infested schools and play areas, th e den ts and facu lty me mbers. In addi tio n, "Connecting G lobal Education wit h
land mine th reat and a grap h outl ining com / landmines) includes a list of useful By O ctober, 2 000 the gro up had UN Cybe rSchooi Bus progra m has cre- Ken Ruth erfo rd from LSN s hared his Activism: Build ing A Local a nd G lobal
Mine Actio n Funding by coun try. This web lin ks and two inrensive activities that raised $ 17 ,000 (U.S.), and they received ated the Schools D emining Schoo ls ini- sto ry, a nd Amel ia Kahaney from Adopt- C ommunity": T his articl e, w ri tten by
map p rovides a valuable resource to both correspond with the Issues Today M ap a ma rch ing gra nt fo r $ 15,000 from the tiative. Participating schools h ave been A-Min efiel d presented t he logis ti cs o f Ed u ca t io n Liaiso n for M ercy Co rps
rhc m ine action co mmun ity and educa- and mi ne aware ness p rogra ms. U.S. D epartment of State as part of an able to correspo nd with demi ners in Af- minefield adoption . Sl'v:1.AP partici pants Marta Colburn , describes methods fo r
to rs inte rested in covering the glo bal agree ment with rhe Slovenian Interna- ghanista n and Mozambique through e- were amazed by their fe llow classmates' getting students in volved in global activi-
landmine crisis. N C O's can obta in a copy renofly Midd e c ool tional Trust Fund. (They saved t he addi- ma il, allowing students to ask specific enthusiasm towards rhe subject. T his fol - ties. It also includes a La ndmines In Af-
of the map by conracring the U.S . D e- nd Globol Care tional $2,000 for futu re p rojects.) T he questio ns about the deminer's job a nd lowing yea r, SMAP will furth er their ef- ghan istan classroom activity for students
parrm e nr o f S ta te Hum a nita ri a n nlimited funds were handed over to the Slovenian how to a nswer common quest ions rhat forrs by adopting a mi nefield in a coun - in 4•h- 12'" grade. T he article and activ ity
De m ining Program ; in terested schoo ls International Trust Fund a r a signing cer- have arise n d u ri ng fundrai sing effo rts. try t hat will be selected by interested co m- we re published in issue 6.1 of the Jo ur-
and teache rs who are not a parr o f t he Background emony in Februa ry 200 1, and dem ining Some of the students have even m ade pen mun ity me mbe rs in September. Planned nal (hrrp:// maic.j mu.ed u/jo urnal/6. I I
Newsweek Educati o n program sho uld Students at Te ynafl Middle School was co nducted by a local NGO. pa ls w it h young land mine su rvivors in fundraising activities include a Field Fest fea rures/colburn/col burn.h tm).
contact rhem fo r a copy o f th e map and (Tenafl y, NJ ) were first introduced to rh e Since th en, students have form ed rhe the ir adopted country. with food and music, a raffie, and an In - " On e Step a t a Tim e: A Landm ine
related activities ( 1-80 0-25
6 -2595). global land m ine crisis duri ng an inspi r- Youth Coali tio n for M ine Action with the The Schools D emining Schools pro- ternatio nal d inner. Eventually, the stu- Rem oval lniri arive": T his article, writte n
ing speech from Ke n Rutherford at a stu- hopes of spreading awareness ro other gram also includes three in-class reach- dents hope to expa nd invo lveme nt to by Ma rk H ym an o f Te na fl y M id dl e
Related Activities dent-organized Human Rights Day. As a schools in rhe area a nd eventually across i ng u n its cove rin g th e sco pe o f t he other nearby h igh schoo ls and Co lleges. School a nd G lo bal C a re Unlim ited, Inc.,
Along with rhe "Landmines: Elimi- result, interested students, with the help rhe United States. O n M arch 8'h 2002 , landmine crisis and d iffe rent aspects of describes the steps that his middle school
nating rhe T hreat" wall map, Newsweek of middle school reacher Mark H yman , the Youth Coal ition fo r Mi ne Action held mine actio n. T hese activi ties, as well as seful esources wenr through in d evelop ing a Stude nt
also c reated a Study G uide with in for- organized a Student Landmin c Awareness a cou ntywide land min c conference w ith sample co rrespondence between students Landmine Awa reness C lub a nd ado pri ng
matio n and discussio n questio ns abo ut C lub and started raking steps to sponso r student represe n ta ti ves from 16 other and de min ers/su rvivo rs, can be foun d on T here are a nu mber of usefu l re- a minefield in Bosnia-H erzegovina. It was
the la ndm ine issue and additional online de mining in a sister c ity i n Bos n ia- m iddle schools and high schools in the thei r webs ite (h ttp://wwwO.un .o rg/ sources available fo r educators interested published in the May/June 200 I issue of
activities rhat could be used in a Social Herzegovina. O nce fu nd ra ising effo rts a rea. T he co nference incl uded a number cybersch oo lb us/ ba n m in es/ i nd ex.asp) . in add ing the global landmi ne c risis to Middle Level Learning and can be orde red
Studies classroom. T he Study G u ide in- began , students and other interested par- of speake rs such as Ken Ru therfo rd and Schools can registe r with this p roject by rheir curricul um. Listed below are a few fo r $7.50 (while supplies last) through
cl udes a n overview of the landmi ne cri- e nts and comm u nity members formed other la ndm ine survivors, deminers and sending a n e mail with the subject " Ba n of the ones recomme nded by the pro- the National Coun cil for the Socia l Stud-
U .N. representati ves. At rhis event, the M ines" to cybe rschoolb us@un .o rg. grams menti o ned in this article. ies (NCSS) publica ti on services at 1-800 8-
A sample of the
information CHINA Vfietnam group donated $ 1,3 00 ro rhe O rgan iza- 6 83 -0 I 2. Copies of Middle Level Learn-
available on the tion of American States (OAS) to sup- Creativity-Action-Service ing may also be available at you r local
"Landmin es: History: A near-con tin u o us state o f war port landm inc survivors in N ica ragua and Landmines Removal Project SMAP members
Eliminating the fro m th e early 1950s until th e la te- 1970s $5,000 towards anothe r small ($9,00 0) As a parr of the C reativity-Action- discuss the
Threat"wall h as left an e n orm o u s legacy of la nd min es demining p roject in Bos nia. Service requirement fo r the International landmine problem
map. a n d UXO. with interested
c/o Newsweek Baccalaureate diplo ma, high school stu-
LAOS students during
Impact: T h ere are a n estim a te d ~~ .5 Future Endeavors dents from O regon a nd Washington have Landmine
millio n land m ines a n d 300,000 to ns D u ring the upcoming year (2002, 3), decided ro adop t a minefield in Ca m bo- Awareness Week.
(2n millio n ki log ra m s) o f UXO in the 200 six other schools in the co m mu- dia. Efforrs include spreading awareness c/oMAIC
co untry. The m ost min e-affecte d region is n ity w ill contribute to the You th Coali- to th e loca l commun ity and ra is in g
th e Q uang Tri provin ce, whic h contains tion fo r M ine Action's fu ndraising efforrs. mo ney fo r the ado ptio n . As of April 7,
THAILAND the fo rm e r bo rder b e twee n No rth a nd M ost likely, donatio ns will be gea red ro- 200 1, the goal for each partic ipa ting high
Sou t h Vie tna m . Vietnam s uffe rs a n
wa rds operatio ns in Nica ragua. T he ac- school was to raise $ 1000. Since then, the
estima re d 2,000 casu a lties a year fro m
tivities of these chi ldren will be recognized designated minefield has been cleared a nd
mines a nd h as o n e o f th e wo rld'!.h ig h <·st
C AMBODIA in an upcomin g Hallmark Entertainment over I 00 schools across rhe United States
con ce ntra tio n s o f a mpulees as a resu lt.
Channel fi lm o n land mines in Nicaragua, and C a nad a have jo ined t he effort to
Ho Cho Monh Cot( Progress: As o f earl y 200 I , th e The Carden. Mark H yman hopes to d is- adopt additional pieces o f land .
(Sao,on)
Vie tna m ese Arm y ha d cleared 97 a nti- t ribute rhis film , alo ng with a n educa-
person nel a nd a ntitan k mines a n d 2:~ .5 1 ·I Shenandoah MinefieLd Adoption
tiona l guide that he created for the March
UXO. More tha n 7,000 U XO a n d 700
la nd mine co nference, ro ot her middle Project
0 - - min es were loca te d a nd d cMrO) Cd by the
schools througho ut rhe U ni ted Stares. A group of student employees fro m
0:=::;::::::!:::;::::=;'..., Britis h Min es Advisory G ro up .

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1
• 92 •

.. • 93 •
48
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Universiry library, and free online copies downloaded from the Adopt-A-M inefield ontact Information
are avai lable to members of N CSS (sign website (hrrp:/ /www.land mines.org/ Multi-
up at http://www.socialstudies.org).
"Schools Demining Schools: A G lo-
media/index-mm.asp).

Websites
Susan na Sp rinkel
Mine Action In formatio n Center
Update: The Landmine
bal Teach-In": This article, published the Tel: 540-586-28 10
September 1998 Issue of Social Educa- ICBL Media Reports (http ://
tion, provides a number of m aterials for groups. ya hoo.co m / group/ icbl m ed ia/
teaching the landmine crisis in the class- messages/) contains a collection of news
E-mail: sprin [email protected]

Pat Pacierno
Situation in Chechnya
room and for getting students more in- articles on recent activities in mine ac- U.S. State Department (PM/HOP)
Stemming from the ongoing war between Russian and Chechen forces, the
volved in the m ine acti on co mmuniry. A tion. Interested users can also subscribe 2201 C Street NW
use of anti-personnel mines throughout Chechnya continues today. As the
copy of this article can be o rdered for to the IC BL Media Report mai li ng lise ar Rm 1829-NS
land mine victim toll increases, much is being done in an attempt to alleviate
$7.50 (wh il e supplies last) through the h ttp://www. icbl.org/ media. Washington, D.C. 20 52
0
the current state of affairs.
National Council for the Social Studies Tel: 202-647- 1110
(NCSS) publicatio n services at 1-800- I One world. net Full Coverage: Fax: 202-647-4537
by Hayden Roberts, MAIC from west ro east for about 600 miles be-
683- 08 2. Copies of Social Education Landmines_(http://www.onewo rld.n ec/ E-mail: [email protected]
tween the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
may also be available at your local Uni- themes/copic/topic_ l 26_ 1.sh tm l) con-
Introduction One thousand m iles to the south of Mos-
versiry library or high school Social Stud - tains over I 00 documen ts related to Kenneth R. Rutherfo rd, Ph.D.
cow, the republics of Dagestan, Georgia,
ies department, and free online copies are landm ine topics as well as a number of D epartment o f Political Science
After rhe collapse o f the former So- North O ssetia and South Ossetia su r-
available to members of N CSS (sign up useful gu id es and links co other affil iated Southwest Missouri State Universiry
organizatio ns. 90 1 South National Ave. viet Unio n in 199 J, many of the ethn ic round Chechnya.
at h ttp:/ /www.socialsrudies.org).
Spri ngfield, MO 65804 and minori ty groups on the outskirrs of
rhe surrounding areas began to secede and ackground: The Cheche Aerial view of war-ravaged Grozny.
Books U.S. Department of State Humani- Tel: 4 l 7-836-6428
The Cinnamon Tree: T his 208-page tarian Demining Program (h ttp: // Fax: 417-836-6428 declare themselves newly independent ar decline in the amount oflarge-scale mili-
novel tel ls the story of a young gi rl who www.state.gov/t/pm/hdp/) co ntains in- E-mail: [email protected] republics. The first th ree to do so were tary action in Chechnya, aggression from
loses a leg in a landmine accident and how formation about U.S. involvement in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia-the During the past decade, Chechnya each side still causes civi lians ro be the
she struggles to regain her life and to help demining including their policy and bud- Mark A. Montgomery, Ph .D. southern most of the Soviet republ ics. The has been ravaged by an ongoing war with victims of this u nrelent ing confl ict.
spread awareness to chose around her. get as well as fact sheers and reports on University of D enver area to the north of these republics com in- Russia. The sides' stances are h ighly po- Landmines have become one of the staple
T his novel can be ordered for $7.95 (list recent activities. 220 1 S. Gaylord St. ued to be a part of the new Russian federa- larized from one another and this has in- weapons of the war and have been used
price) or less from Amazon.com: (h ttp:// D enver, C O 80208 tion, al though the people of th is area were tensified the clima te of the war. The at great lengths by both Russi an and
U.S. Department of State Office of Tel: 303-871-3106 not Russia ns bur rather ethnic Muslims. Chechens' efforts to gain independence Chechen forces. Extensive use of
www.amazon.com).
Mine Action lnitiatives and Partnerships Fax: 303-871-2456 As rime went on, several of the eth nic stand in stark contrast to Russia's claims landmin es throughout the conflict has
Videos (hnp:/ /www.state.gov/ t/ pm/ maip/) E-mai l: mmontgom@d u. edu groups in th is area began to press for their of absolute sovereign ry over the republic. left the Chechen region a grim and blood-
Documentary Film on K-9 Demining contains informatio n about U.S. involve- autonomy from Russia. T he Chechens H owever, these polarized standpoints have ied place where the population struggles
Corps by the Marshall Legacy Institute: This m ent in ocher areas of mi ne action in- Donald G. Pratt, Ph.D. were one of the most ou tspoken of these led each side to commit severe human with this di lemma on a day-to-day basis.
documentary provides an overview of cluding d etecti o n and clearance, awa re- Messiah College ethnic groups. rights abuses du ring the war, completely The people who arc affected the most are
mine dog teams and can be ordered by ness, survivor assistance, and research and Grantham, PA 17027 Today, the new republics comprise obscuring the reasoning chat lay behind both the estimated 300,000 interna lly dis-
contacting the Marshall Legacy lnstirute: development. Tel: 7 17-766-25 11 x7169 an area in southeast Europe called the the Chechen and Russian positions. This placed persons (I DPs) who have been
in fo @m ars h al l- legacy.o rg (ht tp:/ I Fax: 7 J7-69 1-6002 Caucasus. Located in the northern rip of has made the conflict very difficult to un- moving to refugee camps and settlements
www.marshall-legacy.org/). Glossaries and Abbreviations E-mai l: d p [email protected] the Caucasus is C hech nya, situated in the dersrand for anyone not direcdy involved. in the neighboring area of lngushetia.
The Menace of Landmines: This MAIC: Caucasus Mou ntains. Chechnya extends Although the middle of2000 saw a Once these people reach the camps, rhey
documentary, created by UNMAS, pro- hrrp:/ I mai c.jmu.edulresearch/ Barbara E. Lundberg usually remain. The main reason for their
vides graphic footage of min e-torn coun- glossary. hem Education Program Newsweek unwillingness to leave a camp is an ab-
tries, an overview of the globallandmine http:/ /maic.jmu. ed u/research/ 6 12 Illinois St. sence of safety, for often the IDPs are the
crisis, and descriptions of the d ifferent acronyms.htm ones who stumble upon hidden mines.
Arl ington, VA 2220 5
areas of mine action . It can be down- Tel: 888-639-6589 Experts have claimed that Chechnya has
U.S. D epartment of State: at least halfa million UXO hidden through-
loaded fro m the Adopt-A -Minefie ld Fax: 703-908-0896
website (http:/ /www.landm ines.org/Mul- http://www.state.gov/www/global/ our its roads, forests and countryside. 1 As
E-mail:
arms/rpr_9809_demine_ nxf.html Russian and Chechen troops have moved
timedia/index-mm.asp). barba ra_l u n d [email protected]
The Silent Shout: This an imaced video, across the republic, they have often left
Universiry of Denver: behind these forgotten landmines.
created by the United Nations International Mark Hyman
pp.l 33- 137 of the Landmines:
Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Global Care Unl imited
Exploring the Hidden Crisis High
illustrates four children injured by P.O. Box 923
School packet •
land mines an d how ir affects their lives. T he Tenafly, NJ 07670
video also demonstrates various mine aware- Tel: 201 -816-165
3 Thousands of people, many of whom are children,
ness techniques and precautions that should E-mail: [email protected] have become refugees due to the ongoing war in
be taken in a mine-affected area. It can be Chechnya. Here, children who have settled in
lngushetia awa it t he day they can return home.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002

• 94 • • 95 • 49
 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
T ....

Update: The Landmine Situation in Chechnya

Historical Context continued. In early August 1999, Chechen Survey could nor be administered in order ally capab le of providing prosthetic mine risk education presentations ro the North Caucasus will constantly bear
groups began harassing Russian towns and to obtain an assessment of the land mine care- the UN-funded Prosthetics Work- schoolchi ldre n in lngushetia and wi rness to many of the brutal effects of
The conflict between C hechnya and villages as the Chechens crossed over into problem. According to investigative re- shop in Vlaclikavkaz, which is nor far Chechnya. These lessons on landmine landmine use. Because mines are a cheap
Russia has not existed only during the past the neighborin g republic of Dagestan. search of Russian, Chechen and other from the war zone. Unfortunately, rhis education are taught to chi ldren through and easy method to accomplish the goals
decade; the historical context of this war These groups declared their desire to bring military news conducted by Za re ma clinic can only handle about 15 patients rhearer performances and other enrertain- of both Chechen and Russia n forces,
can be traced back more than 200 years. Chechnya and Dagestan together as an in- Mazaeva, a researcher for rhe Landmine a week. Chechnya has traditionally been ing activities. many will be planted every day. Hundreds
Throughout history, Russians have made dependent Islamic state. This situation Monitor, estimates stare that approximately one of th e poorest of the Soviet repub- • In addition to landmine education, of civilians will continually be uprooted
many attempts to increase their territorial renewed rhe fighting and has led to rhe 3,860 explosive devices (such as radio- lics, and when one rakes into consideration Voice of the Mountains has been work- by the fighting and forced to flee to mine-
acquisitions into the Caucasus. Russia's current situation. controlled hlSes, self-made explosive devices, that a growing child needs to have his or ing on registering mine/UXO victims in in fested terrain, leading to a victim roll
desire to conquer this region initiated a artillery shells and grenades) were neu- her prosthesis refitted every six months, ir Chechnya for vocational training, which that is always on the rise. Unril rhe fighting
series of battles and ultimately led to the urrent Mine Situation tralized between January 1, 2002 and becomes exceedingly obvious that commenced in the beginning of June. subsides, humanitarian de- mining will
Crimean War ( 1853- 56) against the in- April 8 of 2002. 3 Unfortunately, rhe Chechnya needs as much help as ir can ger. • WHO and the Vladikavkaz pros- nor commence. With the landmine aware-
habitants of C hechnya. The Chechens, Grasping an understanding of the landmine situation is not getting any bet- thetic workshop have agreed to expand ness programs rhar have been launched
who maintain a strong sense of self-iden- extent of the landmin e problem in ter and it is spreading out into other regions Current Mine Action their pro gram of prosthetic care to in the schools, there is some hope that
tity, struggled long and hard to reclaim Chechnya today is difficulr. With the war within the Caucasus. C hechen forces have Chechen adult am purees and to carry out rhe many children who normally would
their freedom and independence. How- at hand in rhe Chechen republic, gather- begun to spread rhe mine warfare into Aid workers claim that little will be prosthetic assistance to about 40 adult fall victim to landmines will be well-in-
ever, Russia's strength prevailed, leading to ing landmin e information is virtua lly the Dagesran territory and other border changed as long as rhe war goes on in war victims. By early April, it was planned formed of rhe lethal situation. •
the capture of the Chechens' homeland impossible. For the most parr, rhe infor- villages. Chechens have been blasting C hechnya. Despite this, many groups and that the first group of I 0 Chechen ampu-
and the overall annexation of Chechnya mation is inaccessible because landmines com bat vehicles and check points governmental organizations have been tees would be fined for new prosthetics.
throughout rhis region and engineers concentrating their efforts on creatin g • The dual WHO/UNICEF pro-
A villager inspects have unarmed man y landmin es new methods to raise landmine aware- I. Weir, Fre(l. "Chcchcn Conflict r esters with Usc
gram on assisting child mine victims with
the rubble of his of Landmines." Christian Science Monitor. (Feb-
planted by their forces over rhe past ness and improve victim assistance. The prostheses has been co nfirm ed. Sixty ruary 6,2002.)
once standing
house. couple of months. Now, it is esti- overall bulk of mine awareness has been Chechen ch ildren have received prosthe- 2. Ibid.
mated that up to I 00,000 hectares aimed at chi ldren and adolescents. All ses within the outline of this program. 3. Private e-mail correspondence from Zarema
of arable land throughout Chechnya around C hechnya and rhe surrounding Mazaeva. (June 20, 2002.)
• As stared in the WHO newsletter,
4. MgM Demining Network alert: "Over 300
still need mine clearance. 4 republics, posters, leaflets and school kits "1CRC announced rhar the prosthetic cen- Wounded by M ine Blasts in C hechnya in 2002.''
Aside from rhis, the victim roll have been circulated, mainly targeting the ter in Grozny would be re-opened in mid- !TAR-TASS News. (June 18,2002.)
is another hazy matter to deciph er. displaced children living in rhese regio ns. July. Meanwhile, rhe training of three se- 5. Private e-mai l correspondence from Zarcma
Although there are estimates on rhis UN ICEF and the Chechen education Mancva. (June 14 , 2002.)
lected prosthetic technicians continues in
G. Supra Note 3.
subject written in publications such ministry have been working on a new Sochi in manufacturing and fitting pros- 7. Supra Note I.
as the Land mine Monitor, rhe num- course that will be added to the Chechen thesis, to make them available as soon as 8. World Health Organization Europe homepagc:
ber of victims registered by Monitor school curriculum. This will educate chil- the center starts receiving the parienrs."8 hup://par.who.dk/. " Hea lth Action in the orrh
reports would no r give an exact pic- dren about the various types of mines and Caucasus.'' (February/March 2002.)
9. HALO Trust website. http://www.halousa.nrg/
Caucasus."
ture of the sit uation. Za rem a how to move around throughout rhe ALOTrust cauc.html. "The
Mazaeva explains, "There is no in- dangerous republic. C hari ty groups and
stitute that would deal with the given UN agencies have been involved with dis- Jn rhe latter part of the 1990s, "AIL photos .from "Deadlock: Russias Forgottrn U0¥Jr"
problem specially and would regu- tributing wheelchairs, crutches, corsets HALO Trust's effort in mine clearance produced by CNN/Azimuth Media.
larly collect information on rhe in- and walking sticks to mine victims as wel l. was something thar wenr unparalleled.
jured as well as the mined territo- According to the HALO Trust website, ontact Information
ries."' Nevertheless, estimates of the The or Health "HALO Trust was the only organization
are disseminated by both Russian and civilian count are still distressing. Since Or anizatian to maintain a viab le program in Zarema Mazaeva
ar rhe rime of the Czar in 1859. This is
Chechen forces everyday to complicate rhe beginning of this year, it has been Chechnya and by late 1999, the program 8920 Walden Road
one of rhe underlying causes for rhe great
deal of hatred between the two groups. the rebuilding of road and railway infrastruc- documented that more than 300 civilians The World Health Organization employed over 150 Chechen staff with Silver Spring, Maryl and 2090 I
In September 1991 , an event rook tures, electrical communication supply have been injured in C h echnya by (WHO) has pur forrh great efforts to con- integrated manual and mechanical mine Tel: (30 I) 589-3939 (home)
place that rekindled rhe tension between lines and other infrastructures of rhis landmines acco rding to the Republican tinue on with irs emergency assistance clearance teams." 9 However, as Chechnya Tel: (202) 707-1789 (work)
type. Aida Ailarova, an expert wirh rhe Ministry for Civil Defense and Emergen- progra m for rhe North Caucasus region. plunged further into violence, their efforts E-mail: [email protected]
rhe two neighbors. Ir was at this r.ime that
Chechnya declared itself a republic inde- United Nations International C hildren's cies.6To paint a picture of the overall victim T his assistance program has been running had to be suspended. Today, mine clear-
pendent of Russia and espoused the name Emergency Fund (UNICEF)-fun ded roll since the beginning of the war, inter- for two years now and aims to diminish ance is imperative, and curren tly HALO Hayden Roberts
National Office of Mine Action in national aid agencies claim that there are the adverse health conditions of the Trust is awaiting the chance rhey will be MAIC
the C hechen Republic "Ichkeria. " After
that , relations between Russia and Vladikavkaz, states, "Both sides use mines at leas t 10,000 mine victims in people affected by the conflict. Accord- able to return and continue on with the I Courr Square
Chechnya drastically deteriorated until very extensively. Even if the war stopped Chechnya-4,000 ofwhich are children- ing ro rhe WHO newsletter, "H ealth demiriing program. MSC 8504
tomorrow, it would rake years to make that are in dire need of physical therapy, Action in the North Caucasus," currenr Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
December l I , 1994, when Russian troops
were dispatched to Chechnya and fight- Chechnya safe. Bur as long as the conflict prosthetics or psychologi cal counseling. 7 mine action has included: one usion Tel: (540) 568-28 10
ing between both sides commenced. That continues, no one will seriously begin Ahhough there are hospitals throughout • UNICEF, alongside local non-gov- E-mail: Anne_ [email protected]
portion of the war went on until 1996, demining operations." 2 With this war the region, rhere is currently only one ernmental organization (NGO) Voice of As long as the war between Russia
when major fighting from both sides dis- taking place, a proper Level I Impact clinic in the north Caucasus region actu- the Mountains, has been conducting and Chechnya grinds on, the region of

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 96 • • 97 • 50
 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2
Demining Accident Database
An incident report inside t he database.

What Use is a Database """--~

T-·--- "'""'c ---
jiloc
> ~.---,
o---""""' p,1,,,.,
~==
to cooperate with data acquisition and
refused ro accept the most compelling in-

of Demining Accidents? ferences rhar can be drawn from the data

amassed abou t their own accidents.
Because some players in the indus-
try have been less tha n honest in their
procedures (SOPs), and recent records are reporting and less than open in sharing
The author has maintained a database of demining accidents for four years. their experience, the DDAS cannot be
frequently very well detailed. Researchers
It contains records of many of the explosive accidents that deminers suffer presented as "complete." J think that there
developing new equipmem have used it,
while going about their work. This article explains the uses and limitations are about 65 percent of the accidents since
, I and I recommend irs use when preparing
of the database and the software developed to contain it. 1996 in rhe database, bur I cannot be
Technical Advisors (TAs) for fiel d deploy-
ment. This might be especially useful when sure. With records of close to 500 vic-
by Andy Smith, AVS Mine Demining Incident Victims" (DD IV). At a TA has experience in one area and is be- tims, it includes complete data for some
Action Consultants G ICHD's request, the latest version has ing sent to another. countries in some years; Mozambique,
been renamed the "Database ofDemining Apart from my own papers, research Kosovo, Bosnia, Angola, Cambodia and
lon\ltiYt S..,,..,..,,

l 11 rst published a dambase ofaccidents AccidentS" (DDAS). papers based o n rhe database have been
ABo.dol~ry(llOI)o:Y01100 1 wnC'OIIYtllt<l
~:;n~ Opera(~d by
ftaot btlfl; (twQ NGO·-s
n t f.. ~tlltfi'Witstn~•
on '
on $ep II'" SM•JI:a mof'lflotkl
togMiwf) 1') Afghanistan are examples. The data made
1n humanitarian demining (HD) in Original accident reportS (edited for presented by Colo nel Alistair McAslan avai lable for Kurd ish Iraq is sporadic and
1998. In my experience, it was unique anonymity) are included when possible. (ex-GICHD, now Director, C ranfield censored by the United Nations Mine
demining activities posed rhe greatest The database provides an archive ro en- Action Service (UNMAS) before being
because it attempted ro contain the source These may include photographs and usu- Mine Action) and Dr. Vernon Joynt (ex-
rhrear. lr also showed rhar over-protection sure that dam is preserved. With the closure supplied. Data from the Kuwait clean-up
material as well as the conventional "spread- ally include some medical derails abou t MECHEM, now CSIR in South Afri ca).
with in effec ti ve personal protective of the Kosovo Mine Action Coordination after the Gulf War is only just becoming
sheer" style summaries that characterise the victim's injuries and treatment.
equipment (PPE) extras was neither de- Cemre (MACC), the lessons derived available so the data sometimes stretches
most dambases. The 1999 edition of th e DDIV Training Aid
sirable nor necessary. from their accident investigat ions would back in rime. l nreresringly, the patterns
There have been several releases on comai ned demil s of3 19 victims. The cur- As a training aid, real events can be
CD sin ce 1998, and the latest was re- rent release contains an additional 160 used to show the importance of a whole be very hard ro access if they were not that emerge in countries where all data is
ran ge of d emining rules. These include
Demythofogising included in the DDAS. AJso, a dataset of available do not differ significantly from par-
cen tly completed with backing from the bur also many extensions to old entries,
Demining engenders myths ofdanger, accidents in Mozambique was recently terns based on incomplete d ata, so it
Geneva International Ce nter for Hu- such as medical reports and interviews using adequate area marking, appropri-
heroism and the "black art." The database retu rned to the Mine Action Cenrre seems that rhe inferences can be generally
manitarian D emining (GICHD). lr was concern ing the ongoing situation of vic- ate tools and detectors, cautious excavation ,
explodes many of rhe myrhs-and shows (MAC) in Mozambique, where rhe origi- applied. Certainly, until a more complete
orig in a ll y cal led the " Database of rims. Some of the additional data records Quali ty Control checks, blast visors, etc.
how si mple dem ining actually is. It also nal records had been losr. And in Cambodia, dataset is compiled, there is no reason not
accidents that happened some rime ago. It also provides salutary lessons on the
shows how multilayered management most of the records that have survived are to use the best evidence we have whi le
For example, there is now some dam about need fo r good training, appropriate field
remote from the actual work can in rroduce held in Khmer, so the DDAS p rovides working ro extend it.
accidents in the British sector of Kuwai t control , open management, appropriate
new dangers by imposing their ignorance. an English language translation for those In some cases, co mmercial and
after the G ulf War (none for other sectors). medical and commun ications equipment,
T he most obvious myth rhar rhe da- wan ting to learn from past acciden ts. political in terests have led to data being
etc. With real exa mples, these issues cease
tabase exposes is rhar dem iners lie prone T he database is a useful source of withheld. To eire a commercial example,
Principal Uses to be entirely a "matter of opinion."
when excavating mines. Even in rhe few information for managers and a very reievant it rook me more than four years to get
Several demining non-governmen-
places where rhe SOPs dema nd it, lyi ng training rool for field use. Examples ca n copies of rhe wrirren reports surrounding
It has been argued that the database tal organ izations (NGOs) have asked for
prone is so rare rhar ir is certainly rhe ex- be fo und to support safety requirements accidents during the trials of a mechanical
provides a stick with wh ich to bear the the m ed ical details in the database for use
ception rather than rhe rule. that deminers may thin k unnecessary, and demin ingsystem in Mozambique. Those
HD industry. While it could not be used when training their field medics.
to target an indi vidual or demin ing the reports themselves can be used ro records include well-derailed charts of rhe
Reference IdentifYing Causes promote best practice in accident inves- staggering percentage of mines that were
group, it could be used to criticise, bur
Perhaps mosr significant, the evi- tigations. T he standard of investigation nor deronated and were left damaged by
only if you subscribe ro the belief that The dambase proved invaluable during
dence clearly ind icates rhar deminer error varies as m uch as the experience of those the mach ines, which may explain rhe pro-
people on ly learn through pain. It is the revision of so me parts of the Interna-
is an infrequent cause of an accident and carrying them our, and frequentl y, an tracted secrecy.
perfectly possible to use the lessons tional Min e Action Standards (IMAS)
rhar fai lu res in the co ntrol chain are far opportun ity to learn from mistakes can be An example of "political
" interests
that can be derived in a positive way, because the range of opinion was very
more common. When seeking ro reduce obscured or lost in the reporting procedure. leading ro secrecy is the fatal accident
as described below. broad and based on heartfelt individual
the number of accidents and/or the sever- involving a roller system mounted on a
experience. The abili ty to refer to a broad
overview derived from global experience was
ity of resulting injury, understand ing why cceptance and eJectio tank outside Kabul in the early 1990s. I
accidents occur is essential. When the person presume that it is a fear of their own mis-
By providing "snapshots" of useful, especially when the protagon ists
studying the dam base is a contributory cause, While d e mining NGOs such as takes bei ng made publ ic that has led rhe
activities surrounding accidents, held positions of authority and h ad
tharcan be a deeply uncom fortable lesson. Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and People UK office of the famous NGO involved
the database can be used as an made previous decisions based on incom-
introduction ro how demining plete knowledge. Against Landmines (MgM) requested ro be uncooperative. T hey began by in-
In rhis context, reference to rhe da-
Archive copies very early on and have issued the sisting rhat they did not keep records of
is actually carried our. Th is is
It is never possible to know what database ro field groups as a resource, accidents. In 1997 , they corrected this
often at variance with pub- tabase established the prevalence of severe
information will be needed in the fu ture. other equally famous groups have fai led and said that all their accident records
li sh ed st andard operatin g hand injury and showed which mines and

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 98 • • 99 • 51

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
.. Demining Accident Database

results in long-term disability or requires Amp arm 4.1% particularly sensitive; if the device is an !fUN MAS does rake over the data-
were hard to find. Two years later, they "threat" mines in HD, but not significantly.
Severe arm 6.3% AP blast mine, however, the detonation base, I will produce at least one further
promised rhat data on all their accidents Defining the "threat" mines as those most surgical inrervcntion.
Severe shoulder 1.9% docs not generally cause severe injury un- independenrupdare.
would be provided if! gave them the details frequently involved in accidents, the cur- This is a fairly crude distinction, but
Severe hand 16.4% less one or more of rhe above are also true. Meantime, if you want to know how
about which of their accidents I already rent list (April 2002) reads: I have found it useful.
ln about 30 percent of all excavation So perhaps you will understand why it really is or to base your training on re-
knew abour. I did that, but after a further Demining accidents in the DDAS Not every accidenr involved a severe
accidents with AP blast mines, a severe my own particular technology interests ality, please use it. lt costs nothing.
APb~n 74% injury. Of those that did, the devices in-
18 months they have failed w provide eye injury occurs.
APWfiag 8% volved were: in demining have been visors, handtools, And if you have derails of any
access to records of a single accident. In about 42 percent of all excavation
Fuze 5% appropriate PPE and training. The data- demining accidenrs, please send rhem ro
Fortunately, the field officers of that par- 4% accidents with AP blast mines, a severe
AP Frag Severe injuries in demining accidents base has helped me to identifY rhe problems me at [email protected] •
ticular NGO are less fearful of rhe rrurh 3% injury to a hand or arm occurs.
AT and sometimes to begin to answer them.
and (outside Afghanistan) have always pro- AP blast 70%
Ordnance 2% Severe chest injury occurred in only
AP B/frag 14%
vided all the reco rds in their possession Submunition 1% 3.5 percent of reco rded excavation acci-
when I have gone to knock on their doors. 3% Fuze 1% e Future o ne Accident To preserve the anonymity associated with the
Other/unknown dents, and in more than half of those, the database, I cannot name the many people who have
AP Frag 4% Database
It is only fair ro contrast the failures injury was caused by parts of the han drool. helped me to ger the data over the years. H owever,
AT 6% the management of a few dcmining organisations
with the successes. Some MACs and This is interesting, bur not much Severe chest inju ry is rare-surprisingly,
Ordnance 3% Until recently, the CD database was have been especially forthright and I do not think
NGOs have made their incident investi- help unless you put it alongside the results this is true whether or not the victim was
1% unsupported by any organisation or donor. they would beoHended by a public acknowledgement
gations readily available. The Kosovo of those accidents. For example, the Submunition
wearing body armour. Many deminers My last update of the database was funded
of their organisations' honesty. These are: Mines Ad-
Other/unknown 1%
MACC was especially helpful. It made mines/devices involved in accidents without body armour get away with deto- visory Group (MAG U K). the Kosovo MACC,
through GICHDwith UN MAS approval. (UN)ADP Mozambique, Danish Demining Group
the most thorough investigations on where deaths occurred were: Ilating an AP blast mine with no bodily
These include deaths-which I have It is available on request from GICHD (DDG), Angolan Nation al Institute for the Re-
record, provided them quickly and then Deaths in demining accidents injuries a tall. While I personally like to wear
assumed always involved severe injuries. as a self-installing CD for use on comput- moval of Explosive Obstacles (INAROEE) and Nor-
carried out follow-up inquiries about the frontal body armour, the database does wegian People's Aid (NPA). Very many individuals
AP blast 22% So you can see that AP blast mines ers with Windows 95 (or later) and Office
health of the victims. AP B/frag 33% nm provide compelling evidence of its value working for other organisations have been a great
cause by far the most severe injuries. 97 Professional (or late r). Please contact help. They know who they are. and some are ac-
So, if the DDAS is less than perfect Fuze 0% in an AP mine blast. Blast visors in good
Whatwa.~ the victim doing at rhe rime? Paul Ellis at GICHD ([email protected]) knowledged in rhc database imroduction. Thanks.
because it does nor contain all of the AP Frag 3% condition and purpose-designed demining
Activity during AP blast accidents if you would like a copy.
records it could, that problem will only AT 8% handtools, do make a noticeable difference.
18% I believe that it should be extended
be addressed when some major players Ordnance Excavation 46.5%
with another dataset listing missed-m in e Andy Smith has been a hands-on demining
in the industry smarten up their act. Submunition 3% Demolition 1% Causes of the injuries researcher for the past eight years. I lis work has
Other/unknown 12% Detection 2% incidents where the device was "fou nd"
Severe eye injury results from: rakcn him imo hundreds of mined areas in Angola,
Handling 5.5% after clearance was finished. These events
New Data, New 1) Issu ing inappropriate eye protection, Mozambique, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and
The AP blast and AP bounding-frag- Stepping on missed mine 29% are sometimes investigated, bur the re- Afghanistan-also in Kosovo, Croatia and Hosnia
Conclusions? 6%
such as the industrial safety spectacles
Herzegovina. He has devised and implemenrcd
mentation situation is reversed with many Survey that are still widely used ports arc often jealously guarded. Such a
Vegetation removal 3% equ ipment tests in several countries, developed new
2) Issuing visors that cannot be seen dataset would allow some objective com-
I have previously published papers more deaths from bounding-fragmen ration 7% equipment and overseen irs technology rransfer ro
mines than from AP blast mines. You should Victim inattention through parison of the effectiveness of m ethods
on my conclusions about accidenrs and developing countries, and been employed as a "sub-
2) Using visors that are not down at the (and groups). The database could also be jeer maucr specialist" by research programmes. Uni-
their causes. The James Madison Univer- also notice that ordnance, which is only
The most common activity at the time of detonation extended to include darasets of civilian versities and many of the major players in HD.
sity (JMU) Journal ofMine Action, Issue involved in two percent of all accidents, 3) The use of old, UV-hardened visors Recent work has included producing country spe-
time of a blast mine accidenr is excavat- injury in uncleared areas-and you will
4.2, Summer 2000, carries an article en- causes a significant proportion offatalities. that shatter on blast impact cific training materials for de miners, surveyors and
ing a suspicious area. This may have been find an example of this on the distribu-
tided "The Facts on Protection Needs in These figures are also misleading- the general public.
found using a metal detector or a dog, tion CD. The parrofhis work that has raughr him most
Humanitarian Demining" which I rec- because most of AP bounding fragmen- Severe hand and arm injury results from:
exposed by a machine or may have been But, ar the rime of writing, rhe fu- is the Database ofDeminingAccidcnts that he began
ommend you read-http://maic.jmu.edu/ tation mine incidents occur in rhe Balkans 1) Using a short tool (meaning that the back in I 998. This paper was an attempt ro answer
a part of wide-area excavation-during ture of the database is un certa in. The
journal/index/pasr.htm. with a mine that is not a problem in most hand is within 30cm of the mine) when the question "'What use does the database serve?'"
which the whole surface of the soil is re- database may be taken over by UN MAS/
The increased number of database of the rest of the world (the PROM-I). it detonates *A{/ photos courtesy ofthe author.
moved in suspicious areas where other 2) Using an inappropriate digging GICHD who would then manage its
entries have very little effect on my previous Also, most ofrheAP blast mine incidents
methods cannot be used. method so that the hand is above the maintenance and re lease. This should
conclusions. But the incompleteness of involve the PMN, which does not occur
ln an excavation accident, the two mine when it detonates mean that access ro some data will be
the data means that any statistical analy- at all in recorded accidenrs in the Balkans. ontact Information
most common severe injuries are ro the 3) Using a tool that shatters on eas ier, but experience has shown me rhar
sis based on it must always be made with It should also be noted that the majority detonation and the parts inflict other
eyes and the hands/arms. The injuries only the groups with the authority to Andy Smith
informed caution. of the ordnance deaths occurred in Kuwait injuries
may be the loss of an eye, a finger, a hand oblige reluctant dcmining groups and Tel: +44 (0) 1600 713727
Additional records change the ratio during the post-Gulf War clean up and
or an arm-or may be the loss of func- MACs to allow access to this data are their Fax: +44 (0) 1600 7 19993
between UXO and mine accidents in H 0 before any international safety standards Hand injury also results from dig-
tion in an eye, finger, hand or arm-so funders. I hope they can also be persuaded E-mail: [email protected]
significantly. But that ratio was never rep- for HD existed. ging incautiously or from devices that are
To make an analysis of injury sig- leading to permanent disabili ty. to cooperate.
resentative because traditional explosive
ordnance disposal (EOD) tasks are often nificanr, T have had to draw a distinction
Common injuries when excava ting AP
carried out by serving military who do between "minor" injuries and "severe" inju-
blast mines
not carry out independent investigations ries. 1 define the difference as: (as a percent of all excavation accidents)
and do not make their own accident Minor: a minor injury is one rhar Loss of eye or eyes 6.7%
records available. does not require surgical intervention and Severe eye 22.7%
The rich data stream from the does not result in long-term disability. Amp fingers 11.5%
Balkans has changed the balance of Severe: a severe injury is one that Amp hand 2.2%

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 100 • • 101 • 52

 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2
International Unexploded Ordinance Training Program
environment, rh is does nor mean rhey are ourse Details A student sets up a

The International nor haza rdous. Worse, many o f these

items have gone through their arming
cycles and fa iled ro function or have been
T h e UXO Techn ic ian Lev el I
Course is a 200-hour course covering 25
ring main w ith
branch lines using
various knots and

Unexploded Ordnance
other methods of
modified by a rhird parry. All of these training days. The subject areas covered attachment.
c i rcumsrances increase the threat ro first-re- during the course are: c/o TEEX

spo nders as well as to rh e gene ral public. • Course inrroduction and adm inis-

Training Program (IUTP) Unfortunately, few civilian bomb

technicians have had rhe opportunity to
receive formal training on military
rrarive req uirements.
• UXO environmental remediation
overv1ew.
ordnance and are woefull y u nprepared ro • Mathematics, electricity and physics.
Ongoing military conflicts, pa st wars and mi litary trammg have management issues associa ted w ith a safely deal wirh these threats. The IUTP • Exp losives and explosive effects.
contaminated vast areas of the world with UXO. This course is designed to UXO cleanup. T hese sires are normally is designing two additional courses to • Fuze functioning and ordnance
provide students with the skills they need to successfully function as a UXO located on closed mili tary reservations or counter rhis menace ro public safety: one safety precautions.
Technician's Assistant (Tech Level1). former milicary training areas. for first responders a nd another for • Surface, air, che mical and under-
The IUTP is not a demining program; civilia n bomb techn icians. These courses water ordnance identi fica ti on
Station, parr of the TAMUS, is t he however, mines are categorized as ordnance focus on rhe needs of civil ia n firs t- (classroom and practical).
by Tom Gersbeck, Program location for th is co urse. and are included in the training. The responders and bomb squad personnel. • Other various explosive hazards
Coordinator, IUTP Ri ve rside Camp us, on rhe site of the
Initiated in 1997 and certified in course covers mines planted by individuals They are designed to prepare rhis fi rst line a nd pyrotechnics.
1999, th e UXO Techni c ian Level I or delivered by surface weapon systems or former Bryan Air Force Base, encompasses
of defense with the information rhey will • Storage, handling a nd transporta-
19,000 acres and contains ample classroom
Introduction Course of the I UTP is t he only civi lian aircraft, includi ng shallow- and deep-water need ro p rotect rhe public wh il e tion of explosives.
UXO training granted fu ll certification mines. Frequently in deminingoperation s, space and num erous practical exercise
in creasing their c ha nces of survival when • Demolition materials, fir ing sys-
by the U.S. Department ofDefense (DoD). numerous pieces ofUXO are encountered areas. Located in rhe center of rhe former
The I UTP is a component of the military ordnance, explosives or other tems & d isposal procedu res.
The course is also approved by the Veterans before a mine is ever successfully located run way complex, the demolition range
National Emergency Response and Rescue related hazards are encounrered. • Electric, non-electric and shock-
Training Center (NERRTC), a division Administration, allowing U.S. military and neutra lized, making ir extremely is spacious, well-prepared and profession-
wbe firing systems (classroom and
veterans rhe opportunity to offset cou rse important that perso nnel participating in ally designed co accommodate 25 students
of the Texas Engineering Extension The IUTP Staff practical).
Service (TEEX) a nd parr of rhe Texas A costs with their G I bill benefits. demining operations be well trained in s imul ta neo us ly. All of rhe practica l
• Four different pieces of geophysical
all aspects ofUXO. There are numerous demol ition training is conducted on this
& M University Sysrem (TAMUS). The IUTP fun ctions as a program equipment (classroom and practical).
UTP Mission Focus programs in p lace to train human itarian range. On rhe easr side of rhe former main
Developed in 1948, TEEX is a world leader with in NERRTC and cu rrently has one • Professional development seminar
in technical hands-on training and includes deminers; this cou rse is designed ro educate runway is the UXO range training area.
permanent staff member and a large cadre (focusing on rhe UXO industry) .
T he IUTP sraff works closely with technicia ns on all groups, categories and Spread our over a six-acre area a re four
the largest fire-fighting training program of adju nct instructors. We have attracted • lndusrry seminar (dependent upon
in the world, robust law e nforceme nt industry, government a nd academia to types of ordnance, as well as other aspects "grids" containing ove r 400 p ieces of
rhe most qualified personnel available ro personnel availability).
address the wide range of UXO-related of area remediation. ordnance for students to locate, excavate
t raining and an ex t e n sive dom esr ic fi ll our insrrucror positions. lnsrrucrors Study-halls are offered nightly on
preparedness training program . Wirh rhe issues. The IUTP's primary focus is on G raduates of the UXO Technician and identifY. Seeded throughout rhe grids
are drawn from the UXO industry as well weekdays and on weeke nds upon student
largest engineering school in the Un ired mil itary ordn ance in relation to area Level 1 Course are certified to work as are various other metal objects to provide
as rhe military explosive ordnance disposal request. At least one instructor is present
remed iat ion, public safety a nd si re UXO technician assiscanrs. With three years false readings on rhe equipment, present-
States, it is only fitti ng thar Bryan/Co llege (EOD) community. Iris anticipated rhar ar all study-halls; however, iris com mon
ofexperience, a technician can be promoted ing rhe srudents wirh a realistic situation
After excavation,
the number of permanent staff positions to fin d two or more in attendan ce.
to Technician Level 2 and after another five and ch allenging rhei r knowl edge.
TEEX students will grow in rhe future as requests for th is
years to Technicia n Level 3. This ability T h roughout the grids, rhe locations of
identify and discuss training increase.
final disposition of to advance within the industry from en-
xams the UXO irems vary from lying on rhe
Employing a large number ofadjunct
UXO. c/o TEEX
try level (UXO Techn icia n Level I) surface ro a depth of 10 feet. Four grids
in str u c tors prov id es the IUTP rh e
rh rough middle management (Techn ician Students a re required ro pass rwo are used, one for each of the four different
opportunity to bring rhe most updated
Level 3) ensures a long-rerm career path practica l and three w ritten exams duri ng pieces of geophysical equipment covered
skills and expe riences from rhe industry
for all graduates. the course, including an overall comprehen- during rhe course. During rhe last week
inro rhe classroom. It also allows us ro
In the United States, there are many sive exam . Minimum passing scores are of trai ning, students " hit rhe grids" to
apply new techniques, equi pment and
instances in which military ordnan ce 80 percent and 85 percent for w ri tten and clear rh is sim ulated UXO sire. Students
technology thar wi ll be returned to the
items are encounrered in civil ian com - practical exa ms respectively. The grading are required ro lay out their grid; proper!y
industry through our students. For example,
muniti es. Police and fire department criteria are ser high to ensure rhar IUTP em pl oy the sea rch eq uipment; locate,
th e one permanent staff member, four
personnel are called upon ro address th e graduates can operate wi th minimal excavate and identifY all ordnance encoun-
adjunct insrructo rs and one guest speaker
hazards UXO pose to public safety. supervision on a UXO sire. tered; and correctly plot rhe UXO locations
supported the UXO Technician Level 1
Evidence of th is can be found with any on a grid map.
class, which concl uded o n March 22,
civilian bomb squad, as most have training Training Facilities
2002. The EOD tec hni cian, UXO
aid li braries fu ll of military ordnan ce History of UXO
technician, UXO supervisor and munitions
items recovered within their communiti es. Th e l UT P offices and pnmary emediation
manage m e nt experience of these six
Though many of these items were never training areas are located at Texas A &
individuals rota led 120 years.
employed on a battlefield or in a training M University's Riverside Campus. The The UXO Technician Level 1 course

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 102 • • 103 • 53

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
Building a Safer World, the Philly Way
is based on rhe U.S. Navy Explosive Ord- NAYSCOLEOD were allowed to work menr developme nr to the UXO industry.
nance Disposal School (NAYSCOLEOD)
curriculum. However, unlike the EOD
cu rriculum , ours is specifically oriented
ro the commercial clearance ofUXO, nor
as UXO techni cians within the borders
of rh e United Stares. In ternationa ll y,
personnel from many different nations
perform this work. The majority of this
Without military support of this kind, it
is impossible for a civi lian UXO company
ro operate in the same manner as a mili-
tary organ ization would, given the same cask.
Building a Safer World
the military EOD m ission, as rhe two are
not th e same. Wirh insrrucwrs from the
military EOD a nd rhe civ ili an UXO
com munities, students are taught the
workforce co nsists of people with train-
ing in bomb disposal or e ngin eeri ng.
However, personnel with backgrounds in
other military occupational fi elds from a
This program is the fi rst within a major
uni ve rsity system ro provide compre-
hensive practical and classroom training
specificall
y designed fo r UXO technicians
"The Ph illy Way"
knowledge and skills required to safely variety of natio ns can be foun d working and managers. With t he creation of the Philadelphia-area Adopt-A-Minefield program, many
perform in the UXO industry. on UXO or de mining sires. T he tra ining community members have offered their time and effort to raise money and
Hisro rica lly, only grad uates of the received by these personnel while in their onclusion awareness for the landmine problem in Mozambique. With new goals at
respecti ve country's ser- hand, Philadelphians can expect to see the campaign continue, focusing on
vice was most often our- The need for an in-depth UXO Afghanistan a nd t he rest of the world.
(Right) EOD t echnician working standing. H owever, this training program designed ro address the
in a sub-munition impact area.
training focused on the shortage of entry-level UXO technicians
c/o Tom Gersbeck by Mike Felker by Greater Philadelphia UNA board
(Below) IUTP stude nts bomb disposal or engi- is real. As long as there are p ieces of UXO
member Joan Reivich and myself-a
performing d emolitio n neering missions at threatening huma n lives, the IUTP will
Veterans for Peace member. Joan, a grand-
procedures on the Riverside hand. A civi lian UXO conrinue ro provide this training to qualified Introduction
Campus Range in Bryan, Texas. mother of 12, had long been troubled by
clearance missio n dif- perso nnel. Curren tly, there is a shortage
c!oTEEX the use of AP landmines. She saw the
fers greatly from the of Level I UXO Tech n icia ns ind ustry
In late 1999, members of the Phila- Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign as a con-
military mission in w ide. With another round of mili tary
delphia chapters of rh e Unired Nations crete way of mobilizing the community
tools , equ ipment, base closures in the Un ited Srares about
Association (UNA) and Veterans for ro rake action against landmine use and
procedu res, ma nage- to begin, this shortage is bound ro increase.•
Pe a ce began a UNA-USA Adopt-A- help ameliorate rhe damage caused by
me nt and tec hni ca l
Min efield ca mpaign to raise money to mines. Joan Stares, "The more r learned,
as well as log isti ca l
Blo~raphy demin e a minefield in Mozambiqu e. the more deeply I began to care about
support. In essence, Mike Fel ker as
O ver rhe next two years, in conjunction rhis issue. Like most people, I knew a bit overview of the landmine crisis includ-
t here are more dis- a medic in
Mr. Gersbeck is the program coordinator for with the UNA chapter in Washington, about land mines because of the public- ing a video, personal accounts of my
sim ilarities rhan sim i- Vietnam. 1970.
the UXOTraining Prowam. A 20-ye:u Marine Corps
D.C., $3 1,300 (U .S. ) was raised ro ity Princess Diana brought co rhe issue, ex periences in Viernam, suggestions to
larities when consider- veteran, he ~erved in I" Air aval Gunfire l.iai.son
Company (A GLICO) before transferring to dem ine an I I ,8 I I square-meter m inefleld bur I had no idea how many millions of the audience from Joan for raising money
ing t he civi lian a nd
EOD. As an EO D officer and technician, he served in Ressa no Garcia, located in the Maputo these obscene weapons were still in place for t he Adopt-A-M inefield Campaign
mi litary m iss ion re-
in a variety of billets in both air and ground units. prov ince in th e so ut hern secrion of and the scale of the damage they do ro and entreaties from Joan to contact thei r
quirements of a UXO
Mozambique. T his particu lar minefield individua l lives and the development of government representatives to support
c lea nup. Further-
Contact Information is in an agricu lt ural area. Despite rhe large nations. The more 1 learned, the more the Un ited States sign ing the Mine Ban
more, the U.S. m ili-
signs warning o f th e minefield, local shocked I became. And the more angry l Treaty. Over 50 presentations were made
tary does not provide
Tom Gersbeck inhabitants walk through the minefield was that our country had nor signed the for the Mozambique campaign . After
any technical support,
Tel: (979) 862-3410 carrying firewood and other necessities International Landmine Ban Treaty. hearing a presentation, one congregation
resea rch, training,
E-mail: thomas.gersbeck rather than making a long derour around Spreading rhe word, involving others, and of a suburban ch urch raised $2,000 for
equipme nt or equip-
@reexma il.ramu. edu rhe minefield; this shortcut has resulted helping individuals and groups become the Campaign. Joan and I have made
in deaths and inju ries. With the $31,300, part of the solution seemed rhe least I presentations ro approximately 300 Pres-
One of a Kind: The Quick Reaction Demininq Fore (Continued from page 86) demining efforrs, consisting primarily of co uld do." byteria n min isters and lay-leaders. In
dogs an d man ual methods, starred ear- turn, the Presbytery of Philadelph ia
a peace process rhar needed ro be rein- QRDF." No othe r group of deminers on to bear on rea l demining crisis situations. lier this year. In amicipation of rhe cleared passed a " Resolution On Landmi nes,"
preading the Word
forced, and dem ining ca n do rhar," he earth can respond to a demi ni ng-related T hat's what's really near abour rhe QRDF."• field, people are building houses around which includes: "(making]landmines an
co ntinued. crisis as quickly o r deal with an emergency the minefield. Once the field is de mined, on going priority, [appealing] for imme-
ft appears as though the QRDF has as co mprehe n s ivel y as th e QRDF. ontact Information these people will raise maize, peanuts and The main thrust of the Philadelph ia- diate ratification of the Internat iona l
fulfilled irs missio n more successfully than Whether clearing the way fo r floods of mangoes in t he ferti le soil , a nd the short- area Mozambique Adopt-A-M inefield L1ndmine Ban Treaty, and [encouraging]
anyone imagined except, perhaps, for Mr. refugees tantalized by rhe promise of JJ Scott cur fo r ca rrying fi rewood will no longer campaign has been presentations ro reli- congregations to incorporate rhe UNA
M cCloy himself. H e beli eves rhar "this p eace or respondin g to so me un foresee- MA IC be deadly. gious groups; community organ izations; Adopt-A-Minefield campaign in t heir
thing has been really worthwhile. It's able disaster, th e me n of rhe QRD F are [email protected] elementary, h igh school, and college stu- Mission Outreach."
wo rked well a nd I think it's going ro get in a position to save people's li ves who dents; and gatherings in restaurants and We have also ra ised money by send-
The Philadelphia Adopt-A
bett
"e r. H e po inted our rhar whar makes wo uld previously have been our of luck. Mr. Harry "Mu rf" McCloy private homes. These presemations, last- ing holiday gift cards ro friends and fami ly
Minefield Campaign
rhe QRDF such an achievem ent is irs Mr. McCloy concluded, "This is an idea The DOS Humani taria n D e mining ing from a half-hour co two hours, were members of contributors who made a
unique ness, since "once you've got [the w hose time has come and the U.S. has Program usually made by Joan Reivich and myself, donation in their loved one's name-lasr
deminers] together and you give them done it. ft's the actuality of what's ava il- [email protected] rg The Philadelphia-area Mozambique often with other UNA and VFP mem- December, over $2,000 was donated
supervision , you've go r the world 's only able and how quickly it can be brought Adopt-A-Minefield campaign was created bers. In general, they consisted of an through the gift cards. As another method

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/1 • 104 • • 105 • 54

 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2
Molding the Future of the Landmine Community

to raise money for the campaign, for the

past several years 1 have run in the 10
how people react, from the memories of
rhose who have survived, the lirrle shep-
impoverishment. We are working against
the horrors of war and towards build ing The Mine Action Information
herd boy probably hopped or dragged a safer world for all citizens. •
kilometer Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Run, taking pledges, mainly
through the Internet, for the campaign.
himself to where his foot lay-ir would
have been quite close to him. He would
Center and The State
iogrophical Information
This year, more than $I ,500 was raised
in pledges.
have tried ro pur his foor back on rhe
bleeding stump of his ankle. He would
Mike Felker is an employee at the University
Department's Humanitarian
In conjunction wirh rhe U.S. Cam- have cried or maybe just sat lonely and
paign ro Ban Landmines, we've worked
to have the United Stares join the Land mine
quiet and helpless and slipped into un-
consciousness. His goats must have stayed
o f Pennsylvania. While in the U.S. military in the
btc 1960s, he was sent to Viemam ro replace a
medic killed by a land mine in December 1969. As
Demining Fellowship: Molding the
until after he died, probably until wild a medic with the First Marine Division in Viet-
Ban Treaty-we have visited the offices
of Pennsylvania's senators and represen- dogs arrived at the scene. We have no way
nam, Mike rrcarcd American and Vietnamese ca-
sualties of landmines. Most of the injuries were
Future of the landmine Community
tatives, organized an e-mail advocacy alert of knowing exactly what happened; the amputations caused by "tocpoppers. " Mike's memo-
entitled "Landmines: Clearing the Way."
network, distributed thousands ofleaflers, dogs found him days before we did." ries of treating rhesc casualties-tying a tou rniquet
James Madison University (JMU) is host to the State Department's Mine Action
around the remains of rh e leg. wrapping a barrie The CD-ROM highlighted all aspects of
wrirren articles and letters to rhe editor, Information Center (MAl C). The MAIC has given many students the opportunity,
dressing over the stump, looking for a vein in the mine action and mine awareness and was
and participated in radio programs. victim's arm to starr an IV-disturb him still. By whether through local employment or the State Department's Humanitarian
Conclusion produced by Huntington Associates with
relaying his experiences in Vi ern am as parr of the Demining Fellowship, to learn and experience mine action. Today, many of JMU's
presentations, the Landmine Campaign has pro-
funds from rhe U.S. Department of Stare,
A New Goal former students are players in the globallandmine community. the U.S. Department of Defense and the
Our new campaign will continue to vided a way to usc these memories positively.
Rockefeller Foundation.
focus on presentations tO make people
'All photos courtesy ofthe author. by David Hartley, MAIC would eventually lead him to war-torn As a Stare Department Fellow, Kurt
T he Philadelphia-area Mozambique aware of the land mine crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan as a deminer. worked as the production assistant on this
Adopt-A-Mi nefield campaign ended last and rhe world. Bur we also hope ro get
Kurt Chesko recognized rhat em- Kurt, 23, holds a degree in both In- project. This experience, which included
December. Given the state of the "war children involved with a poster contest ontact Information ployment in the mine action com muni ty ternational AfFairs and French from James profiling 39 mine-affected countries and
on terrorism" and the suffering the Afghan and fundraising. Placing ads in local
would be an opportunity in a global, Madison University (JMU). Before co llecti ng first-hand information from
people had been through-suffering ex- newspapers is another possibility. Folks Mike Felker
multi-faceted humanitarian industry. He graduating in December of2000, heap- deminers throughout the world, gave him
acerbated by the five to seven million invol ved in the Philadelphia-area Adopt- 29 Hamilton Ci rcle
(Left to Right) Joan knew that working in rhe landmine com- plied fo r the Stare Department's Frasure- a thorough and comprehensive under-
Reivich, Marietta land mines in the country-it was felr rhar A-Minefield campaign besides Joan and Philadelphia, PA 191 30
munity would provide valuable socio- Kreuzel-Drew Humanitarian Demining Standing of mine action. He used rhis
Tanner and Mike money should now be raised for demining myself in clude UNA-GP President Dave Tel: (215) 898-9672
political experience that could be applied Fellowship program through JMU's experience to gain a position at HALO
Felker at a efforts in Afghanistan. The following pas- Eld redge, Joy Harbison, Suzanne E-mail: [email protected]
landmine to many non-landmine related jobs. Kurr MAIC. In January 200 1, the Stare De- USA, the American arm of rhe British
sage from rhe book Landmines: A Resource Milshaw, Richard Laudenslager, World
presentation in did not anticipate, however, that his fel- partment assign ed Chesko to work in charity HALO Trust. His primary tasks
Philadelphia, Book by Rae McGrath, solidified that resolve: War II veteran Carl Dahlgren, Temple UNA Adopt-A-Minefield:
lowship wirh rhe U.S. State Department New York on a multi-media CD-ROM are to raise the organization's profile and
December,2001. "A small boy, about nine years old, University student Dan Tate, Barbara www.landmines.org
investigate new sources of fu nding.
Ms. Tanner was following his goats as they grazed in Harris and the Philadelphia Presbytery
organized the fund Veterans for Peace: C hesko's job as Program Coordin a-
the mountains. His name is not known. Peacemaking Resource Team, and several
raising event. Mike
hundred individual contributors. All are www. vereransforpeace.org tor of HALO USA ultimately afforded
Felker at the He was probably playing a little, throwing
E-mail: vetsfo rpeace031 @netscape.ner him the opportunity to remove
Philadelphia scones maybe, or he would have noticed united in rhe belief rhat when we use our
landmines in Afghanistan. All of HALO
Vietnam Veterans the small green mine rhat blew his foot resources to remove landmines, we are
Memorial Run; Trust's employees are given the chance ro
off at the ankle. From what we know of working to remove suffering, fear and
more than $1,500 do field work, and he rook full advan-
was raised in tage. Taking a UN flight into Kabul, Kurt
pledges.
spent about a month training and
demining, as well as experiencing the full
spectrum of Afghanistan's devastation.
The work deeply affected him, and in rhe
future he plans on pursuing a permanent
field position with HALO Trust.
Both the JMU fellowship with the
Stare Department and rhe MAJC's pub-
lication, the journal ofMine Action, have
given JMU graduates rhe opportunity ro
pursue long term employment in the glo-
bal field oflandmine awareness and clear-

JMU alumnus Kurt Chesko at work in

Afghanistan. c/o KurtChesko

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 • 106 • • 107 • 55

 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1
Molding the Future ol the Landmine Community
:tnce. Erin Snider, another Stare Deparc- exposed her ro a bevy oflandmine related rions. "!The average experienced deminer does not directly deal with landmines, the tuniries, the issue oflandmine awareness markup language] definition to facilitate
menr fellow from JMU, has moved on issues and introduced her to the unique can clear about 30 square meters of "knowledge of land mines and the nega- and removal has a unique way of getting information sharing bervveen the various
ro handle many administrative and in- challenges of mine action and mine ground in a long day. Being a rookie, of tive effects of their widespread and in- under one's skin. In Afghanistan, Chesko information systems supporting rhe
formation related tasks for the New York- awareness. In Washington, D.C., Erin course, Kurt struggled ro keep up. discrim inate use ... is a common theme in saw for the first time "the progress that's demining communiry." This task has put
based Adopt-a-M inefield. She deals with was immediately given sign ificant respon- JMU's MAJC has spawned a diverse arms control." being made." Nor only did he realize the Noah in regular contact with the U.S.
both the U.S. Stare Department and the s ibilities, as well as "a great chance to group of alumni. Michael Monroe was During Keith's srinr as assisranr edi- startling realiry of landmine/UXO dev- Srarc Department, the Geneva Interna-
Un it ed Nations, and is Adopt-a- prove [herself ]" and "realize [her] poten- nor a State Deparrmenc fellow-instead tor, he traveled ro Tampa, Florida for a astation, but Kurt also saw that in Af- tional Center fo r Humani tarian
Minefield's representative on rhe Steer- tial." The Fellowship's unique combina- he worked ar the MAIC in the publica- conference on mi litary/ non-governmen- ghanista n " it's nor a hopeless siruarion, Demining (G lCHD), the United Na-
ing Committee on the U.S. Campaign tion of freedom, responsibility and sup- tions department, for the journal ofMine tal organization (NGO) cooperation. H e there's a lo r of land that was once com- tions M ine Action Service (UN MAS) and
to Ban Landmines. port pushed Erin ro grow in many ways. Action. A graduate from JMU's School met a diverse group of individuals with pletely unusable that has now been the MA lC. Noah is also leading a project
During her fellowship from 1999 ro The chall enges she faced and bested gave of Media Arts and Des ign (SMAD) wirh varying backgrou nds and pol itical views. planted and is thriving."5 Such real iza- ro "develop a Decision Support System
2000, Sn ider was exposed to virtually "ev- her confidence and know-how. Whi le ru- concentrations in electronic journalism Ulri marely, Feigenbaum made connec- tions only serve to strengthen one's re- for the State Department's Office of Hu-
ery component of mine action" from minating on the MAIC fellowship and and media writing, Michael was an edi- tions and was "able ro share ... common solve to remove landmines. manitarian Demining Programs."
"mine clearance to research and develop- her subsequent success w it h Adopt-a- torial assistant and the online editor for ground w ith mine action professionals When Noah Klemm graduated from Klemm, 25, largely credits his work
ment." This experience, in addition to her Minefield, Erin concluded, "J don't think the Journal in rhe spring of 2001. during future encounters." Moreover, JMU with an International Aflairs degree with rhe MAJC and rhe Stare Depart-
knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs as I could have done this unless I had had Monroe is now a freelance television
an undergraduate, made Erin a commod- rhar opportuniry." writer/producer and recently starred his
iry. She was hired for an extended stay
with rhe Scare Department and quickly
Like Kurt C hesko, Snider has since
seized the opportuniry to wirness mine
own production company, M ikemon In-
ternational, LLC. Although not exclu-
"Demining gets in your blood. It's difficult to
got a job with Adopt-a-Mi nefield.
Erin's primary job is ro oversee
action first hand. She has traveled to both
Afghanistan and Djibouti on policy as-
sively involved with landmine-relared is-
sues, Michael is curren tly discussing with
leave a field that is at the same time extremely
Adopt-a-Minefield's operations in Af-
ghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Cambodia,
sessment visits and is planning furure
trips. These experiences were "surreal"
various TV executives the possi biliry of a
landm ine documentary. Linking media
rewarding and patently frustrating."
Mo1~1mbique and Viernam. She ensures because they gave substance and tangi- and mine action, "co create a better aware-
that funds are being used properly and bility to Erin's administrative efforts 1• ness for the general public ... would be a
char operations are conducted in a timely Kurt's visit ro Afghanistan furn ished him great service to all." 3 Keith " learned that the landmine com- 111 1999, he simply needed parr-rime menr for his success at his present posi-
manner. "Adopt-a-Minefield 's main pur- with both an app reciation for demining While working for the journal of munity is, above all else, determ ined and employment. He heard about the MATC tion. Nor only was he given a head first
pose is to mobilize grass roots communi- fieldwork and a perspective on the dev- Mine Action, Michael gained valuabl e re- resilient." The skil ls and experience through a professor and decided it would introduction to globa l affairs and mine
ties" and allow individuals to raise money astation land mines and UXO can cause. searching skills, as well as an understand- gained through the MAIC "are things be a great opportuniry to travel and gain action, but Noah also received "great in-
ro clear landmines. As a deminer, Kurt worked long, ing for global political issues. Very few rhar can be carried over inro any job or international experience. It was unlikely, sight into the various political and orga-
Recently, a women's church group backbreaking hours under a scorching jobs can offer undergraduates the oppor- career."4 however, that Noah planned on choos- nizational dynamics with the mine action
Kurt Chesko found JMU's MAIC/ ing a career in the landmine action field. communiry."f• Like Keith Feigenbaum, he
earne e n comm 1 y 1s, Scare Department fellowship equally Noah worked for the MAIC from met important global players in the
helpful. His thorough knowledge of rhe June 1999 to February 2000, assisting demining community and used these
above all else, determined and resilient. U.S. State Department, HALO Trust's with the Slovenia Dog conference. In contacts extensively.
Sracy Smith, who worked as an Edi-
largest financial contributor, made addition, he worked with the Civil/Mili-
These are things that can be carried over into Chesko a valuable asset to this British
NGO. In addition to his fieldwork in
tary Team conducting a srudy oflessons-
learned within the landmine removal
torial Assisranr at the Journal of Mine
Action from October 2000 to May 2001,
an or ree " eith Fei enbaum Afghanistan, Kurt has lived in Sweden,
france and a ll over the United States. H e
communiry. This work led ro the State
Department's Frasure-Kreuzel-Drew Fel-
brought Noah's same fresh-f.Ked perspec-
tive to her position. "Unfortunately, I
from the United States donated $20,000 sun. In Kabul, Kurt spent a week receiv- ru niry co work independently on global also graduated From the American School lowship from February 2000 ro June cannot say rhar I knew a lor about
to clear a Bosnian minefield. After the ing general training in medical and evacu- issues and meet inAuenrial delegates and ofThe Hague, in rhe Netherlands. The 2000. The knowledge Klemm ga ined land mines or the devastation they cause
minefield was cleared, information, maps ation procedures. From there he deployed representatives from fore ign countries, all land mine communiry is defin itively glo- about "rhe relationship between civilian ro commun ities and individu<tls in mine-
and photographs were relayed ro rhe ro Jabul Saraj, north of Kabul, where he from the comfort of small-rown bal; it creates the opportunity for and de- and military demining organizations" as affected countries before I starred work-
church group. Therefore, the women who trained as a deminer. His training con- Harrisonburg, Virginia. mands worldwide networking and travel. well as "the U.S. government's various ing ar the MAIC," Stacy revealed in an
worked hard raising money were able to sisted oflandm ine recognition, land mine Keith Feigenbaum, the Journal's as- Knowledge of different cultures and so- demining programs" and "rhe info rma- interview. In fact, she "knew nothing. "
see exactly how rheir money was used, removal and safery procedures, among sistanr editor from May 2000 to May ciet ies is essentia l for work in the cion required to run rhem" made him a Smith's lack of knowledge, however, was
and who benefited from it. Thirry thou- ocher things. Chesko demined in 2001, also participated in JMU's landmine awareness and clearance com- potential asser to employers. soon transformed into expertise. Her ea-
sand square meters of land was returned Bargram, where he gained true respect for demining fellowship ar rhe Stare Depart- muniry. Specifically, Noah used his expertise gerness to learn, combined with rhe
ro a communiry, ro the great satisfaction the m eticulous and arduous nature of ment. Currently, Keith is an Arms Con- Often individuals enter the mine to gain employment with FGM Inc. in Journal's informative and rigorous atmo-
of the church group and Erin Sni der. landmine/UXO removal. "Umil you have trol Policy Analyst at Science Applications action community with limited knowl- Dulles, Virginia. FGM Inc. is a technol- sphere, made Stacy an aurhoriry on a
Adopt-a-Minefield's charitable methods been on your hands and knees clearing International Corporation (SA IC) in edge or inreresr in landm ine related is- ogy company specializing in software and number of mine-related topics.
are inherently rewarding, Snider believes, mines and UXO," Kurt realized, "you McLean, VA. H e works in cooperation sues. Kurt applied for the State Depart- information systems development. Noah Also a SMAD graduate from JMU,
because "you ger ro see rhe full impact of can nor appreciate the work chat thou- with the U.S. military, providing infor- menr fellowship because it "always leads works on a variery of mine action projects, Stacy Smith currently works for RONCO
your work." sands of deminers are doing for months mation services on various arms control ro great opportunities." And though the and is "rhe project lead of an effort ro Consul ring Corporation in Washington,
Snider's Fellowship with rhe MAIC at a rime in some of rhe harshest cond i- treaties and acco rds. Although his job fe llowship does create ind ividual oppor- develop a mine action XML [extensible D.C. RONCO is an international pro-

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

fessional services fl rm that specializes in

humanitarian demining assistance, pro-
curement services, agribusiness and pri-
vate sector development. In the last 2 1
thorough introductio n to mine actio n.
T he journal ofMine Action and the
MAIC's Stare Department Fellowship
have introduced many to the rewards and
tiny fa rm ing village consisting of som e
of the "poorest people in the wo rld." 10
The village had recently been cleared by
HALO deminers. There he shared rea and
Africa: It's Big!
years, RONCO has supplied varying lev- frustratio ns of mine action. Very few of cookies with the villagers, between the
els of in-counrry managemenr and sup- roday's landmine/UXO experts entered rice paddies. By meeting these resilient,
port to 300 d emi ning projects in more the fleld with knowledge o r experience. kind and generous people, Kurt realized plex, multi-dimensional, problematic, or integratio n, cooperation, and communi-
than 50 developing countries. As a Pro- Most o f the Journal's employees are sim- the significa nce of his work. difficult. On rhe orher hand, we might catio n of invol ved organ izations. This
gram Associate, Stacy's job is to "provide ply looki ng for employmem. There is a Erin Snider was attracted to the State be tempted to see the promise of a dream recognirion and its implied interaction
support to several of these country pro- peculiar quali ty to mine action , however; De pa rtment fellows hip because fulfill ed and describe the s ituation as with different groups' activities extend
grams from rhe home office" and to draft the more one learns about th e worldwide "landmines are inherently an economic hopeful, coo rdinated, focused, or prom- beyond mine action to other families of
"impact re ports abo ut the effect of devastation and socio-economic impact issue, a humanitarian issue, a political is- ising. But we would be well cautioned to humani tarian anion.
RONCO's operations o n local popula- oflandmines and UXO, the greater one's sue, everything." T he idea that there is ap p roach t he challenge of landm ine Very often mine action projects can
ti o ns." She also edits and co mpil es concern. Furthermore, very few jobs ca n "one little component with such a devas- remediation in Africa , much as the be accomplished best in conjunction with
monthly field reports from various coun- offer a college undergraduate the oppor- tating impact on all those different areas" Wagnerites do; with patience and dili- activities such as civic action projects,
try p rograms and updates comen t on tunity ro assist, in some small way, in is at o nce disturbing and interesting 11• gence-and the clear recognition that the feeding programs, public health m issions,
RON CO's website. treating one of the world's most signifi- Those who enter the field of mine action landmine problem in Africa is a multi- agriculture and land reclamario n, o r post-
Stacy's progression fro m Ediwrial cant problems. Meeting foreign delegates, always emerge with a changed world view. faceted puzzle which can, only with the conflict support. Any organ ization hoping
Assista nt to Program Associate was "a thoroughly ex ploring a global issue and Ma ny go on to pursu e a ca ree r in most energetic and dedicated of outlooks, to maximize or insure the lasting effects
natural evolmion of sorts." Like many of traveling to worldwide conferences are landmine awareness, removal or admin- yield dramatic and inspi ring results. of its mine action mission would be well
rhe MAIC's student employees, Stacy perks not associated with pizza del ivery isrration; all leave deeply concerned. • So in deal ing with Africa, let us flrst advised to link its activi ties to other re-
applied for and rece ived the State or cusro mer serv1ce. accept that it is BIG and diverse. There lief or humanitarian efforts.
D epartment's Humanitarian D em ining Noah Klemm , who needed a part- References are long distances to and fro m landmine-
fellowship. RONCO, a State Department time job when he graduated in 1999 , affected areas; there are vast and d ramatic Light One Candle
I. Interview with Erin Snider, 5/2 1/2002 topograp hical en vi ronmen ts ra nging
contracror for worldwide demining ef- found himself imm edi ately drawn to
2. Interview with Kurt C hesko, 6 /25/2002
forts, subsequently offered Smith a job. mine action. Noah ultimately chose a 3. Interview with Mike Monroe, G/3/2002
by Dennis Barlow, Director, from deserr to tropical forest, from lush A seco nd consideration is to attempt
The "basic understanding of mine action" career in the landmine community. 4. Interview with Keith Feigenbaum, G/19/2002 MAIC and verdant fields ro barren alkaline pla- to win small and achievable victories. I
she received at the MAIC, along with her "Demininggets in your blood," he remarked 5 . Interview with Kurt Chesko, G/25/2002 reaus. Threatened people live in cities and am reminded of the profound slogan,
in an interview; "it's difficult to leave a 6. Interview wirh Noah Klemm, 6/2/2002 The great opera commentatOr, John in tribes, and are nomadic or sedentary,
rigorous State Department background, 7. Interview with Stacy Smith, G/25/2002
which advises us to "Think globally, act
prepared Smith we ll for a job at field that is at the same time extremely C ulshaw was once asked ro describe the ofren d islocated or in refugee status. Al- locally." Any one organization's arrempt
8. Interview with Noah Klemm, G/2/2002
RONCO. Moreover, "the fast-paced en- rewarding and patently frustrating. "s 9. Interview with Mike Monroe, 6/3/2002 monumental Wagnerian "Ring Cycle" us- most every conceivable kind oflandmin e to try to unilaterally rake the lead in try-
viro nment of the State Department" Because Americans live in a country I 0. Inrerview with Ku rt Chesko, G/25/2002 ing only one word. After pondering the has been planted in Africa over the past ing to solve Afri ca's landmine problems
forced Stacy "to wo rk efficiently, yet ac- that is essentially unaffected by land mines I I. Interview with Erin Sn ider, 5/21/2002 questio n for a moment he responded by sixty years. African countries represent will be as frustrating as it is undoable,
curately, ro co mplete projects and assign- or UXO, it is easy to ignore the global characterizing it as, "long." At fi rst, this varying kinds of political outlooks and and has every likelihood of becom ing
tnents." significance of the issue. Knowledge, ontact Information obvious answer seemed more flippant competencies, just as they are homes to counterproductive. The trick is to find
The Frasure-Kreuzel-Drew Hu - however, inherently leads to concern. For than serious, bur a little thought leads one peoples of different races and differing an activity, which is feasible, logistically
manitarian Demining Fellowship imme- this reason, Michael Monroe is working Kurt Chesko to conclude that Cu lshaw was on to and often conflicting, philosophies, tribal supportable, focusing on realistic tasks,
di ately challenged Stacy, and "turned out to give mine actio n "more media atten- E-mail: halo.usa@verizo n.net something. Many words could describe ourlooks, and religions. T he size and a nd politically expedie n t. The project
to be a great experience .. . that prepared tion. " Although Monroe chose to pur- the Ring: monumental, bombastic, fan- scope of the space and rhe people rha t should have as its goal an end state, wh ich
[her) for [her) present job." 7 During the sue work in television upon leaving the Noah Klemm tastic, convoluted, stirring, mythological, are Africa do no t lend themselves to a is measurable (even if su bjectively) and
first few months of rhe Fellowship, Smith Journal, "the issue of landmines is very E-mail: [email protected] but each lim its the scope or makes a judg- "one-size-firs-all
" landmin e remediation meaningful to the commun ity, and which
drafted articles fo r the State Department's important to [him]," and he is p repared ment which may not be ul timately true. scheme. Therefore, several approaches are wi ll be parr of an even greater national
annual publication, To Walk the Earth ro help the cause in any way he can.9 H e Stacy Smi th The truth is that someone who wants to suggested to maximize the cha nces for tapestry.
in Safety. She also traveled ro Southeast feels his potential documenrary would E-mail: [email protected] tackle the Ring must be prepared to un- success in planning and co nducting mine This kind of app roach is what non-
Asia to visit clearance sires in Vietnam, open many eyes to the d istress of many dergo quire a lon g journey- an invest- action campaigns in Africa. governmen tal organ izations (NGO) have
Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Smith forgotten , mine- ridden nations. Keith Feigenbaum ment in both tim e and emotion-to dis- done so remarkably well in the area of
d escribed the rwo-week journey as "an W hen Kurt C hesko traveled to Af- E-mail: keith.j.feigenbaum@sa ic.com cover the many treasures, which may re- Synchronize Your mine action over the last ten years; they
incredi ble experience that increased [her) ghanistan, he saw first-hand the destruc- ward the patient and skilled listener. Watches-and Your Plans merely rry "to do good" and develop a
knowledge of landmines, demining ac- tion indiscriminate landmin e use can Michael Monroe program around that simple concept. If
tiv ities and the U .S. commitment to cause. "Nothing can prepare you for the E-Mail: [email protected] The Challenge of African The first observation is that since kep t in perspective, and wi th resource
m ine-affected countries." Much of Stacy's devastation that Afghanistan has seen," "Bigness" Africa is too big and too diverse to treat support, the hundreds ofNGOs at wo rk
success in her present position can be at- Kurt reflected. Yet despite the decades of Erin Snider uniformly, no one organization or mine o n landmine remediarion in Africa can
tributed to knowledge and experience war and con flin, the Middle Eastern E-Mail: eri [email protected] The challenge, as Africa itself, may action methodology will work every- steadily and relentlessly achieve cumula-
that she gained during the Fellowship. In nation's citizens are "happ
y" and "hope- be described as simply "Big." We might where. The key to comprehensive results tive results, which can demonstrably ad-
addition, her experience at the Journal ful. " In northern Afghanistan on a fo l- be daunted by the fac t that the landmine is the synchronization of complementary vance the pan-African solution to the
gave her both an understanding and a low-up mission for HALO, he visited a th reat there could be described as com- efforts made possible by the best possible landmine threat.

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 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 1

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 JMU: The Journal of Mine Action Issue 6.2

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 59