Mine clearance agency

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A mine clearance agency, or demining agency, is an organization involved in removal of landmines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) for military, humanitarian, or commercial reasons. Demining includes mine clearance (actual removal and destruction of landmines/UXO from the ground), as well as surveying, mapping and marking of hazardous areas. The broader realm of mine action also includes advocacy, victim assistance, antipersonnel mine stockpile destruction, mine risk education and research. The aim is to clear land so that civilians can return to their homes and their everyday routines without the threat of landmines and unexploded remnants of war (ERW), which include unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive ordnance. This means that all the mines and ERW affecting the places where ordinary people live must be cleared, and their safety in areas that have been cleared must be guaranteed. Mines are cleared and the areas are thoroughly verified so that they can say without a doubt that the land is now safe, and people can use it without worrying about the weapons.

Humanitarian mine clearance agencies

Humanitarian mine clearance agencies are usually funded by governments and private donations. The main governments that fund Humanitarian Mine Clearance Agencies are: USA, UK, Japan and the Netherlands.^{[citation needed]}

APOPO

APOPO trains Giant pouched rats from East Africa to detect landmines.^[1] APOPO trains sniffer rats to detect explosives. This unusual idea has been developed into a competitive technology by a group of Belgian and Tanzanian researchers and animal trainers. APOPO is a non-profit organization that has partnered with the Belgian Government, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the European Union (EU), the Province of Antwerp (Belgium), the Flemish Community, the US Army, the World Bank and private donors. It has further partnered in demining with Menschen gegen Minen (MgM), Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), Accelerated Demining Programme (ADP), Handicap International (HI) and Empresa Moçambicana de Desminagem (EMD).

DanChurchAid

DanChurchAid (Folkekirkens Nødhjælp) is one of the major Danish humanitarian non governmental organisations (NGO), working with churches and non-religious civil organizations to assist the poorest of the poor with dignity. DCA Mine Action is currently involved in comprehensive mine action programmes in Albania, Eritrea, Lebanon, Sudan and Ingushetia.^[2]

Danish Demining Group

Danish Demining Group (DDG) was established in 1997 and today functions as a Humanitarian Mine Action unit within the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), hence benefiting from synergies in cooperation. As of December 2011, DDG is operating with clearance of mines and explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia (including Somaliland), Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Uganda, Vietnam and Yemen. DDG also works with armed violence reduction in several countries.

DEMIRA

DEMIRA (Deutsche Minenraeumer e.V.) is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organization (NGO) registered in Germany. DEMIRA NGO was founded in 1996 in order to provide humanitarian mine clearance, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), emergency medical aid and disaster relief to people living in postwar countries and to victims of natural disasters and civil unrest.

The HALO Trust

The HALO Trust is a non-political, non-religious, non-governmental mine clearance organisation registered in Britain and United States. Founded in 1988, it is the largest humanitarian demining NGO in the world with over 7,000 deminers and mine clearers in 10 countries. By early 2006 HALO has cleared over 5,000,000 mines and UXOs around the world. HALO has a very simple mission statement: "Getting mines out of the ground, now".^{[citation needed]}

Handicap International

Handicap International is one of the 6 founding members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Handicap International France and Belgium are involved into Mine Risk Education and demining projects in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Mozambique, and Somalia.

Horizon

Horizon is an Indian registered charity established in 2003 as a direct response to the conflict in neighbouring Sri Lanka. Since then they have been active in Sri Lanka, carrying out humanitarian demining tasks in the North and the East of the country. They have also partnered with NPA in Jordan and provided trained personnel for the programme there.^[3]

INTERSOS

INTERSOS is an independent no-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. It was founded in 1992 with the active support of Italian Trade Unions. INTERSOS has a flexible operational structure, with the central headquarters in Rome which is in charge of planning and coordination of operations, and various field offices in the countries of operation.

Japan Mine Action Service

Japan Mine Action Service(JMAS) is a Japanese Nonprofit organization established in 2002 that is headed by a mine expert who retired from the Self-Defense Force. The JMAS is active mainly in Cambodia and Afghanistan.

Mine Awareness Trust

The Mines Awareness Trust (MAT) is a charitable organisation that endeavours to save the lives and limbs of ordinary people from the unexploded debris of war. Ben Remfrey formed the Trust in May 1999 as a direct response to the war in Kosovo.

Mines Advisory Group

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has operated since 1989. Having worked on a variety of conflict-related projects in around 35 countries, MAG was co-laureate of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for their work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. MAG has worked in around 35 countries since 1989 and currently has operations in Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lao P.D.R., Lebanon, Mogadishu, Pakistan, Puntland, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam.

Mineseeker Operations and Mineseeker Foundation

Mineseeker Operations^[4] and Mineseeker Foundation^[5] claim that they can locate mined areas more quickly and at a fraction of the cost of systems currently employed, using techniques that are significantly safer for the operators than most other methods. Initially the company will focus on identifying designated mined areas where there are, in fact, no mines, in order to release this land back to the community for agricultural or commercial development and rapidly reduce the overall scale of the clearance problem.

Menschen gegen Minen (MgM)

Menschen gegen Minen (People against Landmines) was founded on January 16, 1996 in Germany. The goal was to establish a humanitarian mine clearance organization which would offer its services to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to re-establishing the infrastructure of dangerous regions in post war scenarios. Hendrik Ehlers and Hans Georg Kruessen founded MgM together with others in 1996. Today they are Managing Directors and active Managers of all demining operations at the same time. They have been working since 1992 in the field of humanitarian mine clearance and the destruction of dangerous ammunition in Southern Africa. They possess a wealth of practical experience through operations management, mined area survey, demining and the destruction of explosives (EOD).

Norwegian People's Aid

Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) is one of Norway's largest non-governmental organisations, founded in 1939. Based upon the principles of solidarity, unity, human dignity, peace and freedom, NPA is involved in more than 400 projects in 30 countries. NPA has been involved in mine action since 1992. Cambodia was the first country where NPA started mine clearance and the organisation has grown considerably since then. NPA sits in the CC of the ICBL and the core group of LM and participates in different activities with SWG and SAC. As of December 2011, NPA was involved in mine action in sixteen countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Response International

Response International is a UK registered charity established in 1993 to support victims of violent conflict. Over the last decade successful multi-sector programmes have been implemented in Angola, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Lebanon and Pakistan. The objective of these programmes is to design and implement projects that offer immediate relief to victims of conflict and provide sustainable conditions to enable longer term development. Response International's projects have included landmine clearance and landmine awareness and victim rehabilitation.

Stiftung Sankt Barbara Deutschland - Saint Barbara Foundation (SBF)

Stiftung Sankt Barbara Deutschland - Saint Barbara Foundation (SBF) is a humanitarian foundation registered in Germany. Since 1995 SBF clears landmines and ERW and supports different projects in rehabilitation and assistance for mine victims. Former countries of engagement were Angola, Sudan, Ethopia and Somaliland, actually SBF is working in Libya. SBF's projects include landmine clearance, landmine awareness and victim rehabilitation.

Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD)

The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) was formed in 1997 in Geneva, Switzerland. FSD is a humanitarian organisation specialising in the removal of the hazardous remnants of war, such as land mines, unexploded shells from artillery and tank fire, air-dropped bombs, and all manner of dangerous, unexploded military ordnance. FSD's work is conducted for humanitarian purposes. FSD is a non-political, non-aligned, independent, non-government organisation based in Geneva.

FSD also conducts disaster relief work, with major interventions in Sri Lanka following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and during the January–March 2008 cold weather crisis in Tajikistan. FSD has conducted interventions in 21 countries since 1998, and is currently engaged in implementing 5 programmes worldwide, these are Lao, Lebanon, Sri-Lanka, Sudan and Tajikistan. FSD also conducted support operations for the World Food Programme (WFP) as a stand-by partner from 2001.

Commercial mine clearance agencies

Commercial mine clearance agency are profit-making organisations.

6 Alpha Associates

6 Alpha Associates provides independent consultancy in mine clearance, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). The company is based in the UK and operates globally, primarily working with the energy, extractives and construction industries. 6 Alpha also provides advice on security, risk management, business continuity and crisis management.

G4S Ordnance Management

G4S Ordnance Management is a commercial leader in the environmental remediation of landmine, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) pollution, clearing battlefields and the management of conventional weapons. Over the past 14 years, G4S Ordnance Management has operated in over 20 different countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chile, Cyprus, Iraq, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nepal, Sakhalin Island (Russia) and Sudan. G4S Ordnance Management was originally part of ArmorGroup International, which was acquired by G4S plc in April 2008.

BACTEC International

BACTEC is the UK's foremost Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Landmine Clearance Company. BACTEC was established in 1991 to provide risk mitigation services for unexploded ordnance and landmine clearance, supporting construction projects and worldwide explosive ordnance clearance initiatives.

Crosstech SA

Crosstech SA is a commercial company that is 100% owned by the FSD. It was set up to serve the needs of customers (such as the UN in Sudan) who prefer to deal with a commercial entity, rather than a non-governmental organisation. The aim of Crosstech SA is to provide mine action services, and to provide services to FSD. Even though Crosstech SA is a commercial company, it has to exercise its activity under the supervision of the Swiss government's department for foundations.

The Development Initiative

The Development Initiative (TDI) is a project management organisation providing expertise in managing difficult projects in remote, extreme or post-conflict environments. TDI provided landmine clearance, battle area clearance, explosive ordnance disposal and consultancy, detection dogs, logistics and remote operations support. TDI has experience of working in theatres such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Laos, Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Taiwan and Kuwait.

Mechem

Mechem is a division of the South African aerospace and defence equipment company Denel. Active in the field of humanitarian demining since 1991, Mechem utilises the considerable experience gained through three decades of involvement with the SANDF and other clients in providing landmine countermeasures and mine resistant vehicles and equipment. Mechem's demining operations are in full compliance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).

Mine Clearing Corp.

Mine Clearing Corp. is developing a landmine detection and mapping system. The system will scan contaminated areas using an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle using patented sensor arrays and GPS software. The results will produce a detailed map of land mine locations thus increasing the productivity of landmine detection.

MineTech International

MineTech International has over 22 years experience in mine and Unexploded Ordnance clearance. MineTech works for commercial companies (mainly from the oil and gas industry) and humanitarian organisations to enable them to conduct business in countries plagued by mines and UXO.

MineTech offers services including manual, mechanical and canine mine detection and clearance, Mine Risk Education and Explosive Detection Dog teams. MineTech's Headquarters are in the UK, with a recruitment base in Zimbabwe and a Dog School in South Africa.

RONCO Consulting

RONCO Consulting has undertaken mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations in over 35 countries since 1989. RONCO employs nearly 200 technical advisors skilled in the training and implementation of mine/UXO clearance and disposal and improvised explosive ordnance disposal programs. RONCO specializes in the following fields: Manual Demining, Mine Detection Dogs, Explosives Detection Dogs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Improvised Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Basic /Advanced Trauma Life Support, Security Management. Ronco was acquired by G4S/Wackenhut in March 2008.

Tactical Solutions International, Inc.

Tactical Solutions International, Inc. (TSI) provides security solutions and both humanitarian (Mine Awareness/Risk Education)and commercial mine and Unexploded Ordnance clearance, primarily for the construction and Oil & Gas sectors. TSI personnel were instrumental in the initial Humanitarian Demining efforts within Cambodia and Laos in concert with the national Mine Action Centers, UN and the US DoD. Drawn primarily from allied Special Operations Forces, TSI management, advisor/trainer/mentors and mine/UXO Clearance Technicians provide a turn-key weapons clearance solution in all post-war environments.

TSI is a US Corporation, registered in Wyoming, USA. It also maintains operational branches in Iraq, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrspetsexport

Ukrspetsexport is a Ukrainian state-owned arms export company that includes a Humanitarian Demining Centre inherited from its predecessor Ukroboronservice^[6] . The center performs evaluation, mine clearance, and explosive recycling in conjunction with a dedicated state-owned demining company, Podolskvzrivprom. ^[7]

Other commercial organisations

• DynCorp International
• EOD Technology, Inc.
• UXB International
• Westminster Group Plc

United Nations Mine Action

Fourteen United Nations departments, programmes, agencies and funds are directly or indirectly involved in mine action. They share a vision for a world free of the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development and where the needs of victims are met.^[8]

UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)

DPKO is the department responsible for the UN Mine Action Service. The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action, which brings together representatives from all 14 UN mine-action entities. DPKO integrates mine action into peacekeeping operations in line with a November 2003 Presidential Statement of the Security Council.

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

UNMAS is a division of Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the focal point for mine action in the UN system. It is responsible for ensuring an effective, proactive and coordinated UN response to landmines and explosive remnants of war through collaboration with 13 other UN departments, agencies, funds and programmes. In peacekeeping and emergency settings, UNMAS establishes and manages mine action coordination centres in mine-affected countries, plans and manages operations, mobilizes resources and sets mine-action priorities in the countries and territories it serves.

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs 

UNODA advises and assists the UN Secretary-General in his work related to the Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. DDA promotes universal participation in international legal frameworks related to landmines and explosive remnants of war and assists countries in complying with their treaty obligations. DDA views mine action as a key disarmament activity.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- Mine Action Team

Through its country offices and its New York-based Mine Action Team of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UNDP assists mine-affected countries establish or strengthen national and local mine action programmes. In certain circumstances, UNDP, at the request of authorities in mine-affected countries, manages some or all of the elements of mine action programmes and may undertake specific mine action projects. Because landmines and explosive remnants of war are an obstacle to sustainable development, UNDP is including mine action in the mainstream of its broader development programmes.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Landmines and Small Arms Team

UNICEF believes that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created to work with others to overcome the obstacles that violence, poverty, disease and discrimination place in a child's path. This includes children in mine-affected countries globally. In collaboration with governments, other UN bodies and international, regional and non-governmental organizations, UNICEF supports the development and implementation of mine risk education and survivor assistance projects and advocacy for an end to the use of landmines, cluster munitions and other indiscriminate weapons.

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

UNOPS, working with UNMAS, UNDP, UNICEF and others, is a principal service provider in mine action, offering project management and logistics services for projects and programmes managed or funded by the United Nations, international financial institutions, regional and sub-regional development banks or host governments.

United Nations Mine Action is also supported by:

Food and Agricultural Organisation

The FAO has a mandate to provide humanitarian relief, which sometimes requires the organization to participate in mine action in complex emergencies, particularly in rural areas.

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCHA shares information with all other organizations about the humanitarian impact of landmines and works with UNMAS on resource mobilization. OCHA is manager of the UN Central Emergency Revolving Fund and coordinator of the "Consolidated Appeal Process," both of which provide or mobilize financial resources for mine action.

Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women

OSAGI develops new strategies and programmes to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in all sectors, including mine action. OSAGI's role is primarily in the areas of advocacy and policy support for gender mainstreaming in all of the United Nations' work.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The OHCHR does not have any specific mandate in the field of mine action, but it does carry out several relevant projects. OHCHR, for example, seeks to protect the rights people with disabilities, including survivors of landmines or unexploded ordnance.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR's involvement in mine action ranges from contracting and mine clearance services, to training, advocacy against the use of anti-personnel mines and victim assistance.

World Food Programme

WFP is involved in the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance to facilitate delivery of food assistance in emergency situations.

World Health Organisation (Injuries and Violence Prevention Department)

WHO is primarily responsible for the development of standards, the provision of technical assistance and the promotion of institutional capacity building in victim assistance. It works with the ministries of health of affected countries and cooperates closely with UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

World Bank

The World Bank helps address the long-term consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance on economic and social development. It also plays a significant role in mobilizing resources.

Military mine clearance agencies

Military mine clearance agencies focus on the process undertaken by soldiers to clear a safe path so they can advance during conflict. The military process of mine clearance only clears mines that block strategic pathways required in the advance or retreat of soldiers at war. The military term used for mine clearance is breaching. This process accepts that limited casualties may occur.

Area Cleared

The survey teams of MCPA have identified, marked and mapped more than 280 million square meters of mine contaminated area and about 199 million square meters of former battle area contaminated by UXO.

See also

• Cluster bomb
• Demining
• Improvised explosive device
• Unexploded ordnance

References

External links

• Mine Clearance Vehicles
• MgM Demining - Robots and other research
• TDI - the development initiative
• The International Committee of the Red Cross on Landmines
• Unicef's Most Heavily Mined Countries, 1995
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