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Every conflict leaves behind explosive remnants of war (ERW) in lesser or greater quantities depending upon the nature and duration of the conflict and the types and quantities of weapons used. How ERW are dealt with reflects local circumstances and conditions, as well as the influence of international humanitarian law (IHL), the availability of resources and prioritisation choices made by governments, international institutions and agencies. In many cases an initial period of proactive effort is followed, sooner or later, by the adoption of more reactive policies and practices. The duration of the transition period varies from country to country, but in every case a situation eventually arises when the ERW that remain are treated as "residual". In many locations where ERW are found, the items have been exposed to the outdoor environment for many years. The effect of this "ageing" on munitions has not been researched to any extent, and most information on ageing is anecdotal, rather than systematically compiled. Additional information and a robust methodology are required to enable evidence-based planning decisions. The aim of the pilot study was to contribute to increased confidence and efficiency in mine action prioritisation, planning and risk manage­ment decision-making within the mine action programme in Vietnam, by providing information on the effects of and approach to ageing. The authors recognise that the sample of munitions is not large, so summaries and recommenda­tions should be taken as cautious and indicative. This report provides a narrative on the back­ground to the approach to ageing of munitions, the process of the field work/cutting of the munitions, and a description of findings from the analysis of the explosive content by Fenix Insight Ltd and the Weapons Technical Centre, Military Technical Academy, Hanoi, the details of which can be found in the annexes.

he recognition of the dual threat of poor management of conventional ammunition in terms of uncontrolled proliferation and devastating explosions has placed the safe and secure management of ammunition (SSMA) ever more firmly on the international political and normative agenda. Operationally, international cooperation and assistance is stepping up to strengthen national efforts. This heightened attention to the topic makes it ever more judicious and timely to review the state of play in SSMA. This GICHD report discusses if current practice addresses the challenge at hand and identifies bottlenecks requiring further action to overcome the challenge more effectively, sustainably and in a coordinated manner in the future.

Motivated by its strategic goal to improve human security and equipped with subject expertise in explosive hazards, the GICHD launched a research project to characterise explosive weapons. The GICHD perceives the debate on explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) as an important humanitarian issue. The aim of this research into explosive weapons characteristics and their immediate, destructive effects on humans and structures, is to help inform the ongoing discussions on EWIPA, intended to reduce harm to civilians. The intention of the research is not to discuss the moral, political or legal implications of using explosive weapon systems in populated areas, but to examine their characteristics, effects and use from a technical perspective.

This report maps the current prioritisation system in Lao PDR, including UXO policies and related development policies of the Government of Lao PDR (GOL), standard operating procedures of UXO operators, and actual prioritisation practices of provincial, district and village‐level authorities, households, and UXO operators.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) present significant risks to mine action (MA) operators and the programmes within which they work. Such risks can be managed through well-informed risk identification and assessment, the avoidance of some activities, and the procurement/development of the necessary skills, equipment and procedures to address others. This study focuses primarily on improvised devices of the types that are currently encountered by MA organisations during humanitarian operations. The use of IEDs for terrorist purposes or as part of active conflict is not addressed in this study. While it is recognised that MA organisations may be present in places where there is a risk of terrorist attack, such events generally fall under the heading of security/law and order and are dealt with by military, security or police forces. The study draws especially on information relating to humanitarian IED disposal (IEDD) operations in northern Iraq, but it considers issues of importance to MA operators encountering improvised devices anywhere in the world.

This is the first mine action strategic plan to be developed in consultation with all relevant mine action implementing partners, including the United Nations, government line ministries, international donors and other stakeholders. It sets out clearer path for mainstreaming development into mine action, an aspiration reflected in the Plan's following five goals: facilitating development; engaging with other sectors; taking action to reduce the impact of mines and ERW; taking action to mitigate the consequences of mine and ERW accidents; mainstreaming gender and diversity.

National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) are issued by a national mine action authority (NMAA) or an organisation acting on its behalf. They guide the management and implementation of mine action projects in in a safe, coordinated and efficient manner. NMAS must reflect the national situation posed by the hazards of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) both on land and in the water. They should also consider the environmental impact of these hazards, the situation of survivors and victims, as well as the legislation that supports a strategic response to these known hazards and their residual contamination. The aim of this Guide is to advise and assist national authorities in the development of their NMAS.

During the period November 27, 2014 to December 20, 2014, UXO Lao undertook a detection trial in Sepon. The primary objective was to assess the suitability and cost effectiveness of advanced detection systems of small ordnance. Specifically, the trial was focused on detection of a half BLU-26 at 25cm depth below the natural surface (the national standard of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) as set by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA)). The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) along with Minerals and Metals Group, Lane Xang Minerals Limited (MMG LXML) and in cooperation with UXO Lao conducted and supported the detection trial. A numbers of advanced systems were compared with each other as well as with systems currently used in Lao, on blind test sites. Several digital systems performed well, with a number achieving a higher probability of detection and less than half of the false alarm indications compared to the successful analogue systems tested. As such, they certainly should be considered as viable UXO detection systems. Going forward, it will be important to develop accreditation, operational standards and QM processes for these systems. Some analogue systems did not perform as well as expected. The experienced technical staff handling the equipment may not have ensured proper calibration and handling of the detection equipment. Some of the results clearly highlights the importance of not only having trained staff but also a well defined quality management system that will ensure that staff and equipment is frequently tested, monitored and evaluated. Frequent refresher training is also another key component ensuring that staff is versatile with the equipment that they are using. This is even more important for supervisors that are not consistently operating the equipment.

Mozambique is committed to having completed implementation of its mine clearance obligations under Article 5 of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) by 1 January 2015. This will, for the most part, marks the end of proactive demining efforts in Mozambique. It is understood that it is always possible that previously unknown mined areas may be discovered after completion has been declared. With a view to being able to manage residual contamination once completion of international treaty obligations has been declared and pro-active humanitarian demining efforts have ended, Mozambique's National Demining Institute (IND) requested the GICHD to conduct an assessment looking at Mozambique's national capacity to manage residual contamination. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct a capacity assessment and mapping of the IND and other relevant government institutions, and to present recommendations concerning the transition of the IND and the establishment of a sustainable national capacity to manage and respond to residual contamination.

The second Landmines and Livelihoods report, Livelihoods Analysis of Landmine Affected Communities in Afghanistan, was commissioned by the Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA) and the Department for Mine Clearance (DMC) with the aim of better understanding the development outcomes stemming from demining. The project has four main objectives: to gain a better understanding of the development outcomes and impacts accruing from demining and how to enhance these, more complete reporting to the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) and donors on the contribution made by the MAPA to Afghanistan's development, capacity development to ensure the MAPA, in partnership with Afghan livelihoods experts, can conduct such surveys on a periodic basis and quality management to inform the post-clearance survey efforts of demining operators and the MACCA/DMC.

2010 was an important year for everyone striving for a world free of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war. It was particularly important for the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and for its implementation. The evaluation of the APMBC Implementation Support Unit (ISU) confirmed the appreciation of the States Parties and other stakeholders for the effective work of the ISU and for the role played by the GICHD in hosting it. Moreover, the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) on 1 August 2010 represented a positive legal and political step in supporting the fight against indiscriminate weapons. It is encouraging for operators in the field, who have surveyed, cleared and destroyed all kinds of ordnance over many years. Some of the procedures, methods and techniques developed for the disposal of landmines can be used directly for cluster munitions clearance; others may need adaptation. The GICHD is undertaking research and developing practical tools to meet these challenges. In December 2010, the First Meeting of States Parties to the CCM took place in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The GICHD participated in this major event and organised a side-event focusing on the implementation of the new Convention. The GICHD's dedication to support the full implementation of both the APMBC and the CCM, and towards humanitarian disarmament in general, will remain strong in 2011 and beyond. I would, therefore, like to thank our donors for their support, which enables the GICHD to fulfil its important mission.

The mine/UXO problem in Azerbaijan is mainly resulted from the military aggression of Armenia over the territory of Azerbaijan. Although the hostilities had ceased in May 1994, a permanent peace is yet to be achieved (negotiations are underway with the assistance of OSCE Minsk Group, chaired by the USA, France and Russia). Despite this, the rehabilitation of accessible war-torn areas are continuing since 1996. The Scope of the Problem in this publication refers to problems in the accessible war torn territories. This is where the presence of mine/UXOs are impacting livelihoods of population and impeding development and rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan. To have an idea on the magnitude of the mine/UXO problem for the purposes of both, strategic and operational planning, ANAMA has been exploring all possible ways & means, including outside support. In this context, the General Survey (Level 1 Survey) was undertaken in 2001 followed by the LIS (Landmine Impact Survey), conducted jointly with SAC in 18 districts from September 2002 to June 2003.

This document outlines the 5-year strategic plan for the Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan from 2008 to 2013. It includes an overview of the landmine and explosive remnants of war contamination in Afghanistan as it stands in 2008 and outlines the Afghan Government's strategic plan to achieve identified targets in remediating contaminated land.

The break-up of Yugoslavia led to the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, which resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, massive displacement, and widespread landmine contamination. There was no clear victor in the conflict, and the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) established a loose confederal structure, with a weak central government (the State), two Entities (the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska or RS) and, within the Federation, ten cantons (each with its own constitution). Because of the danger of renewed conflict, NATO fielded an Implementation Force (IFOR) to enforce the military provisions of the GFAP, while the broader international community established the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) and appointed a High Representative who had the authority impose legal decrees, annul legislation that was inconsistent with GFAP or other international obligations, and exclude individuals from public office. Renewed conflict has been avoided, but the GFAP arrangements have not yet led to a properly functioning state. In addition to its political problems, post-conflict reconstruction and development have been hampered by extensive contamination by landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Bosnia is probably the most mine contaminated country in Europe, and certainly one of the most contaminated in the world. The mine action effort has received extensive international support since early 1996. However, rivalries among donors hindered coordination in the initial years, and donor confidence was rocked by corruption allegations in 1999-2000. Since then however, Bosnian authorities have enacted legislation (2002), established a unified planning and coordination structure for the programme, completed a Landmine Impact Survey (LIS), and formulated a coherent strategy. This consolidation of the programme's institutional make-up has allowed national officials responsible for mine action to rebuild donor confidence and improve programme performance. Indeed, national mine action officials have introduced a number of innovations, at least one of which warrants replication in other mine-affected countries. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has actively supported Bosnia's mine action efforts since 1996. Originally, it managed the mine action centre (MAC) responsible for compiling and maintaining the database of minefield records and for coordinating the national programme. These responsibilities were transferred to national authorities – both State and Entity – in 1998, at which point UNDP initiated its multidonor financed Integrated Mine Action Programme (IMAP), now in its third phase as a nationally executed project. In spite of some rocky periods, IMAP has been successful in supporting the emergence of national capacities for planning and coordinating the mine action programme. The numbers of technical advisors have fallen from over 40 in 1998 to one part time 'strategic advisor' today. Financial contributions from Bosnia's governments have increased steadily, and an agreement is in place for the State government to cover all operating costs of the MAC by 2008. While not the principal conduit for financing demining operations, IMAP has provided a useful channel for some donors to contribute to demining. In addition, IMAP has provided modest but useful support to the demining capacities of the armed forces. In the opinion of the Evaluation Team, IMAP has been an effective instrument for supporting the development of national capacities.

The strategy of the Government of Sri Lanka is to address the mines problem in the Districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and the Northern Border of Ampara District with a view to survey and clear all the mines in the High Priority areas and a major portion of the Medium Priority areas by mid-2007, except in the Jaffna and Trincomalee Districts. This strategy does not include any of the High Security Zones in the Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar and Trincomalee Districts. These areas are under the jurisdiction of the Sri Lanka Army, which is in occupation of these lands, a major portion of which belong to the people of the respective areas, which are both residential and agricultural lands. These areas will be released only if the Peace Process takes a definite shape and some basic decisions are made in the direction of an established Peace. As is well known, Sri Lanka is now in a No Conflict situation since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in February 2002. However, at present escalation of sporadic violence and violations of the Ceasefire are being noticed in some Districts, particularly, the Jaffna District and the Eastern Districts.