During
the last two decades, particularly in late 90s, the international community has
become aware of the seriousness of the landmine problem and different approaches
are being adopted to solve this problem. A fair amount is known about the
suspected location of mine fields, but little is known about the socio-economic
impact of landmines upon communities. Without information about this impact, it
is impossible to develop effective strategies that seek to minimize the human
and economic costs these weapons inflict. If the terror of landmines is to be
contained within years, as envisioned by the Ottawa Treaty, rather than in
decades as assumed in the early days of Mine Action programs, then better
information is an immediate and unavoidable requirement.
To meet this need the Survey Action Center was formed in 1998 with the aim of
managing the Global Landmine Survey initiative. This initiative involves the
execution of Landmine Impact Surveys (LIS) focused on obtaining not only
information regarding the location of minefields, but also information regarding
the social and economic impacts that these minefields have on local communities.
Much has been learned during these initial surveys, not only about the true
definition of the landmine problem in surveyed countries, but also about how
impact survey information can be utilized to develop more refined national
strategic plans. The Survey Working Group asked SAC to further the incorporation
of impact survey data into national planning processes. SAC in partnership with
Cranfield Mine Action (UK) and GeoSpatial International (Canada) is expanding
the range of impact survey activities to include follow-on training in strategic
planning and survey data analysis. Greater efforts are also being made to more
closely integrate impact survey activities with ongoing UN efforts at local
capacity development.
Executed to a common international standard and certified by the United
Nations Mine Action Service, the landmine impact survey:
Allows donors to rationally apportion funds to places of greatest
human need as defined by impact on communities;
Permits national authorities to develop national plans focusing on
regions and areas of greatest impact; and
Gives implementers baseline impact data that will provide success
indicators for mine action programs.
WHO ARE WE?
In a unique cooperative effort, the NGO community,
in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), established the
Survey Working Group. The Survey Working Group (SWG) monitors standards and
facilitates, the international coordination of resources and expert personnel
for the completion of the Landmine Impact Survey in countries worst affected by
the landmines.
The members of the Survey Working Group (SWG) are:
Association for Aid and Relief Japan
Cranfield Mine Action United Kingdom
Danish Demining Group Denmark
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining Switzerland
GeoSpatial International Canada
Halo Trust United
Kingdom
Handicap International Belgium/France
Landmine Survivors Network USA
Medico International Germany
Mines Advisory Group United Kingdom
Mine Clearance Planning Agency Afghanistan
Norwegian People’s Aid Norway
Swedish Rescue Services Agency Sweden
UN Development Program United Nations
UN Mine Action Service United Nations
UN Office for Project Services United Nations
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation USA
In 1998 the Survey
Working Group designated Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) to manage
and serve as fiscal agent for the Survey Action Center. In February 2001, the
SWG decided, in its Oslo meeting, to create an independent SAC. And in October
2001, at SWG’s Geneva meeting, an independent Board of Directors was
created to take over responsibility for the Survey Action Center. The Survey
Working Group expressed deep appreciation to VVAF for its stewardship of the
overall survey process over the first three critical years. VVAF’s support
has involved administrative and financial assistance and has been critical to
the success of the Global Landmine Surveys.
Landmine Impact Surveys have been completed in Chad, Mozambique, Thailand and
Yemen. The survey in Cambodia is nearing completion in spring 2002. Surveys
have started or will begin in 2002 in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Somalia and Vietnam. In
particular, work in Addis Ababa began in early 2002. The Lebanon survey began
in spring 2002 with Mines Advisory Group implementing and VVAF providing
training. The Somalia survey began in early May, and country impact survey plans
have been drawn up for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Eritrea and Azerbaijan.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Yemen - The survey commenced in July
1999, was completed in July 2000, and certified by the UN Certification
Committee chaired by the UNMAS in August 2000. The Canadian government was the
prime donor, with additional support from Japan, Germany, the US, and UN
Foundation. UNOPS was the executing agency with SAC implementation contracted to
the Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA). MCPA and the National Technical
Executing Unit (NTEU) worked together to carry out the survey. In response to a
request by Yemeni national authorities, SAC, MCPA and Cranfield University (UK)
conducted a Survey Utilization Project to train national personnel to utilize
survey data and develop a national mine action works plan.
Chad – With support from the US Department of State, the
UK and the UN Foundation, SAC contracted Handicap International - France to
begin survey operations in November 1999. UNOPS served as executing agency for
part of the survey. The pilot survey was conducted in summer 2000 in the western
and northern regions. Community level data collection began in all regions of
Chad in fall 2000. Community level data collection was completed in mid March
2001. Chad survey was completed and certified in September 2001.
Thailand – With funding from the United Kingdom, Norway,
US, the UN Foundation, Australia, Canada, and Finland, SAC contracted Norwegian
People’s Aid to begin operations in June 2000. Community level data
collection was completed in early April 2001 and all data was entered into the
IMSMA database. Survey was completed and certified by the UN in July 2001.
Mozambique – The Canadian International Demining Centre
(CIDC) has surveyed Mozambique with a Canadian government (CIDA) contribution.
SAC and UNMAS provided a Quality Assurance Monitor (QAM), up to October 2000,
funded by the US Department of State, which was to ensure, that the survey is
conducted according to SWG standards. The Mozambique survey was completed and
certified in September 2001.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
Ethiopia – The UN requested
that a Landmine Impact Survey be conducted in Ethiopia. SAC coordinated an
advance survey mission in June 2001 with a follow-up in December 2001. Survey
activities have started in Ethiopia and field interviews will take place in
summer of 2002 and by the end of that year a final report will be published.
Funding for this survey was provided by the EC and the governments of Finland,
Germany, Netherlands and the USA. Execution is partially by UNDP/UNOPS and
partially by the SAC. Implementing partners on the ground are working under the
authority of Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO). Implementing agency for this
survey is UNDP while survey is being executed by the Norwegian People’s
Aid (NPA) under SAC’s supervision.
Somalia – SAC subcontracted HALO Trust to conduct an
advance survey mission in 1999 in Somaliland. Due to changes in the environment
and to cover other regions of Somalia, SAC has conducted a second Advance Survey
Mission in March 2001. Agreement with government authorities has been obtained
to conduct a full impact survey in Somalia and Somaliland and initial survey
activities have started. Field interviews are scheduled for the summer of 2002
and final report is expected by the end of 2002. Financial support for this
survey was provided by the SIDA and the EC through UNDP and UNOPS. This survey
is being implemented by the Danish Demining Group (DDG) and managed by the
SAC.
FUTURE SURVEYS
Bosnia and Herzegovnia – SAC
sent a mission to Bosnia and Herzegovnia in June 2000 to study feasibility of a
Landmine Impact Survey. An advance survey mission visited in early 2002. A full
survey is expected to take place in July 2002. The BHMAC is the national
repository for all the data of the BiH/LIS. The International Trust Fund, with
financial support from the US Department of State Humanitarian Demining Program
and the European Commission, has contracted SAC for the survey work.
Azerbaijan – SAC conducted an advance survey mission in
December 2000. Initial survey activities have already started there and a full
blown survey will begin in late spring of 2002. This survey is being conducted
through Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and local partner is
International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF). Financial support for this survey was
provided by the EU through UNDP and UNOPS.
Afghanistan – A SAC advance survey mission to Afghanistan
in May 2000 examined the feasibility of retrofitting existing data into the
Landmine Impact Survey module. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA) has sent a letter of intent to
SAC and project planning has begun. It is planned to begin the Afghanistan
impact survey by the end of 2002 with the financial support from the EC.
Vietnam – With funding from the US Department of State, a
regional pilot survey will be conducted in central Vietnam in 2002. This work is
precursor to a national Landmine/UXO Impact Survey of Vietnam. VVAF is
implementing this survey.
Eritrea – The UN and the government of Eritrea requested
that a Landmine Impact Survey be conducted in this country. SAC conducted an
advance survey mission in May 2001. This survey, with funding from the European
Commission, will be executed by the mine action authority with UN advisors and
SAC technical training.
Senegal/Guinea Bissau - As a result of discussions at a mine
action conference in Bomoko, SAC is investigating the need and feasibility of a
Landmine Impact Survey in Senegal/Guinea Bissau.
Western Sahara – Norwegian People’s Aid and Medico
International have conducted an exploratory mission to Western Sahara. Similarly
- SAC will conduct an advance survey mission in mid-2002.
Angola – A primary donor has been identified. SAC will
conduct an advance survey mission in mid – 2002.
Columbia – SAC is monitoring the security situation and
will conduct an advance survey mission as conditions permit.
CAPABILITIES
Technical Advisory Team – A
specialized SAC team of internationally recognized experts in social science,
survey, GIS, and statistics is available to assist with surveys in the field and
to help with later analysis.
Survey Information – The SAC information management
office will support national surveys with map data sets and related
information.
Data Base – The SWG has established the principles of
Landmine Impact Survey. SAC and UNMAS have developed the survey protocols and
field questionnaire. In cooperation with the Geneva International Centre for
Humanitarian Demining, this data set has been integrated into the UN Information
Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). The field module is available for
national surveys.
Training – SAC has provided detailed Landmine Impact
Survey training to representatives of more than 20 organizations in the donor,
UN and NGO communities. SAC will continue to provide this service to
organizations preparing to implement surveys.
Worldwide Web Site – The Survey Action Center maintains a
web site allowing access to survey information referenced geographically.
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