A Study of Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action

To discuss the socio-economic approaches to mine action, the study uses case studies from Kosovo, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Mozambique. It also puts forward several findings:

Better managed mine action programmes: Mine action programmes have improved productivity, safety, quality assurance, technical standards and learned how to develop local capacity to assume responsibilities. Many organisations are not trying to confirm systematically whether potential useful outputs of mine action are being realised. One area which needs much further progress is financial transparency.

A more capable mine action community: Lessons learned in one mine action programme are often adopted by the international mine action community. Diffusion is taking place as a group cadre of experienced individuals move from one programme to another. Applied research is also contributing to tailor-made training programmes. International standards and model Standing Operating Procedures, along with Geographic Information Systems and the Landmine Impact Survey all contribute to efficiency and clarity.

The evolution of priorities within programmes: Desire to prevent accidents continues to dominate task selection in most programmes well after the post-conflict phase ends. Risk reduction generally prevails as the strategy of choice until the extent of contamination is well understood by mine action programme. Socio-economic analysis comes into its own as the “why” of mine action and the appropriate criteria to use in setting priorities become less certain. Priorities vary with time and place.

Each country remains unique: Different socio-economic structures means that different priorities should prevail in mine action programmes. The lesson from economic analysis suggests that mine action managers need to understand the principal social and economic features of the mine-affected countries and their communities and identify the specific factors that limit growth and bind people in poverty.

The information economics of mine action: Information required for proper mine action management expands in both scope and detail over time. In a sound development environment, a modest capacity for socio-economic analysis is required by mine action programmes to ask the right questions to the right people to obtain the required information.

Case Study of Mozambique: The case study provides firstly background on Mozambique as well as the history of mine and unexploded ordnance contamination and the history of mine action. The second section then looks at mine action within reconstruction efforts and the co-operation initiatives. The third section discusses the approaches to setting priorities for humanitarian demining in the country, while the forth section focuses on the conduction of operations and ways to increase the benefit-cost ratio. The fifth and sixth sections speak of impact studies and the importance of knowledge building, as well as the need to build analytical competence. The concluding remarks point to the fact that Mozambique has been characterised by many and varied types of actors, as well as the fact that mine action operators have operated in tandem with the wider reconstruction efforts. The study argues that socio-economic analysis needs to be strengthened in all phases of the mine action process. The whole reorientation of mine action to take socio-economic impact seriously will require a thorough upgrading of analytical skills across the sector.

Case Study of Lao's People Democratic Republic:The case study gives background on the country, lists key social and economic features and outlines both development priorities and future prospects. It then provides the history of mine and unexploded ordnance contamination and the history of mine action. In addition, it overviews of victim assistance, reviews approaches to setting priorities for humanitarian demining, and discusses the integration of priority setting and work planning. Finally, it addresses costs and benefits related to mine action and the existing integration of mine action with development work.

Case Study of Kosovo: The case studies gives background on Kosovo, the history of mine and unexploded ordnance contamination as well as the history of mine action. It then provides a summary of future mine action needs; discusses the human, social, economic and environmental impact and indicators; explains the existing criteria for the prioritisation of mine action; assesses the role of socio-economic indicators in planning; expands on the existing criteria for measuring the benefits of mine action; reflects on the funding picture; addresses the existing integration within development initiatives; and concludes with recommendations.