Decision Tools Manual Humanitarian Mine Action Projects

This manual, elaborated by the Mine Action Information Center, James Madison University, and tasked by the US Department of State Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, is a hands-on approach to using both the Cost-Benefit Analysis Model, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process Model. The CBA Model allows the user to quantify the benefits accrued by a country for lives saved, increased agricultural output, costs foregone for the resettlement of internally displaced persons, and other benefits gained ranging from grazing to community development and infrastructure. More importantly, the manual includes EXCEL spreadsheets that allow the user to enter local data, and automatically calculate the benefits and costs. Finally, the manual explains and the spreadsheet calculates the net benefits (or costs) of the program. The AHP Model is an intriguing alternative approach to decision-making that has been used successfully by the business community for some time. This model allows for subjective assessment and expert input. Here, one has the opportunity to apply this technique to the prioritisation of mine action projects. Again, the manual illustrates how the model works. It also provides spreadsheet support that can be easily used by an organisation for prioritisation of its projects. Thailand and Ethiopia are used as field examples.