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Mine action operations usually support of policy and strategy implementation and focus on the removal of EO in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. This includes responding to new types of contamination, such as the recent spread of improvised explosive devices (IED) being used on a large scale, or the introduction of new techniques, such as the use of surveys to reduce the effort in releasing land. 

The Operations Management (OM) Programme supports countries through two, long term initiatives. The first is a learning initiative, based on the development and implementation of learning opportunities, which are delivered either nationally, regionally, or globally.

The second, the Mine Action Management Systems project, provides platforms for management topics to be discussed and facilitates the exchange of solutions among the mine action community. 

The learning initiative provides the mine action sector with a range of opportunities to professionalise the sector and, as part of the initiatives to enhance capacities within the sector, strives to work towards improved management of mine action programmes, resulting in operations being implemented more safely, effectively, and efficiently. The development of these courses is driven by the needs observed in the field and is continually adapting and evolving. The topics range in scope and vision from the training of management professionals within the sector, through to the initiation of new trainers, who themselves go on to train others in the areas of quality management, risk management and operational analysis.  The courses are designed to be accessible to a wide range of mine action professionals, with the development of blended instructor-led and self-paced learning becoming a significant step forward. 

The Mine Action Management Systems project links various aspects of the mine action sector into coherent national plans. This project works towards framing national responses in up-to-date processes, which are enabled by information management. These range from supporting countries in addressing the complexities of liability in the mine action context, exploring and implementing IED responses, and plans to move into a residual phase of their mine action programmes. This project is rooted in understanding the needs of EO affected countries and driven by assessments of the needs. 

Survey

Surveying land is an evidence-based approach to more accurately differentiate between areas that require clearance and areas that do not.

Survey techniques

 

Detection and clearance

Clearance of landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) is a challenging, time-consuming and expensive activity utilizing manual deminers and the support of Animal Detection Systems (ADS), mechanical systems and remote sensing equipment. 

Detection techniques

Operational Efficiency in Mine Action

This study aims to provide a framework for mine action stakeholders to review the efficiency of their own land release operations.

Read the study

Operations Management Publications

English

Difficult Terrain In Mine Action

Armed conflicts continue to cause an increase in the number of casualties from explosive ordnance. Even after hostilities have ended, populations living in mine-affected areas often live with the risk posed by mines and other...

20/03/2023
Difficult Terrain In Mine Action
  • Available in English
  • GICHD
English

The Sustainable Development Outcomes of Mine Action in Jordan

This study comprehensively maps the sustainable development outcomes of mine action activities in Jordan, using the SDGs as an analytical framework. It presents concrete examples which illustrate the impact of mine action...

30/03/2021
The Sustainable Development Outcomes of Mine Action in Jordan
  • Available in Arabic, English
  • GICHD
English

Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining | Twenty Years of Supporting Mine Action

 

This book was published on the anniversary of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining's 20th anniversary. In 1997, at the adoption of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), Switzerland announced its...

14/12/2018
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining | Twenty Years of Supporting Mine Action
  • Available in English
  • GICHD
English

Information Management and Technology Development for Technical Survey in Mine Action

There is an emergent consensus that an excessive use of clearance resources in areas that may not contain landmines and/or explosive remnants of war (ERW) represents an error in miscalculation rather than justifiable prudence....

01/09/2015
Information Management and Technology Development for Technical Survey in Mine Action
  • Available in English
  • Mikael Bold, GICHD
English

Doing no harm? Mine action and land issues in Cambodia

This report includes recommendations that seek to build upon good practice and strengthen systems and processes to ensure mine action efforts not only do no harm, but also bring the maximum possible benefits to beneficiary...

01/09/2014
Doing no harm? Mine action and land issues in Cambodia
  • Available in English
  • GICHD
English

Land Release Liability

Who should be responsible for any adverse events after clearance? The process of transferring liability from an operator to the state seems biased due to an inherent conflict of interest.

01/06/2014
Land Release Liability
  • Available in English
  • Sean Moorhouse
English

Amendments to the IMAS Land Release

The International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) review board formally endorsed amendments to the Land Release IMAS in April 2013 that clarify and standardize the language and practices in the series.

01/04/2014
Amendments to the IMAS Land Release
  • Available in English
  • Helen Gray, GICHD
English

GICHD Geomine Demonstration Test 15 January 2014

 

In 2013, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) participated as the lead observer in the Geomine demonstration test in Wittstock, Germany.

 

The technology demonstrated focuses on reducing suspect...

31/03/2014
GICHD Geomine Demonstration Test 15 January 2014
  • Available in English
  • GICHD
English

Mine Action and Land Rights in South Sudan | Key findings and recommendations

In March 2013, GICHD and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) undertook a joint mission to South Sudan on land rights and mine action in order to provide mine action organisations with analysis on land related conflict and...

01/12/2013
Mine Action and Land Rights in South Sudan | Key findings and recommendations
  • Available in English
  • S. Naidoo, F. Marzatico and L. Monaghan

Operations Management Team

Advisor, Operational Management

Lina Castillo Méndez

Advisor, Operational Management
Advisor, Operational Management

Abdullah Alkhasawneh

Advisor, Operational Management
Ziaee Abdul Qudos

Ziaee Abdul Qudos

Advisor, Standards
Advisor, Operational Management

Yuri Shahramanyan

Advisor, Operational Management
Stanislav Damjanovic

Stanislav Damjanovic

Advisor, Operational Management
Kinda Samra

Kinda Samra

Programme Officer, Operational Management
Harald Schmittgall

Harald Schmittgall

Advisor & Security Sector Liaison
Stephen Robinson

Stephen Robinson

Programme Manager, Operational Management