Landmines destroy life
and limb and inhibit national development long after the smoke of battle has
cleared. After ten years of international humanitarian mine action, the mine
action community has learned that the terror can be controlled in a relatively
short period of time. The International Treaty to Ban Landmines and the 2010
Initiative both project success within the next decade. Success is possible if
the international community improves its capacity to prioritize scarce resources
of personnel, time and money.
Within the next two years, the Global Landmine Survey will produce high
quality survey data on the socio-economic impact of landmines. This survey,
conducted by visiting all the mine-affected communities within a country, will
provide the foundation for a wide range of subsequent mine action activities.
Executed to a common international standard and certified by the United Nations
Mine Action Service, the survey will:
Allow donors to rationally proportion funds to places of greatest human need
as defined by impact on communities;
Permit national authorities to develop national plans focusing on regions
and areas of greatest impact; and
Give implementers 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), has established the Survey Working Group.
The Survey Working Group will monitor standards and facilitate the international
coordination of resources and expert personnel for the completion of the Global
Landmine Survey in the most mine-affected countries. The following are the
members of the Survey Working Group:
Association to Aid Refugees
Japan
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining
Switzerland
Handicap International
Belgium/France
Landmine Survivors Network
U.S.
Medico International
Germany
Mines Advisory Group
United Kingdom
Mine Clearance Planning Agency
Afghanistan
Norwegian People’s Aid
Norway
UN Mine Action Service
United Nations
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
U.S.
Funding (as at 2000/03/01)
The Global Landmine Survey process is funded through a variety of channels.
To date, the following funds have been pledged:
[1:3 challenge match]
US $ 4,000,000
US State Department
US $ 3,700,000
Canada – CIDA & DFAIT
US $ 3,000,000
Foundations
[Rockefeller. J & C MacArthur, Compton]
US $ 500,000
United Kingdom – DFID
US $ 480,000
Japan
US $ 450,000
Norway – MFA
US $ 380,000
VVAF
US $ 300,000
Germany
US $ 100,000
World Bank
US $ 20,000
Current Operations
Yemen
Contributions from the governments of Canada, Japan, Germany and the U.S.
have been provided to support a survey in Yemen. UNOPS is the executing agency
with SAC implementation contracted to the Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA).
The survey commenced in July 1999 and is progressing ahead of schedule with
completion planned for July 2000. Yemen has used preliminary survey data to
comply with Article Seven reporting requirements of the Mine Ban Treaty.
Mozambique
The Canadian International Demining Center (CIDC) is surveying in Mozambique
with a direct and bilateral Canadian government (CIDA) contribution. The survey
is conducted according to Survey Working Group standards and SAC has appointed a
quality assurance monitor with funding from the U.S. Department of State.
Training of local staff is completed.
Chad
With support from the U.S. Department of State, the UN Foundation, and the
United Kingdom SAC contracted Handicap International- France to begin operations
in early November 1999. Work is progressing well. Local staff are trained and
the survey instrument has been tested.
Thailand
With funding from the MacArthur Foundation, SAC conducted an advance survey
mission with UNMAS participation and produced a country survey plan. SAC
contracted Norwegian People’s Aid as the implementing partner and funding
for the survey has been secured from the UK, Norway and the U.S. Survey
operations has commenced in early May 2000.
Kosovo
A SAC technical expert has worked within the United Nations Mine Action
Coordination Center (UNMACC) to bring together disparate survey materials within
the Level One Impact Survey module of IMSMA. The work has been completed.
UNMACC and other aid agencies already use the product of SAC’s work. The
European Commission through UNMAS and UNOPS funded the project. Advance mission
to Kosovo was funded by the United States.
Countries Under Consideration For Future Operations
Somaliland [NW Somalia]
With funding from the U.S. Department of State, SAC subcontracted the HALO
Trust to conduct an advance survey mission to Somaliland. Conditions at that
time was determined to be unfavorable for execution of a survey. However, the
situation is being monitored and the possibility exists to survey Somaliland in
2000.
Lebanon
With funding from HMD Response International [UK] and the U.S. State
Department, SAC and HMD Response International [UK] have sent advance teams to
Lebanon and produced a country survey plan. With funding from the European
Commission, HMD Response, with SAC as technical advisor, is planning to commence
survey operations in summer 2000.
Western Sahara
The Norwegian People’s Aid and Medico International have sent an
exploratory mission to Western Sahara.
Angola
Norwegian People's Aid conducted an extensive socio-economic survey of Angola
prior to the establishment of the current Level One Impact Survey standards.
NPA and SAC are working together to consider ways to "retrofit" the existing
data into the current IMSMA Level One Impact Survey module
Cambodia
Canada is providing direct and bilateral funding to a Canadian organization
for the survey according to Survey Working Group standards. Operations began in
April 2000 The survey is conducted according to Survey Working Group
standards.
Afghanistan
The Mine Clearance Planning Agency has done extensive survey work in
Afghanistan. SAC has undertaken an advance survey mission to Afghanistan to work
out a plan to asses current practices and possibly to “retrofit”
existing data into Level One Impact Survey module.
Ethiopia & Eritrea
It is planned to conduct an advance survey mission to study the need and
feasibility for a Level One Impact Survey in this region once conditions
permit.
Northern Iraq
SAC is coordinating with UNMAS and UNOPS to explore possibilities for survey
here.
Sac Capabilities
Technical Advisory Team – A specialized SAC team of
internationally recognized experts in social science, survey, cartography, and
statistics is available to assist surveys and to help with later analysis.
Survey Information – The SAC information department will
support national surveys with map data sets and related information.
Data Base – In accordance with the Survey Working Group
principles the SAC and UNMAS have developed the field questionnaire to support
collection of the Level One Impact survey data. In cooperation with the Geneva
International Center, this data set has been integrated into the UN Information
Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). The field module is available for
national surveys.
WorldWideWeb Site – The Global Landmine Survey will
maintain a web site allowing access to survey information referenced
geographically
The Survey Process
A Level One Impact
Survey is conducted in different phases. These phases and their component
activities are presented in a general chronological order, which corresponds to
the task/sub-task matrix of the UN Certification Guidelines for Level One Impact
Survey. A number of activities (or tasks) will occur within each phase, although
in some cases a given task may continue throughout two or more phases. This
general process may be modified as required by the particular conditions
encountered in any given country, particularly if that country has a
pre-existing mine action program.
PHASE 1: PLANNING, Preparation and Office Establishment
UN Assessment Mission
A UN Assessment Mission is an expected precursor to Humanitarian Mine Action
intervention for Mine/UXO affected countries. The assessment mission will
examine first the “need” for mine action and the
“utility” of mine action within a country’s existing
institutional mechanisms. This mission will explicitly call for the execution
of a Level One Impact Survey when it is justified. An assessment mission report
calling for the conduct of a survey is the first step in the process.
Advance Survey Mission
UNMAS formally requests that the Survey Action Center to mobilize an Advance
Survey Mission to the identified mine affected country. In addition to
confirming the “need” and “utility” for a survey, this
mission will also examine the “feasibility” for the actual execution
of the survey.
The purpose of an Advance Survey Mission is to develop the contacts and
information required to plan for the actual survey. In some cases information
may suggest that a survey is not appropriate and activities will stop, or be
delayed.
Operational Set up and Establishment of
Country Presence
Upon the approval and funding of the impact survey, an operational base(s)
will be prepared to support the survey team, complete with temporary offices and
a communications system.
An open and transparent recruitment and selection process is to be undertaken
to attract and retain competent local & international staff. Final selection
of staff is the responsibility of the implementing survey team with due
consideration of the National host.
Collection of Expert Opinion
The survey team should begin the systematic collection of informed opinion of
national “experts” familiar with the mine contamination problem.
This should be done by using a standardized interview format and should involve
a broad cross-section of agencies, and individuals representing diverse
interests and regions.
Our, experience proves that best results come from provincial capital and
district visits by survey staff to gather information on names and location of
affected communities.
Sounding Board Meeting
The global survey instrument and methodology will be discussed with local
stakeholders including relevant government bodies, NGO’s involved in mine
action activities, and experienced national survey experts and social scientists
to ensure that it meets local requirements and cultural sensitivities..
PHASE 2: PROJECT expansion and survey instrument Refinement
Training
Based on the selection process and the level of academic and professional
skills of the survey staff recruited, a training programme is to be developed.
The aim of the training programme is to teach survey-related skills and
knowledge to reinforce the survey process.
Conduct Pre- and Pilot Tests
Following the survey training stage, a pre-test of the survey instrument
itself is to be conducted to determine its utility and cultural acceptability.
Likewise a pilot test is to be conducted of the entire survey process to analyze
management, logistics and administrative systems and planning assumptions.
Sampling for False Negatives
The refined survey process is to be used to develop methodologies for
conducting a sampling to check for false negative in the areas not reported to
be min affected. This will be used to a measure of confidence regarding survey
findings.
Revise Operational Plan
Prior to actually conducting the survey, information gained during the
testing exercises is to be used to revise and update the final operations plan.
PHASE 3: DATA Collection, Processing and Verification
Administer and
Manage Level One Impact Mine /UXO Survey
The conduct of the Level One Impact Survey is to take place under contractual
agreements and in close collaboration with National authorities. An independent
Quality Assurance Monitor will evaluate the survey. The survey is to be
conducted in accordance with SWG and UN policies.
Community Group Interviews
The field supervisors would visit mine affected areas prior to the survey
teams and make overall arrangements for communities to be surveyed. The teams
will conduct a group interview of the key informants within a community. The
questionnaire will be administered to register the information of the group. The
group interview will be conducted based on participatory approaches.
Visual Verification of Mined Areas
Reported mined areas will be visually verified from a safe area. Strict
procedures are in place to ensure that enumerators do not take un-necessary
risks. Visual verification will not only improve the quality of the data but
will also provide relevant data for subsequent technical (Level II) survey as
well.
Field operations will be regularly monitored and supervised by trained local
supervisors, and international staff. All data will be checked and edited by a
full time data editor, as close to the field as possible, prior they are sent
for entry into the computer.
Quality Assurance Monitoring
Survey quality is assured by an independent UN Quality Assurance Monitor
(QAM) who records and documents survey progress in accordance with the UNMAS
Certification Guidelines.
The QAM’s reports will also serve as an instrument for certification of
the survey results.
PHASE 4: Data Analysis. Presentation and Hand-Over
Data
Analysis
The objective analysis of data collected during the survey is vital to ensure
acceptance of the survey results. The analysis of facts collected in
quantitative study and impact weighting that is applied must be transparent,
logical and understandable. The analysis of data must meet the informational
needs of the National Authorities.
Handover
As part of completing the survey, the Survey team is to present it’s
preliminary findings, maps and data to National authorities and other
stakeholders in the country. This will be done not only to share the knowledge
gained, but to illicit comments and input prior to publishing the final report
and releasing data on the world-wide web.
Trained staff and equipment will also be handed over to the national mine
action authorities.
Reports
The Survey Team is to produce a Final Report as a product for the National
Authorities in order to allow them to continue the Mine Action process. This
report is to focus on an objective presentation and analysis of the data
gathered in the survey.
New Definition
By focusing on community impact rather than the
absolute number of landmines in the ground, the Global Landmine Survey process
provides the Mine Action community with new tools with which to prioritize work
and to measure progress.
Survey Action Center, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
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