Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) works
towards a world free of anti-personnel landmines and for the reduction of the
humanitarian impact of explosive remnants of war by providing operational
assistance, creating and sharing knowledge, and supporting instruments of
international law.
The GICHD is an independent and impartial organisation that was established
in 1998 as a Swiss initiative. 18 Governments (Austria, Belgium, Cambodia,
Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,
South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States of
America, and the Republic and Canton of Geneva) are represented in its Council
of Foundation. The Centre currently consists of 34 permanent staff members,
including four persons seconded by the Governments of France, Germany, Sweden,
and Switzerland. In total, 14 nationalities are present at the Centre.
Activities in 2004-2005
Operational Assistance
One of the core missions of the GICHD consists of providing specific
operational support and assistance to mine affected countries. The Centre is
active in the fields of information management, standardisation, technical
assistance, training, evaluation, and the facilitation of the exchange of
information.
Information management is one of the key elements required for success in
mine action programmes. The GICHD has focused its work in this area on the
development and deployment of the Information Management System for Mine Action
(IMSMA). These efforts have resulted in the deployment of IMSMA in 41 demining
programmes world-wide and its adoption as a de facto data handling
standard for mine action. In addition, the Centre is developing a light and easy
to use data entry tool based on standard hand-held computer technology.
The Centre also prepares and updates the International Mine Action Standards
(IMAS) on behalf of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). In this
context, the GICHD also assists mine affected countries in establishing their
own national mine action standards based on the application of IMAS.
The GICHD also offers its services to evaluate mine action projects and
programmes. In addition, it provides technical assistance and training for
specific programmes to governments, international organisations and NGOs. A
particular emphasis is given to socio-economic aspects and to mine risk
education activities, where the Centre carried out a series of workshops in
conjunction with UNDP and mine affected countries.
Research Activities
The Centre undertakes a series of research projects with the aim of
improving quality and to make mine action safer and more cost-effective. The
results of this research forms the basis for specific recommendations, best
practices and guidelines for dissemination to the field in the form of special
handbooks, training courses, etc.
In 2004, several studies relating to mechanical demining equipment,
socio-economic aspects of mine action, insurance and accidents were published
and supported by outreach activities. In addition, a guide to improving
communication in mine risk education programmes became available. The Centre
also gave advice to national authorities and international fora, and looked into
new technological developments. Finally, the GICHD undertakes a whole set of
research projects to improve operational use of animals, mainly dogs and rats,
such as in reducing areas perceived as being mined in a fast and efficient way.
The following publications became available in 2004-05:
A Guide to the IMAS (ISBN 2-88487-027-X)
A Guide to Improving Communication in Mine Risk Education Programmes
(versions available in Arabic, English, Spanish)
A Guide to Mine Action (versions available in Arabic, English, French,
Russian, Spanish)
A Guide to Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action Planning and Management
(ISBN 2-88487-030-X)
A Study of Mechanical Application in Demining (ISBN 2-88487-023-7)
Guide on Insurance for Mine Action Operators (ISBN 2-88487-033-4)
Humanitarian Impact from Mines other than Anti-Personnel Mines (ISBN
2-88487-035-0)
Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue 2005 (ISBN 2-88487-024-5)
Training of Mine Detection Dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ISBN
2-88487-034-2)
All GICHD publications are available on the Centre’s homepage (www.gichd.ch) or can be obtained from the GICHD
in hard copy.
Support to Instruments of International Law
The GICHD supports the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (“Ottawa
Convention”) according to the mandate given by the States Parties in
September 2001. This includes also the preparation and support of meetings, the
provision of independent professional advice and assistance, and the management
of a documentation and resource database facility. Most of this work is carried
out by the Centre’s Implementation Support Unit (ISU).
In addition, the GICHD administers a Sponsorship Programme on behalf of a
Group of Donors, which allows selected delegates from less developed and/or
mine-affected countries to participate at the implementation work of the Ottawa
Convention.
Finally, the Centre provides independent technical input into international
efforts to minimise human suffering caused by weapons and/or explosive remnants
of war, which is covered by the on-going work of the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Point of Contact
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining
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