A Note from the Director

This issue of The Journal is different than the norm in that we feature more in-depth studies and articles on a variety of important issues currently affecting our mine action community.

Localization in Mine Action: Where the Possible Meets the Necessary

Localization in humanitarian mine action (HMA) presents unique challenges due to its resource-intensive and highly regulated nature, unlike other sectors.

The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative: Enhancing Coordination Between Humanitarian Mine Action and the Emergency Health Response to Civilian Casualties of Explosive Ordnance

Conflict zones lack formal trauma systems, hindering rapid first aid for explosive weapon injuries. The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative (MA-TCC) bridges this gap by leveraging mine action's presence in the field.

Surveying Eighty-Year-Old Battlefields in Solomon Islands

After 80 years, surveying old battlefields is hard. Solomon Islands faces challenges due to familiarity and lack of data on UXO casualties, hindering help requests and strategy planning.

Emergency Explosive Ordnance Risk Education: Lessons Learned from Ukraine

After the Russian offensive in February 2022, Ukraine faced EO contamination. The global EORE Advisory Group provided guidance, and DRC organized a workshop to review emergency EORE programming.

Inclusive Data Management: Reporting, Storing, and Sharing of Information on Beneficiaries in the Mine Action Sector

Legal frameworks like the APMBC, CCM, and CCW drove data management changes in mine action. Challenges remain in transitioning to people-centric data, especially regarding gender and diversity.

Working to Prevent and Reduce the Impact of Armed Violence in Coastal West Africa

Violence surges in West Africa, notably Sahel, with armed conflicts causing displacement and instability. SALW proliferation exacerbates conflict, undermines peace building, and drives displacement.

The Detection Problem: An Eight-Decade Challenge. The Difficulty of Practically Detecting and Discriminating Mines, Booby Traps, and Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Devices

The detection of explosive remnants of war (ERW) is a critical task in the land release process; however, a new project to create a long-term study site will accelerate detection techniques for humanitarian mine action.