GENERAL MINE ACTION ASSESSMENT, SURVEY AND HAZARDOUS AREA MARKING

Transcription

1 GENERAL MINE ACTION ASSESSMENT, SURVEY AND HAZARDOUS AREA MARKING 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 GMAA is the continuous process by which a comprehensive inventory can be obtained of all reported and/or suspected locations of mine or UXO contamination, the quantities and types of explosive hazards, and information on local soil characteristics, vegetation and climate; and assessment of the landmine problem on the individual, community and country. This systematic information gathering process shall also indicate areas that are free from mine/uxo contamination. 2. AIM OF GMAA 2.1 The aim of the GMAA is: a. To assess the scale and impact of the landmine problem on the country and individual communities. b. To investigate all reported and/or suspected areas of mine or UXO contamination, quantities and types of explosive hazards. c. To collect general information such as the security situation, terrain, soil characteristics, climate, routes, infrastructure and local support facilities, to assist the planning of future mine action projects. d. To support the work of external organisations and agencies. 2.2 The GMAA process gathers information on national capabilities and potential to address the problem, and the need for external assistance including financial, human skills, material and information. The information collected should be sufficient to enable priorities to be established or updated and plans to be developed. It is a continuous process. 2.3 Impact Survey, Technical Survey, and post clearance completion activities are functional areas of the overall GMAA process. 3. GMAA PURPOSE AND SCOPE 3.1 The scope and extent of the GMAA depends on many factors, including the availability of (and access to) existing information, the local security situation, and the human and financial resources available. Its scope and thoroughness will also depend on the urgency and need for planning information. The process of gathering information carried out in the early stages of an emergency programme will be quite different in form and detail to those conducted as part of a more stable developmental mine action programme. Page 1 of 5

2 3.2 For the purpose of this NTSG, assessment shall be defined as a continually refined process of information gathering and evaluation, whereas a survey is a distinct operational task capable of being contracted. 4. MINE ACTION SURVEY 4.1 The primary purpose of a mine action survey is to establish the scope of the mine/erw problem in sufficient detail to enable mine action organisations to plan and conduct effective clearance operations. 4.2 The records of all surveyed areas shall be stored in the national IMSMA database. Standard report formats shall therefore, be used so that information may be easily collated for analysis. The following survey categories and forms shall be used in Sudan: a. Landmine Impact Survey - an assessment of the socio-economic impact caused by the actual or perceived presence of mines and UXO that should include factors such as the collection of information on numbers of casualties, the loss of houses and livestock, basic necessities, such as water and firewood, are key to determining and assisting with the planning and prioritisation of mine action programmes and projects. An IMSMA Impact Survey report shall be submitted to the UNMAO when conducting a Landmine Impact Survey. b. General Survey - is the investigation and recording of suspected mine or UXO contamination areas. The general survey process shall also identify areas which are free from mine or UXO contamination. Depending on task requirements, there may be a requirement to conduct some marking (eg, bench mark, hazardous area perimeter). An IMSMA Dangerous Area or Minefield report shall be submitted to the UNMAO when conducting a General Survey. c. Technical Survey - is the detailed topographical and technical investigation of suspected mine/uxo areas identified during the GMAA Assessment. The primary aim of a Technical Survey is to collect sufficient information to enable the clearance requirement to be more accurately defined, including the area(s) to be cleared, the depth of clearance, local soil conditions, and the vegetation characteristics. This shall enable the preparation of a tasking order and allow subsequent clearance operations to be conducted in a safe, effective and efficient manner, (for a further explanation, see Chapter 17, Technical Survey). An IMSMA Technical Survey report shall be submitted to the UNMAO when conducting a Technical Survey. d. Completion Survey - is conducted by the mine action organisation who shall accurately record all clearance conducted and post clearance marking prior to a QA inspection by the UNMAO. An IMSMA Completion report shall be submitted to the UNMAO when conducting a Completion Survey. Page 2 of 5

3 e. Suspension Report is produced by the mine action organisation when for a variety of reasons a task is suspended prior to final completion. An IMSMA Suspension report shall be submitted to the UNMAO when conducting a Suspension of a task. 4.3 Geographic: All available forms of geographic and topographical data are vital to the planning and analysis process. The incorporation of this data in the survey process is required to plan both the survey and subsequent mine clearance operations. Soil maps, hydrology, road, bridge and agricultural features are some examples of data which must be included in the survey plan to establish priority areas and methods to be used in clearing mines/uxo. 4.4 Mine/UXO Technical Data: Technical information on mines and UXOs, collected from sources (primarily the military) in the field must be centralised in the IMSMA database. This information is vital to establish the level of the mine/uxo threat, which then assists the development of mine/uxo clearance procedures. 5. INFORMATION RELIABILITY 5.1 All information obtained, regardless of the source, shall be assessed for its accuracy and completeness. This procedure is to be implemented at all levels. Any information received on the probable location of mines/uxo must be investigated appropriately. 6. STANDARD REPORTING 6.1 Reports: Standards have been set for the recording of information, so that there are common formats for collation and dissemination. Records must be kept in written, graphic, and digital formats so both digital and paper based reports can transfer information to operators in the field and planners at the central level. 6.2 Maps: Maps are the key element in providing geographical data on suspected mined areas. The most detailed and accurate maps available are to be used as the standard for recording of mined areas, however if no suitable maps are available accurate sketch maps may be used. The map series, date of production and scale must be clearly identified. It is important to remember that a different map series may have been used and referred to in earlier surveys/mapping reports; there must be no confusion in cross-referencing. 6.3 Measurement: All measurements used in humanitarian demining shall be metric measurements. Page 3 of 5

4 6.4 Measurement Equipment: A variety of measurement equipment can be used to accurately record mined area data. These include compasses, protractors, GPS (Global Positioning System), DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System), range finders, binoculars, cameras etc. In each case the equipment selected must provide the greatest degree of accuracy and reliability to the field operator who must ensure accuracy during the application. For example, GPS should not be used for plotting turning points in a minefield because it can give constantly changing readings of up to 100 metres. GPS should only be used in plotting permanent landmarks and as a navigational aid. Personnel tasked to conduct surveys must have a good working knowledge of map reading and be able to operate and calibrate their own equipment. 7. MARKING OF HAZARDOUS AREAS 7.1 Hazardous area marking is a vital component of humanitarian demining and should be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity in order to provide a visual warning of the presence of mine/uxo. Whenever possible the standard mine sign and minefield marking system, shown at Annex A, should be the chosen method however it is accepted that initially this may not always be possible or practicable. However it should be installed at the earliest opportunity. 7.2 Hazardous area marking has been categorised into four levels as follows: a. Improvised marking Acceptable level to indicate mine/uxo areas when temporary or permanent materials or resources are not available. The marking used shall be clearly recognisable from a safe distance by all who may come across it, shall be placed to ensure access is restricted and should be able to withstand the elements for six months. b. Temporary marking Acceptable level to mark mine/uxo areas in preparation for humanitarian demining. The system should provide a physical barrier. Signs should be clearly visible from a safe distance and visible sign-to-sign in heavily vegetated or undulating ground. The marking should be able to withstand the elements for between six months to one year. c. Permanent marking Acceptable level to mark mine/uxo areas not scheduled for humanitarian demining in the near future. It should employ a combination of signs and/or markers visible from a safe distance and visible sign-to-sign in heavily vegetated or undulating ground and physical barriers and should be able to withstand the elements for greater than one year. d. Route marking See Chapter OPERATIONAL SUPPORT 8.1 Communications: Survey teams shall be equipped with suitable radios to contact each other, survey coordinator and medical assistance. Page 4 of 5

5 8.2 Medical: All team members must be trained to a Basic Life Support level and when necessary, a qualified Medic shall be included in the survey team. The survey team must be equipped with a comprehensive medical kit containing the appropriate equipment to sustain a traumatic casualty over an extended period of time. 8.3 Casualty: All survey teams are to have a proven casualty evacuation plan, which is practised regularly. Page 5 of 5