The document discusses the environmental risks associated with conflict remnants and the methods of demining, highlighting potential damages such as erosion and soil fertility loss. It suggests measures to minimize these impacts, including strategic planning and follow-up restoration efforts. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of environmental impact assessments and integrating disaster risk reduction into humanitarian policies and practices.

1. Environmental risks of remnants of conflict:
How to “do no harm” in mine action
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Angela De Santis, Ursin Hofmann
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining -
GICHD, Switzerland

2. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
The Global Landmine and ERW Problem

3. Demining methods
• Mechanical
• Animal
• Manual
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org

4. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Flails Tillers
Sifters
A front-end loader with bucket and grill

5. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Potential environmental damages of
mechanical demining
• Erosion
• Deforestation
• Soil structure damage
• Ground pollution (FOL)
• Loss in soil fertility and productivity

6. Measures to reduce environmental impact
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
• Plan:
– Use during less vulnerable season,
– Identify planned land use after clearance
• Reduce impact:
– Clear only what is needed
• Mitigate:
– Leave 3 - 4m strips of vegetative cover at
intervals (manual clearance),
– Construction of wind barriers or drainage
systems,
– Follow up measures (cultivation,
replantation, etc.),
– Replace topsoil

7. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Avoid default clearance
of entire SHA
Targeted investigation

8. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
Assessment & Monitoring techniques
Baseline
Definition
Impact
identification
Impact
evaluation
Impact
mitigation and
compensation
Monitoring
ENVIRONMENTAL
INDICATORS

9. From terrain to GIS
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
INFRASTRUCTURES
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
POPULATION
DISTRIBUTION
VEGETATION
TERRAIN
SHA / CHA
WATER BODIES
SOIL COMPOSITION
LAND USE
GIS sw

10. Environmental mapping using RS
> Key parameters of soil,
vegetation, water bodies
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
> Baseline definition
> Monitoring: Multi-temporal,
multi- criteria
and 3D analysis
> Forecast: modelling
> Interaction with other
hazards
Control and monitoring if
demining site management
corresponds to environmental
standards
Geo location and monitoring of
demolition site
During
operations
Medium Term Control of vegetation
removal and monitoring of
ecosystem restoration
Long Term Control and monitoring of
soil erosion process

11. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
IMAS 10.70

12. Added value for the Post 2015 Framework for
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Disaster Risk Reduction
• How did your work support the implementation of the Hyogo
Framework for Action:
– Reduction of the underlying risk factors by contributing to food security
– Support to sustainable ecosystems
– Identification and assessment of disaster risks from mine action
operations
• From your perspective what are the main gaps, needs and further
steps to be addressed in the Post 2015 Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction in
– Research: Use of RS and GIS, geodata analysis, evidence-based decisions
– Education & Training: Continued awareness-raising and training of field
implementers outside the DRR sector
– Implementation & Practice:
– Policy: Further integration of DRR into humanitarian and development
policies and planning