The ICRC takes weapon contamination into account in planning all its operations, throughout the world – relief, economic security, water and sanitation, health, protection of civilians, etc.

One example: ICRC economic security programmes aim not only to help those who are already suffering but also to prevent further suffering, by ensuring that people are not forced to enter danger zones just to make a living.

Preventing accidents and reducing the effects of weapon contamination go hand in hand with activities to help those who have fallen victim to weapon contamination, such as physical rehabilitation, surgery and economic security programmes.

Exactly what the ICRC does to prevent accidents and reduce the effects of weapon contamination depends on the context, but our work generally includes a combination of the following:

• data gathering and analysis;
• risk reduction;
• risk education;
• survey and clearance.

See also the following sections:

Anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war

International humanitarian law: Landmines and IHL, Explosive remnants of war and IHL

ICRC activities:, War surgery, Physical rehabilitation, Weapons and health

Key document

19-7-2010
Reducing the impact of weapon contamination on populations in Africa

Igor Ramazzotti works as a weapon contamination adviser in the regional delegation in Nairobi. His job is multifaceted and covers large regions of the continent, with the overall goal to alleviate suffering of those affected by wars long after the active hostilities have ceased, as he explains.
(ICRC Activities\Mine action)
Interview


20-4-2009
What the ICRC is doing to reduce the risks and effects of weapon contamination
What the ICRC is doing to reduce the effects of weapon contamination on civilians: data gathering and analysis, risk reduction, risk education, survey and clearance.
(ICRC Activities\Mine action)

Feature

17-8-2010
Pakistan: as flood waters recede, hidden killers lie in wait

With a real risk of mines and unexploded ordnance being washed down with the floods, people living in previously uncontaminated areas are now at risk. Jessica Barry has been finding out more.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan)
Feature Includes Photo


7-7-2010
Nepal: watch out for those explosive remnants of war

The conflict in Nepal ended nearly four years ago. However the explosive remnants of war it left behind still pose a threat to the population. Monica Upadhyay talks about joint ICRC and Nepalese Red Cross work to alert the public to this menace.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Nepal)
Feature Includes Photo


3-6-2010
Viet Nam: fighting a deadly legacy

In Central Viet Nam, families across generations suffer the consequences of unexploded devices dating back to the war of the 1960s and 1970s. With help from the ICRC, the Vietnamese Red Cross is fighting the scourge.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Viet Nam)
Feature Includes Photo


2-12-2009
Colombia: tools for building a better future

Most civilian victims of weapon contamination in Colombia live in rural areas, but returning to agricultural work after an accident can be difficult. In many cases, they have to leave their homes and move to a city, alone or with their families, to get the medical treatment they need. Many are also forced to leave the area for safety reasons.
(The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia)
Feature Includes Photo


13-8-2009
Iraq: mine victim takes a small step to a big new future

A new ICRC assistance programme in Iraq is helping war victims to become financially independent. Beneficiaries include people like Mohammad, who lost a limb in a mine blast in northern Iraq back in 1991.
(The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq)
Feature Includes Photo


30-9-2008
Azerbaijan: safe playgrounds for children
Although the hostilities in the Nagorny Karabakh region of Azerbaijan were suspended over a decade ago, their deadly legacy lives on in the form of landmines. The ICRC endeavours to prevent the havoc they cause.
(The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Azerbaijan)
Feature Includes Photo


28-2-2008
Cambodia: promoting economic security among victims of landmines
Despite the enormous efforts made during the past 12 years to rid Cambodia of the scourge of mines and other explosive remnants of war, several hundred people continue to be maimed or killed by these weapons in the country every year.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Cambodia)
Feature Includes Photo


6-7-2007
A strengthened mine action rapid response capacity
Mines and explosive remnants of war kill and mutilate people and block their access to basic needs. The ICRC is therefore strengthening its capacity to respond rapidly to the threat caused by weapon contamination in emergency situations.
(ICRC Activities\Mine action)
Feature Includes Photo

ICRC Publication

4-3-2010
Weapon contamination
The brochure summarizes the problem of weapon contamination, presents the ICRC's Weapon Contamination Unit, and describes how the ICRC acts to protect civilians from the effects of weapon contamination. Topics include clearance, risk education and risk reduction.
(Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law)
ICRC Publication Includes PDF


21-9-2007
Weapon contamination manual: Reducing the impact of explosive remnants of war and landmines through field activities
This manual has been written to act as the ICRC’s Institutional reference on mine action, as a basis for ICRC mine action training and to provide guidance for those working in delegations where weapon-contamination is an issue. The manual consists of three books and it outlines a broad and flexible approach which includes rapid response, multisectoral approach (the application of assistance and protection to reduce impact) and cooperation/capacity building.
(Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention)
ICRC Publication Includes PDF

Interview

27-6-2008
Combating the legacy of weapon contamination in Cambodia
Mom Phireak is Programme Coordinator for Mine Risk Education/Risk Reduction at the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) in Phnom Penh. In 2005, at Mom's instigation, the CRC started an innovative micro-credit project to support the economic integration of people who are vulnerable to landmines and other explosive remnants. He spoke with Claudia McGoldrick about the project and its success.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Cambodia)
Interview Includes Photo

Press article

20-4-2010
Operation decontamination: "we can see the light at the end of the tunnel where mines are concerned"
Interview with Boris Cerina, ICRC Regional Weapon Contamination Adviser for Asia-Pacific. Excerpts from an interview with Nepali Times.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Nepal)
Press article


29-4-2008
Beyond mine action: the Movement’s approach to weapon contamination
One outcome of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is a resolution that included a call on states to strengthen the protection of civilians against the indiscriminate use and effects of weapons and munitions, stressing the need to address the humanitarian impact of explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions. Apart from efforts on the legal front, the Movement is also striving to reduce the humanitarian impact of weapon contamination through its operations - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2008.
(ICRC Activities\Mine action)
Press article

Report

31-12-2001
Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive Remnants of War
This report provides a unique overview of the human and social costs of unexploded mines, cluster bomb submunitions and other ordnance to the civilian population of Kosovo during the one-year period from June 1999 to May 2000.
(Humanitarian law\Weapons\Explosive remnants of war)
Report Includes PDF

Other site

1-1-2010
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
News on mines, Mine Ban Convention , etc. List of publications and videos (on-line ordering). Landmine research resources (websites, books, audiovisual aids). Photos. Information on Ottawa Convention (text, recent ratifications, meetings of States Parties, etc.). Calendar of mine-related meetings.
(Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
Other site


23-2-2005
Landmine Monitor
Reports from 1999-2004. Reports by States. Link to Landmine Monitor database (information on Ottawa Convention, humanitarian action around the world, mine victims, etc.).
(Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
Other site


23-2-2005
Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining
(Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
Other site