Cluster munitions and victim assistance

This booklet examines the challenges involved in providing assistance to landmine victims, many of whom cannot be provided with sufficient care because of poverty and a lack of health facilities. It also highlights the responsibilities of states to the Ottawa Convention and the new protocol on explosive remnants of war (ERW), and encourages increased efforts by both health-care systems and governments to support the victims

This paper gives a summary of the key obligations for states, and provides details regarding the signing and ratifying of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This resource is useful for people interested in learning about the convention

This report provides recommendations to support stakeholders involved in creating and updating national action plans on victim assistance throughout the period 2010-2014. The recommendations are in accordance with the Cartagena Action Plan and other international humanitarian and human rights standards. The report provides a background on victim assistance and highlights recommendations using six key elements. This report is useful for countries affected by mines/explosive remnants of war (ERW), survivors, disabled persons’ organisations (DPO) and other civil society representatives, international organisations and countries committed to international cooperation

This manual is a guide to psychosocial interventions to help people cope with the emotional effects of disasters. Some are direct responses to the trauma of disasters, while others are longer-term responses. Even more than the physical effects of disasters, the emotional effects cause long-lasting suffering, disability and loss of income

This report addresses key questions related to the landmine removal process. They include: who carries out demining and what was their record during the conflict? Who benefits politically from the aid given to support mine action? Who act as ‘middlemen’ between international donors and the local deminers and to what uses do they put their profit?

This report consists of a detailed assessment of the use of cluster munitions in Kosovo. More specifically, it draws on data sets to examine the claims and counterclaims of humanitarian organisations and of user governments. It concludes with an analysis of how key governments responded to lessons learned from cluster munition use and there impact in Kosovo

This report investigates the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan, by the United States. This work argues that despite advances that have improved the accuracy and targeting of cluster bombs they still predominantly and unjustly impact civilians. This report also examines the after effect of cluster munitions and offers a set of legislative recommendations

This report concerns mine risk education in Somalia. It provides the basis for a more enhanced understanding of the selected communities in Somalia and could be used to guide and adapt the planning and design of locally appropriate mine risk education programmes

This well-known manual contains a wealth of information that is crucial for therapists, professionals and community groups. It deals comprehensively with all common childhood disabilities including polio, cerebral palsy, juvenile arthritis, blindness and deafness. It provides clear, detailed information and easy-to-implement ideas for rehabilitation at the village level, the development of skills, making low-cost aids and the prevention of disabilities

These guidelines are intended to help diverse actors, including donors and program implementers, develop and fund the programs to help landmine victims heal, recover and resume their roles as productive and contributing members of their societies. Intended to address the care and rehabilitation of those victims who have suffered physical injury from landmines, many of the recommendations apply as well to support for other persons with disabilities