Publication

This article is drawn from a study of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) on the role of the military in mine action. The study addresses the suitability and capability of the military to undertake mine action. The GICHD study finds that the military plays a significant role in national mine action programs. This can be through involvement by the local military forces or with support from a visiting military force. The authors conclude that at the end of a conflict, local militaries need training and equipment to enable them to undertake humanitarian demining tasks and that the use of visiting military forces is most effective in the start-up phase of a national mine action program.