Armed Conflict Civilian Protection & Demining International Advocacy Team
An operational unit of the Humanitarian Efforts Diplomatic Advocacy Division, developing international frameworks to protect civilians in armed conflict and advance global demining efforts — clearing the landmines, cluster munitions, and explosive remnants of war that continue to kill and maim civilians for decades after conflicts end.
Mission & Operational Scope
Protecting Civilians During Conflict and Long After It Ends
Civilians bear the overwhelming burden of modern armed conflict — they account for the vast majority of casualties, displacement, and long-term harm. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas, indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the deliberate targeting of hospitals and schools represent systematic violations of IHL that the international community has failed to adequately address. The legacy of conflict — landmines, cluster munition remnants, and improvised explosive devices — continues to kill and maim civilians for generations after fighting ends, preventing the return of displaced populations and blocking agricultural and economic recovery.
This team develops the international advocacy frameworks that strengthen civilian protection during conflict and advance the demining and explosive remnants clearance that allows post-conflict communities to rebuild safely.
Governing Doctrine
Frameworks & Standards
- Ottawa TreatyMine Ban Treaty — international framework prohibiting anti-personnel landmines and requiring clearance of contaminated areas and victim assistance
- CCMConvention on Cluster Munitions — international framework prohibiting cluster munitions and requiring clearance of cluster munition remnants that cause indiscriminate civilian harm
- EWIPA DeclarationPolitical Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas — international commitment to restrict use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas
- IMASInternational Mine Action Standards — technical standards for humanitarian demining operations ensuring safe and effective clearance of explosive hazards
Operational Capabilities
Six Core Functions
01
Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
Develop international frameworks to restrict explosive weapons use in populated areas — implementing the EWIPA Political Declaration, developing military doctrine standards, and building the accountability mechanisms that reduce the catastrophic civilian harm caused by wide-area-effect weapons in urban warfare.
02
Humanitarian Demining Coordination
Develop international humanitarian demining coordination frameworks — establishing the survey standards, clearance prioritization protocols, and funding mechanisms that accelerate the clearance of landmine and cluster munition contamination in post-conflict countries.
03
Mine Ban Treaty Universalization
Advocate for universal Mine Ban Treaty adherence — developing the diplomatic engagement frameworks, technical assistance programs, and stockpile destruction support that bring remaining non-party states into the treaty and ensure full implementation by existing parties.
04
Victim Assistance Standards
Develop international victim assistance standards for landmine and explosive remnants survivors — establishing the medical care, rehabilitation, and social reintegration frameworks that address the long-term needs of the hundreds of thousands of people living with injuries from explosive hazards.
05
Hospital & Medical Facility Protection
Develop international frameworks for hospital and medical facility protection — strengthening the IHL protections for medical infrastructure, developing the notification and deconfliction protocols that reduce attacks on healthcare, and building the accountability mechanisms for violations.
06
Explosive Remnants Clearance Funding
Develop international funding frameworks for explosive remnants of war clearance — establishing the donor coordination mechanisms, national ownership frameworks, and sustainable financing models that ensure contaminated countries receive the resources needed to clear explosive hazards and restore safe land to communities.