IMSMA is provided for free at http://mwiki.gichd.org/IMSMA and is the primary software in mine action, and is installed in over 47 countries. IMSMA includes built-in flexibility to support a variety of information management needs, ranging from the largest humanitarian programmes in the world to the smallest.
Its features include:
• A decision-support system with embedded GIS;
• Designed for the Windows operating system and requires 3GB of free disk space;
• Currently available in multiple languages including English, French and Spanish.
A typical IED is constructed from a number of separate components. These components, by chance or intention, are often compatible with multiple device types. For example, main charges could be used with various types of switches and vice versa. An MA organisation should make attempts to collect accurate and relevant data concerning IEDs, their construction and components, and components as singular items if identified. This data should be recognisable across the MA sector using one point of reference. It is recommended that MA organisations use the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) IED Lexicon. This lexicon provides the user with an operational vocabulary for IED employment scenarios, a variety of IEDs and their critical components. The lexicon will assist in standardising terminology across IED reporting. There can be different interpretations when recording IED data. The ‘initiator’ is a prime example of this. Globally there are many different types of initiator with variations in size, colour and material composition. This is further increased by improvised variants that may even be made from plastic. It is important to record as much detail as reasonably practical, using the UNMAS IED Lexicon, to try and help avoid any misperceptions.
EXAMPLES (Not All Inclusive)
Standard Electric Detonator
Electronic Detonator
Exploding Foil Bridge
Detonator
Delay
Exploding Bridge Wire
Semi-Conducting Bridge
Commercial Initiator
Electric Ignitor
Electronic Lighter
Squib
Ignitor
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I N I T I A T O R
Electric Detonator / Electric Blasting Cap
Detonator
Military Initiator
Electric
Ignitor
Ignitor Safety Fuse Electric
Detonator
Flash Bulb + Mercury Fulminate
Light Bulb + PETN
Improvised Initiator
22 Guage Wire + Copper Wire + Match Heads + Morning Glory Powder
Ignitor
Nails + Cork +Wire + Flash Powder
Plain Detonator / Non-Electric Blasting Cap
Detonator
Shock Tube
Commercial Initiator
Ignitor
Pyrotechnic Ignitor
Plain Detonator / Non-Electric Blasting Cap
Detonator
Military Initiator
Non-Electric
Ignitor
Match Fuse
Striker Assembly + .22 Cap + Fuse + Plain Detonator
Detonator
Friction Bar + Armstrong’s Mixture
Improvised Initiator
Ignitor
Hypergolic
Latex Rubber + Acid
Image 5. Excerpt from the UNMAS IED Lexicon (Initiator). Source: UN ©
Clearance reporting
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